Liverpool and West Ham faced each other in the quarter-finals of the League Cup on Wednesday, December 21, 2023. The match was a thrilling encounter, with both teams showing their attacking prowess and scoring goals. However, it was Liverpool who emerged victorious, with a 5-1 win over the Hammers.
The first half: Liverpool take the lead
The match started with a high tempo, as both teams looked for an early goal. West Ham had the first chance, when Jarrod Bowen tested Alisson Becker with a low shot in the fourth minute. However, the Liverpool goalkeeper was alert and made a good save.
Liverpool responded with a series of attacks, and opened the scoring in the 41st minute. Trent Alexander-Arnold delivered a perfect cross from the right, and Mohamed Salah headed the ball into the net. It was Salah’s 15th goal of the season, and his sixth in the League Cup.
The second half: Liverpool run riot
The second half was a one-sided affair, as Liverpool dominated the possession and the chances. They doubled their lead in the 55th minute, when Cody Gakpo scored his first goal for the club. The Dutch winger, who joined Liverpool from PSV Eindhoven in the summer, latched onto a through ball from Naby Keita and slotted it past Lukasz Fabianski.
Liverpool made it 3-0 in the 67th minute, when Curtis Jones scored a stunning goal from outside the box. The young midfielder, who was the captain for the night, unleashed a powerful shot that curled into the top corner. It was his fifth goal of the season, and his third in the League Cup.
West Ham pulled one back in the 68th minute, when Bowen scored a consolation goal. The English forward, who was the top scorer for the Hammers, pounced on a loose ball in the box and fired it past Alisson. It was his 12th goal of the season, and his fourth in the League Cup.
However, Liverpool restored their three-goal cushion in the 74th minute, when Dominik Szoboszlai scored his first goal for the club. The Hungarian midfielder, who joined Liverpool from RB Leipzig in the summer, volleyed a cross from Gakpo into the bottom corner.
Liverpool completed the rout in the 83rd minute, when Jones scored his second goal of the night. The academy graduate, who was the man of the match, received a pass from Alexander-Arnold and chipped it over Fabianski. It was his sixth goal of the season, and his fourth in the League Cup.
The aftermath: Liverpool reach the semi-finals
The final whistle blew, and Liverpool celebrated their emphatic win over West Ham. They reached the semi-finals of the League Cup for the first time since 2016/17, when they lost to Southampton. They will face Fulham in the next round, who beat Manchester City 2-1 in another upset.
West Ham, on the other hand, suffered their first defeat in 10 games, and their first in the League Cup this season. They will focus on their Premier League campaign, where they are currently fourth in the table, six points behind leaders Chelsea.
The match was a thrilling clash, with both teams showing their attacking prowess and scoring goals. However, it was Liverpool who emerged victorious, with a 5-1 win over the Hammers. They proved their strength and depth, and showed why they are one of the favourites to win the League Cup this season.