Alexander Isak
Alexander Isak ends goal drought as Liverpool beat West Ham 2-0 in Premier League clash
Alexander Isak finally opened his Premier League account for Liverpool as Arne Slot’s side snapped their poor run with a composed 2-0 victory over West Ham United at the London Stadium.
In a bold tactical shift, Arne Slot dropped Mohamed Salah from a league starting XI for the first time since April 2024, ending a streak of 53 consecutive Premier League starts. The focus, however, was firmly on Isak, who arrived from Newcastle United in a record £125m transfer, making him the most expensive signing in British football history.
The Swedish striker had endured a barren spell, failing to score in his first five league appearances for Liverpool and netting just once in all competitions — a League Cup goal against Southampton. But he delivered at last, guiding in a low finish on the hour mark after a clever cut-back from Cody Gakpo, who later added Liverpool’s second deep into stoppage time.
It marked the end of a 10-match goal drought for club and country, offering Liverpool a much-needed spark after a dreadful run that included a 4-1 Champions League defeat to PSV Eindhoven and successive 3-0 league losses to Manchester City and Nottingham Forest.
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Despite earlier being denied by a superb Alphonse Areola save from a bicycle kick, Isak kept pushing, eventually rewarding Slot’s faith. His goal was only his second shot on target in the Premier League this season.
Liverpool also benefitted from West Ham’s indiscipline. Lucas Paqueta was sent off in the 84th minute after picking up two quick yellow cards for dissent, compounding the home side’s frustrations.
Gakpo sealed the win moments later, smashing home from 12 yards after West Ham failed to clear their lines.
Speaking after the match, a relieved Isak said: “I’ve been waiting for it and chasing it. Sometimes it takes longer than you expect, but I’m happy to score and help the team. As a striker, you need momentum.”
For Liverpool — who had lost nine of their previous 12 games, their worst run since the 1953-54 season — the win was a crucial boost amid rising pressure on Slot. The result lifted them to eighth place with 21 points, while West Ham slipped to 17th on 11 points.
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