Liverpool beat West Ham United 2-1 on Saturday afternoon in a match that twisted through several distinct phases before the home side eventually imposed themselves.
West Ham made the brighter start. Hugo Ekitiké struck inside five minutes to give the visitors an early lead, and for a period the away side looked composed and organised. Virgil van Dijk was shown a red card on 24 minutes, leaving Liverpool to defend with ten men for the remainder of the first half. That they reached the interval level was largely down to Alexis Mac Allister, who equalised on 43 minutes before the referee called time.
West Ham retook the lead almost immediately after the restart through Tomáš Souček, and with Liverpool reduced in numbers, the visitors appeared to have the game in hand. Cody Gakpo changed that. The Dutchman scored on 55 minutes and again on 70, both goals arriving at a stage of the game when West Ham had grown passive rather than pressed their numerical advantage home.
The closing quarter brought an untidy series of substitutions from both benches. Trey Nyoni and Dominik Szoboszlai came on for Liverpool, while West Ham introduced Crysencio Summerville and Taty Castellanos. Neither side found a further goal despite the additional attacking personnel.
Liverpool's ability to win from behind while playing the final hour with ten men will attract attention. West Ham, for their part, will reflect on a lead they held twice but could not protect.
Recap generated from the event timeline. Editorial team review by request. How we use AI.
