Liverpool's upturn in form continued with a 5-2 win over West Ham and Cody Gakpo hopes it proves to be "the start of something beautiful".

Arne Slot's side scored three goals from corners in the first half alone – only the second time that has happened in Premier League history – with Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister finding the net. Seven of Liverpool's past nine goals in the competition have now come from dead-ball situations.

Tomas Soucek pulled one back for the Hammers early in the second half, but Gakpo restored Liverpool's three-goal cushion with a slightly fortuitous finish in the 70th minute.

Valentin Castellanos nodded home at the back post to reduce the arrears again, but the result was put beyond doubt when Axel Disasi turned Jeremie Frimpong's cross into his own net eight minutes from time.

It was Liverpool's fourth successive win in all competitions and sent them level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United, providing Netherlands international Gakpo with hope that they can salvage something from a frustrating campaign.

The Reds face Wolves in the Premier League next Tuesday and again in the fifth round of the FA Cup three days later, before taking on Galatasaray in the last 16 of the Champions League the following week.

"It was a good afternoon. Step by step, we're getting a better team. We had a difficult moment during the season, but hopefully these last few games are the start of something beautiful," Gakpo told Sky Sports.

"We worked very hard, even in the first half. The score was 5-2 but the game was much closer than the end result. They are a good side.

"We're coming to the end of the season and we're still in the Champions League and FA Cup. There is a lot to play for. Hopefully, we can keep the momentum we have and end the season in a good way.

"When the game is stuck and you know you can score from a set piece, we lacked that earlier in the season. It's good."

The scoreline was flattering for Liverpool, with Konstantinos Mavropanos and Jarrod Bowen failing to make the most of first-half opportunities, while Crysencio Summerville provided a constant source of danger.

And although West Ham left Anfield with nothing, Nuno Espirito Santo was proud of their display as they continue to fight to escape the bottom three.

"It's difficult to explain, especially the first half. We are playing well and we were in the game, had chances, we combined well and defended well until set-pieces – that determined the game overall," said Nuno.

"It's disappointing because we've been working and there has been improvement. The players played well in the second half. We had chances to give Liverpool a lot of problems. Hopefully, it turns around and it comes our side.

"Our fans were amazing today. This is reality. There are many positive things but a lot of things we have to improve before the next one.

"No matter what, we're going to stick as a team, working for each other. We have belief and we have to keep fighting. We have been improving a lot in terms of togetherness. The boys understand the situation we are in."