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Sunday gave us the first chance to see what Liverpool and West Ham had to offer this season, as the pair faced off at Anfield on the opening weekend of the season.
It was a comfortable day for Liverpool, as they ran out 4-0 winners in what was a very disappointing showing from West Ham.
Liverpool took the lead early on when Andy Robertson squared for Mo Salah, who had the simple task of turning the ball into an empty net. The Egyptian will be hoping to repeat his record-breaking performance from last season, that saw him score 32 times.
They had their second before halftime. More disappointing defending from West Ham saw the ball come to James Milner at the far post, and he pulled it back to Sadio Mane, who couldn’t miss.
They got their third at the start of the second half, when Mane fired home from the edge of the box, although replays appeared to show him in an offside position. It was four in the final moments, with Daniel Sturridge coming off the bench, and scoring with his first touch.
Liverpool
Alisson Becker- 5
Didn’t have much to do in terms of shot stopping. He will be judged mainly on his distribution in games like this and will want it to be slightly better in the coming weeks.
Trent Alexander-Arnold- 5
The Englishman looked solid defensively and dealt well with the threat of Felipe Anderson. He got forward well but often lacked the quality of pass needed in the final third.
Virgil van Dijk- 6
Looked very comfortable marshalling the back four, and didn’t really have much to do defensively. Looked good in possession, but will have busier days.
Joe Gomez- 5
Got off to a shaky start, but got better as the game went on. He will hope for better performances in the coming weeks because his position will be under threat when Dejan Lovren returns to fitness.
Andy Robertson- 6
Much like the rest of his back four, wasn’t tested much in his own half. He was as always a threat going forward and set up the first goal for Salah.
Georginio Wijnaldum- 6
Was the holding player in a midfield that wasn’t called upon much defensively. Did a good job positionally, and allowed those alongside him to push forward in the knowledge he would cover for them.
Naby Keita- 7
A positive debut for Keita, who looked like a natural in the Liverpool midfield. He will have tougher tests because he was regularly awarded far too much space.
James Milner- 8
A massively underrated player, but had a brilliant game. He was good in possession and got forward a lot, showing a side of his game that we have rarely seen recently.
Mo Salah- 7
The Egyptian got the early goal, but in all honesty, he didn’t have too much of an impact on the game afterwards and was outshone by Mane in attacking areas.
Roberto Firmino- 6
A strangely quiet game for Firmino in attacking areas. He did a good job tracking back and helping out in midfield, but we didn’t see much of him in the final third.
Sadio Mane- 8
The former Southampton man got himself in some good areas and was rewarded with his two goals, even though the second of which should have been ruled offside.
Substitutes
Jordan Henderson- 5
Came on in a comfortable position, and didn’t really have too long to impact the game.
Xherdan Shaqiri- N/A
Only came on with a few minutes remaining, will need more time to prove what he can do for Liverpool.
Daniel Sturridge- 6
Probably only touched the ball on a couple of occasions, but scored with his first touch, and will hope to have a big part to play this season.
West Ham United
Lukasz Fabianski- 6
Didn’t have much chance with any of the goals, but made some excellent saves. Despite conceding, was probably the Hammers’ best player on the day.
Ryan Fredericks- 5
He tried to have an impact pushing forward, and on a couple of occasions bought the ball out of defence well. However his defensive side of the game wasn’t great, much like the rest of the back four, and that will need to improve.
Angelo Ogbonna- 4
The most experienced Premier League player of the West Ham back four, and didn’t do enough to lead them. Was caught out of position on numerous occasions, and may have to fight to keep his place in the side.
Fabian Balbuena- 4
A very forgettable debut. Was poor defensively, and led a backline that held a back line who stayed far too high up the pitch. He was lucky to stay on the pitch as well after a challenge on Mane while already on a yellow card.
Arthur Masuaku- 5
Didn’t have the chance to show what he could do going forward, and in a relatively unfamiliar defensive line up, was often caught out of position. He didn’t do badly dealing with Mo Salah but will want to improve.
Declan Rice- 4
He looked totally out of depth playing in the centre of the park. He is naturally a centre back, and it showed. He looked very uncomfortable in possession, and positionally he was all over the place.
Mark Noble- 5
Totally overrun in the centre of midfield, and he didn’t really have any answers. Looked ok in possession of the ball, but given the uncertainty around him, didn’t have the game he would have liked.
Jack Wilshere- 5
The former Arsenal man will need to get to know his new teammates more, and he will also need to improve personally. His passing wasn’t up to scratch, and he struggled to have a real impact on the game.
Felipe Anderson- 6
Despite the scoreline, he didn’t do too badly. He was a threat in attacking areas, and did a good enough job tracking back. There will be games better suited for him to show off his talents.
Michail Antonio- 5
Anonymous for much of the afternoon, partly due to the complete lack of service he got out on the wing. Was unfortunate to be booked in the second half, and will have better days.
Marko Arnautovic- 4
A difficult game for the Austrian, who was totally isolated up top. Had one chance when he caught the Liverpool defence lacking, but dragged it well wide.
Substitutes
Robert Snodgrass- 4
He came on at halftime, but barely had a touch, and had little to no impact on the game.
Javier Hernandez- 4
Much like Snodgrass, came on midway through the second half. Starved of possession, and certainly didn’t touch the ball in the box.
Andriy Yarmolenko- N/A
Came on late on, and didn’t really have an impact.
