Liverpool 5-2 West Ham Player Ratings: Hugo Ekitike 9/10 MOTM as Reds Run Riot in 5-2 Thriller at Anfield

What a chaotic and thrilling encounter at Anfield! This was a match that had everything. Liverpool absolutely dominated the first half, looking like they would run away with it completely. The early goal from Hugo Ekitiké really set the tone for the match.

The Reds were simply relentless. Goals from Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister before the break seemed to put the game to bed. We thought it was all over at 3-0.

But credit to West Ham United, they showed real spirit in the second half. Goals from Tomáš Souček and Taty Castellanos made things interesting and gave the home fans a scare. However, Liverpool's quality shone through in the end, with Cody Gakpo and a calamitous own goal from Axel Disasi sealing a memorable 5-2 win in this Premier League fixture. Here are the Sportsdunia's Liverpool vs West Ham player ratings.

Key Takeaways

• Hugo Ekitike struck inside five minutes to give Liverpool a dream start.
• Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister extended the lead before halftime.
• Tomas Soucek pulled one back early in the second half, briefly shifting momentum.

Liverpool Player Ratings vs West Ham United

Here are the Liverpool player ratings against West Ham United.

Goalkeeper

Alisson - 6.5: Conceding two goals never looks great, but we felt he couldn't do much for either. He made three saves, including a key one to deny Summerville in the second period. His distribution was reliable, finding a teammate 70% of the time. It was a fairly standard day for the top-class Brazilian keeper.

Defenders

Joe Gomez - 6.5: A mixed performance from Gomez before he made way. He was involved in the attack, even creating a big chance for Gakpo. However, he looked a bit vulnerable defensively and lost possession 17 times. A decent, if not spectacular, outing.

Virgil van Dijk - 8.0: A true captain's performance. He was colossal at the back, winning all his duels. He asserted his dominance by scoring a powerful header to double Liverpool's lead. From our perspective, he was a calming presence throughout the game.

Ibrahima Konaté - 7.0: A solid and reliable partner for the captain. The Frenchman was strong in the tackle, winning two of three attempts, and his reading of the game was excellent with seven ball recoveries. He dealt with the West Ham attack effectively for the most part.

Milos Kerkez - 6.0: We noticed he had a tough time on the flank. While he worked hard, he struggled to make an impact, losing possession 18 times. He got forward but his final ball wasn't quite there. A difficult evening for the defender.

Midfielders

Dominik Szoboszlai - 7.0: He delivered a perfect cross for Van Dijk's goal, showcasing his set-piece quality. The Hungarian created three chances in total, always looking to unlock the defence. However, he also picked up a yellow card and was sometimes a bit careless on the ball.

Alexis Mac Allister - 7.5: The World Cup winner was everywhere. He scored a fantastic goal to make it 3-0, a real poacher's finish. His energy in midfield was infectious, winning five duels and making four tackles. A classic all-action display.

Mohamed Salah - 6.5: It's rare to say, but it was a quiet game for Salah. He was involved, with 44 touches, but he couldn't find that killer instinct in front of goal. His eight crosses only found a teammate once. A frustrating day for him personally, but the team got the job done.

Cody Gakpo - 7.5: A game of highs and lows for the Dutchman. He missed a big chance that he'll be kicking himself over. But he showed great character to bounce back and score a crucial goal to restore the three-goal lead. He was a handful, but his yellow card was deserved.

Ryan Gravenberch - 7.5: He was brilliant from the start, setting up the opening goal for Ekitiké. He was a creative force, providing three key passes and looking very confident on the ball. It was a shame his error led to a shot, but it was an otherwise excellent performance before his substitution.

Forwards

Hugo Ekitiké - 9.0: What a performance! This was special. He scored the opener, then assisted two more goals. His movement, link-up play, and clinical edge were simply outstanding. From our perspective, he was the undisputed Man of the Match and our highest-rated player.

Manager

A. Slot - 8.0: His game plan worked to perfection in the first half. Liverpool came out with incredible intensity, pressing high and overwhelming West Ham United. He managed the second-half wobble well and ensured his team saw out a comprehensive victory at Anfield.

West Ham Player Ratings vs Liverpool

Check out the West Ham player ratings vs Liverpool in the Premier League clash.

Goalkeeper

Mads Hermansen - 5.0: A brutal evening for the keeper. He was left exposed by his defence but will be disappointed to have conceded five. He made two saves, but it was a relentless barrage from the home side. A tough day at the office.

Defenders

Axel Disasi - 4.0: A performance to forget. While he won an impressive seven of eight duels, it was all undone by a dreadful own goal. He was part of a backline that was torn apart time and time again. What stood out to us was his misfortune in capping a poor display with that final goal.

El Hadji Malick Diouf - 6.5: One of West Ham's better players, surprisingly. He provided a great assist for Souček's goal and made five interceptions. However, he lost possession a staggering 23 times, which really hurt his team.

Konstantinos Mavropanos - 5.5: He'll be ruing the big chance he missed early in the game. Defensively, he struggled to cope with Liverpool's fluid attack. He was busy, making four clearances, but ultimately looked a step off the pace.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka - 5.0: Known for his defensive prowess, this was not his best day. He looked uncomfortable, losing possession 16 times and struggling to contain the threat down his flank. He couldn't impose himself on the game at all.

Midfielders

Crysencio Summerville - 5.5: He showed flashes of danger with three shots but was mostly ineffective. He lost the ball 15 times and picked up a yellow card in frustration. We expected more from him in such a big game.

Mateus Fernandes - 6.5: A solid showing in a midfield that was largely overrun. He kept the ball well, with an 88% pass accuracy, and drew four fouls. He was one of the few who could hold his head high after this defeat.

Jarrod Bowen - 6.5: The captain led the fightback with a good assist for the second goal. He created three chances and never stopped running. However, he also gave the ball away too easily at times. A spirited but ultimately fruitless effort.

Soungoutou Magassa - 5.0: He had a really tough time in the middle of the park. He was bypassed by Liverpool's quick passing and lost five of his nine duels. Getting booked before being hooked off summed up his difficult evening.

Tomáš Souček - 7.0: He gave his team a lifeline with a well-taken goal. As always, he was a massive presence in both boxes, winning aerial duels and disrupting play. A battling performance from the big midfielder who never gives up.

Forwards

Taty Castellanos - 7.0: He worked tirelessly up front and got his reward with a well-placed header. He was often isolated but still managed to cause a few problems for the Liverpool defence. A respectable performance in a difficult match.

Manager

N. Simões Espírito Santo - 5.0: From our perspective, his tactics were all wrong from the start. His team was set up in a way that invited pressure, and they were duly punished in the first half. While they showed some fight after the break, the initial game plan left them with a mountain to climb. A poor day at the office.

Man of the Match

Hugo Ekitike was the man of the match.

Worst Performer

Axel Disasi was the worst performer in the match.