SportsJOE rated all 11 players plus subs in Liverpool’s 2-0 victory at West Ham in the Premier League on Sunday.
Alexander Isak scored the first goal of the game in the second half – his first in the Premier League since signing from Newcastle – before Cody Gakpo added a second in stoppage time to give Liverpool a much-needed victory.
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Alisson – 6
A welcome quiet afternoon for the Brazilian.
Joe Gomez – 7
Looked calm, got forward well, and was solidly dependable at right-back. Unselfish in finding Gakpo for the second goal.
Ibrahima Konate – 6
With recent form, looked to retain the no-nonsense approach throughout. Did fine.
Virgil van Dijk – 6
Always looking for diagonals to stretch West Ham. Like his defensive partner, a professional performance lacking in any risk.
Milos Kerkez – 5
Often wants to turn back rather than stretch play, and misplaced a few diagonals. Still feels like Liverpool’s weak link but not terrible on Sunday.
Alexis Mac Allister – 6
Solid use of the ball, and strong in the tackle.
Ryan Gravenberch – 6
Was given attacking licence, marauding forward on a few occasions.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 6
Playing on the right, still got stuck in. Solid enough performance, but nothing spectacular.
Florian Wirtz – 8
One of his best performances in a Liverpool shirt. Ran the game throughout, finding gaps all over the pitch to connect defensive to midfield and midfield to attack. Should have scored in the first half with a low shot saved by Areola in the area, but slipped the ball in for Gakpo to set Isak up for his goal. Promising.
Alexander Isak – 7
Not a sterling performance, but got his goal. Was unlucky, doing everything right, before seeing a swivel-shot superbly saved by Areola in the first half, but his finish for the goal was absolutely clinical. A long, long way to proving he was worth the hassle and the money, but a step in the right direction before being subbed off three-quarters through.
Cody Gakpo – 7
Not great in the first half, predictable and not quite at it with the final ball, but set up Isak’s goal nicely in the second half, and a nice finish to wrap up victory in stoppage time.
Subs
Hugo Ekitike – on ’68
Curling shot could have found the net, and despite the early-season impressive form, needs to fight Isak for minutes now.
Curtis Jones – on ’75
Reliable enough as Liverpool looked to get control and see out the game.
