Liverpool made it four wins on the spin in all competitions against West Ham, though the 5-2 victory threw up both positives and negatives.
Arne Slot‘s side managed two important victories on the road in the Premier League, and the return to Anfield offered another timely three points against relegation candidates.
Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo were all on the scoresheet, though the final margin was not overly convincing for the watching media.
With that in mind, let’s dissect some of the positives and negatives from the match as Liverpool managed four successive victories for the third time this season.
1. Liverpool starting to rack up set-piece goals
Call us ‘Set Piece FC’!
It has been quite the turnaround for Liverpool in this department with all three first-half goals scored from a set-piece, making it a record seven in a row in the Premier League.
It is not necessarily the way we want to see the game go, but it is the key to success this season.
2. Slow and negative start to the second half
Conceded four minutes after play resumed having sat back and let West Ham play, needlessly giving them impetus and confidence that they could get something from the match.
It is usually the first whistle the Reds are not switched on from, and to be cut open so easily was a reminder of the fragility that still exists in the side.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 28, 2026: Liverpool's Jeremie Frimpong celebrates with team-mate Cody Gakpo (L) after scoring his side's fifth goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and West Ham United FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
After five games out with a groin injury, Frimpong made a timely return off the bench for the final 13 minutes and he helped create a goal and nearly set up another.
With right-back options taking a beating this season, his return could help consolidate a problem position and, hopefully, keep Dominik Szoboszlai in midfield for the rest of the campaign.
4. Lack of substitutions ahead of busy schedule
Admittedly, Liverpool’s bench does not currently house the strongest options to make sweeping changes, but Slot opted to change just three players at Anfield.
He left Curtis Jones, Andy Robertson and Federico Chiesa unused despite Milos Kerkez showing signs of fatigue, while Mac Allister was tasked with playing the full match.
The head coach has openly lamented how he has to continually use the same players, but then fails to help rest them when there are options available and a favourable scoreline.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 28, 2026: Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike scores the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and West Ham United FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
5. No slow start out of the blocks this time around
As abovementioned, the start of the second half was sluggish, but there was no such issue from the first whistle this time as Liverpool made a fast start.
Ekitike had the ball in the net after five minutes and then Van Dijk added the next 19 minutes later. It would have been as much of a relief to the squad as it was to us watching.
We have had far too much drama late in games and went into this one with the worst scoring record in the first 20 minutes, so an electric start was due!
6. Untidy in and out of possession
You walked away from the match thankful that West Ham did not take their chances or make more of Liverpool’s openness, with a strong opponent likely doing just that.
There was little control and the ease at which Liverpool allow their opponent to carve them open is concerning, as we have been saying all season long.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 28, 2026: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo celebrates with team-mate Hugo Ekitike after scoring his side'a fourth goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and West Ham United FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
7. Forwards finally on the scoresheet
Prior to kickoff, Mo Salah, Ekitike and Cody Gakpo had combined for just one goal across the last four matches, but they had two between them and a further two assists against the Hammers alone.
Liverpool’s midfield have shouldered the goalscoring load of late and Slot will have let out a sigh of relief that his forwards got a boost ahead of a busy schedule across three competitions.
Salah is still waiting for his first league goal since the start of November, however. Let’s hope it arrives at Wolves on Tuesday.
8. Arne Slot‘s timing of substitutions can be improved
This has been directed at Slot throughout the season as he typically waits until late in games to make his changes.
The Reds were 3-0 up at halftime and had the flexibility to inject fresh legs, but the Dutchman waited until Gakpo had restored the buffer before making changes from the 76th minute.
It reduced the possible rest that could have been handed to Ekitike and Gravenberch, for example, two figures who you expect will be granted little rest in the upcoming six games in 19 days.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 28, 2026: Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch (R) is greeted by head coach Arne Slot as he is substituted off during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and West Ham United FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
9. Liverpool finally win convincingly against bottom-of-the-table opposition
The final margin was the joint-biggest in the league for Liverpool this season, sitting alongside the 4-1 win over Newcastle.
It’s been rare for the Reds to take their chances and create a buffer, especially against sides they are expected to beat convincingly.
This was a welcome exception and we would not complain if more were to come.
10. Moved into a strong position for top-five finish
With West Ham starting the day in 18th spot, it was another good opportunity for Liverpool to get points on the board and ask their closest rivals to respond.
As Aston Villa dropped points, they are only three ahead, while Man United and Chelsea are also close by, all of whom the Reds will play again towards the end of the season.