Liverpool’s top-four quest is alive after the Reds shook off an early concession to beat West Ham United 2-1 on Wednesday at London’s Olympic Stadium.
Jurgen Klopp’s men move ahead of Tottenham for sixth place on the Premier League table, a point back of Aston Villa and six back of Newcastle and Manchester United. Liverpool has played more games than all of the aforementioned clubs except Villa.
WATCH WEST HAM vs LIVERPOOL FULL MATCH REPLAY STREAM - LINK
Cody Gakpo and Joel Matip scored for the visitors to overcome Lucas Paqueta’s terrific opener and deny West Ham a firmer grip on Premier League safety.
West Ham had climbed up the table but has slipped into 14th with their 34 points on the season, five more than 18th-place Leicester City.
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Normal service has resumed for Liverpool’s fullbacks
There wasn’t a clean sheet, but there’s little question that Liverpool is back in business when it comes to pinpoint service and terrific finishing.
Liverpool fullbacks Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold have now combined for 15 assists on the season after each set up goals Wednesday in London, as Robertson’s eight helpers have only been bettered by three players this Premier League season and Alexander-Arnold’s total of seven is 14th.
Both players totaled well over 100 touches in the win and it makes sense that the Reds are being driven by their wide playmakers in a season their midfield has betrayed their goals.
Still, celebrate “TAA” and “Robbo” for delivering the goods to Liverpool’s finishers, whether a traditional type like Cody Gakpo or the solid dome of Joel Matip.
Liverpool will be right there if either Newcastle or Man United stumbles down the stretch, and it has matches left with Villa and Spurs. Who knows?
West Ham vs Liverpool player ratings: Stars of the Show
Lucas Paqueta
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Andy Robertson
Declan Rice
Cody Gakpo
What’s next?
West Ham has the 7:30am ET Saturday kickoff at Crystal Palace, while Liverpool gets an extra day’s rest before hosting Tottenham.
Lucas Paqueta goal video: Big hit from 18-plus
Cody Gakpo goal video: 22-yard swerved equalizer
Joel Matip goal video: Defender thuds home corner
How to watch West Ham vs Liverpool live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 2:45pm ET, WednesdayTV Channel: PeacockOnline: Stream via Peacock Premium
Key storylines & star players
West Ham has two clean sheets in three matches, and the two goals they’ve allowed in that span came in a draw with Arsenal. The side’s Conference League exploits also should have Liverpool on red alert.
That said, it doesn’t get much hotter than Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota, who are absolutely buzzing through defenders right now. The Reds midfield and back line has looked a bit better too now that Jurgen Klopp has joined the many bosses using a defender, Trent Alexander-Arnold, in a midfield-like role. Watching out for the resurgent TAA on Wednesday.
West Ham team news, injuries, lineup options
OUT: Gianluca Scamacca (knee)
Your starting XI for #WHULIV ⚒️ pic.twitter.com/PVPdiXDu8r
— West Ham United (@WestHam) April 26, 2023
Liverpool team news, injuries, lineup options
OUT: Roberto Firmino (undisclosed), Stefan Bajcetic (undisclosed), Calvin Ramsay (knee), Naby Keita (undisclosed)
Here's how we line up to take on West Ham tonight 👊#WHULIV
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 26, 2023
