There are not many records Liverpool has not yet smashed during their fantastic run this season. They have gathered 106 points out of 108 possible, dating back to last season. They have not lost in Premier League since January 3rd 2019 and their last home loss in EPL is only a distant memory from April 2017. But it was all too close last night against relegation candidates West Ham.
Liverpool’s magnificent form still continues in EPL, despite the loss they suffered in the Champions League to Atletico Madrid last week. Facing one of the worst teams in the league should’ve been a piece of cake for high-flying Liverpool, but it proved to be a tough nut to crack despite the teams’ opposite forms. West Ham was expected to enter to the game against the league leaders defensively and probably park the bus as they’ve done in the past. The visitors, currently deep in the relegation trouble with their last win on New Year’s day, surprised many by actively looking for opportunities and not only standing pat as Liverpool controlled the game. Liverpool did control the possession, 70% to 30%, but their production was not what it usually is. West Ham were active and rolled their attacks with skill and pace, seemingly taking Liverpool by surprise.
The home team took charge at first, with Gini Wijnaldum heading in 1-0 goal on the 9th minute, but Issa Diop brought the visitors back only three minutes later from a corner-kick. Liverpool only managed two shots on goal in the first half, while West Ham were restricted to one. Still, 1-1 was not an expected result after the 45. Hammers did give Liverpool their money’s worth in the second half, with Pablo Fornals finishing off Declan Rice’s cross from within the box to make it 1-2 on 54th minute. But, the better team prevailed.
West Ham keeper Lukasz Fabianski would definitely want back the equalizing goal scored by Mohamed Salah on 68th minute, as the misfired shot slipped through the Polish keepers fingers like a bar of soap. Liverpool were not done though, and after a so familiar defensive confusion of Hammers, Sadio Mane walked in the winning goal only 10 minutes left to play. While it was well deserved comeback from the league leaders, West Ham and David Moyes can only rue another wasted lead and effort due to crucial mistakes in the defensive end.
Liverpool is now tied with Manchester City’s record of 18 straight wins. The Merseyside team has a chance to break another record visiting Watford on 29th February to make it 19 in a row.
Watford vs Liverpool (1×2): 7.10 – 4.50 – 1.44
West Ham vs Southampton (1×2): 2.69 – 3.30 – 2.59
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