Liverpool moved a step closer to a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title as a 5-0 thrashing of West Ham opened up an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League.

Liverpool opened up a nine-point lead at the top of the Premier League as Manchester City's crisis deepened in a 2-0 defeat at Anfield on Sunday.

Gakpo has shrugged off an indifferent season at club level to shine once more for his country on the biggest stage of a major international tournament.

The battle for the Golden Boot – a prize reserved for the highest scorer of the tournament – has heated up with many in contention to win the prize.

Alexis Mac Allister fired Liverpool back to the top of the Premier League as the Argentine's "wonder goal" inspired a tense 3-1 win against lowly Sheffield United on Thursday.

Liverpool brought Manchester United's bandwagon to a shuddering halt as Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah all scored twice in a record 7-0 hammering of their arch-rivals to boost their Premier League top-four hopes at Anfield on Sunday.

The 23-year-old Gakpo moved to Liverpool from PSV Eindhoven last month but in six starts he has yet to score.

Manager Juergen Klopp heaped praise on new signing Cody Gakpo's potential, adding that the Premier League club had got their timing just right to secure the signature of the highly sought-after Dutch forward.

 Dutch forward Cody Gakpo said he was persuaded to join Liverpool by Netherlands skipper Virgil van Dijk, who also plays at the Premier League club.

Liverpool confirmed the signing of Cody Gakpo, subject to a work permit, on Wednesday with the Dutch international forward joining from PSV Eindhoven.