West Ham vs. Liverpool: Winners and Losers from Premier League
West Ham United recorded a 2-0 victory over Liverpool to complete the league double over the Reds for the first time since 1964.
Michail Antonio and Andy Carroll scored the goals as the Hammers—who had won 3-0 in the reverse fixture at Anfield in August 2015—triumphed in the opening Premier League game of 2016.
Antonio broke the deadlock after 10 minutes, starting and finishing a move that began deep in West Ham's own territory.
Liverpool huffed and puffed in an attempt to get back on level terms, only for a familiar face to score against them 10 minutes after half-time.
Carroll—who left Anfield to move to West Ham in 2013—connected with Mark Noble's right-wing cross to plant a powerful header beyond goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.
The only disappointment for the hosts was the loss of Manuel Lanzini to injury, although Dimitri Payet made his comeback as a substitute in the second half following an ankle problem, per BBC Sport.
Bleacher Report has picked out the winners and losers from the fixture at the Boleyn Ground.
Winner: Andy Carroll
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Andy Carroll came back to haunt his old employers with an excellent header that doubled West Ham's lead early in the second half.
Carroll moved to Anfield in January 2011, joining during a crazy transfer window that saw Liverpool also sign Luis Suarez after Fernando Torres had moved on to Chelsea.
While Suarez starred during his time at Liverpool before heading for Barcelona, Carroll scored just 11 goals, according to Soccerbase, in all competitions before heading south in the summer of 2013.
West Ham, however, are more willing to work to the 26-year-old's strengths. Mark Noble hung up a cross knowing that, with a run on any defender, Carroll would win the ball in the air.
Manager Slaven Bilic was full of praise for his striker, per West Ham United's official Twitter feed: "Carroll was there for the whole 90 minutes and his goal was just the cherry on the icing on the cake."
Loser: Christian Benteke
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As one ex-Liverpool striker in Andy Carroll made his mark for the home team, the current forward leading the line for the Reds (who actually played in all white on the day) found the going tough.
Christian Benteke had been Liverpool's hero in the 1-0 wins over Leicester City and Sunderland in their last two outings, but the Belgium international struggled at the Boleyn Ground.
He looked to be treading through treacle when a rare error from West Ham's defence put him in on goal in the first half, while in the second, he sliced his one good shooting opportunity horribly wide.
Per Squawka Football on Twitter, Benteke managed no shots on target and won just 15 per cent of his aerial duels.
Winner: James Collins
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James Collins couldn’t physically get Liverpool's Christian Benteke into his pocket, seeing as he didn't actually have any in his shorts.
However, the West Ham centre-back shackled the Belgian brilliantly throughout the game.
According to Squawka Football on Twitter, Collins made 23 clearances, won four aerial duels, produced three blocks and also won two tackles.
A mention, too, for his central defensive partner Angelo Ogbonna. The pair were outstanding in making sure West Ham kept a second successive clean sheet against Liverpool during the season.
Loser: Liverpool's Goal Difference
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Christian Benteke will receive plenty of criticism for his display, but the supply line to the striker was non-existent.
Roberto Firmino was ineffective and subbed just after the hour, while his fellow Brazilian Philippe Coutinho fired in plenty of shots without ever threatening home goalkeeper Adrian.
Jordan Ibe was the most promising forward on display for the visitors. But, per BBC Sport, Liverpool had 23 attempts on goal during the game but only two hit the target.
Admittedly their cause was not helped by a lack of depth due to injuries to forwards Divock Origi and Daniel Sturridge.
Yet in their three festive fixtures, the Reds have managed a grand total of three goals.
They have now scored just 22 in the Premier League this season and have a goal difference of minus two.
Winner: Michail Antonio
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Michail Antonio grabbed the first Premier League goal of 2016 when he powered in a header from Enner Valencia's cross.
The former Nottingham Forest winger was rewarded for a lung-bursting run from inside his own half, as he had made the tackle on Alberto Moreno deep in West Ham territory to win back possession.
There was a suggestion he had fouled the Liverpool full-back with his sliding challenge, but he didn't hang around to argue his case with Spaniard Moreno.
Antonio—who made it two goals in as many games after breaking his duck for West Ham in the 2-1 win over Southampton on December 28—worked tirelessly to offer support to full-back James Tomkins.
Loser: Jurgen Klopp
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Christian Benteke will receive plenty of criticism for his display, but the supply line to the striker was non-existent.
Roberto Firmino was ineffective and subbed just after the hour, while his fellow Brazilian Philippe Coutinho fired in plenty of shots without ever threatening home goalkeeper Adrian.
Jordan Ibe was the most promising forward on display for the visitors. But, per BBC Sport, Liverpool had 23 attempts on goal during the game, but only two hit the target.
Admittedly their cause was not helped by a lack of depth due to injuries to forwards Divock Origi and Daniel Sturridge.
Yet in their three festive fixtures, the Reds have managed a grand total of three goals.
They have now scored just 22 in the Premier League this season and have a goal difference of minus two.
