Liverpool played host to West Ham United at Anfield looking to start the new season with a bang. Jurgen Klopp opted for a 4-3-3 formation and the Reds began the match on the front foot. Mohamed Salah scored the opening goal of the game with a routine finish and Sadio Mane doubled the home side’s lead just before half-time.
Klopp’s men came out roaring once again in the second half and added to their lead courtesy of another Sadio Mane strike while Daniel Sturridge came on to score with his first touch of the game. The match ended 4-0 in favour of the Merseysiders as the Hammers are sent back to London with their tails between their legs.
Let’s take a look at how each Liverpool player fared during the contest against the Hammers.
GK: Alisson Becker – 7/10
The Brazilian goalie hardly had anything to do in the match but distributed the ball well and earned a clean sheet in his competitive home debut.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7/10
The English defender did his job decently but his crossing needs to improve. However, he was a wonderful outlet for the Reds down the right flank.
CB: Joe Gomez – 6.5/10
He dropped his concentration just once in the first half which almost let Marko Arnautovic in but the Hammers star failed to hit the target. Otherwise, a confident start for the young Englishman at the heart of the Liverpool defence.
CB: Virgil van Dijk – 7.5/10
The Dutchman organized his defence well and was a commanding presence in the Reds’ half.
LB: Andrew Robertson – 9/10
Another outstanding display by the Reds starlet! His overlapping runs down the left wing caused a lot of problems for the West Ham defenders. He got a deserved assist for Salah’s opener and put in a number of dangerous crosses from the left.
CM: Naby Keita – 8/10
The Liverpool new boy made a great debut in a Red shirt. He looked classy in midfield and linked up play well with his teammates.
CM: Georginio Wijnaldum – 6/10
The Dutchman wasted some opportunities to score but worked hard for his team and moved the ball well.
CM: James Milner – 9/10
The Liverpool captain put on another tireless display at the centre of the park and set up two of his team’s four goals to win the man of the match award.
RW: Mohamed Salah – 8/10
The Egyptian speedster found the back of the net early in the first half which gave his side the ideal platform to go on and get a thumping win.
ST: Roberto Firmino – 7/10
The Brazilian was far from his best but was still a menacing presence in the opposition half.
LW: Sadio Mané – 8.5/10
The Senegalese scored two goals on the day with two routine finishes and used his pace well to cause havoc behind the Hammers backline.
Substitutes
CM: Jordan Henderson – 7/10
The English midfielder came off the bench and moved the ball well to help his team earn a confidence-building victory.
RM: Xherdan Shaqiri – 6/10
The Swiss international put on a nice little cameo after coming on in the second half.
ST: Daniel Sturridge – 8/10
The English frontman came on and scored with his first touch after finding space at the far post.
