Rohan Malip 
Mohamed Salah was back to his most devastating best as Liverpool produced a thrilling attacking display in the second-half to defeat West Ham 3-1.
Forced into their 12th centre-back pairing in the league this season, many predicted Michail Antonio and co. would cause havoc in the Liverpool backline.
After a handful of physical opening exchanges, however, Liverpool took a firm grasp on possession and settled into their groove.
Divock Origi – starting in place of the benched Roberto Firmino – saw an early sight of goal but flashed his effort into the side netting.
A long-range drive from Georginio Wijnaldum flew over the bar, but despite their overwhelming possession, the Reds were struggling to create clear-cut opportunities.
A rare foray into the Liverpool half then brought a chance for the home side. Aaron Cresswell got in behind Trent Alexander-Arnold before cutting back to a dangerous area.
A mix-up between West Ham attackers saw the ball ultimately break to Pablo Fornals, but the Spaniard’s goalbound shot was cleared off the line by Andrew Robertson.
Chance for West Ham! ⚒️
Antonio and Benrahma get in each others’ way after Cresswell gets in behind Alexander-Arnold.
📺 Watch on Sky Sports PL
📱 Follow #WHULIV here: https://t.co/uTtxWypfCh
📲 Download the @SkySports app! pic.twitter.com/aEghkcvXgO— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 31, 2021
Xherdan Shaqiri went close at the other end, though after 40 minutes, neither team had produced an effort on target.
That statistic changed as half-time approached, though neither Michail Antonio’s tame header nor Mohamed Salah’s long-range effort could trouble either goalkeeper.
Liverpool emerged with renewed vigour after the interval, and came close to breaking the deadlock through Salah and Origi.
Antonio then spurned a glorious opportunity to open the scoring with a curling effort that flew narrowly wide.
That miss would prove costly moments later when the ever-dangerous Salah produced a trademark finish.
Receiving the ball inside the area, the Egyptian jinked inside and whipped his shot past the rooted Lukasz Fabianski into the top corner.
Liverpool have the breakthrough! 🔴
Mo Salah jinks inside Cresswell and curls it into the far corner. Lovely finish.
📺 Watch on Sky Sports PL
📱 Follow #WHULIV here: https://t.co/uTtxWypfCh
📲 Download the @SkySports app! pic.twitter.com/3tXUOwES93— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 31, 2021
One soon became two when the Reds scored seconds after a West Ham corner.
Alexander-Arnold fed Xherdan Shaqiri after the ball was cleared, with the Swiss then picking out an inch-perfect pass for the onrushing Salah.
The league’s top scorer controlled with his right foot before flicking past Fabianski with his left to complete a superb counter-attacking move.
Dear me. What a goal that was.
Counter par excellence.Andy Robertson’s defensive header from West Ham’s corner -> Trent Alexander-Arnold’s diagonal -> Xherdan Shaqiri’s chef’s kiss cross. And then, a heavenly touch and flick to crown the move from Mo Salah.
— Melissa Reddy (@MelissaReddy_) January 31, 2021
Liverpool were now bursting with self-belief, and the revitalised Roberto Firmino put his recent poor form behind him when laying the Reds’ third on a plate for Wijnaldum.
With time running out, The Hammers pulled one back from a corner when Craig Dawson ghosted in unmarked to tap home from six yards.
That would prove to be nothing more than a consolation as Liverpool would go on to emerge victorious via a 3-1 scoreline.
