Curtis Jones’ double and strikes from Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah have eased Liverpool into a record 19th League Cup semi-final with a 5-1 win over West Ham United.
After Sunday’s disappointing goalless draw against Manchester United, the first time Juergen Klopp’s side had failed to win at home this season, ended a run of 34 successive matches with a goal the Hammers provided less stubborn resistance on Wednesday night (Thursday AEDT).
West Ham manager David Moyes departed after a 21st unsuccessful attempt to win at Anfield as his club’s woeful record at the ground extended to one win in the last 56.
Both teams made six changes from the weekend; Liverpool left Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold on the bench with Alisson Becker rested completely while the visitors changed three of Sunday’s back four.
Harvey Elliott had a couple of early attempts and with their pressing game back on point, with Gakpo preferred as the central forward and Darwin Nunez pushed out to the left, the hosts dominated.
None of Szoboszlai’s previous three goals were straightforward – two from distance and one a neat control and whip over the goalkeeper – but his 28th-minute 25-yard strike was the purest of the lot.
After a month of indifferent performances, the Hungary captain looked to be rediscovering the form which lit up the early weeks of his Reds career, although West Ham’s passivity made life a lot easier for him and the rest of his teammates.