Ekitike returned to scoring ways in a special performance against West Ham. He produced a slick finish to help his side take the lead and was a tormenting factor with his movement. Played two clever passes for Mac Allister and Gakpo’s goal, grabbing three goal contributions in an impressive display.
Alexis Mac Allister – 8
Another impressive display from Macca! He was able to score in his second straight game with a smashing volley in the first half. The Argentine was a volatile figure in midfield, making 10 defensive contributions, which included four tackles!
Ryan Gravenberch – 7.5
Gravenberch helped his side dominate the midfield battle, being really smart with his passes and forward movement. He assisted the opening goal with a great pass and also worked hard defensively, winning five duels. Virgil van Dijk – 7
Van Dijk was able to score a really smart set-piece goal with an excellent header to help his side take a bigger lead in the second half. He was defensively pretty good for the majority of the game, making five clearances, but could’ve done better to deal with the cross leading to Soucek’s goal.
Cody Gakpo – 7
lWell, that was definitely an eventful game for Gakpo! He wasn’t able to do much in the first half but sprang to life in the second half. The Dutchman missed a horrible close-range chance in the second half, but made up by scoring a really well-taken goal later on.
Mo Salah – 5
Salah wasn’t really at his ruthless best in the game. He did swing in a nice cross for the second goal, but he was indecisive with his work in open play. Failed to create any major chances and fluffed a big chance to score in the second half by blasting a shot into the stands. The others
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has sparked fresh debate among fans after openly criticizing one Reds player for what he described as a prolonged dip in form.
Speaking after Liverpool’s recent outing, the former defender did not hold back, insisting the unnamed star has failed to meet expectations this season and may need to consider a move away from Liverpool F.C. if performances don’t improve quickly.
Carragher expressed frustration at the player’s inconsistency, noting that Liverpool’s high standards leave little room for prolonged underperformance.
“At a club like Liverpool, you have to deliver week in, week out,” Carragher said. “If you’re not doing that over a long period, serious questions will be asked.”
The Sky Sports pundit suggested the player’s struggles are beginning to affect the team’s overall rhythm, especially in key matches where Liverpool need their senior figures to step up.
According to Carragher, the situation has reached a point where both the club and the player may need to make a difficult decision if things don’t turn around soon.
“Sometimes the best thing for everyone is a fresh start,” he added. “Liverpool can’t carry passengers if they want to compete at the very top.”
The comments have already divided the Liverpool fanbase. While some supporters agree that standards must remain high at Anfield, others believe the player still deserves time to rediscover his best form.
With Liverpool entering a crucial phase of the season, all eyes will now be on whether the criticized star can respond on the pitch — or whether Carragher’s blunt assessment will prove prophetic.
Video footage, which surfaced rapidly on social media and was shared by fan accounts during the live broadcast, appeared to show a small group of Hammers supporters attempting to ignite or set fire to an object (possibly a flare, scarf, or improvised item) in the stands shortly after Ekitike’s goal. The act, occurring amid the chaos of the early setback for the visitors, was quickly intervened by stewards and nearby fans, but not before clear visuals captured the moment — flames briefly visible in the crowded away section, prompting immediate alarm and outrage.
The clip went viral within minutes, amassing thousands of views and shares. Liverpool supporters condemned it as “disgusting” and “dangerous,” with many pointing out the fire risk in a packed stadium and calling for lifetime bans. “Trying to set something alight right after we score? That’s not passion, that’s criminal 😡,” one prominent Reds fan account posted. West Ham fans were split: some distanced themselves fiercely, insisting it was “just a few idiots” and not representative of the broader support, while others defended it weakly as frustration boiling over in a heated rivalry.
The controversy drew sharp criticism beyond the two clubs. Neutral supporters from across the Premier League labeled it “crossed the line completely,” with comments flooding in like “Football is about rivalry, not arson — this is unacceptable 🔥🚒.” Even managers and pundits weighed in during post-match discussions; one former player on Sky Sports called it “deeply disturbing and a stain on the game,” emphasizing that such actions endanger lives and have no place in modern football.
The FA and Premier League are expected to review the footage, potentially leading to sanctions against West Ham similar to recent fines for fan misconduct at other grounds.
What began as a thrilling football moment — Ekitike’s deflected strike from Ryan Gravenberch’s pass, followed by his thumbs-up to the Kop where a new banner in his honor had been unveiled pre-match — quickly devolved into a heated debate about fan behavior, respect, and boundaries.
The game itself turned into a goal-fest, with Liverpool eventually running out 5-2 winners thanks to further strikes from Virgil van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo, and an Axel Disasi own goal, plus a Tomas Soucek reply and a late header from Valentin Castellanos for West Ham. Ekitike’s early goal and two assists proved pivotal, but the off-pitch drama overshadowed much of the post-match talk.
Liverpool issued a statement reaffirming their zero-tolerance policy on unsafe conduct, while West Ham distanced themselves, promising to cooperate with any investigations and stressing that “the vast majority of our supporters behaved impeccably.” Stewards acted swiftly to extinguish the issue, preventing escalation, but the images have reignited broader conversations about pyrotechnics, away fan conduct, and how rivalries can tip into recklessness.
In a day defined by seven goals and Anfield’s electric atmosphere, this disturbing act has forced football to confront uncomfortable questions once more: where exactly should the line be drawn between passion and peril? As reactions continue to pour in, the incident serves as a stark reminder that the beautiful game can turn ugly in an instant.
Liverpool beat West Ham 5-2, before Everton took the lead three times at St James’ Park en route to claiming a 3-2 win over Newcastle.
And Burnley were heartbroken in one of the Premier League games of the season after coming from three goals down but still losing to Brentford, with Ashley Barnes having a stoppage-time equaliser ruled out by VAR.
Endo the line
Wataru Endo is set to miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on his ankle, but has hopes of returning for the World Cup.
The 33-year-old Liverpool midfielder was stretchered off in the 1-0 win over Sunderland on February 11.
Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu has now provided an update, saying: “I’ve heard that he had surgery.
“I’ve heard that it went well, but I don’t know the details of how it went.
“The plan is for him to be ready in time for the World Cup, so the rehabilitation process from surgery onwards is being considered.
“In order to play in the World Cup, he, the club, and we all share the same understanding.”
