West Ham lose in heartbreaking fashion, show needed fight

It was right there! West Ham were in the unlikely position of getting a really meaningful result at Anfield but an unlikely zero saw the Hammers leave point-less. Here is how the match shook out.

As per usual, the drama started with the team selection. Most were still unhappy with Moyes’ decision, but a better formation and more attacking team selection was a noted bonus from the Hammers, as well as a few player selections.

The team was as follows: Fabianski, Ngakia, Diop, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Snodgrass, Soucek, Rice, Noble, Anderson, Antonio. Bench: Randolph, Balbuena, Zabaleta, Fornals, Lanzini, Bowen, Haller.

Felipe Anderson was back starting after injury kept him out, and Jeremy Ngakia replaces the now injured Ryan Fredericks at right-back. These were both positive, and while Ngakia was very steady all night for 90+ minutes, Anderson started a bit shaky. The Brazilian was pulling out tackles regularly in the first half but grew into the game, eventually being subbed (right decision) for Sebastien Haller in the 65th minute.

Sustained Liverpool pressure of the opening kickoff saw an early goal go the Reds’ way. Trent Alexander-Arnold whipped in a cross that caught everyone by surprise on a ball that was looking to go out for a corner. Geoginio Wijnaldum nodded the ball in through Lukasz Fabianski‘s hand for a notably soft goal in the 9th minute. It was a bad start and a stoppable goal for the Hammers.

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In a shocking turn of events not witnessed at the Etihad last week, there was a West Ham response. The Hammers turned up and marched down the field winning multiple corners. With a Robert Snodgrass delivery to the near post, an Issa Diop header is nodded in past Alisson for the leveller in the 12th minute.

This was massive. The heads didn’t drop, the attitude stayed positive and motivated. There was fight in these Hammers and it saw them through a tough first half with Liverpool holding the vast majority of the ball.

Tomas Soucek, who was massive in the first half, was subbed off almost immediately in the second half, replaced by Pablo Fornals. Holding his hip but able to walk off but let’s hope Soucek isn’t out long term.

His replacement, however, hit the ground running. Filling in at the #10 position, Fornals followed Antonio into the box in the 54th minute and made enough space to bang home a 2-1 leading goal past Alisson, and Joe Gomez. The one time shot was placed perfectly and the Hammers were holding onto the most unlikely lead.

Fornals gives us the lead!

Rice plays the ball into the box and Pablo hits it first time into the bottom corner 👊#LIVWHU 1-2 (55)
— West Ham United (@WestHam) February 24, 2020

Flexibility in formation saw West Ham stack players back in the hopes of keeping the Liverpool attack to the outside. Largely, this worked, but in the 68th minute, Mohammad Salah would get a free shot in the middle of the 18-yard box and would slot it home. The weak, unaimed shot breezed through Fabianski’s hands for what will be one of the worst goals you’ll see this season and Liverpool were level.

An equalizer was coming but this was shocking from the keeper. There is a bit of to Fabianski who has kept West Ham in matches regularly, but this was inexcusable. The levelling goal gave the Reds the boost they needed, and in the 81st minute, Sadio Mane would seal the win. Both goals came off the break, and West Ham were unable to cope with the speed and skill of the Liverpool forwards.

The most important part of this match came from the Hammers, down 3-2. They attacked. Recent performances would suggest the Hammers would stay tight and try to keep it close – not on this occasion. Jarrod Bowen came on and jumped into the deep end, getting a glorious chance, followed by two more great chances before the final whistle would blow.

There were no points in this match but every player on the pitch battled tonight, and that makes this much more stomachable. The points ahead against Southampton are paramount, and with an effort like this, the Hammers can start rocketing up the table.