Liverpool's 5-2 win over West Ham masks underlying frailties

Liverpool's 5-2 win over West Ham was a statement on paper, but the match revealed a side still below the club's elite standard. With an xG of 1.75 against West Ham's 1.84, the victory was built on three first‑half corner goals and a reliance on set‑piece efficiency rather than true dominance.

Under Arne Slot, the team has shifted from a romantic continental style to a pragmatic approach, highlighted by nine set‑piece goals since January. Yet defensive gaps remain exposed in transition, and the midfield balance continues to fluctuate, underscoring that the summer rebuild has not yet delivered the expected creative and technical superiority.