Mohamed Salah made more Premier League history as Liverpool thrashed West Ham to open up an eight-point lead at the top of the table.
As Liverpool ran riot against a sorry West Ham side at the London Stadium, Salah scored his 17th Premier League goal of the season and made his 12th and 13th assist by setting up Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota.
It was the eighth game this season where Salah had registered both a goal and an assist and marked a new seasonal record in the competition, after Luis Diaz opened the scoring for Liverpool with a clinical finish.
Mohammed Kudus hit the post for West Ham but Liverpool quickly moved out of sight as Gakpo and Salah struck before half time. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s deflected shot made it four after the break before Jota made it five late on.
Arne Slot was able to protect Ryan Gravenberch and Gakpo from suspension ahead of Sunday’s clash with Manchester United, as Liverpool moved eight points clear of high-flying Nottingham Forest at the top.
Liverpool are also nine points ahead of Arsenal and 10 of Chelsea – having played the same number of games. Chelsea go to Ipswich tomorrow while Arsenal head to Brentford on New Year’s Day.
Follow all of the latest from the London Stadium in our live blog below:
FULL TIME! West Ham 0-5 Liverpool
It feels like Mohamed Salah is setting a new record every week this season. Is he heading for one of the best campaigns in Premier League history?
8 – Today is the eighth Premier League game this season in which Mo Salah has registered both a goal and an assist – a new seasonal record by any player in the competition’s history. Sensational. pic.twitter.com/GOQ9iuyLkI
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 29, 2024
FULL TIME! West Ham 0-5 Liverpool
Next up for Liverpool and Mohamed Salah? They host 14th-placed Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday after putting six past Tottenham, three past Leicester and five past West Ham over Christmas.
FULL TIME! West Ham 0-5 Liverpool
It will be a happy new year for Liverpool as the move EIGHT points clear at the top of the table.
Boos from the remaining West Ham fans as they concede five to Liverpool for the second time this season.
West Ham 0-5 Liverpool
90+3 mins: The away end is celebrating Liverpool entering 2025 at the top of the Premier League. Arne Slot’s team are going to take some stopping.
In the dying moments, Luis Guilherme’s strikes the post with a curling shot. West Ham have been thoroughly second best, but they have hit the post three times!
West Ham 0-5 Liverpool
90 mins: No prizes for picking the player of the match: it’s Salah.
A goal, two assists and three points for Liverpool. We’re into four minutes added on.
GOAL! West Ham 0-5 Liverpool (JOTA 84’)
Another for Liverpool! They put five past West Ham for the second time this season.
It’s a goal for Diogo Jota, but it’s incredible from Salah again. He dances through the West Ham defence, who can’t get near him. Salah sets up Jota and the first-time finish flies past Areola.
Salah is up to 17 goals and 13 assists in the Premier League this season, and it’s December.
West Ham 0-4 Liverpool
80 mins: West Ham were four unbeaten before today but the pressure will be back on Julen Lopetegui once again at full-time.
West Ham have already lost 5-1 to Liverpool this season, as well as 5-2 to Arsenal, 4-1 to Tottenham, 3-1 to Man City and 3-0 to Chelsea.
Apart from the Spurs game and previous defeat to Liverpool in the cup, they’ve all been at home, too.
West Ham 0-4 Liverpool
77 mins: Another chance for Salah! Expertly picked out by Alexander-Arnold, Salah smashes the shot over the bar on the half-volley.
At the other end, Kudus shoots and his deflected shot misses Wan-Bissaka at the back post and drifts wide.
West Ham 0-4 Liverpool
75mins: A bit better from West Ham, and Kudus hits the woodwork for the second time! His header strikes the crossbar. The flag was up anyway, but it looked close.
Liverpool haven’t kept a clean sheet away from home in the Premier League since October so they will want to hold on here.
West Ham 0-4 Liverpool
71 mins: Diogo Jota looks hungry to get in on the action. He is denied by Areola, after a weak punch from the goalkeeper.
Tsimikas and Elliott are next on for Liverpool. Off come Robertson and Jones.
Source: independent.co.uk
