Liverpool increased the pressure on Slaven Bilic as a double from Mohamed Salh helped the Reds to a 4-1 stroll over West Hama at the London Stadium.
Salah scores the first of his two goals
It was all too easy for Liverpool as summer signing Salah put the visitors ahead in the 21st minute. Liverpool broke from a West Ham corner, with Mane raced clear from inside his own half and then layed the ball through for Salah, who placed the ball under the advancing Joe Hart to put Liverpool ahead.
Joel Matip made it 2-0 from a corner shortly afterwards. A low driven corner confused the West Ham defence as Noble almost put the ball into his own net. Hart saved well but the ball fell kindly for Matip who gratefully made it 2-0.
Matic celebrates after putting Liverpool 2-0 up
It was easy for Liverpool without even having to get out of second gear. And the resounding boos from the West Ham faithful reminded Bilic how insecure his job is. Not that he needed reminding.
Bilic’s response was to introduce Andy Carrol for the second half. The former Liverpool hitman didn’t make much difference, but West Ham were given a lifeline on 56 minutes. A lobbed ball to the back post fell to Lanzini, who chested it down and then flicked a shot into the far corner.
Lanzini gave the Hammers some hope with a well taken goal
The lifeline was short-lived as Liverpool scored straight from the kick off. Firminio split West Ham apart and played Oxlade-Chamberlain in at the right. The England man found himself with time and fired a low shot, which was saved by Hart, but the ball landed at the feet of Oxlade-Chamberlain, who made no mistake with his second attempt.
West Ham had to start playing now and came close on a couple of occasions, but Liverpool handled whatever West Ham could muster. And with West Ham opening up and counter saw Liverpool wrap the game up on 75 minutes.
Oxlade-Chamberlain added to Bilic's misery
Mane from outside the area lofted the ball to Salah, who was in acres off space on the left side of the area. Salah nurtured the ball with his left foot, let it drop and then drove it low into the far corner to leave Slaven Bilic and West Ham helpless.
The Hammers faithful booed the team at half time and full time, which has become a common occurrence since their move to the London Stadium. They have actually lost more games than they’ve won at their new home, and with West Ham now in a relegation fight, it seems like it’s only a matter of time before Bilic gets the chop.
Slaven Bilic's job is on the line after another toothless loss at home
After the game Bilic spoke to reporters:
"Of course I believe in myself, in my staff and in my team and their character and everything. I came so far from a small country first as a player then as a manager, so it's not about that. I am a big fighter. I definitely don't feel a broken man. I am very, very strong. On the other hand, the situation for West Ham is not good and as I said two years ago, one year ago, and now, the club is about every individual and that includes me."
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