Liverpool flex muscles against West Ham

by Renny Thomas

Liverpool got off to a perfect start to the Premier league with a 4-0 over West Ham United, putting the rest of the league on notice after thoroughly dominating the Hammers.  With goals coming from last year’s stalwarts, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, and a finally healthy Daniel Sturridge, the Reds’ offense power was on full display at Anfield on Sunday.

In dealing with injuries to Dejan Lovren, Joel Matip and Ragnar Klavan, and a not fully fit midfield duo of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, Jurgen Klopp was able to put a masterful starting eleven together that dominated play on the field.

Beginning in the back, Klopp’s ability to find the right players to pair together was absolutely key and it showed in his squad selection against the Hammers.  With so many defensive players lacking fitness for the opener, the centreback pairing of Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez was effective in helping Alisson keep a clean sheet in his Liverpool debut.  

Van Dijk played his usual stoic brand of defense but Joe Gomez seemed comfortable pairing with Van Dijk to quell the West Ham attack (with the exception of getting caught sleeping on a long ball to the West Ham’s Arnautovic that was put out of danger by Gomez).  While the Hammers attack was relatively lifeless on Sunday, Liverpool effectively ground it down to nothing.

In the midfield, Naby Keita looked like he had been wearing Steven Gerrard’s jersey number for years.  The Guinean midfielder was solid in possession and made smart, incisive passes keep the ball moving forward.  The depth of the midfield was on full display as Giorginio Wijnaldum and James Milner, two players whose every week starting eleven slots are in question, were absolutely dominant.  

Wijnaldum, playing as more of a holding midfielder, was effective at snuffing out West Ham and showed great passing range moving the attack forward. James Milner played with energy that was unmatched on the pitch, thoroughly outworking the opposition.  With the likes of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho finding their fitness and Adam Lallana looking to make amends for a relatively lackluster 2017/2018, Liverpool have an embarrassment of riches in the midfield.

The truly exciting depth that was on display for Liverpool was shown up top, with the return of what looks like a finally fit Sturridge contributing a goal in the 87th minute.  After only scoring two Premier League goals all of last season, It was a welcome sight to see the former Manchester City and Chelsea striker put one in the back of the net in a meaningful match.

Mane netted two goals and Salah started his season off right with his first of the season, but Sturridge’s goal meant the most to this Liverpool squad.  If the Reds can have a consistent and healthy Sturridge and a motivated Xherdan Shaqiri, join the attacking triumvirate of Firminho, Mane and Salah, Liverpool can avoid the unhealthy habit of dropping points to lesser teams like they did towards the end of last year’s exhausting season.

With players like Nathaniel Clyne, Alberto Moreno and Dominic Solanke not even able to see the bench, Liverpool has an embarrassment of riches in talent and depth.  Liverpool’s dominate victory over West Ham was a message to the rest of the Premier League and they will hope to reinforce that message week after week after week.

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