Liverpool thrash West Ham United to keep top-four pressure alive

A ruthless first-half display propelled Liverpool to a 5-2 victory over West Ham United at Anfield, drawing them level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United in the Premier League standings, Sport360NG reports.

Arne Slot’s side were three goals to the good before the interval, capitalising on their dominance from set-pieces to overwhelm the visitors. Hugo Ekitike opened the scoring as early as the fifth minute, steering home after a clever lay-off from Ryan Gravenberch to register his 16th goal of the campaign.

Despite enjoying promising spells, West Ham were made to pay for profligacy in front of goal. Liverpool doubled their advantage against the run of play when Virgil van Dijk powered in Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner, before Alexis Mac Allister’s deflected volley added a third on the stroke of half-time, prompting sections of the away support to head for the exits.

The Reds’ efficiency from dead-ball situations has become a defining feature of their season, with Slot’s men leading the Premier League in goals from set-plays in 2026, excluding penalties.

West Ham responded positively after the restart. Tomas Soucek reduced the deficit early in the second half, converting from El Hadji Malick Diouf’s inviting delivery to give the visitors a glimmer of hope.

Any thoughts of a comeback, however, were swiftly checked. Cody Gakpo, having earlier squandered a clear opportunity, made amends with a deflected strike that restored Liverpool’s three-goal cushion midway through the second period.

Taty Castellanos netted West Ham’s second to briefly reignite belief, but Jeremie Frimpong’s driven cross was turned into his own net by Axel Disasi to complete the scoring and ensure Liverpool reached five league goals in a match for the first time this season.

The result lifts Liverpool above Chelsea into fifth place ahead of the Blues’ clash with leaders Arsenal on Sunday. West Ham, meanwhile, remain 18th and two points adrift of Nottingham Forest in the battle for survival.