Salah shines as Liverpool thrashes West Ham
Liverpool stretched its lead at the top of the Premier League to eight points as it stormed to a 5-0 win over West Ham United, with Mohamed Salah on top form once more.
The Reds produced another goal-laden display of dominance, ensuring a winning end to 2024 for coach Arne Slot.
Strikes from Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo and the sensational Salah left the Hammers on the canvas by the break at London Stadium.
Matters might have been different had Mohammed Kudus' strike just before Gakpo made it 2-0 not hit the woodwork.
But West Ham was by far second best, and Trent Alexander-Arnold's deflected long-range drive and Diogo Jota's finish completed the rout for Liverpool after the break
While Liverpool’s title rivals must now hope for the Reds to slip up after the turn of the year, 13th-place West Ham’s 2025 resolution will be to aim for a top-half finish.
Despite the speculation over Salah's future at Anfield, the Egyptian said he is happy to lead Liverpool's title tilt in 2025, but he is taking nothing for granted at this stage of the campaign.
"The only thing on my mind is I want Liverpool to win the league and I want to be part of that," he said after the game.
"I will do my best for the team to win the league trophy. There are a few other teams catching up with us, and we need to stay focused and humble and go again."
Salah's form will be critical to Liverpool's chances of securing their second-ever Premier League title in 2025.
However, he confirmed no progress has been made on an ongoing contract extension discussion, as he moves into the final six months of his current deal in January.
Liverpool now has the bonus of an extended break before its first game of 2025 against Manchester United next Monday (AEDT).
