Can sparks a Hammers rout as rampant Reds move into second spot
Liverpool are not going to win the title this season, but if they keep playing like this they will certainly be the best of the rest.
Manchester City are over the hill and far away at the top of the table, but four goals and an almost perfect team performance eased Jurgen Klopp’s side into second spot.
The goals came from Emre Can in the first half, then the usual suspects Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane in the second.
They’re second-top scorers now as well as second on points.
If City hadn’t been so freakishly good and established such an unassailable lead, the run-in might be very different.
Klopp said: “When I woke up this morning I didn’t expect a game like this. It was a joy to watch for everybody.
“It was intense, it was aggressive, it was angry, it was full of desire.
“I saw everything I wish to see in a game of football and it’s not often you say that.
“I don’t think United and Chelsea will think too much about our result, but they know we are around.
“It’s a nice moment to be second, but nothing more because it might be only for a few hours.
“To get the points is very important because all the clubs put pressure on each other and you can’t waste one point.
“All the other teams are flying so we have to fly as well.”
West Ham didn’t really trouble them, leaving David Moyes still without a win at Anfield in 15 attempts.
The Reds are unbeaten in the League at home this season and it always looked like staying that way.
Salah struck the foot of a post as early as the third minute after James Milner’s pass opened up West Ham’s defence and Firmino squared for the Egyptian.
Virgil van Dijk headed Milner’s corner into Adrian’s arms then Pablo Zabaleta nicked the ball off Salah’s toes after he’d been found by Can’s delicate lobbed pass.
The Hammers did hit the woodwork themselves in the 16th minute.
Joao Mario’s pass found Marko Arnautovic and he almost beat