Analysis of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s new tactical role that brought Liverpool to winning way and vindicate Jurgen Klopp 

Liverpool talking points from Ian Doyle after their 2-1 over West Ham United in the Premier League

Trent’s season lament

How Trent Alexander-Arnold perhaps wishes the season was only just getting started.

The Liverpool defender has long relished the business end of the campaign and, by his own admission, tends to raise his level in line with the stakes.

But that he is now hitting peak form with so few games remaining will surely grate, particularly given the change in position to an inverted right-back that has sparked such a notable revival in recent weeks.

Alexander-Arnold was once again the Reds’ best player here against West Ham United, effortlessly stepping into midfield and dictating Liverpool’s attacking play while dutifully tracking back when required. If anything, his defensive appetite has increased by being employed further upfield.

Sure, Cody Gakpo did all the hard work by smashing the equaliser in from 20 yards after being found in a pocket of space by Alexander-Arnold’s short, simple pass. But it made the defender the first Liverpool player to assist five Premier League goals in the same month.

And on the other flank, a typically lung-busting display by Andy Robertson was rewarded with a deliciously inviting cross that invited Joel Matip to head the winner.

As against Nottingham Forest at the weekend, Liverpool’s full-backs were once again the main creative force. Just like the good old days.

Ibrahima Konate would have been forgiven for waking up in the middle of Saturday night in a cold sweat with visions of Taiwo Awoniyi and Nottingham Forest’s long throws racing through his mind.

While the centre-back has dealt with most that has been hurled at him since arriving at Anfield almost two years ago, the weekend was a struggle with, in a rare public critique of one of his players, Jurgen Klopp suggesting Konate could have done better when in possession.

Injury niggles meant the Frenchman wasn’t risked with Joel Matip preferred to Joe Gomez for only his second Premier League in two months, with a difficult start for the Liverpool defence leading to the overly-easy manner in which Lucas Paqueta was allowed to fire the Hammers in front. Matip was uncertain while Virgil van Dijk’s passing caused alarm.

Slowly but surely, though, the Reds began to win the arm wrestle, Matip coping with the ever-dangerous Michail Antonio while Van Dijk’s vital touch prevented the forward from putting the home side ahead shortly before half-time.

And it was Matip who, seconds after being denied by Lukasz Fabianski, powered in a header for the winner, only his first Premier League goal in more than 11 months. Klopp’s call had paid off.

Reds feel like dancing

Football people can be a right superstitious bunch with portents, omens and signs having long made up the folklore of the game.

So as Liverpool supporters have probed for reasons explaining their team’s underwhelming campaign, some believe a contributory factor has been staring them right in the face.

Ever since it was unveiled, Liverpool’s second strip for this season – officially described as being an iridescent, multi-coloured marbled pattern over a white base colour, supposedly taking inspiration from the 1990s dance scene – has proven somewhat divisive.

But that the Reds had previously failed to win whenever wearing the kit meant nobody was reaching for the glowsticks when Klopp’s side stepped out at the London Stadium sporting the monstrosity.

Come full-time, of course, it was a different story, this the 34th time Liverpool have beaten West Ham in the Premier League – against no team have they won more in the competition.

More importantly, though, the unloved change colours will now be consigned to the dustbin, even if the curse of the kit was lifted on its final appearance.

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Red-hot Liverpool warn Newcastle and Man Utd as race for top 4 is on

WEST HAM 1-2 LIVERPOOL: The Reds have won their last three games and are now back in the top four after a hard-fought win

Cody Gakpo celebrates after scoring for Liverpool

They arrive. Locked and loaded, all cannons on fire, Liverpool will thunder from the outside in the top four spots which could still lead to an aggregate result.

Victory here avenged a shock defeat for Jurgen Klopp’s side here last season. West Ham had scored ten goals in their last three games. But in the pursuit of Champions League football, Liverpool come into play with heat. With owner John W.

Henry visiting the London Stadium, Cody Gakpo brushed aside a stunning first half from Lucas Pacqueta with one of his own.

Joel Matip then headed in the second half winner to continue the Reds’ resurgence. With the Hammers denied a freezing penalty for Thiago’s late hands, Klopp was also a happy general.

“I thought he just fell on the ball,” he said. “But I can understand Moyesy seeing it very differently. At the end of the day we checked out the game. It was the best reaction to a setback all season.

When asked about the top four she added: “I still can’t see the race. We are not in position for a race. All we can do is win all our games. “We play against Tottenham from this area and that’s it. If the others win all their matches, that’s it for us. I don’t think about that. I want us to finish the season as well as possible. At least for the next few weeks, I want us to show our true colors. Not the beautiful, then the ugly.

Asked about the Liverpool owner’s attendance, he added: “We met and spoke last night.” Henry will have been pleased with what he saw.