Liverpool Dominate West Ham to Begin Carabao Cup Defence

Liverpool made a commanding start to their Carabao Cup defence, defeating West Ham 5-1 at Anfield. Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo each netted twice, showcasing Liverpool’s strength, despite falling behind early in the match. This was a lively encounter under the Anfield lights, and the result demonstrated Liverpool’s dominance in the competition once again.

West Ham’s Early Shock

West Ham took a surprising lead in the opening stages, silencing the Anfield crowd. A corner led to Wataru Endo’s attempted clearance hitting his teammate, Jarell Quansah, causing the ball to roll into the net. This unexpected lead for West Ham stunned the Carabao Cup holders.

However, West Ham’s joy was short-lived. Just four minutes later, Liverpool responded with an equaliser. Federico Chiesa, on his first start for the Reds, delivered an impressive acrobatic volley, allowing Jota to head the ball home and level the score.

Jota and Gakpo Shine for Liverpool

Jota’s second goal came shortly after the interval, sealing Liverpool’s lead in front of a jubilant Kop. A perfectly weighted pass from Curtis Jones allowed Jota to finish calmly, leaving West Ham chasing the game.

West Ham felt aggrieved when their appeal for a penalty was dismissed. The ball appeared to strike Joe Gomez’s arm, but with no VAR in operation until the semi-finals, play continued. This decision, along with several others, led to frustration for West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui, who was later booked for protesting against the officials.

The night went from bad to worse for West Ham when Max Kilman squandered a clear opportunity to equalise, missing from just six yards. Moments later, Liverpool extended their lead as Mohamed Salah, brought on as a substitute, scored Liverpool’s third after a Lukasz Fabianski save from Alexis Mac Allister.

Late Liverpool Goals Seal Victory

West Ham’s hopes of a comeback were further diminished when Edson Alvarez was shown a second yellow card and sent off in the 76th minute. Alvarez’s dismissal effectively ended West Ham’s fight, allowing Liverpool to take full control.

Cody Gakpo piled on the misery for West Ham by scoring Liverpool’s fourth and fifth goals, confirming their exit from the Carabao Cup at the hands of Liverpool for the second consecutive season. The Hammers, who had already suffered a 3-0 loss to Chelsea just days before, left Anfield thoroughly beaten.

Slot’s Side Continue Impressive Form

This victory marks another significant win for Liverpool under new manager Arne Slot. It was their first Carabao Cup outing since defeating Chelsea in the final last February. Slot’s influence has clearly revitalised the squad, with the team growing stronger as the match progressed.

For West Ham, this result only deepens their concerns. Having now lost four of their seven matches under Lopetegui, they must regroup quickly as they head into their next Premier League fixture against Brentford. Lopetegui’s frustration with officiating decisions, particularly the absence of VAR, highlights the challenges West Ham faced on a difficult night.

In contrast, Liverpool continue their excellent form, having won six of their seven league and cup games under Slot. The Carabao Cup holders will now look to build on this momentum as they advance to the next round.