Liverpool player ratings vs West Ham: Thiago the genius, Origi hapless

Defensive-midfield: Gini Wijnaldum – 8

Playing as the shield, Wijnaldum did far more than just pass the Reds’ third into a gaping West Ham net.

His running, constant and clever, provided the foundation for the two on-running midfielders and the protection for two rookie center-backs.

A real leader’s performance and a VVD celebration to boot. Wonderful from Wijnaldum.

Central-midfield: James Milner – 7

The highlight of James Milner’s match was arguing with Jurgen Klopp about his substitution, only for Curtis Jones, his replacement, to play a key role in Salah’s opener.

Milner was good-humoured afterwards, but to be honest his last two performances have seen him barge his way back into Jurgen Klopp’s regular first team plans. He looks creative, strong and back to his best in a wide diamond.

Central-midfield: Thiago Alcantara – 7

Although the Spaniard wasn’t at his utmost creative best (he did pick out an unreal ball to Origi in the first half), that is not the reason he gets a seven.

His reading of the game and delightful interceptions was seriously brilliant and reinforced the fact that he is not just a silky footballer. He has the potential under Jurgen Klopp to become not only a genius but a machine.

Attacking-midfield: Xherdan Shaqiri – 6.5

Until he was thread through on the left-hand side by Trent Alexander-Arnold, Shaqiri was pretty anonymous throughout.

Despite this, it didn’t stop him pinging a ball on to a sixpence on Mo Salah’s boot. Ridiculous precision. Not the greatest overall performance, but a moment of magic from the Swiss sorcerer.