Isak scores first goal as Liverpool defeat West Ham in Premier League | Football News

Alexander Isak scored his first goal for Liverpool as the Reds ended a two-match EPL losing streak at West Ham.

Liverpool’s record signing Alexander Isak scored his first English Premier League goal for the Reds as the under-pressure football champions snapped a run of form with a much-needed 2-0 win at West Ham United on Sunday.

Liverpool had suffered their worst run in over 70 years, losing nine of their last 12 matches, and manager Arne Slott took drastic measures, leaving Mohamed Salah out of his starting lineup for the first time in the Premier League.

Florian Wirtz, who replaced Salah, looked sharp, although he wasted Liverpool’s best chance of the first half with his composed effort from close range, which saw goalkeeper Alphonse Areola make a save.

Isak, who appeared to be lacking form and fitness, missed two chances before the break, preventing a good response from Areola midway through the half.

But the Sweden striker gave the Reds the lead they deserved by giving Cody Gakpo a pullback on the hour mark and rarely looked like conceding.

Liverpool’s aim was helped by Lucas Paqueta, who was bizarrely booked twice for dissent within 60 seconds in less than 10 minutes, before Gakpo made it three points with a second goal in the 92nd minute.

Liverpool’s win, only their second in eight league games, moved them up to eighth with 21 points from 13 games, while West Ham are 17th on 11 points, level with 18th-placed Leeds United.

Isak ends Liverpool’s losing streak

West Ham – whose players and fans paid tribute to former captain, coach and manager Billy Bonds, who died on Sunday aged 79 – came into the match on the back of consecutive home wins and looked to have turned the tide of the match.

But ultimately Liverpool had too much quality and, crucially for the slot, managed to keep their fifth clean sheet of the season after conceding 10 goals in their last three games.

Isak could have put Liverpool ahead inside four minutes, but he headed his effort well over the bar, his long move from Newcastle United still having an impact on him.

West Ham were looking sharp after the break, Paqueta sending a daring half-volley from 30 yards as the home fans believed Liverpool were there for the taking.

However, in the 60th minute, Isak was left unmarked in the box as Liverpool gained possession from a throw-in and the striker coolly side-footed into the bottom corner.

Paqueta made West Ham’s job more difficult in the 83rd minute, before Gakpo sent the home fans wild with a clinical finish.