West Ham United 1 : 2 Liverpool: Extended highlights and reactions

Liverpool are back in Premier League action tonight as they travel to the London Stadium to take on West Ham United.

Fresh from Saturday’s 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest at Anfield, the Reds know victory in the capital will close the gap to fourth-placed Manchester United, six points clear of hosts Tottenham Hotspur at the Old Trafford on Thursday.

Defender Ibrahima Konate will undergo a late form test before the matches, while Jurgen Klopp will once again be unable to call upon Roberto Firmino’s services as he continues to nurse a muscle injury.

After impressive form in both the Premier League and Europa Conference League, West Ham are 14th in the Premier League after a turbulent season.

Kick-off at 7.45pm is Paul Gorst and Ian Doyle all at the London Stadium to give you live updates on the action as well as post-match analysis and reactions. Participate and send your thoughts to @LivEchoLFC and don’t forget to subscribe to our free service

Liverpool haven’t exactly timed it perfectly, but something could still be waiting for them at the end of their late season surge.

This slim 2-1 win here against West Ham secures three successive victories for Jurgen Klopp in a five-game unbeaten run which is the second-best run of the campaign, behind four wins from five between mid-

February and early March. It’s starting to feel vaguely coherent, which would still allow them to accomplish something they would have thought possible just a few weeks ago.

Now six and a half points clear of the top four, the Reds will continue to keep a close eye on developments there, particularly when fourth-placed Manchester United visit Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday night. Everton’s welcome from Newcastle – who also have a lead of six – that same evening will also be to be reckoned with. It may be too little, too late for Klopp and his players, but they seem determined to at least test the resolve of those above them. Now up to sixth place, the Europa League is the minimum target from now on. European football, in any case.

Ibrahima Konate was not risked for Tottenham Hotspur after a knockout on Sunday, but apart from the return of winner Joel Matip to the squad, Klopp has kept faith with the same XI who had started the previous three matches together.

Lucas Paqueta put the home side ahead by past Alisson Becker from around 20 yards after a clever repartee with Mikhail Antonio, but to Liverpool’s credit they didn’t crumble like other venues when they fell behind. Read Paul Gorst’s verdict from the London Stadium here.

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After tonight’s victory in London, Jurgen Klopp’s team have three consecutive wins and five matches unbeaten

They are currently sixth in the Premier League and six points adrift of the Champions League.

Read Ian Doyle’s player ratings after his 2-1 Premier League win over West Ham United here.

Matip receives the BT Sport Man of the Match award for his performance against West Ham tonight. A fine display from both sides of the Cameroonian helps the Reds move to just six points off the top

Big, big win for Liverpool in the capital as they keep alive their dim Champions League qualification hopes. Matip’s header in the second half proves the difference. TAA, Gakpo, Jones and Diaz were all beaming.
Moyes is adamant West Ham should be awarded a penalty after the ball hit Thiago’s hand in the Liverpool penalty area.

Gorsty’s prediction is correct and it is Gakpo who is replaced by Nunez.

A great night for the Dutchman, who netted his sixth goal for the Reds with his emphatic first-half goal. Another quietly impressive performance from Curtis Jones tonight. Combined well with Andy Robertson on the left and is gaining confidence with every passing play. No player has completed more passes in the attacking third than Jones in the first hour

Things didn’t look too good for Liverpool initially but that Gakpo equalizer changed the game.
Despite dominating possession, however, there will be concerns that the Reds failed to score a second goal as West Ham still looked dangerous at the break.

Ultimately, the longer the scoreline stays the same, the more it depends on how much West Ham are willing to risk, as a point in the fight for survival is good for them. Liverpool just need to keep doing what they’re doing now. The changes will surely come around the time m