West Ham 0-5 Liverpool: Mohamed Salah shines as Reds continue to push for Premier League title

Mohamed Salah showcased his brilliance once again by scoring his 20th goal of the season, helping Liverpool extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to eight points, with a game in hand on their closest rivals. The Reds dominated West Ham with a 5-0 victory, further solidifying their position as title contenders.

Arne Slot's side had this away day won by half-time, with Luis Diaz capitalising on a deflection to give Liverpool a deserved lead before Salah took over, producing some clever skill to tee up Cody Gakpo and then grab his landmark strike just before the break. "He's a phenomenon," said ' Jamie Redknapp.

Salah's only frustration was not to leave London with at least a hat-trick after wasting a string of second-half openings - but his fantastic form was again on show as he dribbled from his own half to play in Diogo Jota for Liverpool's fifth. Trent Alexander-Arnold had earlier seen a strike from distance divert in off Max Kilman on a night where nearly everything went Liverpool's way.

This was a commanding victory which underlined Liverpool's title-winning credentials and with next-best Nottingham Forest way back in second, Arsenal nine points adrift and Chelsea 10 behind, the Reds go into the New Year with the Premier League crown firmly in their sights.

Salah has been central to this title charge, despite uncertainty around his contractual situation. He has already surpassed his goal involvement totals for last season and has more goals and assists combined (52) than any player in Europe's top leagues this term.

The standout player of this season so far was again at his electric best here and too hot to handle, particularly in the first half, even with West Ham specifically tasking Aaron Wan-Bissaka with a man-marking role and then switching to a five-man defence. There was no way to contain him. Three players had a crack at him in the build-up to the fifth and none got close.

The only disappointment of the night for Slot was Joe Gomez's first-half injury, with an apparent hamstring strain reducing Liverpool's centre-back options. Jarrell Quansah, who came on at the London Stadium, now looks set to partner Virgil van Dijk against Man Utd at Anfield on January 5.

As for West Ham, this was a gruelling end to a tough year. Mohamed Kudus hit the woodwork twice and they may feel the game could have gone another way if his drive against the inside of a post at 1-0 had gone in. But they didn't land a shot on target.

After losing 5-1 in the Carabao Cup at Anfield in September, this was another reminder of how far away they are from the Premier League's best side right now. They sit 13th, with a four-game unbeaten run over and a number of home supporters frustrated at the progress or lack of under Julen Lopetegui, with some boos at full time.

Slot pays tribute to 'extraordinary' Salah

Liverpool boss Arne Slot:

"This was the way I'd like to see us play an away game. The stadium is always sold out when Liverpool comes and they don't need much to cheer so you have to kill that momentum as much as you can. Because we were so dominant we could manage West Ham and the crowd.

"The level you reach during the game has to do with the team you face as well. West Ham have done well before today. Normally they don't compete for winning the league, you have to take this into account with how happy you are with a performance. It's not an easy place to go, so to perform the way we have was pleasing to see."

On Salah: "Mo and the word extraordinary is something I've heard a lot in the last six months. I don't think he keeps surprising us because we know what a player he is. He works hard for the team when the other team has the ball. We can only hope he keeps bringing these performances in. But if he scores, other players bring him into these positions. And in those positions he's extraordinary."

Analysis: Premier League player of the season Salah shines again

' Peter Smith at London Stadium:

The Premier League is approaching its halfway mark but the player of the season prize looks like its sewn up already. Cole Palmer has dazzled. Bukayo Saka has shone. But Mohamed Salah is in a league of his own.

Top of the goals chart. Top of the assists chart. More goal involvements than any player in Europe's top five leagues - an incredible 52 across all competitions. He's scored and assisted in eight different Premier League games - and it's only December. The jaw-dropping stats go on.

And all this from a 32-year-old who is out of contract in the summer. Off-field matters have proved to be no distraction. Perhaps they have been a motivator for the Egyptian; a point to prove? Well he is certainly doing that. He has proven himself to be the best player in the Premier League and Liverpool must surely give this brilliant player a new deal.

He is driving them towards another Premier League title.

Lopetegui: A tough day for us and our fans

West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui:

"We think we showed not a good face in front of our fans. We didn't deserve more. Today has been a hard loss at home. We have to accept and move forward and know we have a lot of things to improve in these kind of matches.

"In the first 10 minutes we had one clear situation [when Lucas Paqueta slipped while in on goal] and after we have the possibility to draw [level at 1-1] with Kudus [when he hit a post] but despite this we have to do better for sure. We have to do better in these kind of matches.

"We have to compete better in a lot of things. We had 15-20 minutes when we were out of the match and they destroyed us in these moments. We can do better. We have been very far off them today. We were doing well in the last month but today has been tough for us."

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