Liverpool win big to enter League Cup semi-finals

After a quiet 0-0 draw with Man Utd last weekend, Anfield was in full swing as Liverpool poured in goals, including four in the second half. Midfielder Curtis Jones took advantage of his rare start to earn points with Jurgen Klopp by contributing two goals. The other three goals were scored by Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah. West Ham's only goal was scored by Jarrod Bowen.

The win puts Liverpool into a record 19th League Cup semi-final. The Anfield team will face Fulham. The other match is between Middlesbrough and Chelsea. Liverpool are the favourites and are expected to win their first title since beating Man City in the Community Shield on July 30, 2022.

Compared to the draw with Man Utd, Klopp left out many key players. Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luis Diaz, Alisson Becker and Ibrahima Konate were all absent from the starting lineup. Meanwhile, West Ham changed four out of five positions in the defense, but David Moyes still sent out his best attacking players such as Bowen and Mohammed Kudus.

These disturbances contributed to West Ham's disastrous defending in the second half and their fans were reminded of their 0-5 defeat to Fulham on 10 December. However, the visitors were also confused by their opponents' good play. Although not the strongest squad, Liverpool had 67% possession and had 29 shots compared to West Ham's two.

The home team's pressure was confirmed by the opening goal in the 28th minute. After extinguishing West Ham's counter-attacking opportunity, Jarell Quansah passed to Szoboszlai. The midfielder turned and shot hard across the corner, leaving Alphonse Areola - the goalkeeper who had just returned after four games out due to injury - helpless.

Areola was at fault for the second goal, allowing Jones to shoot between his legs in a tight one-on-one. But the Frenchman had reason to complain to his teammates after conceding. West Ham's defence were sleepwalking with a lack of pressure, allowing Liverpool to combine freely.

The same thing happened for the third goal. Konate dribbled like he was in a clearing before passing to Gakpo. The Dutchman turned the ball around and fired low from just outside the box for his first goal of December. Gakpo last scored in the 4-0 win over LASK in the Europa League on 30 November.

West Ham pulled one back in the 77th minute when Bowen cleverly beat Quansah and volleyed into the top corner. But that was all the visitors could muster. Within two minutes, Liverpool had scored twice to seal the result.

Coming off the bench, Salah's energetic runs helped him beat the offside trap to meet a long pass from Alexander-Arnold. He shot low across the corner from a one-on-one with Areola. Then it was Jones' turn to complete his double with a breakthrough, finishing in front of four visitors.

Winning a ticket to the semi-finals of the League Cup also creates psychological momentum for Liverpool before the match against Arsenal in the Premier League this weekend. Meanwhile, West Ham will meet Man Utd at home on the evening of December 23.