Liverpool 5 2 West Ham United

Liverpool delivered a clinical display to defeat a resilient West Ham in the Premier League, moving level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United.

The Reds dominated the first half, going 3-0 up thanks to goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk, and Alexis Mac Allister.

West Ham pulled one back early in the second half through Tomas Soucek, but Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal cushion in the 70th minute.

Taty Castellanos added a second for the visitors, yet an own goal from Axel Disasi ensured Liverpool scored five in a league match for the first time this season.

All three first-half goals came from set-pieces, highlighting Liverpool’s efficiency, especially against Arne Slot’s side, who lead the 2026 table for set-piece goals (excluding penalties).

Liverpool opened the scoring in the fifth minute when Ryan Gravenberch set up Ekitike, who calmly finished past Mads Hermansen for his 16th goal of the season.

Despite West Ham threatening to respond, Van Dijk doubled the lead with a header from Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner. The visitors failed to capitalize on Liverpool’s occasional lapses, with chances from Konstantinos Mavropanos, Jarrod Bowen, and Soucek going astray.

Just before halftime, Mac Allister’s impressive volley deflected into the net, prompting some West Ham supporters to leave early.

Liverpool struggled to fully control the second half, and West Ham gave themselves hope when Soucek scored from El Hadji Malick Diouf’s precise delivery. Gakpo later calmed Anfield nerves with a deflected goal.

Castellanos added another for West Ham, but a Jeremie Frimpong cross deflected off Disasi, completing the 5-2 scoreline.

The result lifts Liverpool above Chelsea into fifth place, while West Ham remain 18th, two points behind Nottingham Forest.