Liverpool 5-2 West Ham
Three set pieces and two deflected goals as Hammers defence has a bad day
Hermansen:4 Probably unsighted for the opener after 5 mins but questions will have to be asked why Ekitike was left unmarked following a corner. Good save on 19 mins. Not a lot he could do with Mac Allisters third just before half time which was from yet another set-piece. Still confident on crosses from open play. No chance for the 4th which was deflected as was the 5th.
Wan Bissaka:4 Had to defend a long ball from Van Dijk early in the game then intercepted on the follow-up and head to block a cross from Kerkez moments later. Very busy start. Often involved going forward but his final ball and decision making were poor. Lucky he wasn’t responsible for another Liverpool goal on 53 minutes as he missed a header. Gakpo’s goal (Liverpool’s 4th) went through his legs.
Mavropanos:5 The opener passed through his legs as he tried to block a shot from Ekitike. Should have done better from a good Bowen corner then repeated the trick from a Summerville corner shortly afterwards. Great block on Ekitike just before half time.
Disasi:6 Some very impressive tackling from open play but that wasn’t really our problem in this game. He’s a brute and I mean that as a huge compliment. Unlucky with a deflected goal.
Diouf:5 Sloppy in possession early on but won a number of important headers. Got an assist and could have had more but is as capable of providing a world class cross as he is at hoofing the ball to nobody. Made a bit of a hash of the 5th.
Magassa:5 Out muscled as Van Dijk scored Liverpool’s second after 24 mins from yet another set-piece. More involved at the start of the second half as the Irons tried to get back into the game.
Fernandes:6 Fernandes didn’t play too badly and made his fair share of tackles, dribbles and passes.
Soucek:6 Not hugely involved in a first half where the Hammers didn’t play terribly despite being 3-0 down. Didn’t manage to direct a deflected Bowen cross on goal. Scored a very Soucek type goal at the beginning of the second half following a driven cross from Diouf.
Bowen:3 Probably should have done better with a good cross from Diouf. Involved in quite a lot of West Ham’s attacking play without quite managing to find that final piece of quality. Decision making seemed a little off. Poor by his own standards on a day when West Ham’s right flank just didn’t function.
Summerville:6 One run in particular after 15 mins set up AWB for a chance he should have done better with. Along with Fernandes and Disasi, West Ham’s best players at the moment. Had a shot blocked on 35 mins. Quiet start to the second half but one dribble forced a corner then had two good chances to score.
Castellanos:5 Maybe his least involved game since joining but full of running. Got his reward as he headed in a Bowen corner on 75 mins.
Liverpool 5-2 West Ham: Soucek scored for West Ham
Substitutes
Traore: 75th min sub for Magassa but honestly, I barely noticed him and the game was long gone.
Mayers: On for Diouf in the 90th min
Kante: Replaced Soucek
Hermansen was way out of position on the first goal and left his near post so exposed that a baby could have scored . Areola would have stopped the third goal . The only reason Hermansen hasn’t conceded many recently is that he’s had no shots to stop . The captaincy is too much for Bowen to handle and someone vocal is required to rouse the team when necessary . If Westham don’t beat Fulham , it’s over , bearing in mind Westham play Man City and Villa as well . Pulling back 6 points on Forest in 7 matches is impossible for Westham .
Also think Bowen is tired out, it is not obvious because he carries on regardless and I bet he does not even realize it – you’d need to lasso him to get him off the pitch.
Disappointing result – but remember that during the great escape during our fantastic run in we actually lost 0-3 at Sheffield United
So we need to turn up at Fulham on Wednesday and then we can put today down to massive bad luck
COYI
Fare assessment Gozo just hope it’s a one off.
Let’s get back on it Wednesday.
Glad you enjoyed the game Simon COYI
Dinos was much better than a 5/10. Similarly AWB was no better than a 4/10. Bowen was awful – again. Magassa got schooled by Gravenberch.
Bowen gets 3 despite getting an assist?
Thanks for the player ratings sir.
Could you kindly correct some assessments starting with:
– Hermanson, who actually is to blame for at least the first 4x goals. First 3x once again from corners which Hermanson never came of his goal line.
– WBS has seriously regressed as a proper defensive right who was not in the right back position for the first goal, was not on the goal line for the 2nd, and sadly allow Gackpo to literally waltz past him for the 4th.
– And woe betide what rating do you give to match-winning sub Traore, and his coaching father, who picked a team to draw or lose and did not even change to 2x strikers at 0-3, and made some wonderful non-inpactful subs????
There’s no need for Gonzo too ‘correct’ his assessments Simon. He calls it as he sees it whilst trying to watch and type at the same time. Maybe try it yourself sometime. It isn’t easy. You are free to disagree of course that is what makes for interesting reading. But keep it respectful please.
Hi Martin. Why is Simons questions/claims (and compare to your answer) disrespectful, sir? I think his opinions are reflected. I dont agree 100% but it is still an opinion, or? What makes it interesting would be to reflect and answer back, not just shut it down.
Also thanks for your articles on this page!
Kind regards Scandinavian hammer.
How do 4 deflected goals go down as mistakes by Hermansen?
Traore was a waste of a substitute. Bowen needs a rest which shows. I thought we were a little unlucky in that 2 goals had huge deflections and the 2 goal was offside. Was he affecting play? I think he was, moving the goalkeeper to one side while offside and still off side when the ball goes in the net with the keeper one side of him to get a view. Poor from VAR yet again. The game would be better without it.
Not good. Now we’re reliant on Forest and Tottenham losing tomorrow.