Liverpool Thrash West Ham 5-1 in Carabao Cup Clash
Liverpool, the reigning Carabao Cup champions, kicked off their title defense with a resounding 5-1 victory over West Ham United at Anfield on Wednesday night. Despite falling behind to an early own goal by Jarell Quansah, the Reds mounted a stunning comeback to secure their place in the fourth round of the competition.
Jota Leads the Charge
Diogo Jota was the hero of the night, scoring a brace to turn the tide in Liverpool's favor. The Portuguese striker first equalized with a clever header in the 22nd minute, before putting the Reds ahead in the 49th minute with a cool finish after a brilliant run by Curtis Jones.
Salah and Gakpo Add to the Tally
Substitute Mohamed Salah made an immediate impact, slamming home Liverpool's third goal in the 74th minute after Alexis Mac Allister's shot was saved. West Ham's misery was compounded when Edson Alvarez was sent off for a second yellow card.
Cody Gakpo then added a quickfire double in the final minutes to complete the rout, continuing Liverpool's strong start to the season under new manager Arne Slot.
A Disappointing Night for West Ham
It was a night to forget for West Ham, who had taken an early lead through Quansah's own goal but were ultimately outclassed by the holders. The Hammers' poor form continued after their 3-0 defeat against Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday.
Liverpool, on the other hand, celebrated their sixth win in seven games under Slot, showcasing their attacking depth with Jota, Salah, and Gakpo all finding the net.
