“The Spider” Tangled: Wan-Bissaka Admits Defeat to Liverpool’s “Tricky” Mastermind After 5-2 Anfield Thriller
ANFIELD, February 28, 2026 — In the aftermath of a chaotic seven-goal spectacle at Anfield that saw Liverpool dismantle West Ham 5-2, Hammers defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka offered a rare, sobering admission. Despite his reputation as the league’s most clinical 1v1 specialist, “The Spider” found himself trapped in a web of Liverpool’s offensive ingenuity—specifically that of a player he now calls the most “tricky” of his entire career.
A Seven-Goal Reality Check
The match was a masterclass in set-piece dominance by Arne Slot’s Reds. Liverpool raced to a 3-0 lead before half-time, with Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk, and Alexis Mac Allister all capitalizing on West Ham’s inability to defend corners.
While West Ham showed flashes of a comeback through Tomas Soucek and Valentin Castellanos, a deflected Cody Gakpo strike and an Axel Disasi own goal sealed a miserable afternoon for the visitors. For Wan-Bissaka, who has faced the likes of Neymar and Mbappe, today’s encounter with Mohamed Salah and Liverpool’s rotating front line felt different.
> “Whenever I tried to stop him, he showed me what I’ve never seen before,” Wan-Bissaka said, visibly frustrated after the final whistle. “To be honest, no defender will like to face such a tricky player. You think you’ve locked him down, and then the movement off the ball—the way they use space—it’s just on another level.”
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Why the “Tricky” Tag Sticks
Wan-Bissaka’s comments specifically highlighted the difficulty of tracking a player who has evolved beyond simple pace. While Salah didn’t get on the scoresheet himself today, his influence was everywhere, including an assist for Mac Allister’s stunning volley.
* The Unpredictability: Salah’s ability to transition from a traditional winger to a creative playmaker has left defenders guessing.
* Tactical Gravity: By drawing Wan-Bissaka out of his defensive shell, Salah opened the floodgates for Ekitike and Gakpo to exploit the gaps.
* Physical Resilience: “He doesn’t just run past you anymore,” Wan-Bissaka noted. “He initiates contact, uses his strength, and then spins. It’s a mental battle for 90 minutes.”
Match at a Glance: Liverpool 5-2 West Ham
| Goalscorer | Team | Minute | Method |
|—|—|—|—|
| Hugo Ekitike | Liverpool | 5′ | Close Range (Corner) |
| Virgil van Dijk | Liverpool | 24′ | Header (Corner) |
| Alexis Mac Allister | Liverpool | 43′ | Volley (Corner) |
| Tomas Soucek | West Ham | 49′ | Sliding Finish |
| Cody Gakpo | Liverpool | 70′ | Deflected Shot |
| Taty Castellanos | West Ham | 75′ | Header |
| Axel Disasi (OG) | Liverpool | 82′ | Own Goal |
“A Different Beast”
The loss leaves West Ham 18th in the table, deep in a relegation dogfight, while Liverpool moves level on points with Manchester United in the race for the top four. For Wan-Bissaka, the personal duel with Salah remains the benchmark for the modern game.
“You can prepare all week, watch the videos, but when you’re out there, the speed of thought is what beats you,” the defender concluded. “I’ve faced a lot of world-class players, but [Salah] is a different beast entirely.”
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