West Ham’s close 2-1 loss to Liverpool at Anfield offered more than just the final score in the context of Premier League matches that create lasting impressions; it revealed a team that was vacillating between potential and growing pains. The performance itself showed a club changing, but the scoreboard conveyed a tale of frustration. Under Graham Potter’s leadership, West Ham’s strategy against title-chasing Liverpool was not only calculated but also remarkably reminiscent of previous games in which perseverance just missed the mark.
Liverpool’s fast pace seemed to unnerve West Ham in the early going. Luis Diaz’s clinical finish in the eighteenth minute had the potential to completely change the outcome of the match. But then the Hammers adjusted. Kudus and Bowen, two attackers who were especially good at taking advantage of Liverpool’s high defensive line, helped them carve out dangerous moments as they started dictating possession in pockets by implementing a compact 3-4-1-2 system.
West Ham Player Ratings vs Liverpool – April 13, 2025
| Player Name | Position | Rating | Performance Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alphonse Areola | GK | 7.0 | Exceptionally reliable under pressure, producing critical saves throughout. |
| Jean-Clair Todibo | CB | 5.0 | Struggled with Liverpool’s pace, often exposed during defensive transitions. |
| Konstantinos Mavropanos | CB | 5.0 | Missed a golden header late in the first half, which could have changed everything. |
| Max Kilman | CB | 5.5 | Frequently pulled out of position, leaving gaps Salah and Bradley exploited. |
| Aaron Wan-Bissaka | RWB | 6.5 | Provided width and delivered the cross that led to the own goal—quietly productive. |
| Ollie Scarles | LWB | 5.5 | Overwhelmed by Salah’s movement; valuable experience but painfully exposed. |
| Edson Álvarez | CM | 6.0 | Played with intensity, but positional discipline was occasionally lacking. |
| James Ward-Prowse | CM | 6.5 | Delivered several dangerous set-pieces and held midfield shape effectively. |
| Lucas Paquetá | AM | 6.8 | Showed intelligence in space, particularly in transitions; faded late. |
| Jarrod Bowen | ST | 7.0 | Incisive running and near-clinical finishing—threatened to equalize more than once. |
| Mohammed Kudus | ST | 7.2 | Remarkably effective in breaking lines and beating markers; hit the crossbar early. |
Potter successfully reduced Liverpool’s second-half dominance by implementing more structured midfield control and teaching short-passing sequences. West Ham’s fate may have been sealed by Virgil van Dijk’s late winner, but the visitors’ comeback in terms of momentum and discipline was especially heartening. Using Paquetá as a transitional center turned out to be very advantageous, but under constant pressure, the Brazilian’s influence progressively waned.
Mohammed Kudus maintained his upward trajectory with a performance that demonstrated his versatility, remaining remarkably dynamic throughout. He wreaked havoc with every touch, whether he was slipping between lines or driving at defenders. His reliability under pressure has significantly increased in recent weeks, which Potter is probably going to capitalize on moving forward.
Areola’s presence between the posts, meanwhile, provided a degree of security that his defenders were clearly grateful for. He repeatedly made quick saves that drastically cut down on Liverpool’s scoring chances. His astute foresight and positioning demonstrated why he is still so important to West Ham’s recovery.
Notwithstanding the result, the competition acted as a reminder that West Ham’s current project is more about tactical development than it is about quick fixes. In the world of professional football, advancement is frequently more iterative than linear, characterized by small gains rather than spectacular triumphs. Since the beginning of the season, the team’s poise, especially during fast-paced situations, has significantly improved, and that in and of itself suggests long-term progress.
It will be crucial in the upcoming months to improve midfield retention under pressure and incorporate more speed in central defense. West Ham could go from being contenders to reliable disruptors by utilizing wise acquisitions and honing the tactical core. Even though they didn’t score many points, this performance gave a sneak peek at what’s developing: a team that isn’t scared to compete against the best and is getting ready to turn adversity into success.
