Isak's first league goal helps Liverpool to vital win at West Ham

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 died aged 79 on Sunday, came into the match after back-to-back home victories and had seemingly turned the corner.

Espirito Santo said his side started well and managed to stay in the game, but Liverpool ultimately had too much quality and, crucially for Slot, managed to keep their fifth clean sheet of the season after shipping 10 goals in their last three games.

"In terms of results, it is of course very good but there were also a few things similar (to) other games of ours," Slot told reporters.

He added: "Again, we couldn't score our first chances. The good thing was that today, for the first time in many, many, many games, the first chance of the opponent didn't go in as well."

SLOT ADMITS RELIEF AT END OF POOR RUN

Isak could have put Liverpool in front inside four minutes but spooned his effort well over the bar, with his protracted move from Newcastle United still seemingly affecting him.

West Ham looked sharper after the break, with Paqueta sending an audacious half-volley from 30 yards narrowly wide as the home fans believed Liverpool were there for the taking.

In the 60th minute, however, Isak was left unmarked in the box as Liverpool recycled possession from a throw-in and the striker coolly side-footed into the bottom corner.

Paqueta saw red after an extended tirade towards referee Darren England, despite the best efforts of his teammates, to make West Ham's task all the harder.

Gakpo then sent the home fans streaming for the exits with a clinical finish to add the gloss on a gritty performance from Liverpool.

"Relief," Slot said with a beaming smile when asked how he felt when Gakpo scored Liverpool's second, though his side may face a sterner test against high-flying Sunderland on Wednesday. REUTERS