So the Reds go into the international break with three 3-goal wins in the space of a week. It wasn’t a classic Liverpool performance by any stretch against a dreadful West Ham side but it’s another three points and another four goals on the board. Here’s how I rated the players.
SIMON MIGNOLET – 4
Couldn’t do a lot about the goal but had a few ropey moments overall. Goes down far too easily on Ayew in the first half who really should have put the Hammers ahead and then has a moment of madness where he tries to shield the ball out for a goal kick which was never on. Needs to go back to what he said help him regain his form originally – by reverting to basics.
JOE GOMEZ – 4
Absolutely dreadful for the goal. Looked as if he had got a call from somebody but just needs to deal with it. Had some good moments but seemed to give away a lot of fouls. Still young and learning, though.
JOEL MATIP – 7
Not a lot to say really, defended well and scored the easiest goal of his life.
RAGNAR KLAVAN – 5
Not good enough, is he? Let’s be honest. Seemed desperate to have a shocking game even though he had so little to do.
ALBERTO MORENO – 6
Didn’t think he had his best game of the season but didn’t let us down at all, which is refreshing to write every week given the reputation he has gained.
GINI WIJNALDUM – 7
Dominated the midfield and retained possession well.
EMRE CAN – 7
Dominated the midfield and retained possession well.
ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN – 7
Clearly a very talented and tidy footballer, Jurgen’s job is now to find a way of getting the best out of him. Delighted to see him get his goal. He’ll be ecstatic to have played such a major part in that today. I think we could have a player on our hands and hopefully, he gets a run of starts now.
SADIO MANE – 8
Shocked everyone that he started the game after Klopp said he would only get 20-25 minutes max. Initially seemed to play within himself a little which is understandable when starting a match after being out for a while but he showed us exactly what we were missing. Decision-making is so good and his lightning pace is just a bonus on top of what is one of the best players in the Premier League hands down. Two assists.
ROBERTO FIRMINO – 6
Doing my head in recently, to be honest. Goes without saying that he is a ridiculously intelligent footballer but he gives the ball away an awful lot when not on song. Avoids a poor rating with a piece of sheer brilliance to set up Chamberlain to make it 1-3.
MOHAMED SALAH – 9
Easily the Premier League signing of the season and if he continues on this trajectory, will find himself in the running for PFA Player of the Season. What an unbelievable footballer this man is. Great composure to see Joe Hart had left his near post on for the first goal and an absolute world-class strike for his second. Not bad for an apparently dreadful finisher. He has 12 goals already for the Reds and it’s the 4th of November. Just let that sink in.
SUBSTITUTES:
JAMES MILNER
Had an absolute stinker if we’re honest. Thankfully it was 1-4 by this stage and we were all having a laugh and didn’t care. Could have played Firmino through with his first involvement, should play Firmino in when he shoots wide then should shoot when he tries to play the ball back to Salah for his hat-trick. One of those days for Milner, who perhaps wasn’t the best man to expose West Ham’s non-existent midfield.
DEJAN LOVREN
Nice touch to get him on the pitch after what must have been two of the most difficult weeks of his life.
DOMINIC SOLANKE
Would like to see him given more than five minutes some time.
