The final year of slots in glittering form

Liverpool ran out comfortable winners as the league leaders ran past West Ham five times at the London Stadium on Sunday.

Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota grabbed the goals as Arne Sloto’s side started the year in impressive fashion.

The win means the Reds move eight points clear at the top of the Premier League table, while the Hammers remain in 13th place, nine points above the relegation zone.

Ending 2024 with a victory in the capital 😍 #WHULIV pic.twitter.com/rIBrfWon7v

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 29, 2024

Going into the game, West Ham were unbeaten in four games, including a 1-0 win over Southampton on Boxing Day.

Due to injuries and suspensions, coach Julen Lopetegui made four changes for the visit to Liverpool. And it was one of those, Alphonse Areola, in place of the injured Lukasz Fabianski, who was called into action early on when he made a smart save to deny Salah.

But after half an hour, Diaz, the only change to Liverpool’s starting eleven, gave the Reds the lead when he slotted the ball into the net from just inside the penalty area.

Liverpool almost went close after that when the lively Mohammed Kudus hit the post with a long-range shot.

But seconds later Slott’s side doubled their lead when some magic from Salah set up Gakpo for a simple tap-in.

“Even more magic from Mo Salah” 🪄

Gakpo is there to finish after Salah’s brilliant skill 🎯 pic.twitter.com/K3a9mJDUSx

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 29, 2024

Salah then went into action himself, scoring his 20th goal of the season when his shot curled under Areola at his near post.

It ended a great half of football from Slot’s side, who went to the break with a comfortable three goals.

The second half continued mostly in the same tone. Areola again saved well from Salah in the first few minutes, but the fourth goal arrived shortly after when Alexander-Arnold’s deflected shot was wrong-footed by the West Ham goalkeeper.

Liverpool have FOUR!

Trent Alexander-Arnold hits from a distance and Max Kilman deflects the ball into the goal 💫 pic.twitter.com/D5jeJeYMhL

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 29, 2024

Since then, the Reds have played half-heartedly. With one eye on a trip to their arch-rivals Manchester United in a week’s time, Slot announced the changes, giving the likes of Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch extra rest.

The Hammers offered very little threat and more than anything seemed resigned to damage limitation.

Kudus shook the frame of the goal again, but the offside flag was raised.

Substitute Diogo Jota then rounded off a fine Liverpool performance when he converted the fifth with six minutes of the 90 remaining.

It proved to be the icing on a very enjoyable evening’s work for Liverpool, who finished 2024 top of the table and in pole position for the Premier League title.