Liverpool moved a step nearer to a record-equalling twentieth English top-flight title as a 5-0 thrashing of West Ham opened up an eight-point lead on the prime of the Premier League.
Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota have been on course for the rampant Reds in east London as they ended the yr as big favourites to ship only a second league title in 35 years.
Nottingham Forest are the shock closest challengers in second, however Arsenal and Chelsea can shut the hole when they’re in motion later within the week.
Arne Slot has repeatedly careworn nothing could be received but with Liverpool nonetheless one recreation shy of the midway mark within the Premier League.
However the Dutchman’s succession of Jurgen Klopp continues to look flawless after a twenty third win in 27 matches in all competitions.
“I loved it quite a bit as a result of it would not occur many occasions that I may simply sit again and revel in,” stated Slot.
Diaz had been rested for the 3-1 win over Leicester on Boxing Day and it was the Colombian who opened the floodgates on half-hour on the London Stadium.
His supposed move into Curtis Jones rebounded again into his path off a West Ham defender and he dispatched his shot low into the nook.
Mohammed Kudus was inches away from an equaliser when his effort got here again off the submit.
However one other heavy dwelling defeat places Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui again underneath stress after a four-game unbeaten run.
“We’re speaking about the perfect staff within the Premier League and all over the world, however at dwelling and in entrance of our followers, I’m very sorry about this,” stated Lopetegui.
Two targets in 4 minutes simply earlier than half-time killed the sport as a contest.
Salah’s pleasant flip helped tee up Gakpo to roll in his ninth objective in 14 video games.
The Egyptian then curled in at Alphonse Areola’s close to submit, with some assist from the West Ham goalkeeper, to hit the 20-goal mark for the eighth consecutive season since becoming a member of Liverpool in 2017.
Hypothesis over Alexander-Arnold, Salah and Virgil van Dijk’s futures has not derailed Liverpool’s flying begin underneath Slot.
All three may talk about a transfer to a overseas membership on a free switch subsequent season inside days, however stay centered for the second on profitable a second Premier League title collectively.
“The one factor in my thoughts is that I need Liverpool to win the league and I need to be a part of it,” stated Salah.
“That’s the solely factor I’ve centered on. I’ll do my finest to win the trophy. We’re in the correct path however there are different groups attempting to meet up with us. We simply want to remain humble and go once more.”
Rumours over Alexander-Arnold’s potential transfer to Actual Madrid have resurfaced once more within the Spanish media over the previous week and the England worldwide confirmed why he’s a person in demand with a thunderous strike that deflected in off Max Kilman.
Jota’s look in its place was additional proof of the additional firepower Liverpool take pleasure in over their title rivals.
The Portuguese set the seal on a dominant win with the end for the fifth objective, however had one other luxurious Salah help to thank for it.
Salah jinked his approach past three West Ham defenders earlier than laying the ball to Jota for his thirteenth Premier League help of the season to go together with 17 targets in 18 video games.
