Liverpool moved a step closer to a 20th top flight title in English football as a 5-0 thrashing of West Ham opened up an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota were all on target for the rampaging Reds in east London as they finished the year as heavy favorites to deliver just a second league title in 35 years.
Nottingham Forest are the closest rivals in second place, but Arsenal and Chelsea can close the gap when they are in action later in the week.
Arne Slot maintains his speech, in which nothing can be won yet, since Liverpool is still one game away from the halfway mark in the Premier League.
But the Dutchman’s succession after Jurgen Klopp continues to look impeccable after a 23rd victory in 27 games in all competitions.
“I really enjoyed it because it doesn’t happen many times that I could sit back and enjoy it,” Slot said.
Diaz had been rested for the 3-1 win over Leicester on Boxing Day and it was the Colombian who opened the floodgates in 30 minutes at the London Stadium.
His intended pass to Curtis Jones was bounced back into the path of a West Ham defender and he sent his low shot into the corner.
Mohammed Kudus was inches away from an equalizer when his effort returned from the post.
But another heavy home defeat puts Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui under pressure after a four-game unbeaten run.
“We are talking about the best team in the Premier League and around the world, but at home and in front of our fans, I am very sorry,” Lopetegui said.
Two goals in four minutes just before halftime killed the game as a contest.
Salah’s lovely turn helped tie up Gakpo to roll in his ninth goal in 14 games.
The Egyptian then curled in at Alphonse Areola’s near post, with the help of the West Ham goalkeeper, to reach the 20-goal mark for the eighth consecutive season since joining Liverpool in 2017.
Speculation about the futures of Alexander-Arnold, Salah and Virgil van Dijk has not derailed Liverpool’s start to flight under Slot.
All three could discuss a move to a foreign club on a free transfer next season within days, but remain focused for the moment on winning a second Premier League title together.
“The only thing in my mind is that I want Liverpool to win the league and I want to be part of it,” Salah said.
“That’s the only thing I’ve focused on. I’ll do everything I can to win the trophy. We’re heading in the right direction, but there are other teams trying to catch up with us. We just have to be humble and go again.”
Rumors surrounding Alexander-Arnold’s possible move to Real Madrid have resurfaced again in the Spanish media over the past week and the England international showed why he is a man in demand with a thunderous strike that deflected off Max Kilman.
Jota’s appearance as a substitute was further evidence of the extra firepower Liverpool enjoy over their title rivals.
The Portuguese set the seal on a dominant victory with the finish for the fifth goal, but he had another sumptuous assist from Salah to thank for it.
Salah weaved his way past three West Ham defenders before putting the ball to Jota for his 13th Premier League assist of the season on 17 goals in 18 games.
