Liverpool delivered a ruthless exhibition on Saturday, dismantling a struggling West Ham 5–2 at Anfield to move level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United.
The hosts raced into a 3-0 half-time lead through Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister, all from dead-ball situations.
West Ham responded after the break when Tomas Soucek reduced the deficit, but Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal cushion in the 70th minute. Goals from Taty Castellanos and an own goal by Axel Disasi completed the scoring as Liverpool netted five in a league game for the first time this season.
All three of Liverpool’s first-half goals came from set plays, underlining Arne Slot’s growing reputation for maximising dead-ball efficiency. The Reds now lead the Premier League in 2026 for goals scored from set-pieces, excluding penalties.
Ryan Gravenberch set the tone in the fifth minute, teeing up Ekitike, who fired past Mads Hermansen at the near post for his 16th goal of the campaign.
Against the run of play, Van Dijk powered home Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner to double the advantage before Mac Allister’s deflected volley made it three just before the interval, prompting sections of the travelling support to head for the exits.
Despite their dominance, Liverpool struggled for control after the break. Soucek capitalised on a fine delivery from El Hadji Malick Diouf to give West Ham hope.
Gakpo, however, made amends for an earlier miss when his deflected strike beat Hermansen to steady Anfield’s nerves. Castellanos struck again for the visitors, but Jeremie Frimpong’s cross was diverted into his own net by Disasi to seal the result.
Liverpool climb above Chelsea FC into fifth, ahead of Chelsea’s clash with leaders Arsenal FC, while West Ham remain 18th, two points behind Nottingham Forest FC in the relegation battle.
