Premier LeagueWest Ham United 0-2 Liverpool
Saturday, 29th November 2025
by Chris Wilkerson | Forum match thread
On a sad day for West Ham United, The Hammers were beaten 2-0 at the London Stadium by Liverpool, with everyone from fans, players, club legends and coaches mourning the passing of the very definition of a West Ham legend.
Liverpool are struggling champions, devoid of form, rhythm and confidence. But a sharp finish from Isak, his first Premier League goal for the club, gave the visitors a lead just as the home side had got on top in the second half.After Lucas Paqueta presented the Premier League with its stupidest sending off of the season, booked twice for dissent in a minute, Cody Gakpo rounded things off in stoppage time.
In a way, it was very West Ham to lose this. This club only beats the top teams when it's unexpected, so the weaknesses on offer from Merseyside only made it more likely Arne Slot's side would find a confidence-boosting victory.
But it was a game shrouded in darkness, the passing of the truest West Ham legend, a man who had played 799 times for the club before retiring at 41, hanging over the day.
There had been rumours all weekend that the two-time FA Cup winning captain, one of only three to lift a trophy for The Hammers, was struggling with ill-health, but it was still a seismic shock to read news of his passing this Sunday morning.
The minute of applause was poignant, even more so as current captain Jarrod Bowen ran to the Billy Bonds Stand and left a ?EUR~Bonds 4' shirt in front of it before the start of the game.
As for the football itself, the game started with tentative motion, a real feeling out period as the fragile champions tried to find their way into the match.
Both sides had made notable changes from the weekend prior. For the home side, Mavropanos was brought back into the team on his return to fitness, with Max Kilman missing out for the first time this season, having so far not missed a minute of football. There was a return for Paqueta, and Soungoutou Magassa also came in, the pair replacing Igor and Guilherme as Nuno's side went back into their 4-3-3.
Liverpool's standout decision saw Mo Salah sat on the bench, removing a man who has found the net regularly at the London Stadium. The quiet start was broken as four minutes came up on the clock and the home fans rose to applaud Billy Bonds once more.
The Hammers were fluid in their setup, with Fernandes on the left, and often switching into a 4-4-2 with either Paqueta or Bowen close to Wilson, and the other on the right wing. At times, it left them exposed to Kerkez's attacking runs down the left, and they settled back into more of a five-man midfield to shut down that route of attack.
There were glimpses of quality, but nothing either side could sustain. Fernandes was showing creativity to go with his grit and hard work, drifting in off the left to play passes. A couple of great moments opened up good attacks that fizzled away.
The moment of the half came just after 20 minutes, as Joe Gomez overlapped down the right for the first time and found space. His clipped cross to the far post was headed back into the middle by Gakpo.
Wirtz tried to flick, but his missed header saw the ball bounce to Isak in the six-yard box, who hooked it from high towards goal. But Areola had flown off his line and then managed to throw an arm out high to repel the ball away from such close range.
Liverpool started to take more control of the game, although neither side looking particularly dangerous. The away side were closer to getting something right, building without anything clicking in the final third. That's not to say they created nothing, and Wirtz should have scored after Liverpool went long and direct.
Van Dijk lofted a ball forward from the back, and it dropped into the West Ham box as Wan-Bissaka failed to clear with an acrobatic attempt. Gakpo quickly set it for the oncoming Wirtz, but the German midfielder could only force a comfortable save from Areola, passing it too close to the Frenchman when trying to guide it into the far corner.
The goalkeeper was alert moments later as a low cross needed his powerful hands to palm away with Isak waiting at the far post to knock it home.
As the half-time whistle blew, Liverpool will have felt a clinical edge should have shaded them ahead in a quiet half, but that lack of confidence was on show enough to keep West Ham interested.
Neither side made changes at the break, and the game began slowly again. It took 10 minutes to come to life, and it was West Ham putting the pressure on. Unfortunately, they created little, as has been a problem this season, even with goals coming in the last few games.
With The Hammers starting to get on top, of course it was Liverpool who opened the scoring. After Paqueta had harmlessly volleyed wide from range, Liverpool were quick to get forward from the goal kick. An arrowed ball down the right wing created space, and Wirtz's ball across goal was dangerous, and well cleared by Mavropanos.
The long throw into the box was only headed out to Wirtz, who was arguably Liverpool's best player, and he slid a clever ball down the left side of the box. Gakpo quickly cut it back to Isak in the middle, who stood alone from 12 yards out and perfectly played a first-time shot into the bottom corner at the near post to beat Areola in about the only place he could squeeze the ball and find goal.
It was a fantastic finish, although West Ham can be more disappointed that they had left such a sharp marksman free in their box, Mavropanos running away into position rather than keeping an eye on his man.
It left West Ham chasing the game with half hour to play. Luis Guilherme was soon thrown on for Magassa as the manager tried to find some pace to threaten Liverpool, but whilst West Ham were on top, they couldn't force an opening.
Liverpool, desperately seeking a win to get back on track, sat deep and allowed The Hammers on. Fullkrug was next to be pulled off the bench, replacing Wilson with just over 10 minutes left. But then something happened that no manager can plan for.
As a foul was given to the away side, Paqueta threw his arms up in dramatic frustration. The referee took exception to his reaction and booked him. That should have been the end of it.
But after a minute of argument, and with even Liverpool players like international teammate Alisson trying to talk him down, Paqueta could not control himself and was shown a second yellow card as he continued to harangue the official.
It was sheer stupidity from the maverick midfield, whose emotions too often control his performance. It was equally weak from West Ham, especially the captain Bowen, who should have been dragging his teammate away and ensuring he shut his mouth, but instead tried to speak calmly to the referee. Now a team that was unable to create anything like a clear chance was without its chief creator.
They had one chance as time faded away, a bobbling ball on the edge of the box poked on to Bowen after Fullkrug made a powerful challenge to win it, but the captain smashed wide of the top corner. He should have done better. In the end, it was Liverpool who found the second goal of the game.
A bit of head tennis in the middle should have been brought down by a West Ham player. Instead it was MacAllister who got it down and played forward. A ball across the box was recovered and laid back to Gomez, whose cross from the right was missed by the lumbering figure of Mavropanos, who lunged forward at a ball at chest height.
Gakpo took it down and quickly fired it in from close range to settle things. It seemed to matter little. In the days before this game, it was seen as a chance to get at a vulnerable big side. Come Sunday, it was a scene of quiet reflection.
Billy Bonds was before my time, but you don't support this club without someone older and wiser telling you about William Arthur Bonds MBE. Whilst Bobby was more illustrious, and Brooking more silky, Bonzo represented the fans in a way no other player ever has or ever will.
In your sadness, your mourning and grieving, try to find the time to read some stories from fellow fans about the man. Some will make you smile and cry all at once, but they tell the legacy of a gallant man who loved West Ham, and a humble man who was floored by the warmth, love and adoration of a fanbase that he seemed to love in equal measure.
Manager's Rating
Nuno Espirito Santo 5/10: The manager was too slow on the substitutions, with West Ham failing to create anything, and Guilherme was the wrong choice. His decision to start Mavropanos backfired as the defender was at fault on both goals.
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Click to view all West Ham United vs Liverpool match reports Click to view all match reports by Chris Wilkerson Like to share your thoughts on this article? Please visit the KUMB Forum to leave a comment.Player Ratings
Alphonse AreolaNothing he could do about either goal, and he made some very good saves beforehand.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
A little bit sloppy in all aspects, without being bad either. When Liverpool went deep, he should have been replaced, as Walker-Peters is better in possession when space is limited.
El Hadji Malick Diouf
Needs to get a little bit cuter and find a trick to create space for his crossing, as he often just hits it regardless of pressure.
Konstantinos Mavropanos
It was a very Mavropanos game. Mostly good, some smart bits of defending, but then some clearly poor ones. Escaped one error thanks to very good covering by Potts, but was exposed on both goals.
Jean-Clair Todibo
Looked assured and confident again.
Freddie Potts
Didn't look out of place against some of the best midfielders in the league. Strong in the challenge and sharp on the ball. Not a great corner taker, especially when not curling in on goal.
Soungoutou Magassa
Got away with a big lunge on the edge of the box, eventually booked for a challenge that might have won the ball, but was done with studs up. Settled down but had a nervy start.
Mateus Fernandes
He is quite clearly the successor to Paqueta in the middle and was limited by being on the left. It should have been the Brazilian. All Fernandes's best moments, and arguably the best West Ham looked, came from him drifting inside and taking on the creative burden.
Lucas Paqueta
A couple of very good passes and some battling work was completely undone by the most unprofessional sending off you'll see. This wasn't a bad reaction in the moment, it was prolonged rage and showed a man unable to control himself. It is a brave team that spends a big fee on him.
Jarrod Bowen
He never exposed Kerkez in a way others have, probably as he wasn't receiving the ball quickly enough or playing high enough to get behind him in a way that Liverpool have struggled with this year. Looks a touch out of sorts.
Callum Wilson
Worked hard but failed to have much of an impact. Should have been replaced sooner.
Substitutes
Luis Guilherme(Magassa 67') One driving run caused some panic, but he was otherwise unable to influence.
Niclas Fullkrug
(Wilson 78') Looked better than Wilson, and is probably the better option when West Ham are in the ascendancy, with less space and less running required. Created the best chance with a strong tackle.
Tomas Soucek
(Potts 88') Made no impact.
Mads Hermansen
Did not play.
Kyle Walker-Peters
Did not play.
Igor Julio
Did not play.
Max Kilman
Did not play.
Andy Irving
Did not play.
Guido Rodriguez
Did not play.
Match Facts
West Ham United: Alphonse Areola, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, El Hadji Malick Diouf, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Jean-Clair Todibo, Freddie Potts, Soungoutou Magassa, Mateus Fernandes, Lucas Paqueta, Jarrod Bowen, Callum Wilson.Goals: None.
Booked: Soungoutou Magassa 67 Lucas Paqueta 83 .
Sent Off: Lucas Paqueta 84 .
Liverpool: Alisson, Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk (c), Kerkez (Robertson 85), Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Wirtz (Jones 76), Gakpo, Isak (Ekitike 68) .
Subs not used: Mamardashvili, Endo, Nyoni, Ngumoha, Chiesa, Salah.
Goals: Isak (60), Gakpo (90+2).
Booked: .
Sent off: None.
Referee: Darren England.
Attendance: 62,469.
Man of the Match: Alphonse Areola.