West Ham United's advantage over the Premier League's relegation zone has been cut to five points after losing 2-1 to Liverpool on Wednesday night at the London Stadium.
The Hammers had taken the lead inside 12 minutes when Lucas Paqueta scored his third goal in as many games, finishing off a stunning move with a long-range strike. His goal was cancelled out by a very impressive Cody Gakpo effort, six minutes later. Joel Matip sealed victory for Jurgen Klopp's side in the second half when heading in an Andy Robertson corner.
Here is how football.london's West Ham United writer Jonty Colman rated the Hammers’ players against the Reds.
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Lukasz Fabianski
Polish goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski went into the game off the back of making a few needed saves in the 4-0 win over Bournemouth three days ago. Unable to do the same against Liverpool, being beaten inside 20 minutes via Gakpo's excellently kept low hit. Liverpool did get chances later in the half, but the best ones either forced routine saves out of him, or failed to hit the target. Little he could do with Matip's goal to make it 2-1, having kept him at the previous corner seconds earlier with a great save. His centre-backs did well to limit the chances Liverpool had. 6
Vladimir Coufal
Right-back Vladimir Coufal has been in excellent recent form but really struggled to keep hold of Diogo Jota in the first half, with many of Liverpool's best chances early on coming down that side. He gave the ball over 15 times before half-time and failed to add the defensive tenacity. Not his best game compared to recent displays, lacking influence with his crosses. 5
Kurt Zouma
The number of clearances in matches Kurt Zouma has displayed recently, particularly in the Premier League and that number continued in the first half. While he and the back line were perhaps guilty of not closing down Gakpo for him to be afforded space to shoot and level the tie. Made a number of big clearances in the second half and could not be blamed for Matip making it 2-1. Despite the defeat, him and Nayef Aguerd next to him were arguably two of West Ham's best players. 7
Nayef Aguerd
Moroccan centre-back Aguerd made a number of key blocks to shots to keep out Liverpool's forward line on numerous occasions as they tried to pepper Fabianski with shots to save, with many of their best efforts being kept out by the former Stade Rennais man. Used his pace well often when Liverpool attacked and if it was not for him, Liverpool may well have had much more to cheer about. 7
Aaron Cresswell
A decent game for Aaron Cresswell, who defensive did a lot of good things with clearances and relieving pressure, including the clearance that started the move for Paqueta's stunning strike. Threatened with a corner in the second half that Tomas Soucek could not keep down, but did not really do all that much wrong in the game. 7
Tomas Soucek
On the ball, Soucek looked to play forward and was really progressive where possible. Even if quality lacked with his passes, his fight and doggedness and intent was positive. Created a good move with a powerful header and then later had one go well over the bar. Not his worst game, but also not his best. 6
Declan Rice
Declan Rice went into the game off an unusually hot streak of goals, netting in each of his previous two outings against Gent and Bournemouth. A mixed game for Rice, who showed signs of quality, but sometimes tried to do too much of the ball. Did create some good chances for Maxwel Cornet and put in some important tackles, but a dip from his recent quality showings. 6
Lucas Paqueta
Like Rice, Paqueta was coming off the back of goals in his previous two outings against Gent and Bournemouth. In the same minute he headed West Ham 2-0 up at the Vitality Stadium, he opened the scoring against the Reds, orchestrating a great team move with Said Benrahma and Michail Antonio, before doing the hard part, cutting inside before unleashing a stunning right-footed strike past national teammate Alisson from range. It was the first time he had scored goals in three consecutive games since April 2021 for Olympique Lyonnais.
Looked to kick on from that, really good in possession, both in terms of his close control and with his ability to move the ball quickly, constantly being a source of creativity from deep areas. Continued to move the ball quickly and created what everyone thought was an excellent chance and goal by Jarrod Bowen, fizzing a through ball down the right to him. However, he was deemed offside. Looked the best chance of giving West Ham that spark but lacked it. 7
Jarrod Bowen
Bowen probably deserved a goal on the night and thought he made it 2-1, only to be flagged offside after a great run, cut inside and finish after getting past Van Dijk with ease. Caused problems with a first half corner and gave Andy Robertson plenty to think about. Barring his goal, other chances had the run but the conviction lacked the shot. Remained a good runner and a good outlet though throughout. 7
Michail Antonio
Like Rice and Paqueta, striker Michail Antonio was also on a hot scoring streak. Did not get a goal but did do excellently in the first half, holding up the ball, stretching the play and twice exchanged passes with Paqueta to make it 1-0. Did not pass quickly enough to Benrahma on one break and it was him who let Matip go at the corner which led to the deciding goal. Taken off shortly after. Also came close twice at the end of the first half, denied first by Van Dijk and then steering a header wide. 6
Said Benrahma
Perhaps the most surprising element of the fact West Ham manager Moyes went unchanged from the win over Bournemouth was that Said Benrahma kept his place in the starting side, following Pablo Fornals' impressive cameo. Wasted some chances, but also showed flashes, including a clever flick to bring down a Cresswell clearance to start the move for Paqueta's goal. Barring that, and one clever cross, his passing and final third quality was off for large parts and was one of two replaced. 6
Substitutes
Danny Ings
Former Liverpool striker Ings was bought on with 20 minutes to go, looking to get a crucial leveller against his former employers. Had one good chance when Bowen sent him through, but the pass was too much for him to get on to. Involved in late drama when his run was blocked by the hand of Thiago on the ball, although it was not given. 5
Maxwel Cornet
Bought on for Benrahma was Maxwel Cornet, hoping to add spark and fizz to the forward line. Went on one good run after a Rice through ball, but blazed an effort over. 5
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