PLAYER RATINGS: LIVERPOOL 1-0 WEST HAM UNITED

Liverpool earned a second consecutive 1-0 league victory after grinding out a win against West Ham tonight. A first half Darwin Nunez header was the difference between the sides at Anfield this evening. Here are player ratings from the encounter.

Alisson – 9

What a goalkeeper we have on our hands! We tend to take him for granted at times because we get used to his brilliance but he is absolutely world class. Bailed us out with a penalty save from Bowen before pulling out an insane stop late on to divert Soucek’s deflected close range effort wide.

Alexander-Arnold – 6.5

Not troubled much first hour as he kept Fornals under wraps. Created a few chances going forward. His set pieces were quite dangerous. Skinned by Benrahma late on.

Gomez – 6.5

Kept Scamacca relatively quiet. Made the inexplicable decision to go with his foot for a high ball in the box when he could clearly see Bowen about to bring it down infront of him. Was wobbly last five of the first half after conceding the penalty but was composed second half.

Van Dijk – 8.5

Stepped in to clear after Alisson’s poor pass almost played the side into trouble early on. Was a rock at the back when West Ham grew into it late on. On hand to head clear every time. Earned that clean sheet.

Tsimikas – 6.5

Has a wand of a left foot as seen with the pinpoint cross for Darwin to open the scoring. His assist rate is really impressive this campaign. Other parts of his game need work though and he could have no complaints about being taken off late on.

Henderson – 8.5

Neat and tidy for much of the game. Panicked in possession once or twice but on the whole was one of our best players on the night. His energy to get forward the support the attack saw him create a good chance for Firmino and almost cause a Zouma own goal. Covered well for Trent and Elliott late on when Benrahma got past them. Went close to scoring himself.

Thiago – 8

Took control of the game very early on. Was surprised how much space West Ham allowed him to have. He dictated the tempo of the game and clipped a wonderful ball out wide to Tsimikas for Darwin’s goal. Exerted control on the contest first half but took liberties in possession second half before being taken off.

Salah – 6.5

Back on the right wing and it was back to what we had seen before the positional switch. He snatched at chances and went alone a few times when teammates were better placed. Switched to the middle second half and fared better but didn’t have enough support around him with Darwin taken off.

Firmino – 6.5

Another who surprisingly snatched at a few chances. Unlucky to see one shot deflected behind second half. Headed straight at Fabianski from a Trent corner. Thought he’d have gone off instead of Darwin as he tired second half. No surprise considering the shift he put in on Sunday.

Carvalho – 6

Too lightweight. Knocked around easily and couldn’t nick the ball off Johnson even when he pressed him into a tight spot because the fullback was too strong for him. His best moments came when he picked it up in the half spaces and ran at them.

Darwin – 8.5

Looked on it from the first second. Brought out a stunning save from Fabianski with a wicked left footed half volley. Scored with a deft header that flew into the top corner off the turf. Went close again when he robbed Johnson of possession and stung Fabianski’s gloves at the near post.

A pass to Salah at the back stick may have been the better option though. Was unlucky to see another left footed half volley cannon off the woodwork before snatching at the rebound. Wasted a few decent openings second half. We lost our way a bit when he went off. Match winner. First goal at Anfield. Job done.

Substitutes

Fabinho – 3

Woeful when he came on. Declan Rice breezed past him about four different times. Looked slow and weak.

Elliott – 5.5

Slotted in on the right hand side and did alright till he dwelled on the ball too long, losing it in a dangerous area as a result. That could have been costly. Worked hard off the ball aside that.

Jones – 6

Was sensible when he came on. Offered Tsimikas support in defending Johnson and Bowen down the left flank. When he got on it, he sought to keep possession and not do anything risky. A welcome return to action.

Robertson – 6

Offered a needed injection of pace and energy. Defended Antonio well in a one on one late on.

Milner – 7.5

Incredible when he came on. What a block on Soucek’s shot! That looked a tap in till Millie put in the block. He rolled back the years to do bits on the left wing. Went past a few players and kept the ball in the corner to waste time. Set up Salah for a chance late on.

Jürgen Klopp

Made five changes to the side that turned over City. Trent, Tsimikas, Henderson, Carvalho and Darwin came in for Milner, Robertson, Fabinho, Elliott and the injured Jota. The first half was very impressive as West Ham were completely dominated.

A mix of profligate finishing and good goalkeeping saw the scoreline stay 1-0. Second half I felt taking Darwin and Thiago off saw the side relinquish the initiative. Darwin was energetic upfront and caused the West Ham backline all sorts of problems.

Thiago meanwhile was dictating play but the Spaniard’s injury history means he has to be protected. We got there in the end. Back to back league victories, back to back clean sheets. Just what the doctor ordered.