By Sam Tonks
West Ham were comfortably beaten in their Premier League encounter with Liverpool at London Stadium. The visitors won 4-1, with Egyptian Mo Salah notching a brace and capping a captivating attacking performance.
Manuel Lanzini had given the Hammers hope, pulling it back to 2-1 in the second half, but goals from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Salah put the contest to bed.
West Ham started the brighter of the two sides as Andre Ayew clipped the post after Manuel Lanzini’s pass fell nicely for the forward inside the first ten minutes.
While the Hammers front three of Ayew, Lanzini and Chicarito were harassing the Liverpool backline well in the opening 20 minutes, they struggled to make a meaningful breakthrough.
In the 22nd minute Liverpool broke at break-neck speed, Sadio Mane and Mo Salah played a one-two and the latter beat Joe Hart to open the scoring.
Just two minutes later, a second goal came. Joel Matip had the simple task of tapping home from a corner after Hart had denied Georginio Wijnaldum’s effort.
After the break, Andy Carroll replaced Edmilson Fernandes and provided a different outlet for Slaven Bilic’s side.
As pressure grew, a route back into the game came on 56 minutes. Ayew crossed for Lanzini who brilliantly steered home to the roar of the home faithful.
Yet, from kick-off, the elation vanished. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was allowed too much room to have one effort saved but score the rebound.
Chances came and went for West Ham with Lanzini and Chicarito firing over from close range.
Liverpool found the net once more in the 76th minute. Sadio Mane floated a ball to Salah who took it down and fired into the far corner.
West Ham will look to make amends at London Stadium on 24th November, against Leicester City.
