Liverpool's Set-Piece Mastery: The Key to Their Resurgence?
In a thrilling Premier League encounter, Liverpool showcased their dominance, defeating West Ham 5-2 at Anfield. This victory marks the Reds' third consecutive win and fourth in their last five league games, boosting their hopes of securing a top-five finish.
Watch the full replay here and witness the drama unfold!
The first half saw a hat-trick of goals from set-pieces, with Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk, and Alexis Mac Allister finding the back of the net. West Ham, however, had their chances, and Tomas Soucek pulled one back for the Hammers. Cody Gakpo extended Liverpool's lead to 4-1, but Taty Castellanos kept West Ham in the game with a goal of his own, making it 4-2. An own goal from Axel Disasi in the dying minutes sealed the deal for Liverpool.
This win pushes Liverpool up to 48 points, just three points shy of third place. Meanwhile, West Ham remain in the bottom three with 25 points.
But here's where it gets controversial...
Set-Piece Swing: Liverpool's Secret Weapon?
All three of Liverpool's first-half goals, and even their fourth, originated from set-piece situations. This trend has become a recurring theme in their recent wins, with each of their last three Premier League victories coming down to their mastery of set pieces. From corners to throw-ins, Liverpool have found a way to exploit these opportunities and build confidence in their game.
And this is the part most people miss...
While Liverpool's free-flowing style may not have been on full display, their ability to capitalize on set pieces has been a game-changer. It's helped them take control of matches and ease some of the pressure when it comes to dominating the entire 90 minutes. Quietly, they've won four out of their last five Premier League games, significantly boosting their chances of qualifying for the Champions League next season.
So, is this the new Liverpool way? Effective, yes, but perhaps not the prettiest.
What's Next?
Liverpool will travel to face Wolves on Tuesday, while West Ham head to Fulham on Wednesday.
Final Score: Liverpool 5-2 West Ham
Goals: Ekitike 5', Van Dijk 24', Mac Allister 43', Gakpo 70', Disasi OG 82'; Soucek 49', Castellanos 75'
Live Updates by Joe Prince-Wright:
- It Should Be Six: Trey Nyoni, a substitute, had a golden opportunity but lifted his shot over the bar, missing a chance to extend Liverpool's lead.
- Disasi's Deflection: Jeremie Frimpong's cross was deflected by Axel Disasi, resulting in an own goal and giving Liverpool a 5-2 advantage.
- Gakpo's Deflected Effort: Cody Gakpo's shot took a deflection, adding to Liverpool's goal tally and putting them 4-1 up. West Ham struggled to clear the corner, paying the price for their defensive lapses.
- Salah's Miss: Mohamed Salah, relatively quiet throughout the game, cut inside and unleashed a powerful shot that went way over the bar. West Ham remained a threat on the counter-attack, keeping the game alive.
- Gakpo's Missed Chance: Gakpo found himself free at the back post but failed to convert, shanking his effort wide. A missed opportunity for Liverpool to extend their lead.
- Soucek's Strike: Tomas Soucek capitalized on a messy cross into the box, finishing from close range to pull one back for West Ham. A VAR check confirmed the goal, keeping the game within reach for the Hammers.
- Mac Allister's Volley: From a corner, Ekitike set up Mac Allister, who volleyed home with precision. A beautiful technique display from the Argentine midfielder, putting Liverpool 3-0 up.
- What a Block: Konstantinos Mavropanos made a brilliant last-ditch tackle to deny Hugo Ekitike a certain goal. A crucial intervention from the West Ham defender.
- Gravenberch's Giveaway: A sloppy moment from Liverpool, as Gravenberch gave the ball away on the edge of his own box. West Ham pressed well but couldn't capitalize.
- Alisson's Mistake: Alisson made a huge error, playing the ball straight to Bowen, but the West Ham star couldn't control it, letting Liverpool off the hook.
- Van Dijk's Header: A well-taken corner resulted in a header from Virgil van Dijk, doubling Liverpool's lead. West Ham were left disappointed with the goals conceded.
- Hermansen's Save: After West Ham responded well to going behind, Liverpool kept possession, and Gravenberch's shot was pushed away by Hermansen.
- Summerville's Counter: West Ham showed their attacking prowess with a swift counter-attack, but Wan-Bissaka's cross was cleared.
- Ekitike's Finish: Ekitike capitalized on a poorly cleared corner, scoring a low finish to give Liverpool the perfect start.
Team Lineups:
Liverpool: Alisson; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Ekitike
West Ham: Hermansen; Wan-Bisaka, Disasi, Mavropanos, Diouf; Soucek, Magassa; Bowen, Fernandes, Summerville; Castellanos
Team News:
Liverpool: Wataru Endo (ankle), Conor Bradley (knee), Alexander Isak (broken leg), and Giovanni Leoni (knee) are out. Jeremie Frimpong (thigh) and Florian Wirtz (lower back) are questionable.
West Ham: Pablo Felipe (calf), Freddie Potts (suspension), and Lukasz Fabianski (back) are out.
Preview by Nick Mendola:
Liverpool, fresh off successive 1-0 away wins, will aim to continue their momentum. West Ham, on the other hand, have only lost once in their last six league outings and will be desperate for points. Can they pull off an upset at Anfield?
Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 West Ham
How to Watch:
Kick-off Time: 10 am ET, Saturday
Venue: Anfield, Liverpool
TV Channel: USA
Streaming: Watch on USA Network
Will Liverpool continue their set-piece dominance? Or will West Ham find a way to upset the Reds? Let's discuss in the comments! Are you a fan of set-piece strategies, or do you prefer free-flowing football? Share your thoughts and join the conversation!
