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Coming into this match on the back of a defeat at Chelsea which eradicated them from their biggest chance of having a trophy season, Brendan Rodgers’ men needed a response to soothe the nerves of their fans. And after 90 minutes at Anfield today which proved more to be a moonwalk for the home side, Liverpool extended their unbeaten streak in the Premier League to 7 matches – much to the happiness of their fans.
Here are 5 things we learnt: –
Raheem Sterling has undergone a meteoric rise this season
A year or more from now when Raheem Sterling was in the starting lineup against Arsenal at Anfield – a match in which he got a brace, nobody would have thought that this emaciated Jamaica-born winger would bid to take the spot of Luis Suarez next season.
Although it wasn’t his choice nor was his desire to fulfil the void that was left by the departure of the Uruguayan, Raheem Sterling – by virtue of his manager – has grown from a part-time scorer to a match winner for the Reds and today was nothing dissimilar.
Simon Mignolet is in his best Liverpool form
Back in the mid of December when Mignolet was dropped from matches against Arsenal and Manchester United, many would have thought that it would take some doing for the former Sunderland man to get back in the starting 11.
However, give credit to the lady luck or something beyond the comprehension of the human mind, Simon Mignolet got a recall and has been a revelation since then. Even though Liverpool fans plowed their fashion in him last season and for the first part of this season, Mignolet has started to perform just when the support was waving from beneath his turf.
Although West Ham didn’t troubled the Belgian too much today, his timely saves catalyzed by his ability to punch the ball and collect it in his arms at specific intervals indicated the form the Belgian is enjoying at the moment. And if Liverpool want to continue their march for a Champions League spot this season, their man in front of goal would have to do more like the same.
Daniel Sturridge returned with a bang
Although most of the Liverpool fans would have prayed to see their darling in action today – no matter for how short – it seemed that they got a bonus from Daniel Sturridge when the Englishman notched the ball into the net to settle the game.
From the moment he stepped onto the pitch in place of Lazar Markovic to the last whistle of the game, Daniel Sturridge showed an extended trailer of the qualities he has possessed since joining the Liverpool ranks. And with Everton being Liverpool’s next barrier in their bid for a top 4 spot, the timing of the belated return of the Englishman couldn’t have been better.
Lucas Leiva is irreplaceable for Liverpool
Back to the mid of December when Liverpool were stunned by the Red Devils at Old Trafford with a 3-0 hiding, Brendan Rodgers decided to put his faith in the Brazilian and looking at the recent form of the latter, he has done justice to the choice which his manager made after learning a difficult lesson at the Old Trafford.
Has the bubble burst for West Ham?
Not long ago when West Ham were in the top 4 spot before Christmas, everybody was talking of one slip and as it seems now, Sam Allardyce’s men have fallen down under the burden of expectations that their fans weighed in them not so long ago.
Although they’re still 1 point behind Liverpool – which isn’t that bad if you consider their last season form – it is the slip the Hammers have envisaged since being in the top 4 a month from now.
And looking at their recent fixtures in which they host high-flying Manchester United next weekend before travelling to the Saint-Mary Stadium in a fortnight, the Hammers have to perform much better than today if they want to keep their bid of European football intact.
Full time: Liverpool 2-0 West Ham
Barclays Premier League: Liverpool 2-0 West Ham: 5 things we learnt
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