West Ham paid the price for wasted chances as Liverpool claimed all three points at Anfield.
After seeing out an early wave of pressure West Ham settled and Michail Antonio twice tested Alisson from the edge of the box.
The Hammers were competing well but were undone by a mistake from Lukasz Fabianski, who moved out to pick up a low Trent Alexander-Arnold cross but came up short and allowed Sadio Mane to tap in.
Pablo Fornals passed up a golden chance to equalise when he left a dinked effort over Alisson short of the goal. After the break it was Manuel Laznini’s chance to deliver a shocker as the Argentine blazed over from close range following a superb move from West Ham.
Antonio then dawdled over an effort at the near post, allowing Liverpool to only concede a corner.
Here is how Jack Rosser rated the Hammers…
Lukasz Fabianski 6
Saved well from Salah in the second minute but got in a muddle to allow Mane his opener.
Ben Johnson 6
Solid display defensively, could have done more going forward but a tough job against Andy Robertson and Luis Diaz.
Craig Dawson 7
Read the game well up against Liverpool’s pace. Some important blocks too.
Kurt Zouma 7
After an early onslaught, restricted the Liverpool forwards well and stepped up at defensive set pieces.
Aaron Cresswell 7
A very welcome return to the side. Offers composure at the back and made a crucial clearance off the line.
Pablo Fornals 6
Some fantastic work off the ball but an absolute clanger when one-on-one with the Liverpool goalkeeper.
Tomas Soucek 7
Worked tirelessly in midfield without the help of Declan Rice and chipped in with some impressive play going forward.
Manuel Lanzini 8
West Ham’s best player and would have been deserving of an 9 if it were not for that hideous miss over the bar. Some fine work on the ball in midfield and dogged defending late on.
Nikola Vlasic 6
Showed good strength and some nice build up play - just lacked a cutting edge.
Jarrod Bowen 5
A quiet day at the office once more. Some nice passes around half way but nothing too dangerous in the final third. His injury is a huge worry ahead of Sevilla on Thursday.
Michail Antonio 7
Improving a lot, just needs that killer touch back in the final third.
Substitutes
Said Benrahma 6
Injected some life down the left for West Ham and battled well with Alexander-Arnold.
Mark Noble 7
Battled well with Henderson and delivered a stunning through ball for Antonio - a chance which was wasted.
Daniel Chesters n/a
