5 positives for West Ham to take out of Liverpool defeat

West Ham displayed a performance against Liverpool last night that was befitting of a team who are challenging at the higher end of the Premier League table, rather than one who finds themselves in the heart of a relegation battle.

Despite eventually succumbing to a 3-2 defeat, it was a Hammers performance that was unrecognizable to the one at the Etihad Stadium against Manchester City less than a week earlier.

With a crucial match against Southampton coming up on Saturday, the display at Anfield came just at the right time as Moyes’ men head into the final 11 fixtures of the season.

Here are five positives that West Ham can take out of yesterday’s valiant effort against Liverpool:

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1) Moyes saw the light and changed his formation and game-plan

The biggest criticism after last week’s 2-0 defeat to Man City was the lack of intent throughout the game to attack their shaky defence. This time around, however, Moyes dealt clear instructions to his players to get forward at every opportunity. This approach rewarded his side with two goals, and if it wasn’t for uncharacteristic errors by Lukasz Fabianski, West Ham may well have been the team to end Liverpool’s unbeaten league season.

Fans will now be hoping that Moyes takes this approach into further games during the rest of the campaign, starting with‌‌ the Saints.

2) Set-pieces at both ends of the pitch

Liverpool are an enormous threat when they get set pieces, with the expert delivery of Alexander-Arnold combined with the aerial threat of Virgil Van Dijk. Fuse this with West Ham’s shambolic defending at set-pieces this season and most would have concluded this as a recipe for disaster.

The Hammers conceded 16 corners and a number of free-kicks around the penalty area but dealt with most professionally, as Angelo Ogbonna and Issa Diop stood firm and didn’t let the Red’s through.

Diop also made a mark at the opposing end of the pitch, as he scored the equalizer from a Robert Snodgrass corner just three minutes after Liverpool scored the opening goal. This threat continued throughout the match as further Hammers set-pieces caused problems, which is hopefully a sign of things to come.

3) Jeremy Ngakia

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Ngakia has now made two first-team appearances for West Ham, with both coming against Liverpool.

In the reverse fixture at London Stadium, many fans were impressed with his performance, not necessarily because he was brilliant, but more so due to the context and circumstances of it. It was his debut and he managed to hold his own.

Last night, however, truly was a magnificent performance from the 19-year-old. Coming up against Sadio Mane and Andy Robertson for the majority of the game, Ngakia defended superbly – winning seven tackles, making three interceptions and a further four clearances. What was even more impressive, though, was his confidence when in possession of the ball. On multiple occasions, Ngakia burst forward and drove past Liverpool players, looking nothing like a player who was making just his second Premier League appearance at the home of the future Premier League champions.

4) The anti-board protests being shown live on TV

Everyone was wondering before the match whether Sky would dare show the fan protests to Gold, Sullivan and Brady, especially after their recent apology to the board on Sunday Supplement.

They managed to hold firm, though and did indeed broadcast the anti-GSB protests by the Anfield away end. Black balloons were released into the sky, numerous banners were held up high, and chants were sung loud and proud, as the Hammers fan-base made sure their voices were heard due to the discontent held at the owners’ inadequacies. West Ham may have been defeated on the pitch, but the supporters in the stands will be taking home a victory.

I’m not sure Sky will be apologizing this time.

5) Despite how things turned out, heads didn’t drop

We’ve seen it many times before. West Ham concede a goal and it is game over. Last night, however, was a different Hammers side to the one that I’m speaking of.

Most will have been expecting a drubbing after Gini Wijnaldum headed in the opening goal just nine minutes in. This wasn’t the case, though, and Diop’s equalizer soon after highlighted this.

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After taking the lead through Pablo‌ Fornals early on in the second half, it was always going to be a tough ask to withstand a further 35 minutes of Liverpool pressure, as it proved so when Mane netted the winner with less than 10 minutes to spare. Even after that and all the effort that the Irons players had put in, they still had opportunities to level the score to earn a deserved point.

That wasn’t to be, but the character shown by a rejuvenated West Ham side shows that this club isn’t down and out yet.