Liverpool's Slot Still Below Elite, 5-2 Win Over West Ham

The 5-2 win over West Ham was emphatic on paper, but the match's xG of 1.75 versus West Ham's 1.84 shows it was more opportunistic than dominant. Three first‑half corner goals turned a potentially tense contest into a comfortable lead, yet underlying metrics reveal defensive fragility and a lack of control in transition.

Slot has moved from a romantic, continental‑style vision to a pragmatic approach, with nine set‑piece goals since January underscoring the shift. While the dead‑ball threat is effective, the team still struggles with defensive structure and midfield balance, indicating the initial blueprint was misjudged.