Isak and Gakpo Lift Liverpool to 2-0 Premier League Win at West Ham | OneFootball

Liverpool Edge West Ham 2-0 In Composed Premier League Response

Emotional Backdrop At London Stadium

Liverpool walked into a stadium carrying its own grief, with West Ham mourning Billy Bonds, a figure woven into the club’s identity across generations. The silence before kick off felt heavy, a reminder of football’s capacity for unity, and into that atmosphere Arne Slot’s side produced the controlled, disciplined performance they have been chasing for weeks. After nine defeats in twelve matches, the need for clarity and precision could not have been clearer, and Liverpool finally found both.

Slot made the boldest selection call of his Liverpool tenure by leaving Mohamed Salah out of a Premier League starting line up for the first time since April 2024. It was here at West Ham that the Egyptian had last been omitted, back when Jurgen Klopp was still in charge. This time the decision felt deliberate and strategic, and the response from those trusted to start was exactly what Slot required.

Wirtz Influence Drives Liverpool Control

Florian Wirtz dictated Liverpool’s tempo with a maturity that belied his age, drifting into spaces West Ham struggled to track. While West Ham were strangely passive, Liverpool recycled possession with fluency, using Wirtz as the pivot between midfield and attack. Slot’s approach prioritised structure, with Liverpool squeezing the pitch, denying West Ham’s creative players any rhythm.

Photo: IMAGO

The breakthrough reflected that control. Cody Gakpo’s movement was sharp and direct, finding room on the flank before delivering a measured cross. Alexander Isak, who had been searching for a Premier League goal since his record £125m arrival from Newcastle United, met it with a clean half volley on the hour. His finish carried relief as much as technique, offering a glimpse of the striker Liverpool believe will become central to their long term evolution.

West Ham Frustration And Paqueta Dismissal

West Ham’s attempts to respond were hampered further when Lucas Paqueta unravelled in the closing stages. Referee Darren England booked him for a foul, then reached for the second yellow when Paqueta argued the decision. The protests from the home support masked a broader truth, West Ham had not exerted enough pressure to test Liverpool’s resolve.

Photo: IMAGO

Gakpo Goal Seals A Composed Liverpool Win

With West Ham reduced to ten, Liverpool pressed for the goal that would reward their dominance. It arrived in stoppage time. Gakpo, already influential in Isak’s opener, cut through a static defence and produced a confident finish to secure the 2-0 success.

For a side searching for rhythm and for players carrying their own efforts to rediscover form, this felt like more than a routine Premier League victory. It was measured, authoritative and rooted in Slot’s growing imprint on this Liverpool team. The champions from 2025 needed this, not only for the table but for belief. On an emotionally charged afternoon in London, they rediscovered both.