Alexander Isak finally justified his British record £125 million transfer fee, scoring his first Premier League goal for Liverpool to end a difficult drought. The Swedish striker’s impressive strike against West Ham secured a vital victory, easing the mounting pressure on manager Arne Slot.
Liverpool had previously endured their worst run since the 1953-54 season, suffering humiliating defeats against PSV Eindhoven, Manchester City, and Nottingham Forest. Slot, who had surprisingly benched a struggling Mohamed Salah, saw his faith in Isak rewarded when the forward converted Cody Gakpo’s cut-back. The match began with an emotional tribute to West Ham legend Billy Bonds but ended in frustration for the hosts as Lucas Paqueta was sent off for needless dissent.
Gakpo eventually cemented the commanding 2-0 win in stoppage time. This much-needed result lifted the Reds to eighth place, offering a glimmer of hope amidst a dismal campaign for the struggling Merseyside club.