Jota, Salah score, Liverpool come from behind to beat West Ham

With West Ham clearly declining in the 2024/25 season, coach Arne Slot proactively left many key players on the bench.

Without Salah, Szoboszlai or Mac Allister, Liverpool's attacks lacked fluidity. Mr. Slot's young midfield did not have many breakthrough options against West Ham's mainstays.

The Kop were lucky to escape defeat in the 18th minute, when Danny Ings finished past Kellheher in an offside position. Three minutes later, Liverpool conceded a silly goal. From a chaotic situation in the penalty area, Wataru Endo cleared the ball straight at Jarrell Quansah, causing the ball to bounce into the net. The Hammers' goal was counted as an own goal by the English centre-back.

The Kop equalised in the first half thanks to Diogo Jota. He jumped high to head home Federico Chiesa's shot that missed the target, giving Liverpool an important goal before the break.

Jota completed his double early in the second half to put Liverpool ahead. He received a pass from Curtis Jones and finished diagonally past goalkeeper Fabianski.

Although the gap was only 1 goal, Liverpool was the team that was superior to West Ham in terms of ball possession, number of passes and number of shots. It was even more difficult for the visitors when Edson Alvarez received a second yellow card and left the field at the end of the second half.

Substitute Mohamed Salah made it 3-1, before Gakpo scored twice in second-half stoppage time. Liverpool won 5-1 at Anfield to advance to the last 16 of the League Cup.