5 things we learned as Liverpool destroy West Ham at Anfield

Liverpool 4 West Ham 1: Patrice Evra struggles on his Premier Leaguer return, plus all the other talking points

Mo Salah scored yet again as Liverpool ran riot (Getty Images)

Liverpool's exciting front three of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino were all on the scoresheet as the Jurgen Klopp's side ran out comfortable winners over West Ham United at Anfield.

Patrice Evra made his debut for the visitors after joining on a free transfer earlier this month, however it was an afternoon to forget the Frenchman as the Hammers were beaten 4-1.

Michail Antonio managed a goal for the visitors but that was only a consolation as the Reds continued their stunning attacking form.

After a comprehensive victory for the home side, here are five things we learned:

​1. Marko Arnautovic continues to impress

David Moyes said before the game that if Marko Arnautovic can keep his focus "he could play for any club". On today' evidence, that may well be the case.

West Ham offered very little going forward, playing a negative incarnation of a 3-4-3 that resembled more of a 5-4-1, but everything positive for the visitors in the final third came through the imposing Austrian. He held up play effectively, ran the channels well and caused problems for Liverpool's backline through his dribbling and movement.

In the first half, he was unlucky not to score a delicate chip from the corner of the penalty area, and found Loris Karius in his way again minutes later with a piledriver from 25 yards. If he keeps up this form, he could be the reason West Ham get out of trouble.

2. West Ham's ageing backline cruelly exposed

It is difficult to name a less agile duo than Angelo Ogbonna and James Collins.

West Ham fans remembered Bobby Moore, the sort of player they could have done with today (Getty)

The two centre-halves were rendered into granite by the movement of Salah, Firmino and Mane. Aaron Cresswell, the notional spring chicken at 28, was left stranded caring for his overrun partners. The wing-backs either side of them were not much better. Widemen in a 3-4-3 are renowned for their athleticism, their cast-iron lungs and impressive speed.

West Ham's offerings at Anfield, Patrice Evra and Pablo Zabaleta, had a combined age of 69. By contrast, Liverpool's full-backs, Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold, totalled 42. Ultimately, it was cruel for David Moyes to expose his ageing backline to this ruthless Liverpool attack.

3. Evra might just be past his sell-by date

Patrice Evra's move to West Ham came out of the blue. The 36-year-old Frenchman, who was banned for seven months by Uefa and then had his contract mutually terminated by Marseille, looked sent for a Middle Eastern pay day into retirement.

But David Moyes thought otherwise, and today he elected to include the former Manchester United man ahead of Michail Antonio, forming the widest element of the Hammers' back five. But while he was once known for his gallivanting runs down the left flank, today, he was left exposed by an opposite full-back in Alexander-Arnold nearly half his age.

Evra spent his afternoon being mocked by the home fans, giving the ball away and chasing the red shadows of Liverpool's pertinent from three. One to forget for the Frenchman.

4. Klopp can rely on Karius

Loris Karius has slowly begun to quieten the clamour for Jurgen Klopp to invest in a new goalkeeper at Anfield.

The German goalkeeper, who was denied a clean sheet by a smart finish from substitute Michail Antonio, put in another reassuring performance, topped off with some excellent saves. His fingertip stop to deny Marko Arnautovic's audacious first-half chip was outstanding.

Behind the the dependable duo of Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip, who seemed to have formed an effective partnership in recent weeks, Liverpool may now finally have a defensive rearguard worthy of a top four club, and in Karius, for now, they have goalkeeper playing with confidence.

5. Liverpool favourites for second place

Emre Can nods home the opener for Liverpool (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Liverpool's attack looks impossible to stop, and while West Ham's old boys struggled to put up a fierce resistance, they won't be the only ones to be ripped apart from the free-flowing Liverpool trio of Mane, Salah and Firmino.

The result puts Liverpool second ahead of Manchester United's showdown with Chelsea tomorrow, and with the Red Devils to come in a couple of weeks time and their attacking trio scoring for fun, Klopp's side must surely be considered as favourites to finish second behind Manchester City.

West Ham meanwhile will need to take points from their next three fixtures against Swansea, Burnley and Southampton to secure their safety, ahead of a tough run-in.