Player ratings as Liverpool hammer West Ham in seven-goal thriller | OneFootball

Defending Premier League champions Liverpool put West Ham United to the sword, emerging as 5-2 winners in a seven-goal thriller at Anfield today.

With fourth-placed Manchester United three points ahead, Liverpool entered the game in high spirits after beating Nottingham Forest and Sunderland in their last two matches.

However, points were equally important to West Ham, whose top-flight status is under imminent threat, even though they had avoided defeat in three consecutive league matches before this clash.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s resurgent side had hoped to avenge a three-game losing streak against the Reds in the Premier League after fending off Bournemouth and Man Utd.

Liverpool drew first blood, with Hugo Ekitike beating Alphonse Areola after just five minutes with a clinical finish from the edge of the box.

It took Arne Slot’s charges less than 20 minutes to double their lead, as Virgil van Dijk headed home a delightful corner-kick delivery from Dominik Szoboszlai midway through the first half.

When Alexis Mac Allister made it 3-0 on the stroke of half-time, it looked like the hosts would run away with a dominant victory.

Tomas Soucek pulled one back for the Hammers at the start of the second half, pouncing on El Hadji Malick Diouf’s low cross across the penalty area to spark hope among travelling fans.

Cody Gakpo dashed those ambitions in the 70th minute, slotting home a perfectly-placed low shot to restore a three-goal lead for the home side.

Liverpool’s defence slipped again, as Taty Castellanos gave the visitors a slim hope of avoiding defeat at Anfield for the first time since December 2016.

Axel Disasi’s unfortunate own goal sealed the Hammers’ fate in the 82nd minute, while the Reds secured their first multi-goal margin win in the Premier League since the end of January.

Liverpool (4-2-3-1)

Alisson Becker (7/10) – Although his lackadaisical approach nearly led to West Ham’s goal in the first half, the Brazilian goalkeeper came up huge to thwart Jarrod Bowen when it mattered most.

Milos Kerkez (6/10) – Despite faring reasonably well against Bowen, the improving left-back offered little in the final third.

Virgil van Dijk (8/10) – In addition to scoring his third goal in the last six league fixtures, the Reds captain made light work of Castellanos, keeping him in his back pocket all game.

Ibrahima Konate (7/10) – Didn’t always inspire confidence, but held up his end of the bargain for a large chunk of the game. Soucek slipped his marker for West Ham’s consolation strike.

Joe Gomez (6/10) – Virtually invisible in the attacking third, the Englishman at least remained disciplined defensively, keeping his shape and limiting space down his flank.

Alexis Mac Allister (8/10) – Calm and collected on the ball, he kept Liverpool’s midfield ticking over with precise distribution. After a last-gasp winner at Forest, added to his tally with a thumping volley.

Ryan Gravenberch (7/10) – Had some erratic passes in the first half, but bossed the midfield with his strength and excellent positioning. Picked up an assist for Ekitike’s opener.

Mohamed Salah (5/10) – Another near-anonymous performance from the out-of-sorts Egyptian, who couldn’t find impact despite seeing plenty of the ball.

Dominik Szoboszlai (8/10) – Back to his favourite role, the Hungarian ace was pulling all the strings in attack and also claimed an assist for Van Dijk’s goal.

Cody Gakpo (8/10) – After an unimpressive first half, the skilled winger embarrassed himself with a disastrous miss early in the second half. Atoned for that blunder with a well-taken goal.

Hugo Ekitike (7/10) – Broke the deadlock with an inch-perfect finish. Faded from the game after that, though he nearly doubled his tally towards the end of the first half.