Liverpool secured the three points against West Ham on Saturday, with goalscorers Alexis Mac Allister and Virgil van Dijk among the pick of the players in their 5-2 win.
Liverpool 5-2 West Ham
Premier League (28) | Anfield
February 28, 2026
Goals: Ekitike 5′, Van Dijk 24′, Mac Allister 43′, Gakpo 70′, Disasi OG 83′; Soucek 49′, Castellanos 73′
Alisson – 6 (out of 10)
One first-half lapse almost allowed Jarrod Bowen to score, summing up his shaky distribution this season.
Typically reliable in the rest of his work, making good saves to deny Tomas Soucek and Crysencio Summerville in either half, but uncomfortable for Taty Castellanos’ goal.
Will never be happy to concede twice.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 28, 2026: Liverpool's Joe Gomez during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and West Ham United FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Joe Gomez – 7
Gomez returned at right-back and produced a solid showing.
Liverpool’s longest-serving current player fared well up against Summerville on the whole, but was given a stern examination.
Nearly got that elusive first-ever goal, but to no avail.
Ibrahima Konate – 7
Konate continued his pleasing resurgence with another accomplished performance at the heart of the defence.
He went about everything he did with focus and poise, and put out flames a few times when West Ham counter-attacked.
Made nine defensive contributions – the second-most for Liverpool.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 28, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk celebrates by kissing the badge after scoring the second goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and West Ham United FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Virgil van Dijk – 7
Like Konate, Van Dijk is back to his best, even though Liverpool weren’t wholly convincing defensively.
The skipper headed home Liverpool’s second goal of the afternoon – his fifth goal of the season – and was generally dependable.
Made the most headed clearances of either team (four).
Milos Kerkez – 6
Kerkez really has now made the left-back spot his own, but this wasn’t his best game of late.
The Hungarian found it tough up against Bowen and was part of a Reds’ back line that never looked overly comfortable.
Still plenty to like, though.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 28, 2026: Liverpool's Milos Kerkez during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and West Ham United FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Ryan Gravenberch – 6
This was much more like it from Gravenberch, who helped Liverpool dominate the game with his class in midfield.
That said, he was careless in possession at times, losing the ball in a dangerous area on one occasion.
Alexis Mac Allister – 7 (Man of the Match)
It’s two goals in as many games for Mac Allister, who brilliantly volleyed home Liverpool’s second goal of the afternoon.
He rotated effectively with Dominik Szoboszlai in the No. 10 role and looks like a player returning to form.
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)
Dominik Szoboszlai – 7
Another day, another strong Szoboszlai showing.
Liverpool’s No. 8 was typically hardworking – though noticeably tiring – and was no doubt happy not to be at right-back.
It was one of his many pinpoint corners that assisted Van Dijk’s goal.
Mohamed Salah – 6
Salah was among Liverpool’s quieter players, still not looking the player of old.
There was plenty of effort but he continues to display a lack of confidence and decisiveness in the final third.
Now 10 Premier League games without a goal for Salah – that seemed unthinkable back in August.
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)
Cody Gakpo – 6
As has been the case all season, more quality and influence were required from Gakpo.
He missed a huge chance with a shanked effort, but did make amends by putting Liverpool 4-1 up with a deflected chance, also doing well in the build-up for Liverpool’s fifth goal.
But that doesn’t hide another below-par performance, and the home crowd were frustrated with him at times.
Hugo Ekitike – 7
Ekitike hasn’t been at his best recently, but this was much improved from him.
The Frenchman gave Liverpool an early lead with a well-taken finish, ending a four-game barren run, and consistently looked like his side’s most dangerous attacking player.
Two assists to boot – what a signing he has been!
Overall Team Performance – 7
Substitutes
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 28, 2026: Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike (R) rs replaced by substitute Rio Ngumoha during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and West Ham United FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Jeremie Frimpong (on for Gomez, 76′) – 7
Played a key role in Axel Disasi’s own goal and his pace scared West Ham.
Rio Ngumoha (on for Ekitike, 76′) – 6
Lively as soon as he came on.
Trey Nyoni (on for Gravenberch, 86′) – 6
Nearly scored his first Liverpool goal, but the chance evaded him.
Subs not used: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Robertson, Ramsay, Jones, Chiesa
Arne Slot – 7
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 28, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot acknowledges the supporters during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and West Ham United FC at Anfield. The game ended 5-2.(Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Slot will have known the negativity that would have met him if points had been dropped, but this was a good day for him.
While Liverpool weren’t convincing for periods of the match, giving away chances, it was still a good performance that suggests a corner has been turned.
There will be bigger tests but this was a step in the right direction, and the Reds are now only three points behind third-placed Aston Villa.
For now, the pressure has eased.