Jarrod Bowen and Pablo Fornals combined to score an “exceptionally well-taken” goal during West Ham United’s 3-2 Premier League triumph over Liverpool yesterday, Jurgen Klopp told the Reds website.
Speaking in his Friday press conference, the Liverpool manager admitted he was a big fan of West Ham’s diminutive number 20 (Liverpool Echo).
And while Klopp won’t have enjoyed watching Bowen tear his usually reliable back line apart like wet tissue paper at the London Stadium yesterday, the former Dortmund boss is mature and intelligent enough to know a special display when he sees one.
Bowen was arguably the best player on the pitch as West Ham moved above Liverpool in the Premier League table. And that’s saying something considering the colossal performances of Kurt Zouma, Ben Johnson, Tomas Soucek and Pablo Fornals.
West Ham star Jarrod Bowen shines against Liverpool
Bowen’s devastating corner kick set up Zouma’s winner but it was his role in West Ham’s second of the afternoon – slotted home by the in-form Fornals – that really caught Klopp’s eye.
With 67 minutes on the clock, Bowen scythed through Liverpool’s midfield, drawing Joel Matip out of position, before setting up Fornals to fire under the advancing Alisson Becker.
“They scored from a counter attack and from a set-piece. The second one was exceptionally well taken and a great (goal),” the German said after a result that saw Liverpool fall four points adrift of league leaders Chelsea.
“Obviously West Ham play really good stuff this season but today it was a bit more like the old West Ham – sitting deep, going for set-pieces and counter-attacks.
“In the first half we didn’t let that happen apart from one, I think, set-piece. Then second half we lost balls in general. We lost more balls than in the first half.”
Bowen has now scored twice and set up another four goals in his past seven Premier League appearances. It has led some to suggest the 24-year-old should be in contention for an England call-up.
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