Arne Slot Manager
Liverpool delivered a commanding performance at Anfield, securing a 5-2 victory over West Ham United. This win temporarily brought them level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United, bolstering their chances of securing a Champions League spot. The match saw Liverpool excel in set-piece situations, with goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk, and Alexis Mac Allister during the first half, while Tomas Soucek and Taty Castellanos scored for West Ham in the second half. Cody Gakpo also found the net for Liverpool, and an own goal by Alex Disasi sealed the scoreline.
Arne Slot said: “Things went back to normal. The first half of the season we created quite a lot of chances from set-pieces and almost every set-piece we conceded went in. Today exactly the opposite happened. We start scoring from set-pieces and things look much brighter and better than when you don’t. It’s really pleasing for us, for the team and for the fans as well. Maybe one or two small details have changed defensively and offensively, our set-up is slightly, slightly different but the biggest reason is that things go back to normal. There was a time when we were 23 goals behind Arsenal on set-pieces, including penalties, and we have closed the gap a bit.”
Arne Slot added: “This has happened more this season that there were three, four, five minutes during a game when we struggled a bit, but usually in those games the ball has gone in and when that happens at 0-0 you have a different feeling at 1-0 down rather than (if you concede when you are) 3-0 up. I don’t think there was a moment when they (West Ham) were close to closing the gap to one goal. I never like to concede a goal but the first at least we have 10 players in and around the box and sometimes it is a bit of bad luck and the ball falls or there is quality by the individual such as Soucek. We have conceded goals this season where not all of our players were back.”
Arne Slot concluded: “It was very pleasing because first of all that is the reason we have won, second of all because people said ‘well played, well played’ and in my opinion we have played better. It was not our best game of the season, we have played better when we lost and better when we conceded from set-pieces. We were okay to good but it wasn’t our best game of the season.”
Liverpool’s resurgence in set-piece effectiveness has been a critical factor in their recent performances. Having previously struggled to capitalize on these opportunities, the team has now emerged as a formidable force in dead-ball situations. The tactical adjustments mentioned by Slot, albeit minor, have evidently paid dividends. Despite acknowledging that this was not their best performance of the season, the Reds’ ability to secure a decisive victory while not at their peak demonstrates their growing confidence and adaptability.
About The Author
