LONDON, Nov 30 : Liverpool's record signing Alexander Isak scored his first Premier League goal for the Reds as the under-pressure champions snapped a woeful run of form with a much-needed 2-0 win at West Ham United on Sunday.
Liverpool had endured their worst spell in over 70 years, losing nine of their previous 12 games, and manager Arne Slot took drastic measures, leaving Mohamed Salah out of his starting line-up for the first time in the Premier League.
Salah's replacement Florian Wirtz looked sharp, though he squandered Liverpool's best chance of the first half with his tame effort from close range allowing Alphonse Areola to save.
Isak, who had looked short of form and fitness, spurned two opportunities before the break, drawing a fine reaction stop from Areola midway through the half.
But the Sweden striker slotted home a Cody Gakpo pull-back on the hour mark to give the Reds the lead they marginally deserved and rarely looked like giving up.
"I'm aware that it has been a long time coming and I have been trying to get back to my best form," Isak told Sky Sports. "I'm still on the way but I am happy to get that goal."
PAQUETA'S RAPID RED CARD HOBBLES HAMMERS
Liverpool's cause was helped by Lucas Paqueta, who had only just returned from suspension and was bizarrely booked twice for dissent within 60 seconds with less than 10 minutes to play.
West Ham's coach Nuno Espirito Santo, however, declined to comment on the incident beyond saying: "It is hard to play against a team like Liverpool with one man less."
"I want to speak with him (Paqueta) first," he told reporters. "I want to have a private conversation, try to understand."
West Ham, whose players and fans paid tribute to former captain, coach and manager Billy Bonds who
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