Alexander Isak: How Former Newcastle United Striker Quenched Liverpool’s Desperate Thirst for Victory to End Horror Run

Liverpool arrested their slump as Isak’s first league goal vindicated Slot’s shock decision to drop Salah for the Hammers clash.

Alexander Isak finally announced his arrival on Merseyside ending a frustrating wait for a Premier League goal that had stretched back to his deadline day move on September 2. 

The Swedish striker, weighed down by the expectation attached to his record-breaking £125m price tag, delivered the decisive moment Arne Slot’s tenure desperately needed. 

The London Stadium was somber before kickoff uniting to pay tribute to the legendary Billy Bonds the former West Ham captain and manager whose recent passing cast a shadow over the fixture. 

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The Reds arrived in the capital amidst their worst run of form since 1954 having suffered a dismal sequence of nine defeats in their last 12 outings. The pressure on head coach Arne Slot was palpable making him to make the most contentious decision of his reign so far by dropping talisman Mohamed Salah.

It was a selection gamble that required courage but Slot was rewarded with a rejuvenated attacking display. Liverpool dominated large swathes of the game against a subdued West Ham side looking far more fluid than in recent weeks. 

The breakthrough came on the hour mark where Cody Gakpo, who was operating effectively on the left flank, delivered a precise cross into the box where Isak was waiting.

Showing the predatory instincts that convinced Liverpool to spend big, Isak met the ball with a perfectly timed half-volley rifling it past Alphonse Areola. It was a strike that banished the anxieties of his goal drought bringing his tally to one in the league since his September arrival, though he had previously netted in the Carabao Cup. 

Slot’s Tactical Masterclass and Wirtz’s Brilliance

By benching Salah, the manager deployed a system that allowed summer signing Florian Wirtz to flourish. The German playmaker, a £116m arrival from Bayer Leverkusen, enjoyed arguably his best performance in a Liverpool shirt.

 Operating in the pocket behind Isak, Wirtz linked midfield and attack with a level of intelligence and creativity that has been sorely missing supported by a solid double pivot of Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister.

The defensive structure was equally improved as Slot handed Joe Gomez his first league start in 11 months at right-back, a move that shored up the backline and allowed Dominik Szoboszlai to focus his energies on influencing the attack from the right wing. 

The balance provided Liverpool with a platform to control the game, leaving goalkeeper Alisson Becker with very little to do as the only scare came late on when Jarrod Bowen fired wide but Liverpool remained composed.

Paqueta’s Meltdown Seals West Ham’s Fate

West Ham’s hopes of salvaging a point were extinguished in a moment of sheer indiscipline six minutes from time.

Lucas Paqueta, clearly frustrated by the home side's lacklustre performance under Nuno Espirito Santo, imploded spectacularly. Following a decision by referee Darren England to award a foul against teammate Niclas Füllkrug for a challenge on Szoboszlai, the Brazilian engaged in a prolonged and nonsensical verbal tirade. He refused to back down, earning two yellow cards in rapid succession for dissent and receiving his marching orders.

In stoppage time, Gakpo capped a fine individual display by finishing a slick move to make it 2-0. The result lifted Liverpool to eighth in the table, just three points off the top four, injecting much-needed belief into the squad.