Liverpool moved a step nearer to a record-equalling twentieth English top-flight title as a 5-0 thrashing of West Ham opened up an eight-point lead on the prime of the Premier League. Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota had been on course for the rampant Reds in east London as they ended the yr as large favourites to ship only a second league title in 35 years. Nottingham Forest are the shock closest challengers in second, however Arsenal and Chelsea can shut the hole when they’re in motion later within the week.
Arne Slot has repeatedly burdened nothing might be gained but with Liverpool nonetheless one sport shy of the midway mark within the Premier League.
But the Dutchman’s succession of Jurgen Klopp continues to look flawless after a twenty third win in 27 matches in all competitions.
“I enjoyed it a lot because it doesn’t happen many times that I could just sit back and enjoy,” mentioned Slot.
Diaz had been rested for the 3-1 win over Leicester on Boxing Day and it was the Colombian who opened the floodgates on half-hour on the London Stadium.
His supposed go into Curtis Jones rebounded again into his path off a West Ham defender and he dispatched his shot low into the nook.
Mohammed Kudus was inches away from an equaliser when his effort got here again off the submit.
But one other heavy house defeat places Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui again underneath strain after a four-game unbeaten run.
“We are talking about the best team in the Premier League and around the world, but at home and in front of our fans, I am very sorry about this,” mentioned Lopetegui.
Two objectives in 4 minutes simply earlier than half-time killed the sport as a contest.
Salah’s pleasant flip helped tee up Gakpo to roll in his ninth objective in 14 video games.
The Egyptian then curled in at Alphonse Areola‘s close to submit, with some assist from the West Ham goalkeeper, to hit the 20-goal mark for the eighth consecutive season since becoming a member of Liverpool in 2017.
Speculation over Alexander-Arnold, Salah and Virgil van Dijk’s futures has not derailed Liverpool’s flying begin underneath Slot.
All three might talk about a transfer to a overseas membership on a free switch subsequent season inside days, however stay targeted for the second on profitable a second Premier League title collectively.
“The only thing in my mind is that I want Liverpool to win the league and I want to be part of it,” mentioned Salah.
“That is the only thing I have focused on. I will do my best to win the trophy. We are in the right direction but there are other teams trying to catch up with us. We just need to stay humble and go again.”
Rumours over Alexander-Arnold’s potential transfer to Real Madrid have resurfaced once more within the Spanish media over the previous week and the England worldwide confirmed why he’s a person in demand with a thunderous strike that deflected in off Max Kilman.
Jota’s look instead was additional proof of the additional firepower Liverpool take pleasure in over their title rivals.
The Portuguese set the seal on a dominant win with the end for the fifth objective, however had one other luxurious Salah help to thank for it.
Salah jinked his approach past three West Ham defenders earlier than laying the ball to Jota for his thirteenth Premier League help of the season to go together with 17 objectives in 18 video games.
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