Liverpool kept the pressure on Premier League leaders Manchester City as they edged to a 1-0 win at home to West Ham.
Sadio Mane’s poacher’s finish in the first-half proved to be the decisive goal in a match that saw Luis Diaz steal the show among Liverpool’s front line.
After producing a fine bit of skill before winning a free-kick, Dean Ashton said on commentary for talkSPORT: “He’s some player isn’t he, this Luis Diaz?
“That was just electric. I mean, look, I might’ve run past Craig Dawson at my peak – we’ll park that – but the skill past Zouma was just scintillating!”
However, West Ham will be wondering how on earth they didn’t get something out of the match having wasted a number of chances to level the scores.
Just before half time Trent Alexander-Arnold did brilliantly to clear Pablo Fornals’ dinked goalbound effort off the line.
Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio wanted too much time when they were presented with opportunities in the second half, while Manuel Lanzini somehow put the ball over the bar with a free shot at goal from just over six yards out.
West Ham will also worry about an ankle injury Bowen sustained early in the second half, the 25-year-old hobbling off in a lot of pain on 53 minutes.
Most read in Football
There was some drama before a ball was even kicked as a plane with a banner reading ‘Cats’ lives matter’ in an apparent dig at Hammers defender Kurt Zouma was flown over Anfield.
Liverpool made the faster start and could’ve had two goals in the opening three minutes with Mohamed Salah having an early effort saved by Lukasz Fabianski, while Dawson’s last-ditch challenge denied the Egyptian.
Lone striker Antonio then gave Reds goalkeeper Alisson two saves to make before Mane scored what proved to be the only goal of the match.
The Senegal star got on the end of Alexander-Arnold’s cross-cum-shot from the right – Mane just about onside when the ball was played.
Alexander-Arnold almost doubled Liverpool’s lead as his free-kick whistled just past the post but the Reds had their right-back to thank for preserving their lead moments later as he hooked away Fornals’ effort away from danger.
Bowen then had a chance to test Alisson but was brilliantly denied by a last-ditch challenge from Andy Robertson. Bowen was then brought off with an ankle injury.
Diaz was centimetres away from doubling Liverpool’s lead on 64 minutes with a curling effort from the left and five minutes later West Ham should’ve been level.
Alexander-Arnold initially blocked Lanzini’s volley but with the defender stranded the Argentine had a a gaping goal to aim for but managed to put it over from eight yards out.
West Ham’s final meaningful chance came on 79 minutes as Antonio found space following a counter-attack. The Jamaica international got the ball past Robertson but was tackled by Naby Keita just before pulling the trigger.
Boxing Betting Offer
talkSPORT BET: Triple Your Rewards – CLAIM HERE
18+ New customers only. Opt in, bet max £5 on any sport single within 7 days of registration, at odds of evens (2.00) or greater. If it wins we Triple (x3) your returns, up to a max of £300 paid in Free Bets, expires in 7 days. Card payments only. T&Cs Apply. BeGambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly.