Liverpool 5-2 West Ham: Set Piece Power Shapes Premier League Clash
Liverpool delivered a ruthless 5-2 victory over West Ham in the Premier League, a result that underlined Arne Slot’s growing authority and lifted the Reds level on points with fourth placed Manchester United. It was a performance built on precision, power and set piece excellence, with Anfield once again serving as a stage for attacking conviction.
Slot’s side were 3-0 ahead by the interval, striking decisively through Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister. West Ham responded with spirit after the break, yet Liverpool’s cutting edge proved decisive in a contest that swung with momentum but ultimately belonged to the home side.
Set Piece Strength Drives Liverpool Forward
All three first half goals arrived from dead ball situations, reinforcing Liverpool’s status as the Premier League’s most productive side from set plays in 2026, excluding penalties.
Inside five minutes, Ryan Gravenberch slipped the ball into Ekitike’s path and the forward finished sharply at the near post beyond Mads Hermansen for his 16th goal of the season. It was a statement of intent, swift and clinical.
West Ham sought a reply and briefly unsettled Liverpool, but the second goal arrived against the run of play. Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner was delivered with pace and purpose, and Van Dijk rose highest to power a header home. Authority radiated from the Dutch captain as he marshalled both boxes.
Just before half time, Mac Allister struck a superb volley that took a telling deflection and flew into the net. That was the cue for sections of the travelling support to head for the exits. Liverpool had combined physical dominance with technical quality, leaving West Ham chasing shadows.
West Ham Response Tests Control
To their credit, West Ham regrouped after the interval. Tomas Soucek reduced the deficit early in the second half, meeting an inviting delivery from El Hadji Malick Diouf to give the visitors a lifeline.
Liverpool wavered. Complacency crept in and chances were squandered earlier by Konstantinos Mavropanos, Jarrod Bowen and Soucek when the scoreline was still manageable. Slot’s side struggled to exert consistent control and the game briefly felt open.
Cody Gakpo steadied the mood in the 70th minute. Having earlier missed a clear opportunity, he cut inside and saw his effort deflect beyond Hermansen to restore Liverpool’s three goal cushion. Anfield exhaled.
Taty Castellanos struck again for West Ham, ensuring the contest retained an edge. Yet Liverpool responded immediately. Jeremie Frimpong’s cross was diverted into his own net by Axel Disasi, completing the scoring and sealing Liverpool’s first five goal haul in a league match this season.
Premier League Table Impact
The 5-2 scoreline carries weight in a congested Premier League race. Liverpool climb above Chelsea into fifth place, with rivals still to play. West Ham remain 18th, two points adrift of Nottingham Forest and facing an anxious run in.
Slot, now firmly established after guiding Liverpool to the Premier League title in 2024, continues to refine his side’s identity. Set pieces have become a hallmark, discipline is improving, and attacking depth remains formidable. Ekitike’s movement, Mac Allister’s technique and Van Dijk’s leadership offer a blend that few can match.
Next up, Liverpool travel to Wolves on Tuesday evening, while West Ham head to Fulham on Wednesday. Momentum matters at this stage of the season, and Liverpool’s 5-2 triumph over West Ham may yet prove significant in shaping their Premier League ambitions.
