Liverpool 3-1 West Ham – Player ratings

Liverpool’s unbeaten start to the season continued on Sunday afternoon as the Reds picked up a 3-1 home win over West Ham United.

Mohamed Salah put the hosts in the lead in the 16th minute with a smashed penalty down the middle, but Jürgen Klopp’s side went in level at the break after Jarrod Bowen took advantage of some slack defending to head home the equaliser three minutes before the break.

However, Darwin Núñez restored Liverpool’s lead on the hour mark with a delicate volley, before substitute Diogo Jota sealed the win with a close-range finish with five minutes to go.

Here are our player ratings.

Alisson: 6

Great save in the fifth minute to deny Tomas Soucek’s header that was bound for the bottom corner. Could do nothing to stop Jarrod Bowen’s goal which snuck in off the inside of the post. Otherwise, had precious little to do.

Joe Gomez: 7

Looked a lot better in the hybrid midfield role and was much more assured in possession than we’ve seen previously.

Joël Matip: 8

Strong in his battle with Michail Antonio who hardly had a sniff all game and was taken off with 20 minutes to go. His most assured performance in a long time.

Virgil van Dijk: 4

Perhaps should have doubled Liverpool’s lead in the 19th minute when Robertson’s corner found him unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box.

Defensively, he got dragged terribly out of position in the buildup to the West Ham goal and failed to get back goalside and influence Bowen’s header. Ten minutes into the second half, Bowen lost Van Dijk again but put a free header straight at Alisson.

Made up for these lapses with an easy assist for the third goal, putting it on a plate for Diogo Jota.

Andy Robertson: 7

Good to see him getting high and wide with greater frequency again. Did well to snuff out an attack which would have seen Bowen through on goal.

Alexis Mac Allister: 7

Slightly fortunate not to give away a penalty just before the break for an aggressive challenge on Jarrod Bowen. A lot better in possession than without the ball, occasionally getting bullied by James Ward-Prowse and Edson Álvarez in the opening exchanges.

An excellent chip over the top to assist the second goal of the game was the icing on the cake for a much-improved performance.

Dominik Szoboszlai: 7

Definitely Liverpool's most consistent player these days. Was unlucky to strike the wall with two free-kicks (the next one will go in, for sure). Beautiful pass to the back post for Curtis Jones’ disallowed goal. Excellent energy and in recoveries.

Curtis Jones: 7

Unlucky to see his goal struck off for a narrow offside. Lively on the ball, with his movement across the field difficult for West Ham to pick up. He consistently and impressively led the press, too.

Mohamed Salah: 7

Cute to draw the foul from Nayef Aguerd for the penalty, which he tucked away in emphatic fashion. Showed some excellent close control but his final pass was a bit off today.

Darwin Núñez: 8

Excellent give-and-go and bursting run to (somewhat fortunately) tee up Salah to be fouled, resulting in the penalty. Missed a golden chance ten minutes into the first half, smashing his effort on the turn wide. However, the Uruguayan made amends with a delicate volley to restore the Reds’ lead in the 59th minute.

He put in an excellent shift, often tracking back to help in defence, much to Klopp's delight.

Luis Díaz: 8

Seemed to be a key part of every positive attacking move in the first half and almost snuck a low effort in at the near post right at the start of the second 45. Fantastic intensity and work ethic, as always.

Substitutes:

Ryan Gravenberch (Jones, 76’): 7

Did some important defensive work while West Ham were pushing to make it 2-2.

Diogo Jota (Darwin, 79’): 8

Always seems to get into those positions, doesn’t he? Minutes after coming on, he sealed the win with a tap-in from close range. Could even have got a second in stoppage time but his shot was blocked.

Cody Gakpo (Díaz, 79’): 6

Besides one burst into the box, the Dutchman hardly got involved during his 15-minute cameo.

Wataru Endo (Mac Allister, 86’): N/A

Did he touch the ball?