Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo each bagged a brace as defending champions Liverpool stormed to a 5-1 victory over West Ham United in the third round of the League Cup at Anfield. A goal from Mohamed Salah rounded off a convincing performance under new manager Arne Slot, who continues to impress since taking over the Reds.
Despite falling behind to an early own goal when Wataru Endo’s clearance deflected off Jarell Quansah into Liverpool’s net, Jota quickly leveled the score with a header four minutes later, capitalizing on a stunning volley from Federico Chiesa.
Jota added a second early in the second half after receiving a clever reverse pass from Curtis Jones, slotting his shot into the bottom corner. Liverpool’s talisman Salah extended their lead to 3-1 in the 74th minute, finishing off a rebound from Alexis Mac Allister’s effort. West Ham’s hopes were further dashed when Edson Alvarez received his second yellow card two minutes later, leaving the Hammers with 10 men.
Gakpo delivered the final blows with two late goals in the 90th and 93rd minutes, the first a powerful strike from 17 yards following a neat exchange with Darwin Nunez. West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui lamented his side’s inability to manage the final stages, admitting disappointment for their fans after a valiant effort.
Liverpool, the reigning League Cup champions, look strong under Slot, sitting just a point behind Manchester City in the Premier League and coming off a Champions League win over AC Milan. “We’re still developing our ideas, but winning games is the way to improve,” Jota told Sky Sports.
Nwaneri Shines as Arsenal Dismantle Bolton
At the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal cruised to a dominant 5-1 win over third-tier Bolton Wanderers. The Gunners’ teenage sensation Ethan Nwaneri stole the show with two goals, his first for the club, while Raheem Sterling, Declan Rice, and Kai Havertz also found the back of the net. Bolton’s Aaron Collins grabbed a consolation goal for the visitors.
Fresh off a dramatic 2-2 Premier League draw with Manchester City, Mikel Arteta rotated his squad, handing debuts to 17-year-old Nwaneri and 16-year-old goalkeeper Jack Porter. Rice opened the scoring with a long-range effort in the 16th minute, while Nwaneri doubled the lead in the 37th, tapping in from close range after a cross from Sterling.
The teenager struck again shortly after halftime, capitalizing on a defensive mistake by West Ham to make it 3-0. Sterling and Havertz added further goals to seal Arsenal’s passage to the fourth round.
[Reuters]
