Agencies
Liverpool stretched their lead at the top of the Premier League to eight points as they thrashed an abject West Ham United 5-0 at the London Stadium.
It was another capital goal-fest for Arne Slot’s irresistible side after the 6-3 win at Tottenham seven days previously, the outcome never in doubt as a first-half masterclass left a desperately passive Hammers well beaten.
Liverpool had already missed several chances before Luis Diaz gave them the lead with a powerful finish on the half-hour mark. Cody Gakpo was then the beneficiary of Mohamed Salah’s brilliant footwork to add a second after 40 minutes, before the Egyptian inevitably got in on the act himself with a low drive on the stroke of half-time for his 20th goal of a superb season.
Julen Lopetegui’s side could not even manage damage limitation as Trent Alexander-Arnold added the fourth after 54 minutes when his long-range effort took a deflection off Max Kilman’s head past Alphonse Areola.
Only Mohammed Kudus offered anything resembling hope for the hosts, hitting the woodwork in each half while Luis Guilherme did the same just before the end, but this was no consolation as they were utterly outclassed by this rampant Liverpool outfit.
The gap in quality was emphasised six minutes from time when Salah bamboozled several West Ham defenders with a brilliant run from inside his own half before setting up substitute Diogo Jota for a typically clinical finish.
Liverpool’s imperious form is such that they now exert psychological domination on opponents with their superiority – and here West Ham played like a beaten team even before kick-off.
Slot’s side were in control immediately as the hosts were on the retreat from the first whistle, the only surprise being that they survived 30 minutes before Diaz took full advantage of his own attempted pass ricocheting back into his path off Vladimir Coufal before firing past Areola.
This was enough for Liverpool to move through the gears, their only scare coming when Kudus struck the inside of the post with the score at 1-0.
Salah, as usual, was the spearhead but this Liverpool team has threats from all directions, with Diaz and the prolific Gakpo also making key contributions.
West Ham did not even get a respite after the break when Jota emerged as a substitute and claimed a fine fifth goal for the leaders.
While there are usually twists and turns after New Year in a title race, Liverpool’s unstoppable form is in sharp contrast to those expected to be their main rivals.
The remarkable Nottingham Forest apart, even at this stage it looks like it will take something special – or an unlikely red collapse – to stop Slot marking his first season at Anfield with a Premier League triumph.
Arsenal and Chelsea will still harbour title aspirations, but this Liverpool team currently has such self-belief and confidence that it is almost impossible to see how, or where, they will stumble in pursuit of a first championship since 2020.
Forest up to second after victory at Everton
Nottingham Forest’s dream season continued as they reached their highest league position in more than 30 years as a 2-0 victory at Everton lifted them into second place.
Chris Wood’s 11th league goal of the season set them on their way and Morgan Gibbs-White capped another impressive performance with the second as Nuno Espirito Santo’s side leapfrogged Chelsea and Arsenal after a fifth successive win.
Not since October 1994 have the two-time European champions been this high in the table and while the two London clubs can respond over the next couple of days, the visiting fans afforded themselves a tongue-in-cheek ‘We’re going to win the league’ chant having defeated both Merseyside clubs this season.
Thirty years ago they eventually finished third and with 33-year-old Wood enjoying something of a renaissance at the tail-end of his career, Gibbs-White pulling the strings so effectively and a miserly defence which has conceded just 19 in as many games, it is not so fanciful to think they could repeat the feat.
What is truly remarkable is these two teams were in a similar position 12 months ago, having both had points deductions under profitability and sustainability rules, but Forest have shown what can be achieved with canny recruitment and organisation sprinkled with a little bit of stardust.
Everton ended 2023 a point above the relegation zone after three successive league defeats, while Forest were only a point better off.
They finished the campaign 17th and 15th respectively.
Premier League
Sunday ResultscColor:>
Leicester City 0 Man City 2
Palace 2 Southampton 1
Everton 0 Nottingham 2
Fulham 2 Bournemouth 2
Tottenham 2 Wolverhampton 2
West Ham United 0 Liverpool 5.