Darwin Nunez goal, Alison heroics help Liverpool to narrow win vs. West Ham

Darwin Nunez's superb header broke his Anfield goal drought and earned Liverpool a narrow 1-0 victory over West Ham United in the Premier League on Wednesday.

Nunez, who joined Liverpool in June, was unstoppable in the first half hour and was close to a second goal when he rattled the post with a piledriver.

But West Ham had a chance to level the scores from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time when Joe Gomez brought down forward Jarrod Bowen, but the forward saw his attempt superbly saved by goalkeeper Alisson.

Liverpool, lacking the intensity they showed against City, struggled to contain a lively West Ham after the break, who would have taken a deserved point home had either Said Benrahma or Tomas Soucek converted great chances.

Klopp looked relieved when the final whistle blew and gave a special hug to goalkeeper Alisson whose save from Bowen's penalty proved the difference in the end.

"It was an outstanding penalty save. It was a really well-taken penalty, right in the corner, and I had no idea how Ali did that," Klopp said.

"We were really good in the first 35 minutes and played everywhere where West Ham couldn't defend against us. We scored a wonderful goal and with a bit more luck Darwin could have had a hat trick."

"I feel sick, I honestly feel sick," West Ham's Declan Rice said of his side's frustration. "There was enough in the second half to nick something from the game."

Victory lifted Liverpool into seventh place with 16 points from 10 games. West Ham's first defeat in four league games leaves them in 13th place with 11 points.