Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is a keen admirer of West Ham's Jarrod Bowen, and made as much clear in the lead-up to the game between the two sides on Sunday.
Klopp has admitted to liking Bowen "a lot", prompting his Hammers counterpart David Moyes to insist the former Hull man is "at a top club now".
Bowen has two goals and four assists in the Premier League this season, setting up goals for Pablo Fornals and Kurt Zouma as West Ham ended Liverpool's unbeaten record with a 3-2 victory.
Klopp took issue with a number of moments in the game, raising questions in his post-match interview, but the German also made time to include some subtle praise for the contribution made by the 24-year-old.
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Bowen's run through the middle helped create the Fornals goal which restored the hosts' lead, but it was his corner for Zouma's first ever West Ham goal which earned him real plaudits.
"The second set piece is a great set piece, I have to say," Klopp said.
"It's very difficult to defend when the ball is taken that well."
West Ham's win wasn't without controversy, and Klopp took issue with what he felt was a foul on goalkeeper Alisson as the Brazilian scored an early own goal.
"The first they score is a foul on the goalkeeper, the arm goes into Alisson's arm so how can he catch it? That makes no sense," he said.
"What can Alisson do? That is why the goalie is protected. If a player goes up in the air with his arm, it is an important part of the body for the goalkeeper.
"People will say I am making excuses but I am calm. You need normal decisions from a referee and he did not do that."
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There was another flashpoint during the first half when West Ham left-back Aaron Cresswell might have been shown red for a challenge on Jordan Henderson.
The left-back's tackle was the subject of debate in the Sky Sports studio, while VAR ruled it was not worthy of a red card, but Klopp was clear in his assessment.
"Aaron Cresswell's was a reckless challenge on Jordan Henderson, even when he touched the ball before so you have to control your body," Klopp argued.
"Two situations which were influential but West Ham did not make the decisions and they won the game."
Liverpool dropped below West Ham with their defeat in east London, and now sit four points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea going into the international break.
West Ham, meanwhile, have benefited from Bowen's growth as a player since he joined for £20m from Hull City in January 2020.
In addition to his league output, Bowen scored his first European goal for the Hammers this season during their win at home to Genk in October.
Moyes' side face trips to Wolves and Manchester City in their next two league games, with a Europa League trip to Rapid Wien in between the two matches.
