Liverpool continued their winning run as they beat West Ham 1-2 courtesy of two penalty kicks by Captain Steven Gerrard.
Tactically, Liverpool were all set to employ their favoured 4-4-2 diamond formation with Gerrard sitting deep in midfield while Coutinho played an advanced midfield role. Jordan Henderson provided the lungs at left midfield, also as a support for youngster Jon Flanagan. Teenager Raheem Sterling started at Right midfield, providing support to Sturridge and Coutinho.
West Ham were out there to physically dominate the game as they always plan to do, as well as they use Andy Carroll as their target man. West Ham came planned to wear down Liverpool and force them to play a slower game and hence they worked hard in defence to deny them space.
It was frustrating for Liverpool as attacks broke down in the final third because of some strong and resilient defending by the home team. It was clear that both teams planned on direct attacks, as Liverpool sought out Luis Suarez for most of their chance creation. It was almost half time when the scoring opened. Luis Suarez’s trickery was too hot to handle for Tomkins as he handled the ball in the penalty box when Suarez looked to flick the ball to his right foot.
Steven Gerrard converted from the spot and it was 1-0 for Liverpool just before half time. But as luck would have had it, West Ham equalized almost immediately after a penalty box scramble after a corner kick. Simon Mignolet was already looking shaky in the match because of the strong and aggressive game-play during set pieces. This time it was harsh on the Reds stopper as former Liverpool man Andy Carroll who jumped high but with his hands wide open in turn hit Mignolet after he caught the whipped in cross. Mignolet dropped the ball and West Ham right back Guy Demel tapped in.
The second half followed and it was pretty much as expected as both teams played with a typical style of play that has seen Liverpool rise to the occasion while West Ham have frustrated their high flying opponents almost all the time they have played against them. It was a matter of time when Liverpool would get their second goal. West Ham relied on their defence to bail them out every time they lost possession or were caught on the break. Jon Flanagan playing at left back for Liverpool was brought down in the penalty box and Gerrard converted again to restore their lead. Flanagan appeared to have dived but I didn’t matter as Liverpool rightfully deserved their lead after the previous foul on their goalkeeper leafing to their conceded goal.
This result was a very predictable one as Liverpool with all that strike power of Suarez, Sturridge and Gerrard were always expected to win. Gerrard was the best player on the pitch as he dictated the game from his newly adapted deep midfield position from where he fed Suarez, Sturridge and Coutinho time and again.
This win leaves Liverpool on top of the league table, breathing down on Manchester City as the title race heats up between Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City. The next week would feature Liverpool playing Manchester City which would be one of the title deciders this season.