On January 31, 2015, Liverpool hosted West Ham United at Anfield in a Premier League clash. Liverpool secured a 2-0 victory with a strong second-half performance, continuing their push for a top-four finish. Goals from Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge sealed the win for the home side.
Key Statistics and Analysis
- Scoreline and Goal Timings:
- Liverpool: 2 (Raheem Sterling 51′, Daniel Sturridge 80′)
- West Ham United: 0
- Possession:
- Liverpool dominated possession with 64%, while West Ham had 36%. Liverpool’s ability to control possession allowed them to dictate the tempo, especially in the second half, as West Ham found it difficult to create sustained attacks.
- Shots:
- Liverpool registered 19 shots, with 7 on target, reflecting their attacking dominance. West Ham managed 7 shots, with 3 on target, but they struggled to break through Liverpool’s defense for much of the game.
- Passing Accuracy:
- Liverpool had a passing accuracy of 85%, completing 570 passes out of 671 attempts. West Ham had a passing accuracy of 68%, completing 243 passes out of 357 attempts. Liverpool’s superior ball movement, particularly in midfield, allowed them to create more opportunities and control the game.
- Defensive Statistics:
- Liverpool made 11 tackles compared to West Ham’s 15. West Ham’s defense, led by James Tomkins and Winston Reid, initially coped well with Liverpool’s pressure but was eventually broken down in the second half. Liverpool’s backline, led by Martin Škrtel and Mamadou Sakho, ensured a clean sheet and limited West Ham’s attacking threat.
- Set Pieces:
- Neither team managed to score from set pieces. Liverpool’s goals both came from open play. In the 51st minute, Raheem Sterling opened the scoring with a composed finish after being set up by Philippe Coutinho. The second goal came in the 80th minute, shortly after Daniel Sturridge came on as a substitute. He scored with a low, powerful shot after combining well with Coutinho.
- Individual Performances:
- Raheem Sterling was the standout performer for Liverpool, opening the scoring and constantly causing problems for West Ham’s defense with his pace and dribbling. Philippe Coutinho was also key, providing the assist for Sterling’s goal and playing a vital role in orchestrating Liverpool’s attacks. Daniel Sturridge marked his return from injury with a goal just minutes after coming off the bench. For West Ham, goalkeeper Adrián made several important saves to keep the scoreline respectable, but he could do little to stop Liverpool’s goals.
- Tactical Overview:
- Liverpool, under Brendan Rodgers, played a 3-4-2-1 formation, focusing on maintaining possession and using the speed of Sterling and Coutinho to break through West Ham’s defense. The introduction of Daniel Sturridge in the second half gave Liverpool a more direct threat in front of goal. West Ham, under Sam Allardyce, played a 4-3-2-1 formation, looking to play on the counter-attack and use the aerial ability of Andy Carroll, but they struggled to create chances.
- Disciplinary:
- The match saw two yellow cards, both for West Ham. Stewart Downing was booked in the 65th minute, and Mark Noble was shown a yellow card in the 78th minute for a late challenge on Lucas Leiva. Liverpool played a disciplined game and avoided any bookings.
- Corners and Offsides:
- Liverpool won 6 corners compared to West Ham’s 3, reflecting their pressure in the attacking third. Liverpool were caught offside three times, while West Ham were caught offside twice as they tried to break Liverpool’s defensive lines.
Summary
Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over West Ham United was a well-earned result, with Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge providing the goals that secured three points. After a goalless first half, Liverpool’s intensity increased in the second half, and Sterling’s goal early after the break set the tone for the remainder of the match. The return of Daniel Sturridge from injury was a key moment, as he scored just minutes after coming on, giving Liverpool a valuable attacking option going forward.
West Ham, despite having a decent defensive shape for most of the match, struggled to create clear chances and were unable to deal with Liverpool’s fluid attacking play, particularly after Sturridge’s introduction. The win kept Liverpool in the hunt for a Champions League place, while West Ham remained mid-table, needing to regroup after this defeat.
This match highlighted Liverpool’s ability to control games with possession and creativity, and the return of Sturridge provided a timely boost as they looked to finish the season strongly.
