Liverpool's recent dominant performance has sent ripples through the national media, even making Arsenal's manager, Mikel Arteta, feel a pang of envy! In a match that saw Liverpool secure a resounding 5-2 victory over West Ham United at Anfield, the Reds have significantly bolstered their chances of qualifying for the Champions League. This win wasn't just about the scoreline; it highlighted a tactical shift and a resurgence that has captured the attention of football's top commentators.
Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk, and Alexis Mac Allister were on target in the first half, setting a commanding tone. The lead was further extended by Cody Gakpo and an own goal from Axel Disasi, ensuring West Ham's second-half efforts, including goals from Tomas Soucek and Taty Castellanos, were not enough to close the gap.
While the ECHO was on the ground providing in-depth coverage, let's dive into how the national press interpreted this positive outcome for Arne Slot's squad.
The Times, through the eyes of Paul Joyce, noted Liverpool's impressive transformation. "It has taken far longer than Arne Slot would have hoped but, finally, he could point to a Liverpool performance that went some way to emulating Arsenal," Joyce observed. He highlighted Liverpool's newfound prowess in set-piece situations, a stark contrast to their earlier season struggles. Liverpool became only the second team in Premier League history to score three goals from corners in the first half of a match, a feat previously achieved by Manchester United. This strategic advantage, Joyce suggests, is something Mikel Arteta might even be envious of. However, he also pointed out that despite the comfortable lead, the game still revealed "imperfections of both teams."
But here's where it gets controversial... Joyce's observation that the game exposed imperfections in both teams, even with a significant lead for Liverpool, raises questions about whether their dominance was truly as absolute as the scoreline suggests. Was it a masterclass from Liverpool, or did West Ham contribute to their own downfall?
The Guardian's Andy Hunter brought a financial perspective into the mix. He contrasted Liverpool's record overall revenue of £703m with West Ham's warning of player sales due to a £104.2m loss. Hunter noted that despite the financial disparity and a heavy defeat, West Ham's manager, Nuno Espirito Santo, might find some encouragement. "The visitors had a better xG than Liverpool but found Alisson in fine form and the champions devastating at set pieces," he wrote. And this is the part most people miss... the fact that West Ham actually had a better expected goals (xG) statistic despite the scoreline. This suggests that luck and clinical finishing, particularly from set pieces, played a significant role in Liverpool's victory.
Richard Jolly of The Independent also zeroed in on Liverpool's set-piece mastery. He mused that this was the kind of scoreline Liverpool might have expected more often, especially considering the significant investment in attacking talents like Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz. However, he emphasized that these star players were absent due to injury. Jolly reiterated Slot's earlier sentiment that unlocking defenses often requires "a moment of magic or a set-piece." The team that was statistically the worst in the division at set-pieces in the first half of the season may now be officially the best, scoring from three before halftime.
Finally, Lewis Steele from the Daily Mail added a touch of poetic flair, comparing the sunny Anfield afternoon to spring 2025 and referencing The Beatles' "Here Comes The Sun." He noted that this was the first time since clinching the Premier League title by demolishing Tottenham that Liverpool had scored three goals in the first half and put a game to bed. Steele described the win as "green shoots of spring" after a challenging mid-season slump, highlighting Liverpool's current four-game winning streak.
What are your thoughts on Liverpool's set-piece transformation? Do you agree that their victory was more about tactical brilliance or a bit of luck? Let us know in the comments below!
