Liverpool have dodged the “banana peel” at London Stadium and instead strengthened their grip on a top-four finish in the English Premier League.

Philippe Coutinho scored twice and created another to lead his side to victory at West Ham United.

The victory was against expectations, in some quarters in North London,  of a possible lacklustre performance by the Jurgen Klopp boys. Instead, they hammered their hosts 4-0, the same margin that Crystal Palace had recorded against miserable Hull City in the earlier game today.

According to the match report by www.premierleague.com, the visitors started strongly and after Joel Matip’s header hit the bar, Coutinho played in Daniel Sturridge who rounded goalkeeper Adrian to open the scoring.

West Ham’s Andre Ayew twice stabbed the ball against the post just before the break but Liverpool took control in the second half, Coutinho adding a second after Georginio Wijnaldum’s shot hit the bar.

Coutinho fired home a second from a swift break before Divock Origi completed the scoring on 76 minutes with a close-range finish.

Liverpool are now four points clear of Arsenal, who have match in hand, and the Reds will seal a top-four place if they win their final match of the season at home to relegated Middlesbrough next Sunday.

West Ham, meanwhile, remain in 12th place.

*With reports by www.premierleague.com