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Sadio Mane’s first-half goal was enough to give Liverpool victory over West Ham at Anfield and move them back within three points of Premier League leaders Manchester City.
Jurgen Klopp’s men deserved the win but it did not come without the odd scare as Pablo Fornals and Manuel Lanzini both wasted excellent chances to equalise.
The Hammers’ frustrations were compounded by the loss of in-form Jarrod Bowen to what looked like a significant injury, the forward helped off the pitch and down the tunnel following a collision with former Hull team-mate Andy Robertson.
Five days before the Europa League last-16 first-leg trip to Sevilla, it was not what manager David Moyes needed.
Liverpool had chances to extend their lead, with new signing Luis Diaz particularly impressive.
However, with the title race as it is, victory was all that mattered. And now Liverpool fans are in the unusual position of hoping for a United victory in Sunday’s Manchester derby at Etihad Stadium.
Dazzling Diaz
Life might have been far less stressful for Liverpool’s fans had Mohamed Salah taken the first-minute chance that came his way, instead of firing straight at goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski.
At times, Liverpool’s attack is so fast and fluid it is impossible for opposition defences to cope. And in Luis Diaz, their £37.5m January arrival from Porto, they have a player that fits that template perfectly.
The Colombian produced a wonderous piece of skill to create an early chance for himself which he drove into Craig Dawson’s face.
Diaz then came close twice in the second half too, with the first of those particularly impressive in the way he manipulated Mane’s pass into a scoring chance that went narrowly wide. When he was replaced in the final minute of injury time, his standing ovation was fully deserved.
In the end, though, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s precise low cross created the one moment that mattered.
The England man’s 16th assist of a stellar season was one of his best, leaving Mane to turn home his fourth goal in five games from close range.
More to follow.
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Rate players out of 10 throughout or after the game. The rater will close 30 minutes after the final whistle.
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Liverpool
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Squad number7Player nameMilner
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Squad number17Player nameJones
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Squad number20Player nameDiogo Jota
West Ham United
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Squad number1Player nameFabianski
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Squad number31Player nameJohnson
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Squad number15Player nameDawson
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Squad number4Player nameZouma
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Squad number3Player nameCresswell
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Squad number20Player nameBowen
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Squad number28Player nameSoucek
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Squad number10Player nameLanzini
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Squad number11Player nameVlasic
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Squad number8Player nameFornals
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Squad number9Player nameAntonio
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Squad number16Player nameNoble
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Squad number22Player nameBenrahma
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Squad number51Player nameChesters
Line-ups
Liverpool
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Alisson
- 66Alexander-Arnold
- 5Konaté
- 4van Dijk
- 26Robertson
- 14Henderson
- 3Fabinho
- 8KeïtaSubstituted forMilnerat 90′minutes
- 11SalahSubstituted forJotaat 79′minutesBooked at 89mins
- 10ManéBooked at 90mins
- 23DíazSubstituted forJonesat 90+6′minutes
Substitutes
- 7Milner
- 12Gomez
- 15Oxlade-Chamberlain
- 17Jones
- 18Minamino
- 20Jota
- 27Origi
- 62Kelleher
- 67Elliott
West Ham
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Fabianski
- 31Johnson
- 15DawsonBooked at 31mins
- 4Zouma
- 3Cresswell
- 20BowenSubstituted forBenrahmaat 53′minutes
- 28Soucek
- 10Lanzini
- 11VlasicSubstituted forNobleat 61′minutes
- 8FornalsSubstituted forChestersat 90+3′minutes
- 9Antonio
Substitutes
- 13Areola
- 16Noble
- 22Benrahma
- 23Diop
- 24Fredericks
- 26Masuaku
- 33Král
- 40Oko-Flex
- 51Chesters
Live Text
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Match ends, Liverpool 1, West Ham United 0.
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Second Half ends, Liverpool 1, West Ham United 0.
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Substitution, Liverpool. Curtis Jones replaces Luis Díaz.
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Attempt missed. Diogo Jota (Liverpool) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Sadio Mané following a fast break.
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Sadio Mané (Liverpool) is shown the yellow card.
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Foul by Jordan Henderson (Liverpool).
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Manuel Lanzini (West Ham United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Attempt blocked. Luis Díaz (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Substitution, West Ham United. Daniel Chesters replaces Pablo Fornals.
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Attempt blocked. Sadio Mané (Liverpool) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
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Substitution, Liverpool. James Milner replaces Naby Keïta.
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Diogo Jota (Liverpool) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Foul by Diogo Jota (Liverpool).
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Pablo Fornals (West Ham United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Corner, West Ham United. Conceded by Andrew Robertson.
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Foul by Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool).
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Michail Antonio (West Ham United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Corner, West Ham United. Conceded by Naby Keïta.
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Attempt blocked. Michail Antonio (West Ham United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
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Substitution, Liverpool. Diogo Jota replaces Mohamed Salah.
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