Arne Slot pleased with Liverpool’s ‘control’ in 5-1 hammering of West Ham United
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Liverpool's Cody Gakpo reacts after scoring one of his two goals during the 5-1 League Cup third-round win over West Ham United at Anfield.
PHOTO: AFP
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LIVERPOOL – Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo scored two goals apiece as holders Liverpool put on another solid performance to thrash West Ham United 5-1 at Anfield on Sept 25 and set up a League Cup fourth-round tie against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Mohamed Salah was also on target for Liverpool, who fell behind and endured some nervy moments before pulling away for a comfortable victory at Anfield.
“I do feel like in most parts of the game we had control,” manager Arne Slot said. “We had a large part of ball possession, particularly in the first half.”
West Ham – who were reduced to 10 men when Edson Alvarez was shown a second yellow card in the 76th minute – opened the scoring when Wataru Endo’s attempt to clear a corner ricocheted off Jarell Quansah and past goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher for an own goal.
The Hammers’ celebrations were short-lived as Jota equalised four minutes later, leaping to head home Federico Chiesa’s acrobatic volley.
Jota netted his second in the 49th minute when Curtis Jones slotted a reverse pass for him to send the ball into the bottom corner.
“It’s important when you’re down to get that (equaliser) as quick as possible and to score at Anfield, it’s always special,” Jota told Sky Sports.
Salah made it 3-1 in the 74th when he knocked in the rebound off Alexis Mac Allister’s shot, and then Alvarez was sent off two minutes later following a late challenge.
Gakpo added goals in the 90th and 93rd minutes, his first a fantastic strike from 20 metres, after a one-two with Darwin Nunez.
Former Liverpool and England midfielder Jamie Carragher said on Sky Sports: “Gakpo was fantastic today, getting his two goals, there are lots of positives. There’s six good forwards at Liverpool that can change the game at any minute and that’s what you got.”
West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui said: “The last 20 minutes we didn’t manage well. The players made a big effort. I’m sorry for our fans.”
Former England international and West Ham defender Matthew Upson said his former team “crumbled”, adding that Alvarez has “put a lot pressure on the manager” after their poor start to the season.
The Reds captured a record 10th League Cup title last season, former manager Jurgen Klopp’s final trophy with the team before he stepped down at the end of the campaign.
Slot has barely missed a beat. The Reds sit a point behind Manchester City in second in the English Premier League after five games. They also opened their Champions League campaign with a victory over AC Milan last week.
“We have just one defeat. We are still progressing, still developing our ideas – but only by winning games you become better, so we are happy. It’s hard but we want to win again obviously, we are the reigning champions,” Jota said. REUTERS
