Liverpool produced a clinical first-half performance to score three set-piece goals in a chaotic 5-2 win over relegation-fighting West Ham.
Arne Slot's side, who have been criticised for poor set-play effectiveness this season, found the net three times from corners as Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alex Mac Allister all saw efforts soar beyond Mads Hermansen.
It was a masterclass in set-piece efficiency, with each goal attributed to a different creator, and exposed just how horrible the Hammers are at defending dead-ball situations. Nuno Espirito Santo's side have conceded a league-high 15 goals from corners this season and marks the second time they have been on the receiving end of three corner goals after also shipping the same amount to Chelsea in August.
Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk celebrates after scoring (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Image: Virgil van Dijk scored his third league goal of the season
What was once a similar weakness for the hosts has now become a super strength, albeit they remain vulnerable in other areas. El Hadji Diouf and Tomas Soucek combined on the counter early in the second half to give West Ham a lifeline and Liverpool were liable again when Valentin Castellanos was left unmarked at the back post from a corner. Fortunately for them it did not much matter.
Cody Gakpo missed a sitter before scoring Liverpool's fourth, and as the game stretched late on, Jeremie Frimpong forced an own goal from Axel Disasi. West Ham's predicament at the bottom remains uncertain while Slot's side displace Chelsea in fifth as the hunt for European places looks set to go the distance.
Jeremie Frimpong and Cody Gakpo celebrate Liverpool's fifth, an own goal scored by West Ham's Axel Disasi (not pictured)
Image: Jeremie Frimpong forced a fifth late on as West Ham tired
More to follow...
Story of the match in stats
What's coming up in the Premier League?