Unstoppable Salah, Gakpo and Diaz on fire: Liverpool player ratings vs West Ham

Liverpool utterly dismantled West Ham with a commanding display. The Reds barely broke a sweat as the Hammers offered no resistance across any phase of the game.

West Ham, struggling for identity under Julen Lopetegui after 18 matches, delivered a particularly lackluster performance. Conversely, Liverpool continues to shine, particularly Mohamed Salah, who now boasts a staggering 30 goal contributions in 18 Premier League matches this season after a goal and two assists in this match.

Top Performers:

Mohamed Salah

Salah was simply unstoppable. In the first half, he and Cody Gakpo operated as a dynamic duo, constantly seeking each other out in the opposition’s box. This synergy produced Gakpo’s goal.

In the second half, Liverpool shifted tactics. The team created an overload on the left flank, with Gakpo and Luis Díaz drawing defenders to create space for Salah. Long passes found the Egyptian in open positions, and he capitalized brilliantly. Salah finished the match with an xG of 1.67 — a remarkable figure indicating his dominance.

His goal was a piece of individual brilliance, conjured out of seemingly nothing. Salah was Liverpool’s talisman, creating chance after chance and showcasing why he remains among the Premier League’s elite.

Cody Gakpo and Luis Díaz

These two players combined seamlessly on the left flank, effectively tormenting West Ham’s defense. While Díaz nominally played as a central forward, he drifted wide to his favored position on the left, allowing Gakpo to attack centrally alongside Salah.

Both scored a goal and caused constant problems for West Ham's defense. Their partnership on the left made them a key part of Liverpool’s victory.

Curtis Jones and Alexis Mac Allister

West Ham’s downfall came during transitions. Every time they attempted to build an attack, Liverpool’s famous high press crushed them, leading to quick turnovers and deadly counter-attacks.

Jones and Mac Allister were pivotal in this phase. By creating numerical superiority in the midfield and winning back possession, they provided the foundation for Liverpool’s dominance. They covered significant ground, tirelessly working across the pitch to ensure Liverpool maintained control.

Honorable Mentions:

Trent Alexander-Arnold was, as always, brilliant. With a goal to his name and consistent defensive contributions, his deliveries into the box were a constant threat. However, without the groundwork laid by Jones and Mac Allister, his job might not have been as straightforward. A fantastic performance, but just shy of the best.

Player Ratings:

• Mohamed Salah - 10
• Trent Alexander-Arnold - 9
• Gakpo - 8
• Luis Díaz - 8
• Alexis Mac Allister - 8
• Curtis Jones - 7
• Alisson - 7
• Virgil van Dijk - 7
• Ryan Gravenberch - 7
• Joe Gomez - 6 (early injury)
• Harvey Elliott- 6
• Wataru Endo - 7
• Diogo Jota - 8
• Jarell Quansah - 7
• Andy Robertson - 7
• Kostas Tsimikas - 7