West Ham vs Liverpool - Premier League RECAP: All the reaction as dominant Reds score FIVE in east London to move nine points clear of Arsenal

Well, it's now time for us to part ways.

We have been treated to another blockbuster day of Premier League action and now have just one more matchday before the turn of the year.

Liverpool will finish 2024 on top of the pile by at least seven points after they smashed five goals past a hapless West Ham side.

The Reds were ruthless today and could have scored 10, but in the end, the five different scorers will still be happy with their performance.

Once again Mo Salah stood out with a goal and two assists as he takes his tally of goal involvements in the Premier League this season to 30.

Can anybody stop him or Liverpool right now?

Anyway, I am now going to shoot off for the evening and I hope you all enjoy what is left of it.

Until tomorrow, goodnight!

2024 has not been the best of years for West Ham, it has to be said.

The Hammers have conceded more Premier League goals this year than any other side.

They have let in a total of 79 goals, their most in a single calendar year since 1967, when they shipped 85.

I think they need to work on their defending...

Julen Lopetegui, West Ham manager, speaking to Sky Sports:

We are very sad for our fans because we are disappointed in the way we lost. We are talking about the best team in the Premier League and around the world, but at home and in front of our fans, I am very sorry about this.

We had one moment at the start after their first chance, and after we could've drawn through Mo Kudus, but they deserved it today. In the half, the match was gone. It's been a tough day for us.

Want to relive tonight's action?

Well, I am guessing that any Liverpool fans still reading this will happily watch the highlights.

I'm not so sure about Hammers supporters though...

Cody Gakpo, Liverpool goalscorer, speaking to BBC Sport:

Today it was a good performance from our side again and we managed to score a few goals. Good match. It is a lot of goals [17 in last four away games for Liverpool].

We work a lot on trying to create chances and score goals. Today we could maybe have scored some more but we are working hard to do that.

We said before the game we wanted to do everything to keep the clean sheet. We did that really well at the start of the season but in recent weeks we have conceded some goals. Hopefully from this point on we can go back to the clean sheets.

It's not all rainbow and roses for Liverpool fans.

I know that sounds bizarre seeing the scoreline, but I swear it's actually true.

The injury to Joe Gomez in the first half is not something the Reds needed with Ibrahima Konate already out.

And now Arne Slot has confirmed he will be 'out for some time', which is not what Liverpool fans wanted to hear.

Yes, Jarell Quansah came on and looked sharp, but it's still not a situation the Reds wanted to be in.

Quansah has a big opportunity to shine in the coming games now.

Robbie Fowler, former Liverpool striker, speaking to Mail Sport:

The year he [Mo Salah] has had has been tremendous. I think Mo has been extremely prolific and brilliant this year.

Liverpool have been so brilliant this year, they are prolific scoring goals. Everything say yes [they will win the league] but I have been in the game long enough to know there is a long way to go.

Arne Slot, Liverpool boss, speaking on Sky Sports:

[I enjoyed it] a lot because it doesn't happy many times that I could just sit back and enjoy. It was the situation against Tottenham that we were 5-1 up and they came back to 5-3, but today we kept control over the game.

We talked before the game about conceding chances. We conceded two or three today, and against Leicester, they had two and scored one. In attack, we have created a lot of chances and in a game like today, we scored many. Although I said to the players that it was 3-0 at half-time but it wouldn't have been if after 10 minutes, we were 3-0 [ahead] because we created a lot of chances.

Enough challenges will come ahead of us, starting with Man United at home, which is a big game. Even if you only look at league tables, it is already a big game, but you want to keep your lead as long as you can. It's nine games in January [for Liverpool], so many games are played and you saw today an injury to Joe Gomez.

On if Mo Salah is the best player in the world:

If you look at his numbers, you can argue that, but there are different players in different leagues that have a lot of quality. But Mo is definitely up there at the moment. He could have scored more today, but I also liked his work rate for the team without the ball. He's in a very good place. Let's hope he can stay like this for a long time.

We can't not talk about Trent Alexander-Arnold...

The defender's celebration for Liverpool's fourth goal raised a lot of eyebrows, certainly mine.

In the past few days, there were reports in Spain that suggested he had told Liverpool he was leaving to join Real Madrid on a free.

It seems as though he has read those stories and decided to respond in his own way tonight.

Is this a good or bad sign in regards to him signing a new contract?

The ruthless nature of Liverpool's attack has somehow managed to go up a gear in the last few weeks.

There is no doubt they have the best forward line in the league, four of their six attackers netted tonight.

Liverpool have netted 24 goals in the month of December, and they have done it in just eight matches.

How nuts is that?

They are the league's top scorers and it just looks like nobody can stop them at the moment.

Next up, they have their rivals Manchester United who can't stop conceding.

That could be messy.

Jamie Redknapp, former Liverpool midfielder, on Sky Sports:

It's almost hard to come up with more superlatives about him because he's so incredible. Liverpool were ruthless today and Salah epitomised that. He looks like he's enjoying his football. When he first came to Liverpool, he still looks like that same player.

It's a testament to how hard he works off the pitch. He's a phenomenon and one of the most effective players. You can't deny the numbers he puts up week in, week out.

Mohamed Salah, Liverpool goalscorer, speaking to Sky Sports:

I'm glad about the result. We managed to score early and dominated the game very well. That's the most important thing. [My assist to Cody Gakpo] is quite similar to the Arsenal goal, when I was also offside and left it to Darwin. This one, Lucho was shouting behind me. I managed to pass it to Cody, so clever play. I don't think [I meant] the first one, but the second one yes, because it was the only option I had.

The only thing in my mind is that I want Liverpool to win the league and I want to be part of it. That is the only thing I have focused on. I will do my best to win the trophy. We are in the right direction but there are other teams trying to catch up with us. We just need to stay humble and go again.

I am just trying to enjoy the game. I was a bit disappointed with some of the shots I missed today but I came here for the result. I am always hungry for more. Hopefully next time I will score more but the most important is that the team won.

On his spat with Jurgen Klopp at West Ham last season:

In the dressing room, the players said, 'Do you remember what happened here last year?' They were laughing. Virgil started it. We had a laugh about it. It was not a nice moment here last year but this one was better.

Mohamed Salah is in the form of his life at the moment.

I find myself posting about just how incredible he is every single week, multiple times too.

With another goal and two assists today, Salah has now been involved in 53 goals in all competitions in 2024, 29 of those goals.

That is more than any other player in Europe’s big five leagues.

Most of those have come this season too as he has been involved in 30 goals in just 18 Premier League games this season.

That's the fewest appearances any player has needed to reach 30 goal involvements in a single campaign in the competition.

I mean, is Salah currently the best player in the world?

Personally, I don't see anybody playing anywhere near his level elsewhere in the world.

He could win the Ballon d'Or if he continues in this vain.

For any West Ham fans still reading this, you might want to skip this post.

The Hammers looked in decent shape heading into this match and I really thought they might give Liverpool a game.

How wrong was I?

Julen Lopetegui's team looked pretty hopeless tonight, they could have easily conceded 10, if we are honest.

It feels like they have been taking one step forward and two steps back under the Spaniard this season.

With that performance, and how sluggish they looked, he is surely back under pressure.

A day to forget for the Hammers.

The fact it took until the 84th minute for Liverpool to score a fifth was pretty mental with the chances they had tonight.

But still, it really was a lovely goal, and all because of a certain Mohamed Salah.

Just look at that run... I think the term is twinkle toes, is it not?

And then the finish from Diogo Jota isn't half bad either, he never looked like missing really.

If you haven't seen it yet, enjoy.

This was a demolition job by Liverpool and it feels like they have not even been at full pelt. A significant statement to the rest of the league on their final outing of 2024.

What a performance that was from Liverpool.

Arne Slot's side are simply relentless at the moment, they are scoring goals for fun.

That's now 14 in their last three Premier League games and tonight they had five different scorers.

It was a real vintage performance going forward, but at the back, they finally looked settled.

That's their first league clean sheet since the first of the month, so Slot will be happy.

It's been another brilliant day to be a red.

West Ham's miserable evening is now over.

Julen Lopetegui's side should feel lucky they only conceded five tonight, it was a real blood bath.

Mohamed Salah once again stole the show and really should have netted at least a hat-trick.

The Reds end 2024 on top of the tree and go eight points clear of second-place Nottingham Forest.

Happy New Year, eh?

It's just not meant to be for West Ham.

They hit the woodwork for the third time this match, this time from the boot of Emerson.

He has a crack from outside the box and it takes two deflections on its way to the post.

Liverpool keep hold of their clean sheet.

West Ham just have four minutes more of this to endure.

Well, the ones that are still in the London Stadium because most of them have left.

This place is practically empty.

Mo Salah now on 30 goal involvements in the Premier League this season, which is more than 12 teams have scored.

Liverpool fans can breathe a sigh of relief.

Alexis Mac Allister is back up and fine to continue after a spell off the pitch.

Sorry to have worried you all!

We have a pause in play as there has been a clash of heads between Alexis Mac Allister and Cycensio Summerville.

The Liverpool man seems to have come worse off and this is a real worry for the league leaders.

It doesn't look great.

West Ham must be sick of the sight of Liverpool.

This is the second time they have shipped five to the Reds this season alone.

They must want this final few minutes to fly by.

Now that is one hell of a counter-attacking goal!

The real Mo Salah seems to be back on the pitch as he produces an incredible run to slide the ball to Diogo Jota to score Liverpool's fifth.

He dances past a number of Hammers players and slides the ball at just the right time.

The finish from Jota is superb as he wraps the ball into the top right-hand corner.

The Reds really deserved a fifth, and they have it.

What are you doing there, Virgil?

The Liverpool captain wants to get in on the action and he is played in by Luis Diaz.

He takes a lovely touch and tries to bend the ball into the corner but Alphonse Areola denies him.

He must have a nosebleed now.

Now this is interesting....

West Ham's best player Mohammed Kudus will not see out the end of this match.

Instead, young Brazilian Luis Guilherme is given some minutes in his place.

FPL players must be screaming at Mohamed Salah right now...

I'm sure he is most of your captains and he should have netted at least four times tonight but has only done so once.

Yet again he is played in and you just expect the net to bulge, but he smashes the ball miles over the bar.

It's like an imposter has come on in the second half and the real Salah is wrapped in cotton wool in the dressing room.

Does anybody know if he has a brother?

How unlucky can you get?

Mohammed Kudus hits the woodwork for the second time tonight as his header comes back off the bar.

He is the only West Ham player that can leave with his head held high.

Arne Slot turns to the bench yet again.

Harvey Elliott is now on for Curtis Jones while Kostas Tsimikas replaces Andy Robertson.

Meanwhile, Andrew Irving has come on for West Ham.

Guys, this is going to be a long 20 or so minutes.

This game feels pretty dead, barely anything is happening now.

I really wish I had more to report on, but all I can tell you is that I just had a bounty from a celebrations box.

Controversial opinion, but I love them.

I'm not sure if I am watching walking football, or the Premier League...

The pace of this game has completely gone and Liverpool are practically walking the ball about.

West Ham are barely even trying to defend at this point.

How have Liverpool not scored more goals tonight?

Yes, they already have four, but Mo Salah could have had that many on his own tonight.

Once again he is through and looks set to find the net as he cuts in on his left, but this time he bends over.

It comes seconds after Crycensio Summerville thinks he should be awarded a penalty, but it would have been harsh.

The West Ham fans are getting restless.

That's why you're a defender, Andy Robertson.

Liverpool look like they could score a bucketful tonight but they just have to hope the chances fall to attackers...

Robertson has a couple of chances to shoot but chooses to pass but when he gets the ball a third time he has a crack.

He should have just passed again though because he blasts the ball miles over the bar.

Is that actually you Mo Salah?

I can't believe what I have just seen, the in-form winger has just managed to muck up a brilliant Liverpool attack.

The visitors work the ball really well with Diogo Jota leading the break before it's moved river to Salh in space in the area.

You just expect him to score but he passes it straight into the arms of Alphonse Areola.

Not like him at all.

Arne Slot has taken the opportunity to rest a few of his big stars now that Liverpool are 4-0 up.

Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch are both one yellow card away from a suspension so he takes them off.

Diogo Jota and Wataru Endo ar the players to come on for the Reds.

Meanwhile, Jarrod Bowen is forced off with a knock and he is replaced by Crycensio Summerville.

That is a hammer blow to Julen Lopetegui.

Now that celebration was really interesting from Trent Alexander-Arnold.

There has been a lot of talk about him moving to Real Madrid in the last few days, hasn't there?

Liverpool fans have shared their discontent at the defender on social media, even though he hasn't moved, and that may be what that was about.

Or was it about the media in recent days suggesting he is off to Madrid?

All it does is add fuel to the fire, that's what I know.

It's four and that really is game over now!

Trent Alexander-Arnold nets his first goal of the season and of course, it's from outside the box.

He has a dig from deep and it takes a wicked deflection before hitting the back of the net.

The full-back then uses his hands to gesture all the talk that has been around his potential move away.

Now that is very interesting... who is that about?

How Mo Salah has not scored more today, I really don't know.

He gets in yet again this time from a stunning pass from the boot of Cody Gakpo.

But this time Salah rushes his effort on his wrong foot and blasts well wide.

West Ham just aren't learning, it's so odd. Masters of their own downfall.

Where is the fight?

Any thoughts that West Ham would have a bit more fight about them after the break are swiftly parked.

Normal service resumed...

Liverpool are straight onto West Ham and they really should be four up now.

Alexis Mac Allister bends a ball through to Mohamed Salah and you just expect him to score, but Alphonse Areola thwarts him.

He looked offside at first look but he was actually being kept on by some lazy defending form Jean-Clair Todibo.

Salah really should have scored.

Right, the teams are back out in east London.

Julen Lopetegui has decided to make a couple of changes to try and get his side back in this game.

Jean-Clair Todibo and Niclas Fullkrug are now on for the Hammers with Edson Alvarez and Vladamir Coufal coming off.

And now we are back underway.

Alan Smith, former Arsenal striker, on Sky Sports:

I don't think even he can believe how well he's playing at the age that he is as well. West Ham are just getting overrun. Salah makes that look easy.

It's the work ethic of these Liverpool players. They're on you in a flash. It's such a hard challenge for most sides in Europe, let alone West Ham.

Guess what?

That's right, Mohamed Salah has broken yet another record. He seems to do that every week these days.

Today is the eighth Premier League game this season in which Mo Salah has registered both a goal and an assist.

That's a new seasonal record by any player in the competition's history

We are literally in December, it's nuts.

Mo Salah is simply inevitable, isn't he?

The Egyptian King was mercurial in that first half and was so deserving of his goal.

It's a lovely finish as well, even if Alphonse Areola should have done better at his near post.

Either way, watch and enjoy, Liverpool fans.

If you are a West Ham supporter though, I'm guessing you will ignore this post... which is fair.

A nasty end to the evening for Joe Gomez who seems to have tweaked his hamstring. He's been excellent in recent weeks and that leaves Liverpool with just two fit centre halves - Virgil van Dijk and Jarell Quansah, who has come on as a substitute.

Ibrahima Konate is stepping up his recovery but would still be firmly in the 'doubt' category for next weekend's clash with Manchester United.

There goes the whistle to halt West Ham's misery.... for now.

Liverpool have put on an attacking clinic at the London Stadium, netting three past the sorry Hammers.

All three of the Reds' forwards have got on the scoresheet with Mohamed Salah once again shining.

This game may already be dead and buried and we are only halfway.

This could become a cricket score if West Ham aren't careful.

Liverpool are ripping them apart and once again Alphonse Areola has to save them.

Trent Alexander-Arnold sends an incredible ball over the top for Mohamed Salah to run onto and he is away.

The winger drives into the box but then Areola does well to deny him low to his left.

A big stop!

Could hear the noise of West Ham fans getting off their seats and heading off for half-time (or home?) when it became 3-0. Liverpool not even out of gear three it feels. Making it look so easy. Admittedly West Ham are a mess.

This stadium is nearly empty as the fourth official shows that there will be three minutes of added time.

I mean, it's easy to see why because Liverpool are rinsing their side right now.

Mohamed Salah is a joke!

The Egyptian King simply can't stop scoring and he adds his 17th of the Premier League season here.

Liverpool are all over West Ham like a rash and Alexis Mac Allister wins the ball in the middle of the park.

They then work the ball over to salah who arrows the ball back across Alphonse Areola and into the bottom corner.

It's a lovely finish but the keeper really should do better.

You can certainly hear the Liverpool fans in that corner now.

The Reds fans are rattling through their catalogue of songs, including some Christmassy ones.

Their side are really in control of this match.

Cody Gakpo is in the goals again!

The Dutchman finds the net but it's all because of some magic from Mohamed Salah.

The winger produces an incredible turn inside the area before squaring the ball for Gakpo to slide into an empty net.

What a move, Salah is just so special.

Oh, so close to a leveller!

Mohammed Kudus is dancing through Liverpool on the regular now and he deserves a goal for it.

He nearly gets one as he has a pop from 30 yards and it beats Alisson, but then comes off the inside of the post.

That run and strike deserved a goal, it really did.

Yep, Joe Gomez can't continue. it looks as though he has pulled his hamstring.

That's a monster blow for the Reds who already have Ibou Konate out with injury.

Jarell Quansah comes on.

Ohhhh... this doesn't look good for Joe Gomez.

The defender pulls up and has to walk off the pitch and West Ham almost take advantage.

Mohammed Kudus brings down a lovely ball before clipping it to Lucas Paqueta, but Alisson denies him.

Gomez then come back on the pitch to receive some treatment.

Lucas Paqueta is not having the best of games...

The Brazilian has the chance to start an attack but hoofs the ball straight into the arms of Alisson.

Groans then ring around te London Stadium, which is the loudest I have heard it all night.

Luis Diaz gets the breakthrough!

The league leaders have been knocking at the door and they get a slice of luck to give them the lead.

Luis Diaz turns well before driving toward goal but his pass is poor as West Ham get bodies in the way of it.

But the ball then comes straight back to him and he arrows the ball low past Alphonse Areola.

The Frenchman had no chance this time around!

Oh, that is filthy Mohammed Kudus.

The West Ham midfielder does incredibly well to dance away from five Liverpool players in the middle of the park.

He gets West Ham on the attack for the first time in what feels like forever.

My word, the London Stadium feels like an Oxford University library right now.

It's dead silent.

Not even the away fans are singing songs, it's quite weird how quiet the atmosphere is.

Liverpool are hammering at the West Ham door now.

West Ham give the ball away in the middle of the park and within two passes Luis Diaz is in.

The winger cuts in on his right and bends one toward the top corner, but Alphonse Areola is there to deny the Reds again.

He has been a busy boy so far.

Great defending from Luis Diaz!

Well, I say that but he actually stops his own attack as he gets in the way of a cross destined for Mohamed Salah.

If he let it go, it was surely 1-0, so that was a very bizarre decision from the Colombian.

Maybe he just didn't hear a shout...

Alphonse Areola to the rescue for West Ham again!

Liverpool are really purring now and the French goalkeeper is keeping the hosts in it.

The Reds flow forward beautifully again before Mohamed Salah carves an opening with a lovely ball to Curtis Jones.

Areola then rushes out brilliantly to thwart the midfielder from close range.

Another great stop.

It's been an action-packed start to the game and both teams have had clear chances. Lucas Paqueta was unlucky to slip at the vital moment when Andy Robertson carelessly lost possession and Jarrod Bowen capitalised. Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo have both missed big opportunities at the other end.

I was moaning about the pace of this game at the start, but my word has it kicked into gear.

There were three monster chances in the space of a matter of minutes and I'm not quite sure how we haven't seen a goal.

Oh my word, how has Cody Gakpo missed?

This game has suddenly burst into life and Gapo and Mohamed Salah are at the heart of it.

This time it's Salah who finds Gakpo at the back post and he should just head the ball home.

Somehow though, the Dutchman doesn't connect properly and heads wide.

Two big misses in a matter of moments.

Oh, Liverpool should be ahead!

Cody Gakpo has been in fine form and he slides Mo Salah in with an absolutely stunning pass.

You just expect Salah to finish it off from inside the area but he fires it straight at Alphonse Areola.

I was certain he was going to score, I really was.

Andy Robertson is a very, very lucky lad...

The Liverpool defender takes miles too long on the ball and is closed down by Mohammad Kudus.

West Ham then fly away on the counter and the ball is played across to Lucas Paqueta at the back post.

But he can't turn it home.

This has not been the best of games in the early moments.

It's being played at a walking pace, Liverpool are just knocking the ball around slowly at the back.

I hope some life is breathed into it soon, or this could be a long night.

The atmosphere might be good tonight, but I have noticed there are still quite a few empty seats.

Let's just hope it's because some fans got the wrong tube, or missed the one they wanted.

It's always so obvious here because of the white seats.

There are still bubbles in the air as the two teams huddle for the final time before the whistle.

Then 'I'm forever blowing bubbles' is sung for the second time in a few minutes.

And then the ball gets rolling!

Here come all the bubbles!

The West Ham fans are in fine voice as the two teams come out of the tunnel, the atmosphere is fantastic.

Sadly, as always, the Premier League anthem ruins the vibes. I really strongly dislike that tune.

But no need to worry, it is followed by some belting rock music to pump everybody up.

I know I am up for this, but are the players?

This is a chance for Liverpool to end 2024 on a high. A very good year overall — Carabao Cup trophy, seemless transition to a new regime and they will hope to have the experience/staying power to go better in the title tilt.

Arne Slot, Liverpool boss, on Sky Sports:

These players [Jota] have been out for quite a long time. It's not easy to bring players back from one or two months off. Elliott is longer with us but there's a lot of competition in the midfield.

West Ham probably change because of the quality we have. Mostly in the recent weeks they started with four in defence so it is probably a bit of a surprise that they start with five.

Before things get underway, we simply have to talk about Mo Salah.

The Liverpool winger has been on absolute smoke recently, he has been banging the goals in.

He netted his 16th goal of the season against Leicester in just his 17th game, how ridiculous is that, eh?

It meant that Salah has been involved in 27 goals in the Premier League this season, with 11 assists on top of his goals.

That's incredible at the best of times, but I have a statistic that really puts it in perspective.

His current total of goal involvements is just one fewer than he was in 32 appearances last term.

Can he add some more tonight?

Jamie Redknapp, former Liverpool midfielder, on Sky Sports:

The manager's come in, he knows what everyone wants to do. Gravenberch has been a revelation. Because of his profile, he's incredibly tall, he drives with the ball. He can play as a six, he can play like an eight, he can play like a ten. He's just such a talented guy, he can do everything.

How excited are we all?

I mean, we are now just over 20 minutes away from kick-off, and I for one am really looking forward to this one.

The Liverpool players don't exactly look buzzing to be there though, going by these photos, anyway.

Maybe they are just extremely focused...

Looks like the Reds will be wearing their changed strip for the clash against the Hammers. If I'm not mistaken, it's listed as forest green - always looked like a grey or black piece to me.

• West Ham have won just one of their last 16 Premier League games against Liverpool (D3 L12), beating them 3-2 at the London Stadium in November 2021.
• Liverpool have scored at least twice in seven of their last eight Premier League away games against West Ham, including in each of the last five in a row.

Courtesy of Opta

It was in this fixture last season that the Reds' title challenge officially ended. Jurgen Klopp's side were held to a 2-2 draw by the Hammers thanks to goals from Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio.

In fact, the Hammers captain has a pretty impressive record against tonight's opponents.

History favours Arne Slot's title chasing side this evening.

The Reds have won a staggering 84 times in the clubs 151 meetings.

Julen Lopetegui side will be hoping they can spoil Liverpool's New Year's trip to London with the Hammers appearing to have turned a corner following their spell of bad form.

Head to Head History:

• West Ham wins: 29
• Draws: 38
• Liverpool wins: 84

Here are some images of the Liverpool players taking in their surroundings shortly after arriving at the London Stadium. Slot's side have the chance to end the night eight points clear at the top of the table ahead of Arsenal and Chelsea matches in the next couple of days.

Arne Slot, Liverpool boss, pre-match presser:

You’re sitting in front of the Liverpool manager; so, there is always pressure at this club, if you are one, two, three, four or five in the table. If you work at a big club like Liverpool there is always the pressure.

I think last season halfway through the season, were they also No.1? I think they were last season. So, it’s not so strange for a club like us to be on top of the league.

Julen Lopetegui, West Ham boss, pre-match presser:

It’s different because we are talking about the best team in the Premier League: top players, a very good coach. They are now in the heights.

But we have to believe in our strengths and opportunities, to take solutions and decisions for the next challenge. We are happy to have these kinds of matches at home. We have belief in our players. No fear. We fear only other things – in football, no fear. Never.'

Darwin Nunez loses his place in the starting XI after Liverpool's 3-1 win over Leicester. The striker is struggling for goals and has been replaced by Luis Diaz, while in-form Cody Gakpo keeps his place in the side.

The suspension of Dominic Szoboszlai means Jones continues in the middle.

Lopetegui has altered his side a little from the team that defeated Southampton in their last outing. Fabianski suffered an injury in that game which sees Areola come back in.

Meanwhile, Coufal, Alvarez and Paqueta have been included in place of Rodriguez, Soucek and Fullkrug.

Good evening and welcome to Mail Sport's coverage of Liverpool's trip to West Ham in the Premier Lague's late fixture.

Last game week saw Arne Slot's side take another decisive step towards the title, but they'll need to keep things up to keep their rivals' spirits down.

Tonight Liverpool face an improved West Ham outfit who are unbeaten in their last four. Kick-off at the London Stadium is at 5:15pm and before then we'll be bringing you all the updates.

Stay tuned for when the action gets underway as we'll have all the updates from est London!