Mueez Ajao
– Darwin Nunez’s superb header broke his Anfield goal drought and earned Liverpool a narrow 1-0 victory over West Ham United in the Premier League on Wednesday.
– The mood was buoyant after Liverpool’s win over champions Manchester City at the weekend and even more so in the 22nd minute when Nunez met a cross by Kostas Tsimikas to put Jurgen Klopp’s side in front.
– Nunez, who joined Liverpool in June, was unstoppable in the first half hour and was close to a second goal when he rattled the post with a piledriver.
Also Read: Liverpool pause City’s winning streak at Anfield
– But West Ham had a chance to level the scores from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time when Joe Gomez brought down forward Jarrod Bowen, but the forward saw his attempt superbly saved by goalkeeper Alisson.
– Liverpool, lacking the intensity they showed against City, struggled to contain a lively West Ham after the break, who would have taken a deserved point home had either Said Benrahma or Tomas Soucek converted great chances.
– Victory lifted Liverpool into seventh place with 16 points from 10 games. West Ham’s first defeat in four league games leaves them in 13th place with 11 points.
– Klopp looked relieved when the final whistle blew and gave a special hug to goalkeeper Alisson whose save from Bowen’s penalty proved the difference in the end.
– “It was an outstanding penalty save. It was a really well-taken penalty, right in the corner, and I had no idea how Ali did that,” Klopp said.
– “We were really good in the first 35 minutes and played everywhere where West Ham couldn’t defend against us. We scored a wonderful goal and with a bit more luck Darwin could have had a hat trick.”
The boss on tonight's win over West Ham and @Darwinn99's first Anfield goal 🗣
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 19, 2022
– Liverpool then appeared to run out of steam in the second half and West Ham began to dominate.
– Substitute Benrahma should have done much better when a high ball caught out Liverpool’s defence, but he tamely volleyed straight at Alisson.
– In the 87th minute, West Ham manager David Moyes had his head in his hands as Soucek looked certain to score, but James Milner deflected the Czech’s close-range effort wide.
JOB DONE ✊🔴#LIVWHU pic.twitter.com/1MqkXdV3zE
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 19, 2022
– “I feel sick, I honestly feel sick,” West Ham’s Declan Rice said of his side’s frustration. “There was enough in the second half to nick something from the game.”
