Liverpool thrashed West Ham 5-2 at Anfield with Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo all on target in a Premier League thriller
17:19, 28 Feb 2026Updated 17:21, 28 Feb 2026
Liverpool put in a five-star display
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Liverpool put in a five-star display(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool maintained their pursuit of Champions League qualification with a goal-laden Premier League triumph over West Ham United at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.
Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo and an Axel Disasi own goal found the net for the Reds with Tomas Soucek and Taty Castellanos twice scoring in the second half for the Hammers as the home side prevailed 5-2.
The outcome means Arne Slot's team have extended their sequence to two losses in 21 matches and have temporarily drawn level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United.
Arne Slot's side are starting to look to be back at their very best
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Arne Slot's side are starting to look to be back at their very best(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
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Alisson Becker, 7 - Lucky when foolishly striking pass towards the nearby Bowen but sharp to deny Konate deflection first half and grasped Fernandes effort after the interval before excellent stop from Summerville, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Joe Gomez, 7 - Occupied with the crafty Summerville but still managed to venture forward occasionally before the break. More challenging second half as West Ham intensified pressure. Substituted.
Ibrahima Konate, 6 - Intervened when needed defensively as West Ham appeared threatening on the break but failure to handle one delivery resulted in first Hammers goal.
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Virgil van Dijk, 7 - Fine power to fend off defenders and nod home second and dependable enough at the rear, despite some passing unnecessarily hazardous.
Milos Kerkez, 6 - Not the most comfortable of afternoons up against the pace of Bowen but some crosses merited better reward and kept on going.
Ryan Gravenberch, 6 - Determination and then vision created the opener but got away with one poor pass in dangerous defensive area. Improvement on last week, however. Subbed.
Alexis Mac Allister, 7 - Rotated with Szoboszlai in the number 10 role and superb volleyed finish for the third. Finally got to grips with midfield battle after break.
Mohamed Salah, 6 - Didn't avoid the physical challenge up against Diouf but more promise than end product for most part. Corner delivery prompted third.
Dominik Szoboszlai, 7 - Consistently threatening corner deliveries led to second goal and lots of energy in midfield first half but more subdued after that.
Cody Gakpo, 7 - Plenty of effort and provided balance down left, although best work before interval was helping out at the back. Missed a great chance but atoned with deflected strike later on. Ended game up front and great pass released Frimpong for fifth.
Hugo Ekitike, 7 - Took the opener well with early strike and alert to hook ball back into danger zone for third. Could have held ball up better at times but teed up Gakpo for the fourth. Subbed.
Substitutes:
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Rio Ngumoha (for Ekitike 77), 7 - Took a whilst to get a touch but one fine run ended with save by Hermansen.
Jeremie Frimpong (for Gomez 77), 7 - Pace instantly caused West Ham problems and cross helped force the fifth goal.
Trey Nyoni (for Gravenberch 86), N/A - Should have netted his first career goal when picked out by Frimpong.