Liverpool's Set-Piece Revival: Arne Slot Breaks Down the 5-2 Win Over West Ham and Wirtz's Injury Status
Published 2 hours ago by James Carroll and Sam Williams at Anfield
In a thrilling Premier League clash at Anfield, Liverpool secured a commanding 5-2 victory over West Ham United, leaving fans buzzing about their set-piece prowess and the team's overall performance. But here's where it gets controversial: despite the scoreline, manager Arne Slot believes his side has played better games this season. Intrigued? Let’s dive into the details.
The Reds stormed into a 3-0 lead by halftime, with Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk, and Alexis Mac Allister all finding the net from corners. However, West Ham fought back in the second half, with Tomas Soucek reducing the deficit to 3-1 shortly after the restart. Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal advantage, but Valentin Castellanos kept the visitors in the game. The scoring concluded with an own goal by Axel Disasi, who inadvertently turned Jeremie Frimpong’s cross into his own net.
This win marks Liverpool’s third consecutive top-flight victory, placing them level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United and just three points behind Aston Villa in third. But this is the part most people miss: Slot’s focus wasn’t just on the win—it was on the team’s set-piece improvement, a key area that has been a talking point this season.
Set-Piece Transformation: Luck or Strategy?
Slot expressed his satisfaction with the first three goals coming from corners, highlighting a significant turnaround in Liverpool’s set-piece fortunes. Earlier in the season, the team struggled to convert set-piece opportunities, often conceding instead. Slot attributed this shift to a return to normalcy, emphasizing that while small tactical adjustments have been made, the biggest factor is simply the law of averages catching up.
“Things went back to normal,” Slot explained. “We created a lot of chances from set-pieces in the first part of the season, but almost every set-piece we conceded went in. Today, you saw the opposite happening.”
Controversial Take: Has Liverpool’s Luck Changed, or Is It More Than That?
While Slot credits the turnaround to a return to normalcy, some might argue that tactical tweaks and improved focus have played a larger role. What do you think? Is it just luck, or has Liverpool’s strategy evolved? Let us know in the comments!
West Ham’s Brief Comeback: A Moment of Nervousness
Slot acknowledged a brief spell of pressure from West Ham after their first goal, a recurring theme this season. However, he stressed that Liverpool never truly felt threatened, despite the nervous energy in the stadium. “We’ve given away comfortable leads before, but today felt different,” he noted. The manager also highlighted the defensive effort, praising the team for having 10 players in and around the box when conceding, a marked improvement from previous matches.
Florian Wirtz’s Injury Update: Will He Return Soon?
Florian Wirtz, who missed the game due to injury, remains a key concern. When asked about his availability for Tuesday’s match against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Slot admitted it’s likely too early. “Sometimes with injuries, things can develop positively or negatively,” he said. “We’re hopeful it won’t take too long, but Tuesday is probably too soon.”
Final Thoughts: A Bright Future for Liverpool?
As Liverpool continues to climb the table, their set-piece revival and overall resilience are undeniable. But with Wirtz’s return still uncertain, questions remain about the team’s depth and consistency. What’s your take on Liverpool’s season so far? Are they genuine title contenders, or is there still work to be done? Share your thoughts below!
Watch the full press conference on YouTube: https://youtube.com/watch?v=C9Lxkdk8hXs
Read our match report from Anfield: https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/liverpool-score-five-victory-over-west-ham-anfield
