If there were any lingering doubts about Arne Slot’s side maintaining their ruthless streak, they were emphatically swatted away during a one-sided opening 45 minutes at Anfield.
This wasn’t just a lead it was a statement of intent. Liverpool headed into the interval with a commanding 3-0 cushion, leaving West Ham United looking every bit the shell-shocked onlookers to a red-shirted whirlwind.
The breakthrough came via Hugo Ekitike, who continues to look like a direct hit for the recruitment team, showing the predatory instincts that are fast making him a Kop favourite.
Not to be outdone, the captain Virgil van Dijk reminded everyone that some things never change, towering above a static Hammers backline to effectively and then Alexis Mac Allister with a goal to ultimately end the contest
It’s been clinical, it’s been controlled, and for West Ham, it’s been borderline cruel.
Here are LiverpoolRead.com first half player ratings
Alisson – 7
The Brazilian goalkeeper had very little to do in a first half that saw Liverpool dominate, as the 33-year-old had just one save to make, when facing a feeble West Ham United attack.
Joe Gomez – 6
Equally, Joe Gomez – who was thrown into the starting XI for the clash against the Hammers – didn’t have an awful lot to contend with in the right back position. He did look shaky when throwing himself into duels, however, with zero duels won from five attempted.
Ibrahima Konate – 7
Ibrahima Konate looked a lot stronger when assessing his physical game; on the other hand, with the Frenchman also managing an 80% pass accuracy, come the referee sounding the end of a straightforward first half.
Virgil Van Dijk – 8
Following on from his effort against Sunderland, Virgil Van Dijk would gift Slot’s men a comfortable two-goal cushion in the first half against Nuno Espirito Santo’s visitors.
On top of this crucial goal, the reliable captain would only misplace a pass four times during a confident 45 minutes.
Milos Kerkez – 6
The Hungarian looked lively in spurts, but was largely inaccurate with his deliveries into the box when bombing forward from the left-back area.
Ryan Gravenberch – 7
The lively Dutchman would get the ball rolling for Liverpool against the Hammers when assisting Hugo Ekitike’s opener, which takes his goals and assists tally for the season in the Premier League to a bumper six.
Alexis Mac Allister – 8
While Gravenberch was at the heart of Ekitike’s opener by assisting, Alexis Mac Allister was front and centre of Liverpool’s third goal, when he rifled home a late first-half effort, to gift Liverpool an emphatic lead.
That’s now two in two games for the Argentine, after his last-gasp winner away at Nottingham Forest.
Mohamed Salah – 7
Likewise, Salah wasn’t at his best during that first 45 minutes, while the other attackers shone. He did manage one effort at the Hammers’ net, however, as he looks to break his nine-game goal drought.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 7
Szoboszlai once again demonstrated to the Anfield masses his calmness in situations such as corners and free-kicks against the leaky away side, as Van Dijk headed home his inviting delivery mid-way through the first half.
Cody Gakpo – 6
Van Dijk’s fellow Dutch compatriot in Gakpo barely threatened; on the contrary, with just one shot and one key pass amassed, as he tried to make Liverpool’s lead even more convincing.
Hugo Ekitike – 8
Last, but by no means least, Ekitike would fire home his lethal 11th goal of the Premier League season already, when breaking the deadlock after just five minutes had been played.
He also chipped in with an assist to be seen as Liverpool’s most dangerous attacking threat during a very one-sided half of football.
