West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes has admitted that his side worked on stopping Virgil van Dijk from set-pieces against Liverpool, but to no avail.
The Reds scored three goals from set-pieces in the first half of Saturday’s 5-2 win at home to the Hammers, with Van Dijk heading home the champions’ second of the day.
Incredibly, it meant Liverpool had scored seven consecutive Premier League goals from non-penalty set-pieces – the longest run by any side ever in the competition.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Fernandes admitted West Ham worked hard on focusing on Van Dijk during the week, but couldn’t prevent him from scoring.
“Frustrating because we played really well in the first half,” Fernandes said.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 28, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and West Ham United FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“We conceded three goals form set pieces. These are the details when you play against these big teams. The small details are the difference.
“We went into the second half believing that everything could change. We tried, scored fast. After their fourth goal, they killed the game.
''There's a new set-piece coach with a new emphasis in training''
Sunday Supplement discuss Liverpool's improvement on set-pieces after scoring three goals that originated from corners in their win against West Ham at Anfield ? pic.twitter.com/6kfaUAqLzN
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 1, 2026
“We try to look for the good things, now we need to be better on set pieces.
“Three set pieces, we worked this week about Van Dijk. We tried our best and this is football. We have another game, we need to win the game.”
Virgil van Dijk integral to Liverpool’s set-piece improvements
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 28, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk celebrates 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)
Van Dijk is going through a rich vein of form in the final third, registering six goal contributions in his last eight appearances for Liverpool.
Three of those were goals, with the Reds suddenly the most in-form set-piece team in the country in an attacking sense, thanks in part to the Dutchman.
Van Dijk has always been a threat from corners and free-kicks – his goal against West Ham took his tally to 33 in 358 games for Liverpool – and he could now become more potent than ever.
Arne Slot‘s side have had to catch up with the modern trend that has dominated this season, and it has played a part in their improved form.
To some, seeing set-pieces become a huge part of football is damaging, in terms of time taken out of matches and entertainment value, but the Reds are now flourishing instead of being left behind.