Liverpool halted their worrying run of poor form on Sunday with a much-needed 2–0 victory over West Ham United at the London Stadium, where Alexander Isak finally netted his first Premier League goal for the club since his £130 million move from Newcastle.
The champions arrived under intense scrutiny after losing nine of their last 12 matches across all competitions — their worst slump in over 70 years — raising serious questions about manager Arne Slot’s future.
Slot reacted boldly, benching Mohamed Salah in the league for the first time since April 2024. The tactical shake-up paid off.
After West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola denied him with a brilliant first-half save, Isak opened the scoring in the 60th minute. Set up by Cody Gakpo, the striker kept his composure to finish clinically — a moment of relief for both player and club after weeks of pressure.
Gakpo sealed the win deep into stoppage time, smashing home a loose ball to secure three points and lift Liverpool to eighth on the table, now only two points from the top four.
West Ham’s afternoon worsened when Lucas Paquetá was sent off in unusual circumstances. The Brazilian, freshly back from suspension, received a yellow card for dissent and immediately talked himself into a second caution moments later.
Reduced to ten men, the Hammers struggled to find rhythm on a day overshadowed by emotion, following the death of club legend Billy Bonds at age 79. The team even altered their pre-match playlist in tribute.
Despite the victory, Liverpool still appear far from their fluid best. Nevertheless, the win halts a damaging slide and offers Slot’s side a foundation on which to attempt a revival in the coming fixtures.
