Mohamed Salah was back to his most devastating best as Liverpool produced a thrilling attacking display in the second-half to defeat West Ham 3-1.
Forced into their 12th centre-back pairing in the league this season, many predicted Michail Antonio and co. would cause havoc in the Liverpool backline.
After a handful of physical opening exchanges, however, Liverpool took a firm grasp on possession and settled into their groove.
Divock Origi – starting in place of the benched Roberto Firmino – saw an early sight of goal but flashed his effort into the side netting.
A long-range drive from Georginio Wijnaldum flew over the bar, but despite their overwhelming possession, the Reds were struggling to create clear-cut opportunities.
A rare foray into the Liverpool half then brought a chance for the home side. Aaron Cresswell got in behind Trent Alexander-Arnold before cutting back to a dangerous area.
A mix-up between West Ham attackers saw the ball ultimately break to Pablo Fornals, but the Spaniard’s goalbound shot was cleared off the line by Andrew Robertson.
Chance for West Ham!
Antonio and Benrahma get in each others' way after Cresswell gets in behind Alexander-Arnold.
Watch on Sky Sports PL
Follow #WHULIV here: https://t.co/uTtxWypfCh
Download the @SkySports app! pic.twitter.com/aEghkcvXgO
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 31, 2021
Xherdan Shaqiri went close at the other end, though after 40 minutes, neither team had produced an effort on target.
That statistic changed as half-time approached, though neither Michail Antonio’s tame header nor Mohamed Salah’s long-range effort could trouble either goalkeeper.
Liverpool emerged with renewed vigour after the interval, and came close to breaking the deadlock through Salah and Origi.
Antonio then spurned a glorious opportunity to open the scoring with a curling effort that flew narrowly wide.
That miss would prove costly moments later when the ever-dangerous Salah produced a trademark finish.
Receiving the ball inside the area, the Egyptian jinked inside and whipped his shot past the rooted Lukasz Fabianski into the top corner.
Liverpool have the breakthrough!
Mo Salah jinks inside Cresswell and curls it into the far corner. Lovely finish.
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 31, 2021
One soon became two when the Reds scored seconds after a West Ham corner.
Alexander-Arnold fed Xherdan Shaqiri after the ball was cleared, with the Swiss then picking out an inch-perfect pass for the onrushing Salah.
The league’s top scorer controlled with his right foot before flicking past Fabianski with his left to complete a superb counter-attacking move.
Dear me. What a goal that was.
Counter par excellence.Andy Robertson's defensive header from West Ham's corner -> Trent Alexander-Arnold's diagonal -> Xherdan Shaqiri's chef's kiss cross. And then, a heavenly touch and flick to crown the move from Mo Salah.
— Melissa Reddy (@MelissaReddy_) January 31, 2021
Liverpool were now bursting with self-belief, and the revitalised Roberto Firmino put his recent poor form behind him when laying the Reds’ third on a plate for Wijnaldum.
With time running out, The Hammers pulled one back from a corner when Craig Dawson ghosted in unmarked to tap home from six yards.
That would prove to be nothing more than a consolation as Liverpool would go on to emerge victorious via a 3-1 scoreline.
The post Sensational Salah back to his best as Liverpool halt West Ham march appeared first on teamtalk.com.
Steve Pearson
No comments:
Post a Comment