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They are far from fluid, but Liverpool inevitably found a way to win here at Anfield, to reach another remarkable milestone in the club’s brilliant history.
For the third time in a row here in the Premier League, they conceded first and looked clearly tired against a well-organized West Ham, which their coach David Moyes brilliantly set up to cause maximum damage at halftime.
But if the legs aren’t exactly ready, then the Reds’ stamina remains intact, and Diego Jota’s third goal in a week was enough not only to put them at the top of the table heading into November, but also to establish a amazing record.
The victory means they are now 63 unbeaten league games at this famous old stadium, which has witnessed such stirring legend, equaling the record held by Bob Paisley’s team from 1978-80.
(Image: PA)
That puts in surprising context what Jurgen Klopp has accomplished with this team, which must now go on to become one of Liverpool’s best teams, after beating many of the great teams that have graced this pitch.
And if ever a game showed why this team deserves such praise, this was it. Now they’ve been left behind in ALL of their league games here this season, and they somehow won everything. That shows a mental strength that is currently unrivaled anywhere else in world football.
For much of the game, you feared that remarkable sequence would end. However, slowly and inexorably, Liverpool made their way back into the game as they took the hit from the Hammers at halftime, ultimately producing enough to claim a fully deserved, albeit highly contested, victory.
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Jota was the hero again, his three goals this week came at Anfield and in three different games. Its price may have been dazzling, but its contribution already suggests that it will be money well spent.
However, while the Portugal international will steal the headlines, an equally important contribution came from Nat Philiips, debuting in the Premier League at the age of 23 … and showing the composure and aerial ability to solve the headache. Klopp defensive in the middle.
He won it all in midair, didn’t panic at West Ham’s quick counterattack and proved his mettle at the end, with a mighty header from the last corner to ease the pressure off his side.
It was the moment when Klopp clenched his fist. And no wonder. The visitors are in good shape and a real danger, and yet Liverpool once again found a way to win, even with so many missing players.
(Image: Getty Images)
They were lethargic in the first half, even poor, and again conceded from the first shot on goal, as a mistake by Joe Gómez in the 10th minute, when his weak header returned to the center of the area, allowed Pablo Fornals to finish magnificently.
Fornals was the visitors’ most dangerous player, carving out two more glorious chances to punish the Champions, when he first fired meekly from close range and then fired at Andy Robertson, each time with the goal at his mercy.
They puffed and puffed, but Liverpool finally got back into the game just before halftime, when Arthur Masuaku was not smart in charging at Salah, who fell in installments and then got up to convert the penalty.
It was a foul, but perhaps a slightly mild penalty, but that was offset by another strange VAR decision, which asked referee Kevin Friend to rewatch what everyone thought was a winner for Jota in the 77th minute. The official decided that Sadio Mane had committed a foul in the build, even though it seemed tough.
It doesn’t matter, because Liverpool in this frame of mind are relentless, even if they lack their usual bold quality right now. Jota simply landed another winner, and perhaps the best play of the game, as his substitute teammate Xherdan Shaqiri sent him off with an exquisite ball, which scored an equally excellent finish.
It means the Reds are heading into November in their now familiar position at the top of the Premier League, and they also have the cavalry returning, with Thaigo, Naby Keita, Joel Matip and Kostas Tsimikas all returning to training this week.
That will take the pressure off tired legs, and with Phillips proving that he can provide some aerial presence to address an obvious weakness in the back in Virgil van Dijk’s absence, the temporary sadness of that seems to be fading from Anfield.
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