Liverpool concluded the year as undisputed leaders by thrashing West Ham. Mohamed Salah also claimed the top spot as both the league’s leading scorer and assist provider in this first half of the season.
Liverpool wrapped up 2024 in emphatic fashion, delivering a 5-0 victory over West Ham at the London Stadium. With this triumph, the Reds finished the first half of the Premier League season as absolute leaders, amassing 45 points in 18 matches. They also have a game in hand against Everton, putting them eight points clear of the temporary second-place team, Nottingham Forest.
An Unstoppable Liverpool
The match at the London Stadium began brightly for the visitors. After a few early attacks, Luis Díaz found the back of the net in the 30th minute. Following an attempted pass into the box, a deflection by a defender brought the ball back to Díaz, who seized the opportunity to fire past the goalkeeper for the opener.
Liverpool’s relentless offense struck again ten minutes later. In the 40th minute, a long ball from Mac Allister reached Díaz, who set up Mohamed Salah in the area. Amid defensive confusion and a misstep by the goalkeeper, Salah managed to poke the ball to Cody Gakpo, who easily slotted it home for a 0-2 lead.
By the 44th minute, Salah added his name to the scoresheet. After receiving an assist from Curtis Jones, the Egyptian positioned himself just outside the penalty area and fired a shot to the near post. The goalkeeper got a hand on the ball but couldn’t prevent it from finding the back of the net, making it 0-3 before halftime.
In the second half, Trent Alexander-Arnold took charge in the 54th minute, unleashing a strike from outside the box. The ball took a slight deflection off a defender’s head, altering its trajectory just enough to leave the goalkeeper rooted as the score extended to 0-4.
The final blow came in the 84th minute. Salah orchestrated a counterattack from midfield, providing a perfect assist to Diogo Jota, who blasted the ball into the net to secure the definitive 0-5 victory.
Salah: The Premier League’s Best Player
Liverpool can now ring in the New Year with confidence, knowing their top spot is secure as they claim the title of Winter Champions. Moreover, the Reds boast the league’s standout player, Mohamed Salah, who is delivering a masterclass this season. Salah finished the first half as the Premier League’s leading scorer with 17 goals and assist leader with 14, all achieved in just 18 games.
