Liverpool Run Riot in Anfield Goal Fest to Pile Pressure on West Ham
Liverpool delivered a stunning 5-2 victory over West Ham at Anfield, marking their third consecutive Premier League win and boosting their Champions League aspirations. The Reds' emphatic performance saw them leap back into the top five, while West Ham remain mired in the relegation zone under Nuno Espirito Santo.
Lightning-Fast Start Sets the Tone
After a sluggish first half at Nottingham Forest last weekend, which manager Arne Slot labeled as the 'worst we've played', Liverpool wasted no time against West Ham. Hugo Ekitike opened the scoring in the fifth minute, capitalizing on a deflected shot from Ryan Gravenberch's cross after a corner. The French striker celebrated with a thumbs-up to the Kop, where his new banner had been unveiled pre-match.
Van Dijk's Scoring Streak Continues
Virgil van Dijk doubled Liverpool's lead on 24 minutes, heading home his third goal in six Premier League games. Despite a brief VAR check for offside involving Joe Gomez, the goal stood, underscoring West Ham's defensive frailties from set-pieces. Van Dijk's consistent contributions have been pivotal in Liverpool's recent resurgence.
West Ham's Set-Piece Struggles Exposed
West Ham's woes were compounded when Alexis Mac Allister made it 3-0 before half-time, again from a corner. Mohamed Salah's delivery was inadvertently flicked by Jarrod Bowen to Ekitike, who set up Mac Allister for a clinical volley. Tomas Soucek pulled one back for the Hammers after the break, but Liverpool's dominance was never in doubt.
Gakpo Ends Goal Drought in Style
Cody Gakpo allayed any home nerves with his first league goal in eight matches, skillfully cutting inside Aaron Wan-Bissaka before firing past Mads Hermansen. Ekitike provided another assist, highlighting his growing influence. Valentin Castellanos scored West Ham's second from a corner, but an own goal by Axel Disasi sealed the 5-2 result.
Irons' Resurgence Halted Amid Relegation Fears
This defeat marks West Ham's second loss in seven league games but extends their winless run to three, leaving them two points from safety. With Tottenham and Forest having appointed new managers, the gap could widen. Despite not being overwhelmed, West Ham paid for poor defending, and upcoming fixtures against Fulham and Manchester City offer little respite.
Liverpool's victory underscores their top-five credentials, while West Ham face an uphill battle to avoid the drop, with their set-piece vulnerabilities proving costly in this Anfield thriller.
