Good performance, no points at Anfield

Liverpool 1 West Ham 0 

It looks ominous in the second minute when a quick free kick sets Salah clear, only for Fabianski to make a good one-on-one save. But even without the ill Rice the Irons grow into the game with Soucek and Lanzini doing an effective job in front of the defence. Antonio is looking up for it, he races through on to Cresswell's pass and stings the palms of Alisson and a few minutes later has another low effort saved. He's not going to beat Van Dijk for pace but it's encouraging that he's trying to.

Alexander-Arnold sends a free kick narrowly wide as the hosts attempt to make up ground on Man City. Liverpool take the lead when a scuffed shot from Alexander-Arnold falls to Mane, who has got behind Dawson as Fabianski hesitates. It goes to VAR and Mane is deemed onside by a hand —although if that had been WHU scoring it would surely gave been chalked off.

Cresswell has to stay calm to turn and clear the ball off the West Ham line as Liverpool threaten a second. But suddenly it's West Ham who should be scoring. Johnson plays a ball over the top and Fornals is through against Alisson. Pablo panics a bit and lobs the keeper, only for Alexander-Arnold to clear off the line. Even then Vlasic should score with the loose ball but takes one touch too many.

The second half sees more West Ham chances. Bowen is through but foiled by a tough challenge and then has to depart with a leg injury. Another great chance comes when Soucek does well to get in a cross and Manuel Lanzini appears to have got the ball under control only to slice over from six yards out.

Then sub Mark Noble plays a glorious first-time ball through to Antonio. Micky takes a little too long and rather than shoot or find Benrahma he allows Keita to get a block in. Jota is booked for a nasty foul on Lanzini and Dan Chesters gets a couple of minutes for his league debut.

At least we have Liverpool holding it in the corner at the end, while Salah has been shackled and now subbed off. It's been a good performance and WHU have run Liverpool closer than most teams — but really should have got a point from this. Antonio looks back on form but our midfielders really need to start scoring again. Let's hope this big effort on Merseyside hasn't made the Hammers too tired before the Europa League away leg at Sevilla.