Alexander Isak finally announced himself in a Liverpool shirt, scoring his long-awaited first Premier League goal for the club as the Reds secured a crucial 2–0 win at the London Stadium — a victory that eased the mounting pressure on manager Arne Slot after a turbulent run of results.
The afternoon had started with emotion as West Ham mourned the passing of club legend Billy Bonds. Bowen laid a No. 4 shirt in front of the Billy Bonds Stand — a touching tribute to a man who made 799 appearances across three decades.
With Liverpool’s recent losing form, the Dutchman made bold decisions, including benching Mohamed Salah in a headline-making call. But Slot’s gamble paid off, with record signing Isak breaking the deadlock before Cody Gakpo wrapped up the points in stoppage time against a West Ham side derailed by Lucas Paquetá’s extraordinary red card.
The result lifted Liverpool back into the top half, offering much-needed stability after weeks of turmoil.
Isak, signed for £125m in the summer, had endured a frustrating start to life at Anfield. And in the early stages here, it looked like another story of missed chances.
He saw a close-range effort spectacularly saved by Alphonse Areola, while Florian Wirtz — producing what several pundits called his “most complete display” since arriving — squandered a golden opportunity to score.
But on the hour mark, Isak finally delivered. After a sweeping move, Gakpo cut the ball back into the striker’s path, and Isak drilled a calm, clinical finish into the bottom corner — the type of strike that showcased the instincts Liverpool paid so heavily for.
The relief was palpable. Slot clenched both fists. Isak exhaled deeply.
West Ham, already lacking invention, imploded spectacularly when Lucas Paquetá talked himself into an early bath. The Brazilian was booked for dissent — then, astonishingly, continued to berate referee Darren England, ignoring attempts by teammates and even compatriot Alisson to drag him away. Seconds later, England flashed a second yellow. Paquetá was gone.
The home crowd gasped. Nunez looked stunned. With ten men, West Ham’s faint hopes evaporated.
Liverpool, who had conceded 10 goals in their previous three matches, were far more stable at the back.
West Ham failed to register a single shot on target.
Jarrod Bowen came closest, curling narrowly wide at 1–0, but the Hammers lacked the spark that had brought them seven points from their last three league games.
In stoppage time, with the hosts stretched and furious at Paquetá’s dismissal, Gakpo slipped through the defence to guide home the Reds’ second, sealing a rare comfortable ending to a Liverpool fixture this season.
Slot admitted he had been bracing for more pressure if the win didn’t come:
“There’s definitely a feeling of relief. Losing so many games… winning becomes important. We hardly conceded a chance.
We played the game I wanted us to play.”
He praised Isak’s goal as “significant” and acknowledged he was preparing to substitute the striker moments before he scored — a sliding doors moment in Liverpool’s season.
Slot also praised the travelling supporters, who voiced their frustration earlier in the week but backed the team loudly in London.
West Ham’s defeat dropped them to 17th, level on points with Leeds, and ended their recent strong run.
While the emotion around Billy Bonds’ tribute provided the backdrop, the on-pitch display lacked aggression, structure, and calm — especially after Paquetá’s meltdown
The Hammers remain only a point above the bottom three.
The Reds’ victory lifts them into eighth place and injects belief back into a group rattled by poor defending and blunt attacks.
Isak’s breakthrough goal, Wirtz’s best performance yet, and a rare clean sheet offer signs of life — but Slot warned that consistency must now follow.
Liverpool face Sunderland next — a match they now approach with momentum rather than crisis.
