Liverpool produced a brutal performance on Saturday, beating struggling West Ham 5-2 at Anfield to move level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United.
The hosts took a 3–0 lead at half-time through goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis McAllister, all from dead-ball situations.
West Ham responded after the break when Tomas Soucek reduced the deficit, but Cody Gakpo restored the three-goal lead for Liverpool in the 70th minute. A goal from Taty Castellanos and an own goal from Axel Disassi completed the scoring, as Liverpool took five points in a league game for the first time this season.
All three of Liverpool's first-half goals came from set play, underscoring Arne Slott's growing reputation for maximizing dead-ball efficiency. The Reds now lead the Premier League in goals scored from set-pieces in 2026, excluding penalties.
Ryan Gravenberch set the tone in the fifth minute, beating Akitike, who fired past Mads Hermansen at the near post for his 16th goal of the campaign.
In contrast to the run of play, Van Dijk doubled the lead by converting Dominik Szoboszlai's corner, before Mac Allister's deflected volley made it three just before the interval, prompting parts of the traveling support to walk out.
Despite their dominance, Liverpool struggled for control after the break. Soucek gave West Ham hope by capitalizing on a brilliant ball from El Hadji Malik Diouf.
However, Gakpo made up for the earlier miss when his deflected strike beat Hermansen to quell Anfield's nervousness. Castellanos struck again for the visitors, but Jeremy Frimpong's cross was headed into his own net by DeSassi, sealing the result.
Liverpool have moved up to fifth, above Chelsea FC, ahead of Chelsea's clash with leaders Arsenal FC, while West Ham remain in 18th, two points behind Nottingham Forest FC in the relegation battle.
