West Ham 0-4 Liverpool: 5 things we learned!

5 things we learned from West Ham 0-4 Liverpool

Liverpool put one foot in next season’s Champions League this afternoon by taking a resounding 4-0 win away from West Ham at the London Stadium.

Despite losing Roberto Firmino through injury, Jurgen Klopp managed to change his system and take a big win away from London in their bid to finish in the top 4.

Goals from Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi, and a brace from Philippe Coutinho ensured of the win against a poor Hammers performance.

Here are 5 things we learned from an afternoon that turned out to be rather comfortable for the Reds.

1) System change suits Liverpool

Liverpool have been criticised in recent weeks for not having the intensity they did at the beginning of the season. Their game vs Southampton was particularly short of sharpness and pace in attack. They were very narrow and lacked creativity. Roberto Firmino’s injury today may have been a blessing in disguise, as it encouraged Jurgen Klopp to change his system. He played a 4-4-2 diamond with Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi, and played Philippe Coutinho deeper than usual. This allowed for more chances created and ultimately, more goals. Could this be a system Jurgen Klopp looks at more often going into next season?

2) Dan the Man makes the difference

A massive contribution came from Liverpool’s ‘hot and cold’ striker, Daniel Sturridge, this afternoon. As said before, Liverpool’s change of system today meant Sturridge partnered Divock Origi up front, which has been a rare occurrence this season. In my opinion, this is something that suits Sturridge, having a strike partner for support. Sturridge isn’t the most mobile of strikers up front, nor the paciest over a 30 yard stretch. This leads him rather isolated on occasions where he’s playing up front on his own. However, Origi’s movement around him creates space for Sturridge, and there is where he thrives. His quick feet, intelligence on and off the ball, and eye for goal makes him one of the most dangerous strikers in the league on his day, and he took his goal really well today to prove it.

3) West Ham were on the beach

As much as Liverpool were impressive, it has to be said that West Ham were incredibly poor. Safe from relegation but unable to push for a European place, the Hammers are finding themselves in that ‘end of season limbo’, just waiting for the campaign to end. They were so passive when Liverpool were attacking, especially after going behind. It was a terrible display, reminiscent or the poor form they showed at the beginning of the season. This has not been the first time a team has scored 4 at the London Stadium this season.

4) Coutinho the key for Liverpool

He was dropped deeper today, Philippe Coutinho. It was discussed by Jurgen Klopp earlier in the week. He’s spent most of the season out on the left-win for Liverpool, being allowed to drift inwards as and when. However today, he dropped into what Klopp called ‘the Number 8 role’ and took a lot more control in midfield. It worked really well and the Brazilian bagged himself 2 goals, as well of the Man of the Match award. He’s been linked with a move away from Anfield this summer, but Jurgen Klopp has insisted that there are no plans to sell him. Surely if Liverpool secure Champions League football, he will stay?

5) Miss of the season?

This was a real key moment in the game. At 1-0, just on the stroke of half-time, Andre Ayew missed a chance that is a strong contender for miss of the season. Waiting at the back post, a corner delivered found his way through the crowd and at his feet, yet from point blank range, he could only hit the post twice. A goal there would’ve changed the game, but instead, Liverpool took a lead into the break, and that was a platform for them to go on and win the game so comfortably.

So there it is, 5 things we learned from a fantastic Liverpool win at the London Stadium