At this stage of the season, many teams wouldn't like to drop many points and you can understand why most teams would want to keep it tight at the back. This was exactly what West Ham did against Liverpool as both teams have different goals as the season wears out.
West Ham hoped to win so they can take a giant stride in their top 4 race while Liverpool knew they couldn't slip further down again after gaining the ground against Manchester City. A draw would be been a fair result but it wouldn't have helped any of their courses as they would have hoped. Liverpool did just enough and thanks to Sadio Mane's goal as they got the maximum 3 points to stay just 3 points behind City who will be playing against Manchester United later on.
Liverpool still has a game at hand and would be hoping Manchester United can stop City so they can go level on points if they win their outstanding game but it's hard to expect any favours from this Manchester United side which was why it was important for Liverpool to win against West Ham and they did.
Liverpool has been in formidable form after just lifting the Carabao Cup. They haven't lost In 17 games and David Moyes has never won at Anfield. This win stretched Liverpool's winning streak to 12 and this form has been what helped them to catch up with Manchester City.
Salah wasn't at his best for this game. Even a player like him is allowed to have his off day sometimes and it was in this game. He missed an early chance in the 2nd minute which would have settled Liverpool but he missed it. He has been devastating in even more complicated positions but let's not take the focus away from the brilliant save that Fabianski pulled off.
It was the first time this season before being substituted that Mo Salah won't score. He was denied yet again shortly before he was replaced by Diogo Jota. Luis Diaz has been sensational for Liverpool and you can understand the headache Klopp has in deciding who starts between Jota and Luis Diaz. The front three of Liverpool occupies the first three slots for the Premier League golden boot with Salah on 19 goals, Jota and Mane both on 12 goals.
Mane was clever and his ability to get inside the box paid off for Liverpool after Trent Alexander Arnold found him with a shot-cum-pass effort. He was smart to beat the offside trap as he poked the ball into the back of the net.
Fornals would have himself to blame with Lazini after both players wasted glittering chances. They have themselves to blame for not taking their chances against Liverpool; chances they know that if they don't take, they would be punished for it. Lazini's effort was more shocking as he blazed the ball over the bar inside the box and Liverpool had Alexander Arnold to thank for clearing Fornals' chipped effort off the line.
You would understand what winning that game would mean to Liverpool with the way they were willing to throw themselves on the line and at the opposition. Robertson and Keita both produced a last ditched effort to deny Antonio as he charged towards the goal.
The front three for Liverpool this season has been sensational as we can see how they were all in the hunt for the Premier League golden boot after lining up behind each other with Salah on 19 goals, Jota and Mane both on 12 goals. The focus shouldn't be taken away also from Robertson and Alexander Arnold. These two full-backs have been remarkable. The dominance of Van Dijk has given them the freedom to launch forward. They are involved in gameplay and their statistics are shocking for fullbacks.
Only Leighton Baines has gotten more assists and more appearances than this dynamic duo. Robertson has 48 assists in 209 games while Trent Alexander Arnold has 44 assists in the Premier League in 153 games. These are amazing statistics for a full back and they have been pivotal for Liverpool's rise and dominance.
The front three and the two full-backs are doing it for Liverpool and who knows maybe they would win them the title this season... We have to wait and see.
Thank you for your time.
My pen doesn't bleed, it speaks, with speed and ease.
Still me,
My tongue is like the pen of a ready writer.
Olawalium; (Love's chemical content, in human form). Take a dose today: doctor's order.
