Alexander Isak scored his first Premier League goal for Liverpool since his record £125m move from Newcastle United as Arne Slot’s side ended their wretched run with a much-needed victory at West Ham United.

The Reds ended a dismal sequence of nine defeats in 12 games – their worst since 1954 – with a deserved success.

Head coach Slot dropped Mohamed Salah from a league starting line-up for the first time since April 2024, also at West Ham – a run of 53 games – under his predecessor Jurgen Klopp, and was rewarded with a much-improved display.

Liverpool dominated a subdued West Ham, with Florian Wirtz excelling in a role behind the strikers, before Isak ended his personal struggles with a fine half-volley from Cody Gakpo’s cross on the hour.

The home side’s misery was compounded six minutes from time when Lucas Paqueta was shown two yellow cards for dissent by referee Darren England in quick succession for arguing over a decision to award a foul against his team.

Liverpool then added a second goal their superiority deserved when Gakpo finished well in stoppage time.