Liverpool pull eight points clear with West Ham rout

Liverpool moved a step closer to a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title as a 5-0 thrashing of West Ham opened up an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League.

Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota were on target for the rampant Reds in east London as they ended the year as huge favourites to deliver just a second league title in 35 years.

Nottingham Forest are the surprise closest challengers in second, but Arsenal and Chelsea can close the gap when they are in action later in the week.

Arne Slot has repeatedly stressed nothing can be won yet with Liverpool still one game shy of the halfway mark in the Premier League.

But the Dutchman’s succession of Jurgen Klopp continues to look flawless after a 23rd win in 27 matches in all competitions.

“I enjoyed it a lot because it doesn’t happen many times that I could just sit back and enjoy,” said 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 30 minutes at the London Stadium.

His intended pass into Curtis Jones rebounded back into his path off a West Ham defender and he dispatched his shot low into the corner.

Mohammed Kudus was inches away from an equaliser when his effort came back off the post.

But another heavy home defeat puts Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui back under pressure after a four-game unbeaten run.

“We are talking about the best team in the Premier League and around the world, but at home and in front of our fans, I am very sorry about this,” said Lopetegui.

Two goals in four minutes just before half-time killed the game as a contest.

Salah’s delightful turn helped tee up Gakpo to roll in his ninth goal in 14 games.

The Egyptian then curled in at Alphonse Areola’s near post, with some help from the West Ham goalkeeper, to hit the 20-goal mark for the eighth consecutive season since joining Liverpool in 2017.

Speculation over Alexander-Arnold, Salah and Virgil van Dijk’s futures has not derailed Liverpool’s flying start under Slot.

All three could discuss a move to a foreign club on a free transfer next season within days, but remain focused for the moment on winning a second Premier League title together.

Rumours over Alexander-Arnold’s potential move to Real Madrid have resurfaced again in the Spanish media over the past week and the England international showed why he is a man in demand with a thunderous strike that deflected in off Max Kilman.

Jota’s appearance as a substitute was further evidence of the extra firepower Liverpool enjoy over their title rivals.

The Portuguese set the seal on a dominant win with the finish for the fifth goal, but had another sumptuous Salah assist to thank for it.

Salah jinked his way beyond three West Ham defenders before laying the ball to Jota for his 13th Premier League assist of the season to go with 17 goals in 18 games.

Meanwhile, Salah said talks over a new Liverpool contract have not moved on significantly.

Salah, along with team-mates Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, is out of contract at the end of the season, meaning they could discuss a free transfer with non-English clubs from Jan.1.

Reports in recent weeks have suggested an agreement is getting closer between the 32-year-old and the Reds, but Salah shot down those suggestions.

“We are far away from that,” Salah told Sky Sports. “I don’t want to put something in the media and people start saying stuff, but nothing really has moved on.

“Now I am focused on the team and hopefully we win the Premier League.”

“The only thing in my mind is that I want Liverpool to win the league and I want to be part of it,” added Salah.

“That is the only thing I have focused on. I will do my best to win the trophy. We are in the right direction but there are other teams trying to catch up with us. We just need to stay humble and go again.”

Agence-France-Presse