The wait is finally over for Alexander Isak and Liverpool. After a torrid run of form that threatened to derail their entire season, the Reds secured a desperately needed 2-0 victory at West Ham, with their record signing finally breaking his duck in league competition. The win represents only their second in 71 days, highlighting just how significant this drought had become for a club of Liverpool’s stature.
The match itself was far from a spectacle, particularly in a forgettable first half where the football was described as painfully dull. The cavernous London Stadium seemed to amplify the mediocrity on display, with the action so sparse that observers could hear planes passing overhead. However, Arne Slot’s side will care little about aesthetics after enduring six defeats in their previous seven league outings.
Slot’s decision to bench Mohamed Salah represented the biggest talking point ahead of kickoff. The Liverpool manager opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation that better suited his defensive needs, with the hard-working Dominik Szoboszlai taking Salah’s place on the right flank. This tactical shift suggested that Slot views the Egyptian forward as a luxury the team cannot currently afford, particularly given the defensive fragility that has plagued recent performances.
The deadlock was finally broken on the hour mark when Isak converted from close range after Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo combined effectively. For a player who cost £135 million, this represented a significant psychological milestone, even if the overall performance still left much to be desired. Isak had come close earlier with a spectacular falling volley that West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola brilliantly saved.
West Ham’s hopes of mounting a comeback were extinguished when Lucas Paquetá foolishly collected two yellow cards for dissent in quick succession, reducing the hosts to ten men. Gakpo added a late second to put gloss on the scoreline, but Liverpool will need to show significant improvement if they are to challenge for honors this season. At least the monkey is finally off their back.