By Steven Northover

They may have huffed and puffed, it may have not looked pretty, and questions still remain - but Liverpool finally recorded their second league victory since September.

Slot took the drastic, if warranted, step of starting Mo Salah from the bench - whilst Joe Gomez made his long awaited return to the Liverpool back line, as an attempt to shore up the troublesome right back position.

Story of The Match

Credit: Supersport

The first half was largely equal, with both teams struggling to get a foothold. Neither ‘keeper were forced into particularly difficult saves, aside from a close range effort from Alexander Isak.
The second half continued in a similar manner, with both teams unable to grasp the match by the scruff of the neck. However, Liverpool started to grind out the chances, roared on by an incessantly loud away support. So it was inevitable that, on the hour, that Alexander Isak was able to poke in a Cody Gakpo
cross to score his first Premier League goal for the club.

But this isn't vintage Liverpool, and they were not able to turn that goal into overall domination. West Ham were still a threat, and never let the Reds look comfortable. It was only when Lucas Paqueta, only just returning from a ban after collecting four yellow cards, was sent off after arguing with the referee following a Niclas Fullkrug’s foul on Dominik Szoboszlai, were Liverpool able to kill off the game.

A 90+2 minute Cody Gakpo goal was the cherry on the cake for Liverpool, and the reds climb from 14th to the almost nose bleed inducing 8th place - importantly on 3 points behind Chelsea in 3rd - following their 1-1 draw against Arsenal under the lights at Stamford Bridge.

Credit: ESPN

And... Breath

This was not a classic.

For almost sixty minutes, the match seemed destined to end in a dull, and frustrating, draw. But unlike recent losses, Liverpool were able to grind out chances and remained largely on top throughout the match, even if that didn't necessarily end on a goal scoring opportunity.

Ultimately, Liverpool needed a match and a victory like this. The barnstorming win against Real Madrid papered over cracks that have been evident since the beginning of the season. This rough, almost nervous, result is the sign that Liverpool are just starting to turn a corner. They will face tougher opposition, and against a better quality team the result could have been totally different, but this is the green shoots of recovery that have seemingly been missing in recent weeks.

Does it mean that Liverpool will suddenly turn into a world beaters again, and stage a remarkable run of results that will put them back in the hunt for the title again? Almost certainly not.

But the top four is certainly achievable, the fixtures look appealing, with a home game against Sunderland next week, followed by an away day at Leeds a week later - Liverpool could be going into the business end of December in a much healthier position than they started.

Florian Wirtz - Glimmers of What Was Promised

Credit: Liverpool FC

Yesterdays performance was one where a number of players seemed to finally shake off the weight of expectation. Isak’s first goal, and a much improved performance from Milos Kerkez deserve a mention in any post match report, but the standout player of the day was Florian Wirtz.

Throughout the season, there have been flashes of the German’s well documented abilities. However, a combination of acclimatisation and a lack of confidence have often meant that those moments have been lost in a cloud of derision and mockery.

But against West Ham (admittedly not the most stellar opponent Wirtz or his team will face this season), the German seems to have finally found his rhythm at Liverpool. Moved more centrally by Slot, at the absence of Mo Salah, Wirtz was able to play his last natural game, and acted as a conduit between Liverpool's midfield and attack, creating a number of chances that lead to the assist to Isak’s goal.

More than anything else, he played like a player finally at ease with his place within Liverpool, his role within and what he needs to do to be a success.

Slot Praise & Isak Boost