Liverpool ended 2024 on a high note with a commanding 5-0 victory over West Ham. Arne Slot, however, emphasised the importance of their defensive capabilities. Goals from Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, and Mohamed Salah in the first half set the tone at London Stadium. Trent Alexander-Arnold's deflected shot and Diogo Jota's late goal sealed the win, pushing Liverpool eight points clear at the Premier League top.Despite their impressive goal-scoring form, Liverpool's defence has been equally noteworthy. They have conceded only 17 goals in the league this season, second only to Arsenal's 16. Liverpool shares the top spot for clean sheets with Nottingham Forest, both having eight. "Clean sheets are one of the reasons why you win a lot," said Slot. "Sometimes you need a win by keeping a clean sheet and scoring one or two."

The clean sheet against West Ham was Liverpool's first in five Premier League matches. This comes after conceding three goals to Newcastle United and Tottenham and two to Fulham earlier in December. Slot's comments about defensive solidity seem timely given these recent challenges.

Diverse Scoring Options

Liverpool's ability to spread goals among different players is another asset. Five different players scored against West Ham, showcasing their attacking depth. Slot remarked, "I like to see this because if you only rely on one player when it comes to goals, that is mostly not really helpful." He appreciated seeing multiple players threaten the opposition's goal.

Away Game Performance

Slot acknowledged that away games in the Premier League are always challenging. Reflecting on last season's 2-2 draw at West Ham, he expressed satisfaction with their performance this time around. "The level you can reach in a game always has to do with the team you face," he noted.Liverpool did face a setback during the match as Joe Gomez suffered a hamstring injury. Despite this injury concern, Liverpool remains focused on maintaining their strong form as they continue their campaign at the top of the league table.