Alexander Isak ends drought as Liverpool stop rot with win at West

Published: 1 December 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

For long stretches, the London Stadium seemed to hold its breath. The game moved at a sluggish pace, so much so that the distant hum of a plane passing overhead could be heard. Yet, for Liverpool, the atmosphere barely mattered. After weeks of disappointing performances, any form of victory felt like a lifeline.

Returning to winning ways can sometimes feel awkward, like mounting a horse after a long fall: clumsy, hesitant, yet undeniably necessary. Liverpool’s 2-0 triumph over West Ham, ending a six-game losing streak in seven league matches, was just that. More importantly, it provided a platform for Alexander Isak, the club’s record-signing, to score his first Premier League goal since arriving from Newcastle in a transfer fraught with controversy.

The record books will note that this was Liverpool’s second league victory in 71 days. They will also record Isak’s milestone goal and Cody Gakpo’s late second, a polished finish following a clever swivel. But such statistics fail to capture the underlying struggle of the first half. London Stadium has a way of magnifying lacklustre performances, and West Ham’s recent form ensured that every misstep seemed amplified.

The intrigue for fans and pundits alike began with the lineups. Liverpool’s slide had been steep: what would it take for Mohamed Salah to be omitted? The answer came after three consecutive games in which Liverpool conceded three or more goals, a first in 75 years. Salah, whose attacking flair has often left defenders exposed, had become a luxury Liverpool could no longer afford in a team fighting to stabilize at the back.

Jurgen Klopp’s side reverted to a 4‑2‑3‑1 formation, with Dominik Szoboszlai taking Salah’s place on the right. Szoboszlai, known for his energy and defensive work rate, provided the necessary protection for Joe Gomez, starting at right-back due to injuries to Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong. For Gomez, who required a knee injection just last week, this was his first league start of the season, highlighting the challenging circumstances Liverpool faced.

Central to the creative effort was Florian Wirtz, tasked with the role he was signed to perform. Throughout the season, it has been evident that Klopp prefers this shape, the same that led to triumph in the Eredivisie with Feyenoord. The summer signings further suggested a tactical evolution away from the traditional 4-3-3. Yet, with Salah still nominally part of the squad, Liverpool’s transition has been complicated. A 4-2-3-1 system relying on a winger whose defensive contribution is limited carries inherent risk—a risk that finally prompted this tactical adjustment.

Wirtz, still awaiting his first Premier League goal or assist following a £100 million transfer from Bayer Leverkusen, displayed industriousness and composure, even if it did not translate into immediate goal-scoring threat. His tendency to drift to the left hinted at a budding partnership with Gakpo, but the synergy with Isak was not yet fully established.

The breakthrough moment almost came six minutes before halftime, with a long Virgil van Dijk pass directed toward Gakpo. When Aaron Wan-Bissaka attempted an interception, the ball fell to Wirtz, who struck cleanly toward the bottom corner. Yet, Alphonse Areola, West Ham’s goalkeeper, stretched to parry the shot. It was a fleeting glimpse of Liverpool’s potential, a reminder of what might come when the team’s movements finally cohere.

It was Alexander Isak, however, who ultimately ended the wait. A precise finish from close range, following a well-constructed attack, not only marked his first league goal for Liverpool but also lifted the team’s spirits significantly. Gakpo’s late strike, a controlled turn and shot, cemented the victory, giving the Reds a margin of comfort that had been absent for weeks.

Beyond the statistics and milestones, the match offered lessons for Klopp. Defensive stability, particularly in Gomez’s absence from recent weeks, remains a priority. The balance between attacking freedom and structural discipline is delicate, especially when integrating high-profile signings such as Wirtz and Isak into a system previously built around Salah. Yet, the win at West Ham demonstrated that the pieces are slowly falling into place.

Liverpool’s supporters, long frustrated by repeated setbacks, finally had cause for optimism. Isak’s breakthrough goal may signal the start of a renewed confidence, while the tactical adjustments provide a blueprint for navigating the demanding Premier League schedule ahead. The team’s resilience, tested repeatedly over the past two months, now appears more tangible, offering hope that the recent slump may finally be behind them.

For West Ham, the defeat continues a frustrating period, highlighting defensive vulnerabilities and missed opportunities in attack. Yet, for Liverpool, the evening offered clarity: even under pressure, even amidst uncertainty, persistence and adaptability can yield the victories that redefine a season.

As the final whistle blew, Liverpool walked off the pitch with a mix of relief and cautious optimism. The road ahead remains challenging, but for one night at least, the Reds remembered the simple truth of football: goals win games, and a first goal can change everything.