West Ham 3-2 Liverpool: Heroes, villains and player ratings from the London Stadium

West Ham produced a spirited performance to beat Liverpool 3-2, and go above them into third in the league table.

Liverpool came into the game looking to go 27 games unbeaten, but West Ham produced their best performance of the season to hand them their first league defeat.

An Alison Becker own goal gave the Hammers the lead early on, but a magical moment from Trent Alexander-Arnold pulled the visitors level just before half time.

Pablo Fornals and Kurt Zouma then scored to give the Irons a two goal cushion before Divock Origi scored late on to reduce the deficit.

What was said

West Ham manager David Moyes said: “I’m pleased with the way we have played and I’m pleased with where we are on the table and we are really up to third on merit.

“My target is challenge whoever it is that will be in the top four and that is what I have been saying to the guys, I really don’t know who is there probably we will be there but I want us to continue to grow.”

What Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said: “I think this season West Ham have played some really good football but today they were the West Ham of old, sitting in and playing on the counter attack but we should have controlled it much better from our side.”

Heroes

Said Benrahma

Coming off the left Benrahma caused the marauding Trent Alexander-Arnold problems all afternoon.

His well timed runs and hold up play was an outlet for the Hammers throughout the game.

He got behind the Liverpool back line and sent in crosses that his team mates should have finished off.

His inside movement, forced Trent into committing a foul that led to a booking for the Liverpool defender early in the second half.

Benrahma is probably the player to have benefited the most from the club not being able to sign Jesse Lingard. and he’s grabbed the opportunity, with three goals and three assists so far.

Kurt Zouma

He’s been a sensational signing for the Hammers, his experience of playing at the highest level at both club and international level has added to this West Ham team and made them a better side.

Zouma scored his first goal, and put in another exemplary performance to help his side to all three points.

West Ham lost Angelo Ogbonna early on to an injury, but that brought the best out of the French defender who took up the leadership at the back and made sure they produced a brilliant defensive masterclass to see out a memorable win at the London Stadium.

Jarrod Bowen

It was another special performance from the former Hull City man.

He got two assists but his overall performance was magnificent from start to finish.

He has been in scintillating form and even though more expressive players like Michail Antonio have taken the plaudits, he’s been as good as anyone on the pitch for David Moyes’ side.

This season, he’s got two goals and four assists, helping the Hammers to an impressive third place in the league table.

Pablo Fornals

Four goals now for Pablo Fornals, and that doesn’t even begin to tell the whole story of how impressive he was today.

A constant live wire that connected the defence to attack and worked hard for his teammates on and off the ball.

Another who doesn’t normally get the credit he deserves, but West Ham United were the better side against Liverpool and he was one of the top performers on the day.

Easily one of the best games I have seen him play for the Hammers.

Villain: Alisson Becker

He made a mess of a routine cross and could have done better for West Ham’s second goal.

Usually very dependable, he’ll look at this game and feel he is better than what he produced today.

Player ratings

Lukasz Fabianski 6.5

Ben Johnson 7

Kurt Zouma 9

Angelo Ogbonna N/A

Aaron Cresswell 7

Tomas Soucek7.5

Declan Rice 7.5

Jarrod Bowen 9

Pablo Fornals 8.5

Said Benrahma 8.5

Michail Antonio 7