Mohamed Salah is in Lionel Messi-like form! The Egyptian King shines once again, scoring and assisting to extend the Reds' Premier League lead to eight points.

 

Arne Slot's side will enter 2025 on a massive high after dismantling a hapless West Ham team at the London Stadium.

Liverpool stormed to an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a dominant 5-0 victory over West Ham on Sunday. The Reds capitalized on the Hammers' ongoing identity crisis, ruthlessly exposing Julen Lopetegui's side on a chilly evening in East London.

The breakthrough came on the half-hour mark. Luis Díaz’s attempted pass to Curtis Jones was blocked by Vladimir Coufal, but the ball ricocheted back into Díaz’s path. The Colombian surged into the penalty area and beat Alphonse Areola with a precise strike at the near post.

West Ham nearly responded out of nowhere when Mohammed Kudus drifted inside and unleashed a powerful shot from 25 yards, only to see it crash against the post with Alisson beaten. Moments later, Liverpool punished the miss. Alexis Mac Allister's lofted pass found Díaz, who cleverly set up Mohamed Salah in an onside position. Salah danced past defenders before Cody Gakpo pounced on the loose ball to slot it past Areola.

Salah then added a goal of his own before halftime. A sloppy West Ham turnover allowed Curtis Jones to pick out Salah on the edge of the box, and the Egyptian King coolly rolled the ball into the net, sending many frustrated home fans to the exits early.

Liverpool came out firing in the second half, with Areola denying Salah a second goal after the Egyptian broke West Ham's disorganized offside trap. However, the Reds soon extended their lead to 4-0 when Trent Alexander-Arnold’s 25-yard strike deflected off Maximilian Kilman and looped into the net.

West Ham's misery was compounded late on when Kudus, left unmarked, headed against the crossbar, marking his second brush with the woodwork. Salah missed a rare chance shortly after with a wild half-volley, but he redeemed himself moments later with a scintillating solo run. Carrying the ball 50 yards, Salah set up Diogo Jota, who applied a clinical finish to seal the rout.

Liverpool’s dominant display underlined their title credentials, leaving West Ham with plenty to ponder heading into the new year.