Liverpool's 5-2 win over West Ham still falls short of elite standard

Liverpool’s 5-2 victory over West Ham was emphatic, yet the match’s xG of 1.75 versus West Ham’s 1.84 indicates the win was more opportunistic than dominant. Three first‑half goals from corners turned a potentially tense contest into a comfortable win on paper, but underlying metrics reveal lingering defensive and transitional weaknesses.

Arne Slot has shifted from a romantic continental style to a pragmatic approach, relying heavily on set‑pieces—nine since January—to compensate for the lack of a natural defensive midfielder. While this has produced tangible results, the team’s defensive structure remains vulnerable, and the midfield balance still fluctuates, underscoring that Liverpool still falls short of the elite standard the club aims for.