![\"Liverpool](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_GettyImages-2249193691.jpg\")
Liverpool boss Arne Slot acknowledges the away fans at West Ham(Image: 2025 Getty Images)<\/p>\nGoals from Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo handed Liverpool all three points against West Ham United as they bounced back from their miserable midweek defeat to PSV EindhovenLiverpool boss Arne Slot acknowledges the away fans at West Ham(Image: 2025 Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Arne Slot admitted Alexander Isak\u2019s first Premier League goal for Liverpool<\/a> was important for both him and the club. Sweden striker Isak had just one Carabao Cup goal to his name following his protracted \u00a3125million summer switch from Newcastle<\/a>.<\/p>\n But his well-taken strike against the Hammers, and Cody Gakpo’s<\/a> stoppage-time goal, fired stuttering champions Liverpool \u2013 on a run of nine defeats in 12 matches in all competitions \u2013 to a much-needed 2-0 victory.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s very important for us as a team that we went 1-0 up, but I think it was also important for him because I think it was his third or fourth chance of this game,\u201d Reds head coach Slot said. \u201cI don\u2019t think there was much more than 10 minutes in him to go, so then to score just before you come off was important for us, but also for him.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE: Alexander Isak finally breaks Liverpool duck to seal Reds win at West Ham – 6 talking points<\/a>READ MORE: Liverpool player ratings as three stars score 8\/10 including forgotten man<\/a><\/p>\n Slot took drastic action in a bid to halt their alarming slide by dropping Mohamed Salah<\/a> for Isak. It was a big call, and the first time the Egypt striker had been left out of a Premier League<\/a> starting line-up since April 2024, also at West Ham<\/a> in a 2-2 draw.<\/p>\n That day Salah had a stand-up row with manager Jurgen Klopp<\/a> on the touchline before going on as a late substitute. This time he did not get on at all, with Slot replacing Isak with Hugo Ekitike shortly after his goal.<\/p>\n \u201cMo has had an unbelievable career here at this club and will have a very good future at this club because he\u2019s such a special player,\u201d Slot added.\u201cWe have four games in 10 days with only 14 to 15 outfield players available for us. Then you have to decide once in a while to make a certain line-up and you try to pick the best line-up for every single game.\u201d<\/p>\n Liverpool were worthy winners, but they were helped by West Ham who, as they so often do, rolled out the claret and blue carpet to a team in need. There was also a ludicrous red card for Lucas Paqueta, when the Brazilian was booked for dissent by referee Darren England, went back for a second moan and was duly sent off.<\/p>\n Hammers boss Nuno Espirito Santo said: \u201cI think we started well in the game. We required better accuracy, crossing and shooting. But we were in the game. How we conceded was disappointing. But we kept trying until the end, yeah.\u201d<\/p>\n The defeat came hours after it was announced West Ham great Billy Bonds had died.<\/p>\n Nuno added: \u201cWe felt that we wanted to do another thing that can honour the memory of Billy Bonds, and it was not to be.\u201d<\/p>\n Join our new WhatsApp community<\/a> and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package<\/p>\n This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/a> \u00a343<\/p>\n \u00a335<\/p>\n Sky<\/p>\n![\"Is](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_GettyImages-2249189629.jpg\")
Is this the start for Alexander Isak?(Image: 2025 Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Content](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\")
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