Recap

Liverpool Dominate West Ham with 5-2 Anfield Rout: Set-Piece Mastery Secures Crucial Top-Four Push

Liverpool secured a convincing 5-2 victory over relegation-battling West Ham United at Anfield on February 28, 2026, boosting their Champions League qualification hopes with a display of ruthless set-piece efficiency.

The Reds, managed by Arne Slot, moved level on 48 points with fourth-placed Manchester United after 28 games, sitting fifth in the Premier League table with a record of 14 wins, 6 draws, and 8 losses. West Ham, languishing in 18th place on 25 points from 28 matches (6 wins, 7 draws, 15 losses), remained two points from safety despite a spirited second-half fightback.

Blistering First-Half Start: Ekitike, Van Dijk, and Mac Allister Strike from Set Pieces

The match kicked off at 3:00 PM at Anfield, with Liverpool wasting no time asserting dominance. Just five minutes in, Hugo Ekitike opened the scoring, capitalizing on a corner that exposed West Ham’s defensive frailties. The forward pounced after Andy Robertson’s delivery was not cleared properly, giving the hosts the perfect start and the “nerve-settling” goal they craved.

• Ekitike’s early strike came from Liverpool’s positive intent, winning the initial corner and exploiting poor West Ham defending.
• This goal set the tone, with Liverpool leveraging their transformed set-piece prowess, a far cry from previous seasons’ struggles.

Nineteen minutes later, in the 24th minute, Virgil van Dijk doubled the lead with a powerful header from another corner, towering above the West Ham backline to nod home. The captain’s aerial dominance was pivotal, as all three first-half goals stemmed from West Ham’s inability to handle corners effectively.

As the half neared its close, Alexis Mac Allister made it 3-0 in the 43rd minute with a sublime volley, latching onto a cleared ball from yet another set piece. This trio of goals in 38 minutes showcased Liverpool’s clinical edge, leaving West Ham shell-shocked despite their recent improved form under Nuno Espirito Santo.

Second-Half Drama: West Ham Fight Back but Gakpo and Own Goal Seal It

Halftime arrived with Liverpool leading 3-0, but the visitors showed resilience post-interval. West Ham pulled one back early in the second half, reducing the deficit to 3-1 and injecting tension into the Anfield afternoon.

Liverpool restored their three-goal cushion in the 70th minute when Cody Gakpo cut in from the left and drove a shot into the far post, making it 4-1. The Dutch forward brushed off defensive lapses post-match, praising the team’s set-piece work.

• Gakpo’s goal came after a spell of pressure, with Mohamed Salah involved in the build-up before the final touch.
• West Ham responded valiantly in the 75th minute, as Valentin Castellanos headed home from a rare effective corner, narrowing the gap to 4-2.

The Hammers’ momentum was short-lived. In the 82nd minute, substitute Jeremie Frimpong, returning from a five-game injury absence, drove forward from the right and delivered a cross that Axel Disasi inadvertently turned into his own net, sealing the 5-2 final score. Frimpong’s availability was a pre-match boost confirmed by Slot, despite Florian Wirtz missing out due to a back issue.

The game ended with added drama, including multiple corners and stoppages up to the 90+8th minute, but Liverpool held firm for a match that featured five different scorers for the hosts.

Player Performances: Set-Piece Heroes Shine Amid Defensive Wobbles

Liverpool’s victory was built on standout individual displays, particularly in set-piece situations. Hugo Ekitike earned high praise for his opportunistic opener, settling nerves early. Virgil van Dijk was immense, his header underscoring his leadership and aerial threat—key in a game where set pieces decided the outcome.

• Alexis Mac Allister’s volley was a highlight, blending technique with timing just before the break.
• Cody Gakpo redeemed an earlier error with his composed finish, contributing to player ratings that lauded his impact.
• Jeremie Frimpong, off the bench, provided the assist for the fifth goal, justifying his recall.

Mohamed Salah featured prominently in build-ups, including for Gakpo’s goal. Defensively, Liverpool appeared shaky, nearly conceding around the half-hour mark and struggling against West Ham’s counters, but their attack overwhelmed the visitors. Stats showed Liverpool dominating corners (10-5), shots (32-10, with 5 on target), and passes (313-322), though West Ham edged tackles (29-15).

For West Ham, Castellanos’ header offered brief hope, but Axel Disasi’s own goal epitomized their woes. The Hammers’ set-piece vulnerability was ruthlessly exposed, aligning with pre-match analysis of their relegation fight.

Tactical Insights: Slot’s Reds Evolve into Set-Piece Powerhouse

Arne Slot’s Liverpool have evolved dramatically in set-piece execution, turning a former weakness into their biggest weapon. Three first-half goals from corners highlighted this, contrasting West Ham’s recent clean sheets and improved away form—unbeaten in their last three league games pre-match.

Previews noted Liverpool’s strong home record against West Ham (unbeaten in 19 top-flight meetings, winning seven of the last eight), and they delivered emphatically. Despite a predicted tight 2-1 win, the 5-2 scoreline defied expectations, though West Ham’s fightback prevented a clean sheet.

• Liverpool’s recent form included narrow 1-0 wins over Nottingham Forest and Sunderland, making this a statement performance.
• West Ham sought revenge for a 2-0 reverse fixture loss but couldn’t overcome 13-place gap in the table.

The match contributed to a chaotic Premier League afternoon with high-scoring games, underscoring the league’s unpredictability.

Broader Implications: UCL Race Heats Up, Hammers’ Survival Bid Stumbles

This result pressures Manchester United and Chelsea in the top-four race, with Liverpool now level on points and three behind the Red Devils ahead of their Sunday fixture. Slot’s side, sixth pre-match and level with Chelsea, close in on European spots.

West Ham’s loss leaves them rooted in the drop zone, two points behind Nottingham Forest with a game in hand, intensifying pressure on Nuno amid their post-New Year improvements (five points in February). Liverpool’s five goals from five scorers—Ekitike, Van Dijk, Mac Allister, Gakpo, and Disasi (og)—put the game to bed.

Post-match, Gakpo welcomed the set-piece dominance despite defensive jitters against a \”13 places below\” opponent. Fan sites hailed it as a \”big Anfield win,\” defying expected xG in a thrashing that flexed Liverpool’s credentials.

Attendance at Anfield buzzed with the drama, from the early blitz to the late seals, encapsulating Premier League theater. As the season progresses, this fixture marks a pivotal moment for both clubs’ ambitions.