Arne Slot’s side are looking stronger and stronger at the top of the Premier League as they make the trip to east London

Matters are looking better and better for Liverpool as the Premier League leaders face a Sunday evening trip to West Ham.

Arne Slot’s side are flying high at the top of the table, looking full of confidence and flow even amid some contract wrangling off the pitch. An early dent at Leicester proved little impediment as Liverpool again showed off their attacking prowess in a 3-1 victory that, with Chelsea dropping points, extended their advantage at the top with a game still in hand after the Merseyside derby’s postponement earlier this month. The futures of Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk may be in some degree of doubt but there is certainty over their club’s place as red-hot title favourites.

Hoping to throw their charging visitors off course will be a West Ham side beginning, perhaps, to gel under Julen Lopetegui. The sack appeared to loom for the Spanish manager ahead of the meeting with Wolves early in December but it is now four games unbeaten after the narrow win at Southampton on Boxing Day. Can they lift their level and provide Liverpool with a stiff challenge?

HALF TIME! West Ham 0-3 Liverpool

Liverpool lead at the break thanks to goals from their front three, Diaz, Gakpo and, of course, Mohamed Salah.

West Ham had actually come close to equalising when Kudus hit the post, but quickfire goals before half time means the Reds are heading eight points clear at the top.

There are boos from the West Ham fans at half time and plenty of empty seats - but the story here is once again Salah after another incredible half.

His stunning season continues.

West Ham 0-3 Liverpool

45+1 mins: Liverpool go hunting for another and Salah has the chance to grab his second as he races around the outside of the West Ham defence on the break.

Areola stands tall at his front post

GOAL! West Ham 0-3 Liverpool (SALAH 43’)

INCREDIBLE FROM SALAH! He reaches 20 goals for the season in style, with a third to put Liverpool on their way to extending their lead!

It’s an easy goal for Liverpool to score. The Reds win it back and Jones finds Salah in space. The Premeir League’s top scorer stands up Kilman in the box, and finds the reverse finish into the bottom corner.

Stunning.

GOAL! West Ham 0-2 Liverpool (GAKPO 40’)

Gakpo with the goal, but it’s magic from Salah! Liverpool double their lead!

Diaz is released down the right, with Salah staying away despite being offside. When it breaks to Salah in the box, he steps away from Mavropanos with a lovely feint and pokes it through to Gakpo. The Dutchman pokes in to double Liverpool’s lead, moments after Kudus went close!

West Ham 0-1 Liverpool

38 mins; POST! Ooof. Kudus is having a half. Liverpool back off and Kudus tries his luck from 20 yards, but a cracking strike clips the inside of the post and stays out. Alisson was beaten.

West Ham 0-1 Liverpool

36 mins: Joe Gomez is going to be forced off, with Jarell Quansah coming on. A blow for Liverpool, who don’t have too many injuries at the moment but are missing Ibrahima Konate.

West Ham 0-1 Liverpool

34 mins: West Ham look for a quick response. There’s a wonderful touch on the right from Kudus, and he then finds Paqueta with the cross. Paqueta gets his head on it, under pressure from Van Dijk, but Alisson collects.

Soler, meanwhile, was appealing for a penalty after going to ground under the challenge of Mac Allister. Nothing given.

GOAL! West Ham 0-1 Liverpool (DIAZ 30’)

Oh that is so clinical from Luis Diaz! Liverpool lead and it’s been coming. The Colombian picked up the ball in a dangerous position on the edge of the box. There’s a touch of fortune as he looks for Gakpo and the ball rebounds off Coufal, but Diaz is there to slam the finish past Areola.

Another productive trip to London after also opening the scoring at Tottenham.

West Ham 0-0 Liverpool

26 mins: Kudus gets the West Ham fans going with a strong run through midfield. It ends up with West Ham corner, which Joe Gomez disagrees with.

Alisson is strong to punch it away.

West Ham 0-0 Liverpool

22 mins: SAVE! More action for Areola. Diaz is sharp and lively as ever as he cuts inside Mavropanos and fires at goal. The keeper is quick to tip the shot over the bar.

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