Match reportLiverpool produce clinical display to earn five-goal victory at West Ham

The Reds opened up a three-goal advantage at the half-time break following an impressive opening 45 minutes, which saw goals from Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah.

After the interval, Trent Alexander-Arnold added to the scoreline for Arne Slot's men, while substitute Diogo Jota put the finishing touches on the game in the latter stages, helping move Liverpool eight points clear at the top of the standings in style.

Team

Liverpool made one change for their final match of 2024, as Diaz returned in place of Darwin Nunez.

Liverpool: Alisson, Gomez (Quansah, 37), Van Dijk, Diaz, Mac Allister, Salah, Jones (Elliott, 74), Gakpo (Jota, 58), Robertson (Tsimikas, 73), Gravenberch (Endo, 57), Alexander-Arnold.

Unused subs: Kelleher, Nunez, McConnell, Danns.

First half

The opening exchanges passed without major incident in the capital, until the hosts worked the first chance of the evening.

Jarrod Bowen broke free on the left and his attempt to find Lucas Paqueta was successful, but the midfielder could only turn the resulting effort wide from a tight angle.

That threat from the Hammers appeared to spark life into Liverpool, who enjoyed three quick opportunities of their own in response.

Salah was first slid in by Gakpo from the left, with the No.11 forcing Alphonse Areola into a strong save from close range at the back post.

Virgil van Dijk then headed wide from the corner kick, while Salah attempted to repay Gakpo's favour, though his cross from the opposite flank was a little ahead of his teammate, who was unable to connect with a header.

A short while later, Salah again caused West Ham problems, this time sliding in the onrushing Curtis Jones, whose shot was met by Areola after he darted out to halt the effort at his feet in the area.

But on the half-hour, Liverpool had the lead their play deserved, via Diaz – who saw a shot saved well a little earlier – as he found the back of the net thanks to an accurate low strike.

The forward's initial pass into the box was blocked and fell back into his path, and he made no mistake at the second attempt to fire past Areola.

Mohammed Kudus nearly levelled when he hit the post with a drive from distance. However, the Reds doubled their advantage in the immediate aftermath.

It was Gakpo who netted after a sublime touch from Salah found the No.18 inside the area, leaving him to sweep home the loose ball.

Salah himself then added to the scoreline a minute before the interval, finishing off a slick team move by finding the bottom corner underneath Areola to put Slot's side in strong command.

Second half

After the change of ends the game carried on in much the same pattern, Salah twice shooting wide with Liverpool searching for a fourth.

Kudus continued to provide the strongest threat for the Hammers, as he also saw another opportunity fly past the frame of the goal.

Liverpool did get their reward for their positive play in the early exchanges of the second period, adding another in minute 54 via Alexander-Arnold.

The full-back lashed a shot from distance and saw his strike take a deflection to wrong-foot Areola and nestle into the goal.

With the visitors in full control, Ryan Gravenberch and Gakpo departed ahead of the hour, being replaced by Wataru Endo and Jota.

The Reds were enjoying their domination, with Salah threatening on each foray forward, while Andy Robertson shot wide of the mark from outside the area.

Jota then tested the reactions of Areola with a half-volley following a dangerous ball into the box by Salah from the right flank.

In the closing stages, Kudus struck the bar with a header from the centre of the area, though he was flagged offside in the aftermath, with that effort as close as the hosts would come to netting themselves.

Salah enjoyed one final opening for himself, bringing down Alexander-Arnold's cross in the box, but he couldn't keep his shot down and on target.

In the last of the meaningful action, Jota had the final say, curling home a shot into the far corner of the net after a stunning run forward from Salah found the No.20 in space to complete the scoring.