Joel Matip Heads Jurgen Klopp’s Side To Win And Up To Sixth In Premier League
Joel Matip headed in the winner and Thiago survived a late handball shout as Liverpool beat West Ham 2-1 to move up to sixth in the Premier League table.
The two teams at the London Stadium had enjoyed a recent upturn in fortunes and demonstrated their re-found confidence in an entertaining encounter – but also showed the vulnerabilities which have caused both to have largely frustrating campaigns.
It was Liverpool, who have now won their last three in the league, who eventually came out on top, but they fell behind to a wonderful Lucas Paqueta strike on 11 minutes. The Brazilian showed his class by firing past Alisson after combining with Michail Antonio.
Cody Gakpo (15) quickly responded with a long-range effort of his own and when Jarrod Bowen’s breakaway goal was ruled out by VAR, Matip was able to grab the decisive second goal for the visitors, heading in unmarked from a corner (67).
There was late drama, though, with a handball shout against Thiago in the box waved away by the officials, with an incensed David Moyes confronting referee Chris Kavanagh at full-time.
Jurgen Klopp’s side are now just a point behind fifth-placed Aston Villa with a game in hand – and six off the top four. West Ham stay 14th, five points above the relegation zone having played a game less than third-bottom Leicester.
