Liverpool 5-2 West Ham: Seven-Goal Thriller Keeps Reds’ European Hopes Alive

Another enthralling afternoon at Anfield that produced an unconventional seven-goal thriller, with Liverpool taking all three points in a match dominated by set-piece goals at both ends of the pitch.

The hosts were sloppy in possession at times, while West Ham United failed to capitalise on the gifts presented to them though not for a lack of trying. The East London side saw their recent positive momentum halted by the reigning champions.

Arne Slot’s team move into fifth place in the Premier League, overtaking Chelsea and drawing level with Manchester United as the race for Champions League qualification intensifies.

Liverpool began the opening 45 minutes perfectly, with Hugo Ekitike scoring inside five minutes.

Ryan Gravenberch kept the ball alive from two West Ham clearances following a set-piece before feeding the Frenchman, who fired home his 16th goal of an excellent debut campaign to break the deadlock.

Despite trailing, West Ham showed attacking intent but lacked the cutting edge to convert their early opportunities.

Seventeen minutes later, Liverpool struck again from another set-piece. Virgil van Dijk rose above his marker Mangassa and powered the ball past Mads Hermansen to double the lead.

At 2-0 before the half-hour mark, Liverpool appeared firmly in control.

West Ham were handed opportunities through Liverpool’s own errors.

Alisson’s misplaced pass was intercepted by Jarrod Bowen but failed to yield a goal. Moments later, Gravenberch’s giveaway allowed Bowen to lead another attack, with Crysencio Summerville denied by Ibrahima Konaté.

Tomas Soucek also came close after Bowen’s low delivery found him inside the box, but Alisson’s outstretched leg kept Liverpool’s clean sheet intact.

The Hammers’ inability to convert these moments proved costly.

Liverpool extended their lead to 3-0 before half-time when Alexis Mac Allister volleyed home after Ekitike laid off a partially cleared ball from Bowen. It was back-to-back goals for the Argentine following his late strike against Nottingham Forest.

Game, set and match? Not quite.

West Ham responded early in the second half.

Tomas Soucek marked his 300th appearance for the club and the day after his 31st birthday by pulling one back.

Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal cushion with a deflected drive into the bottom corner, only for Taty Castellanos to reduce the deficit once more, reigniting tension at Anfield.

Jeremie Frimpong then marked his return from injury by inspiring Liverpool’s fifth goal, with his low cross diverted into the net by Alex Disasi.

A seven-goal thriller ended 5-2, keeping Liverpool firmly in the Champions League conversation.

Liverpool travel to face Wolves next, while West Ham head to West London to take on Fulham as midweek football returns.

For now, the Reds remain very much alive in the race for Europe.