UK media react as Liverpool set-piece prowess makes Mikel Arteta 'envious'

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Liverpool strengthened its Champions League claims with a 5-2 win over West Ham at Anfield, with national media focusing on the team's dramatic set-piece improvement and Arsenal comparisonsLiverpool beat West Ham on Saturday(Image: Getty Images)Liverpool bolstered its bid for Champions League qualification with a 5-2 victory over West Ham at Anfield on Saturday.Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister all found the back of the net in the first half, while Cody Gakpo and an Axel Disasi own goal kept the Hammers at bay despite second-half strikes from Tomas Soucek and Taty Castellanos.It resulted in a thoroughly enjoyable day for Reds fans. While Liverpool.com was present and provided our usual comprehensive coverage, here's how the national press in the United Kingdom perceived a very positive outcome for Arne Slot's team.READ MORE: Mohamed Salah sent Real Madrid and Barcelona message as Liverpool transfer verdict madeREAD MORE: Liverpool injury latest and possible return dates after Florian Wirtz updatePaul Joyce - The Times"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," wrote Joyce in The Times."Having spent the first months of this campaign seemingly susceptible to every set piece that was launched into their penalty box, Slot's side have suddenly become proficient themselves at dead-ball situations."Liverpool became only the second team in Premier League history to score three goals from corners in the first half of a match - Manchester United were the pioneers against Leicester City in September 2016 - and that laid the foundation to the customary victory over West Ham United.

A small part of Mikel Arteta would be envious."Andy Hunter - The Guardian"Their (West Ham's) prospects of avoiding relegation look bleak in the context of such a heavy defeat yet, strange as it seems, Nuno Espirito Santo could take encouragement from elements of West Ham's display," wrote Hunter in The Guardian.Arne Slot's side picked up an important win(Image: Getty Images)"The visitors had a better xG than Liverpool but found Alisson in fine form and the champions devastating at set pieces. West Ham must have known it was not going to be their day when their bus got stuck on a ramp while attempting to leave the team hotel."Richard Jolly - The Independent"They didn't need the German's creativity to be prolific, or the Swede's speed," wrote Jolly in The Independent, referencing injured Liverpool stars Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak."Rather, they may have underlined one of Arne Slot's mantras.

But the team who were statistically the worst in the division at set-pieces in the first half of the season may now be officially the best. Directly or indirectly, they scored from three before the break."Lewis Steele - Daily Mail"A first outing of the season for sunshine and bright blue skies made this Anfield afternoon feel rather like spring 2025 – but the weather was not the only reason," Steel wrote on the Daily Mail."For the first time since the famous day of April last when Liverpool won the Premier League title by thrashing Tottenham, the Reds scored three in a first half and put a game to bed."The weather makes everything feel better and, like the lyrics to Here Comes The Sun by local band the Beatles, it has been a long, cold, lonely winter for Liverpool.