Liverpool take out their frustration on West Ham in League Cup QF rout
Three days after attempting 34 shots and coming away with zero goals and just one point against rivals Manchester United, Liverpool found the back of the net five times (on 29 shots) in a 5-1 victory over West Ham in the League Cup quarterfinals at Anfield.
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Liverpool will join Chelsea, Fulham and Middlesbrough in the semifinals of the League Cup next month, now just 180 minutes away from lifting the first major trophy of the 2023-24 season.
It was all Liverpool in the first — to the tun of zero shots and just 128 passes (at a paltry 73 percent completion rate) for West Ham — though the Reds were forced to settle mostly for long-range attempts as the Hammers defended deep and protected their penalty area well.
Alas, it was one of those long-distance efforts which eventually broke the deadlock in the 28th minute. Center back Jarell Quansah stepped up to win the ball back in a dangerous moment and played it to Dominik Szoboszlai all in one swift move. When the Hungarian turned toward goal, he had nearly 10 yards of space to the closest defender. One touch later, Szoboszlai uncorked an unstoppable strike from 25 yards. Alphonse Areola couldn't get anywhere near the ball as it swerved away and bulged the side netting.
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West Ham still hadn't had a shot in the game when Liverpool doubled their lead in the 56th minute. Curtis Jones found Darwin Nuñez on the left wing and continued his driving run through the heart of midfield. Nuñez found Jones with a through ball behind West Ham's defense, and Jones slotted a clever finish between Areola's legs from a tight angle to effectively put the tie to bed.
Mohammed Kudus had the Hammers' first shot in the 71st minute, but as luck would have it, Liverpool were the ones who scored just seconds later, still in the 71st. Ibrahima Konate found himself dribbling into the final third and laid the ball off to Cody Gakpo, who worked himself into a bit of space 20 yards out and ripped a low strike that found the inside of Areola's left-hand post for 3-0.
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Jarrod Bowen grabbed a consolation goal for West Ham with a stellar strike in the 77th minute, but Mohamed Salah restored the three-goal advantage and made it 4-1 on a breakaway in the 82nd. Trent Alexander-Arnold sprung the Egyptian from midfield, and the Premier League Golden Boot hopeful (11 goals, three behind Erling Haaland) did not waste the opportunity.
Not even two minutes later, Jones made another uncontested run through midfield, dribbled past five would-be defenders and tucked home Liverpool's fifth goal from near the penalty spot.
Player ratings - Liverpool vs West Ham
Liverpool vs West Ham, final score: 5-1
Goalscorers: Dominik Szoboszlai (28'), Curtis Jones (56', 84'), Cody Gakpo (71'), Jarrod Bowen (77'), Mohamed Salah (82')
How to watch Liverpool vs West Ham live, stream link, time
Kickoff: 3pm ET, Wednesday (Dec. 20)
Online: Watch via ESPN+
Liverpool starting lineup
Kelleher — Gomez, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas — Endo, Szoboszlai, Jones — Elliott, Nuñez, Gakpo
West Ham starting lineup
Areola — Coufal, Mavropanos, Ogbonna, Johnson — Soucek, Alvarez — Kudus, Fornals, Benrahma, Bowen
Liverpool team news, injuries
OUT: Diogo Jota (undisclosed), Joel Matip (torn ACL - out for season), Andrew Robertson (shoulder), Stefan Bajcetic (calf), Thiago Alcantara (groin) | QUESTIONABLE: Alexis Mac Allister (knee)
West Ham team news, injuries
OUT: Michail Antonio (knee)
