Liverpool flexed their new-found set-piece prowess as they defied the xG to thrash West Ham 5-2 at Anfield, though it was far from a one-sided game.
## Liverpool 5-2 West Ham
Premier League (28) | Anfield
February 28, 2026
Goals
Ekitike 5′ (assist: Gravenberch)
Van Dijk 24′ (assist: Szoboszlai)
Mac Allister 43′ (assist: Ekitike)
Soucek 49′
Gakpo 70′ (assist: Ekitike)
Disasi OG 82′ (assist: Frimpong)
Stats
Possession: 49%-51%
Shots: 18-11
Big Chances: 2-2
Expected Goals (xG): 1.73-1.83
Team News: 1 change as Joe Gomez returns
Arne Slot made just one change from the side that won at Nottingham Forest, with Joe Gomez coming in to replace Curtis Jones at right-back.
With Florian Wirtz still sidelined, Dominik Szoboszlai started in the advanced midfield role.
Jeremie Frimpong returned to the squad after a month out, sitting on the bench alongside Rio Ngumoha amid calls to start the 17-year-old winger.
Set-piece Reds dominate first half
Liverpool began strong as they refused to bow to West Ham‘s momentum, and took the lead within five minutes as Hugo Ekitike was left entirely free in the box to sweep in at Mads Hermansen’s near post.
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)
It was Ekitike’s third-quickest goal of the season so far and Liverpool’s earliest since he netted in the first minute of December’s 2-0 win over Brighton.
Typically the Reds dropped off after taking the lead and it allowed West Ham to gain a foothold, with two efforts on Alisson‘s goal acting as a warning shot for the hosts.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 28, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk scores the second goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and West Ham United FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
And they made it 2-0 before long, with Virgil van Dijk heading in at the third attempt after three pinpoint Szoboszlai corners in a row – another set-piece goal after Liverpool’s mid-season change of staff.
Liverpool’s third came from another corner, this time Mo Salah‘s in-swinger flicked onto Ekitike who touched it across to Alexis Mac Allister, who blasted in for an unquestionable strike into the roof of the net.
Half-time: Liverpool 3-0 West Ham
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 28, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and West Ham United FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Chaos ensues as Liverpool struggle from the break
The second half began with a scare as West Ham got one back through Tomas Soucek, who was able to drift ahead of Van Dijk with four Liverpool defenders flat-footed, with the midfielder stabbing in a low cross for 3-1.
Cody Gakpo had a perfect opportunity to restore the three-goal lead as Gomez’s long throw evaded every other player and found the Dutchman at the back post, but unable to cut onto his right he blasted a first-time left-footer high and wide.
Anfield became restless as Liverpool grew increasingly sloppy, with a particularly bizarre patch of possession play causing fury within the stands and questions over both Slot’s half-time team talk and the fitness of his players.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 28, 2026: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo celebrates 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)
But Gakpo atoned for his earlier miss after the atmosphere settled, with Ekitike laying it off to the winger who drove into the box and, this time able to shift onto his right, forced an effort through the bodies and in.
West Ham scored another with 15 minutes left to play, this time from a corner of their own as Jarrod Bowen whipped in a ball and Taty Castellanos headed in.
That sparked Liverpool’s first changes of the game, with Frimpong returning to replace Gomez and Ngumoha taking over from Ekitike as Gakpo moved up front.
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)
Frimpong forced an own goal from Axel Disasi to effectively seal the victory, with calm restored after a chaotic half-hour.
Trey Nyoni should have scored his first senior goal and awarded Frimpong another assist, but the young midfielder blasted over his first-time effort as the game trailed out to a 5-2 win.
TIA Man of the Match: Hugo Ekitike
Liverpool 5-2 West Ham: Match facts
Referee: Tim Robinson
Liverpool: Alisson; Gomez (Frimpong 76′), Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch (Nyoni 86′), Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Ekitike (Ngumoha 76′)
Subs not used: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Robertson, Ramsay, Jones, Chiesa
West Ham: Hermansen; Wan-Bissaka, Disasi, Mavropanos, Diouf (Mayers 90′); Magassa (Adama 76′), Fernandes; Bowen, Soucek (Kante 90′), Summerville; Taty
Subs not used: Areola, Kilman, Todibo, Walker-Peters, Scarles, Wilson
Next match: Wolves (A) – Premier League – Tuesday, March 3, 8.15pm (GMT)