Isak on ending his scoring drought: It's been a long time coming

Alexander Isak admitted a weight had finally lifted after breaking his Premier League duck for Liverpool in a badly needed win at West Ham.

Isak struck on the hour at the London Stadium, guiding Cody Gakpo's pass into the bottom corner to set Arne Slot's side on their way to a 2-0 victory that stopped a grim run of nine defeats in twelve matches.

The £125million striker had been denied repeatedly by Alphonse Areola before he finally scored, ending a ten-game wait that summed up Liverpool's wider struggles during a damaging spell for their new manager.

Asked if the goal felt like a release, Isak said: 'Yeah of course, I'm aware that it's been a long time coming and I've been trying to get back to my best form. I'm still on the way, but I'm happy to have that goal.'

'The best feeling today is that we win the game, that’s the best way to get a good spirit within the group. That’s helpful for the individual as well. Of course I’m a striker, so scoring goals will always help me.'

Isak warned Liverpool could not allow one result to distort their judgement, reflecting that consistency had been missing across recent setbacks.

'We have to use this win in a good way but also be humble, because we’ve had a tough time. One win doesn’t necessarily mean we’re back; we have to stay focused and keep working hard to keep this momentum.'

His breakthrough came on a night when Slot reshaped his attack. Mohamed Salah was dropped to the bench and Florian Wirtz returned, bringing the sharper movement behind Isak that Liverpool had lacked during their slump.

Wirtz drifted between the lines, linked with Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch and helped Liverpool control the game during a composed opening hour in which they created the better chances and kept West Ham at arm’s length.

Slot’s calls followed scrutiny after the Champions League defeat to PSV, and the Dutchman argued that his side showed more balance after a period in which structure and confidence had wavered.

He said his overriding feeling at full time was relief, and he thanked the travelling support for backing him during a difficult run.

He said: '(It means) a lot. It says a lot about the club and fans that they were not only supportive of me but the whole team.

'If you have such a run of form we are having, and have an away game, and the away end is so full and supports the team from start to finish, including me, that is special.'

Liverpool now move into a decisive week, with Sunderland travelling to Anfield in midweek before Slot’s side head to Leeds on Saturday in fixtures that will show whether this win is a turning point or merely a pause.