IT’S ALL OVER BAR THE
19 points clear, 41 games unbeaten, 15 wins in a row and EVERY team defeated... Klopp’s Red machine marches on & on
MO SALAH and Alex OxladeChamberlain sent Liverpool 19 points clear at the top of the Premier League and left West Ham fearing the drop.
The Egypt winger rammed home a penalty 10 minutes before the break. He provided a superb assist for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (right) to
ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN wheeled away in delight with a goal which epitomised Liverpool’s extraordinary season.
A beautiful team goal from a devastating, lightning counter-attack, before Oxlade-Chamberlain raced to the away end behind the goal as he celebrated with the travelling fans.
Liverpool make it look easy, the Premier League table suggests it has been, as they are now a staggering 19 points ahead of the rest and, on nights like these, Jurgen Klopp’s men look so much better than everyone else that it is almost embarrassing.
West Ham were the only team in the top flight Liverpool had not beaten this season, and OxladeChamberlain’s goal removed any doubt they would be added to the champions-elect’s list of victims.
In fairness to West Ham, at least they put up a fight when it would have been easy to wave the white flag, but it was still a horrible mismatch.
Reds keeper Alisson showed he is No.1 in the world with some top saves, Mo Salah scored and provided an assist, while Oxlade-Chamberlain’s recent displays have surely underlined his credentials for an England recall ahead of the Euros.
No wonder Liverpool fans were chanting about winning the league because they could have their first title in 30 years wrapped up by as early as March at this rate.
Once upon a time, the Hammers would have been a difficult away game, but these days the London
Stadium is probably more intimidating for the home team playing in front of their own fans such is the toxic atmosphere around the club.
It made for a tepid opening, the quiet hardly helping a contest which started more like a training exercise, the visitors knocking the ball about, dominating possession but also struggling to create many chances.
Reds full-back Andy Robertson had one cross-shot cleared off the line by West Ham defender Issa Diop, but otherwise they looked comfortable without really looking like scoring.
Eventually, though, they found a way through after some kamikaze defending from West Ham.
Roberto Firmino’s ball found Divock Origi, the striker turned Diop and the West Ham defender panicked and made a rash challenge to upend him.
There was never any doubt it was a penalty, although VAR did make a lengthy check to see if Firmino handled the ball.
Up stepped Salah (right) and the Liverpool striker sent Lukasz Fabianski the wrong way to score h i s
12th Premier
League goal of the season.
West Ham could easily have buckled but, under David Moyes, they do have a bit more steel about them. Manuel
Lanzini fluffed an opening while Fabianski made a terrific fingertip save to deny Firmino.
But Liverpool took full control after 52 minutes with a brilliant goal after a swift counter-attack. Virgil van Dijk headed clear, Jordan Henderson helped it on, before Salah’s ball released OxladeChamberlain, who was making a lung-busting run from deep. He latched onto the ball, Lanzini almost bounced off him as he chased back, and then the midfielder calmly slotted past Fabianski.
Again, the hosts refused to fold, with Robert Snodgrass denied by Alisson.
The West Ham fans cheered when Lanzini – who was awful – was substituted but still the home side kept going. Declan Rice’s shot was beaten away by Alisson, then Trent Alexander-Arnold crashed the ball against his own post as he tried to put it out for a corner. Salah did strike the woodwork late on but Liverpool could afford to take their foot off the gas and conserve energy for Southampton on Saturday.