League champions Liverpool struggled to win over West Ham, with the pressure on Arne Slot alleviated somewhat after last weekend’s loss to Nottingham Forest was compounded by a humiliating 4-1 defeat to PSV in Europe.
Liverpool wasted numerous chances and were far from their best but ultimately enjoyed a comfortable afternoon at London Stadium, with Alexander Isak finally scoring his first top-flight goal for the Reds.
The £125m summer signing broke the deadlock in the second half, with Cody Gakpo adding a second late in stoppage time after West Ham were reduced to 10 men late on.
Talisman Lucas Paqueta utterly lost his head in bizarre scenes, repeatedly confronting referee Darren England and receiving a booking for dissent. Captain Jarrod Bowen – who wasted a brilliant chance to equalise before Gakpo’s goal – and several other players, including Liverpool’s Alisson, tried to dissuade the Brazilian but Paqueta continued to rant and was handed a second yellow and given his marching orders.
The result sees Liverpool move up to eighth, while West Ham remain 17th but are level on points with Leeds in the relegation zone.