Isak Scores First League Goal As Liverpool Defeat West Ham

Alexander Isak scored his first Premier League goal for Liverpool since his record £125m move from Newcastle United as Arne Slot’s side ended their poor run with a dominant 2-0 victory at West Ham United.

Arne Slot dropped Mohamed Salah from a league starting line-up for the first time since April 2024, also after a run of 53 straight games.

Isak had failed to score in his five top-flight appearances since making a British record £125 million ($165 million) move from Newcastle in September.

The Sweden forward banished that drought at the London Stadium with only his second goal in 11 games in all competitions for the Reds, following his maiden strike in a League Cup win against second-tier Southampton.

Cody Gakpo bagged Liverpool’s second goal in stoppage time to secure their first win in four games in all competitions.

Hampered by injuries and a lack of match fitness after missing pre-season due to his protracted transfer saga, Isak was on target in the league for the first time since netting for Newcastle against Brighton in May.

The end of the 26-year-old’s 10-match goal drought for club and country was a ray of hope for Liverpool amid a dismal campaign.

A 4-1 humiliation against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League in midweek was Liverpool’s third successive defeat by three goals or more following 3-0 league losses against Manchester City and Nottingham Forest.

Isak was foiled by a superb save from Alphonse Areola, who kept out his close-range bicycle kick.

It was only Isak’s second attempt on target in the league this season.

They went route one to create a chance when Alisson’s long kick was flicked on by Isak to Florian Wirtz, but the German could only muster a tame shot straight at Areola from a good position 10 yards out.

But Isak finally delivered his long-awaited goal on the hour mark.

Gakpo cut the ball back to Isak just inside the West Ham area and he guided a low shot past Areola before sliding to his knees in celebration.

West Ham’s frustration was compounded in the 84th minute when Lucas Paqueta was needlessly sent off.

Paqueta was booked for dissent after arguing with referee Darren England following Niclas Fullkrug’s foul on Dominik Szoboszlai, then talked his way into a second yellow card after refusing to walk away from the official.

Gakpo put the result beyond doubt in the closing moments when he swivelled to smash past Areola from 12 yards after West Ham made a hash of clearing.

Isak was delighted to end his Premier League drought for Liverpool.

He said: “I’ve been waiting for it and chasing it (his first Premier League goal for Liverpool) and sometimes it takes longer than you expect but happy to score a goal and help towards the win today.

“It’s never easy, as a striker you need momentum. We defended really well and scored twice so happy days.”

Liverpool had lost nine of their previous 12 games — their worst run since 1953-54 — including six defeats from seven league matches.

With pressure beginning to mount on boss Arne Slot, this scrappy victory was a welcome tonic as Liverpool climbed to eighth place.

Liverpool’s victory, only their second in eight league games, moved them up to eighth with 21 points, while West Ham are 17th with 11 points.