View the highlights of the most impressive goals from the match between Liverpool and West Ham, featuring stunning strikes from Szoboszlai, Salah, Gakpo, and Curtis Jones. Choose your favorite goal and relive the excitement.

 

PLAYER RATINGS

Caoimhín Kelleher — 6/10

Didn’t have a single thing to do in the first half as West Ham failed to muster a shot. Was able to commandingly beat away a dangerous Fornals cross in the second.

Joe Gomez — 6/10

Gomez bombed forward with his usual vigor but was frustrated by a few errant touches. Did halt a dangerous Benrahma one after he went past Endō in the box. Moved over from the right to the left when Tsimikas left the field, and almost got his first Liverpool goal when he powered into the box, but Areola got down to save.

Jarell Quansah — 6/10

When West Ham looked likely to counter, Quansah read the game well and stepped forward proactively to intercept the ball moments before Szoboszlai fired the host in front. Allowed Bowen to wriggle free for West Ham’s goal, but it was still a very difficult opportunity.

Virgil van Dijk — 7/10 (off 60′)

Van Dijk was Liverpool’s initial playmaker in the first period, launching numerous attacks with quick and incisive forward passing. We saw the rare sight of him being substituted on the hour mark, with one eye on Arsenal.

Kostas Tsimikas — 6/10 (off 68′)

One of Liverpool’s better players against Manchester United at the weekend, Tsimikas couldn’t really get going before the break. At one point, he conceded possession to Bowen in his own final third, but got back to make amends.

Got a crucial touch at the back post when the Englishman got free down the left and played a low cross. Came off with around 20 minutes left.

Dominik Szoboszlai — 8/10 (60′)

Szoboszlai looked energized right from the outset and showcased some typically exquisite technique to beat Areola from around 25 yards. Got a rest after 60 minutes.

Wataru Endō — 6/10 (60′)

Made safe and sensible decisions in possession as we’ve come to expect before he came off as part of the triple change in the second half.

Curtis Jones — 9/10

At one point, Jones won the ball back in midfield, drove forward and released, leading to Elliott blasting a shot over. That was his best moment of the first half. Had a couple of fairly tame attempts from the edge of the box, but then finished with pure precision through the ‘keeper’s legs from a tight angle. Doubled his tally by slicing through the West Ham defense and calmly dispatching it beyond Areola.

Harvey Elliott — 7/10

Starting on the right wing rather than in midfield, Elliott repeatedly tried his luck from the distance in the first quarter of the game, and they were all respectable efforts. Could have an assist when he picked out a delightful cross to Gakpo, but the forward couldn’t convert. Forced Areola to save with his legs when a good chance came his way just after the hour.

Darwin Núñez — 7/10

Núñez was flagged offside a couple of times in the first half as he tried to run through, but both calls were tighter than we’re used to. Started the second half with a smart turn and quick shot to force Areola into a save at his near post, then threaded a fine pass through to Jones to set-up Liverpool’s second goal. His performance deserved a strike of his own, and he so nearly got it when he struck the woodwork after cutting inside off the left.

Cody Gakpo — 7/10 (off 78′)

Gakpo started as a false nine, with Núñez lining up on the left, and tried to drop deep and get involved where he could. Was inches away from putting Liverpool 2-0 up with his header, but killed the game with a devastating finish.

SUBSTITUTES

Ibrahima Konaté — 7/10 (on 60′)

Capitalized on a West Ham fumble as he carried the ball forward from defense in the lead-up to the third goal.

Luis Díaz — 7/10 (on 78′)

Mohamed Salah — 7/10 (on 60′)

Straight into the action after coming on by slipping the ball through to Elliott. Lifted shot high into the Kop as he tried to get over a bouncing ball. Couldn’t direct the ball into an empty net after Núñez hit the post, but made amends for the poor miss with a trademark finish at the end of a rapid counter moments later.

Trent Alexander-Arnold — 8/10 (on 60′)

 

 

Liverpool ratings vs West Ham as Jurgen Klopp’s side book Carabao Cup semi-final against Fulham
Jurgen Klopp has unveiled his Secret weapon to penetrate Arsenal’s midfield

, as Curtis Jones emerges as a potential savior for Liverpool, potentially saving the club millions. Jones’ impressive performance against West Ham and his overall goal contribution this season have solidified his position as a key player for Liverpool.

✨️Curtis Jones has now scored 2 goals in a single game three times for Liverpool:

⚽⚽ vs. Lincoln City in 2020/21
⚽⚽ vs. Leicester City in 2022/23
⚽⚽ vs. West Ham tonight

At the double. ✌️

✨️Curtis Jones has scored or assisted 3 goals in his last 4 games in all competitions for Liverpool.

Superb form. 🔥

 

Curtis Jones reveals what Jurgen Klopp told him at full-time of Liverpool 5-1 West Ham
Josh Lawless

 

Curtis Jones shed light on his animated post-match chat with Jurgen Klopp after his Man of the Match display in the 5-1 Carabao Cup quarter-final thumping against West Ham.

Jones bagged a brace at Anfield, with Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo and Mo Salah all on target.

Liverpool’s win set up a semi-final showdown with Fulham and it was Jones who was the star of the show.

In a post-match interview, fellow scorer Gakpo handed over the Player of the Match award and shared some wonderful words of praise in a special moment between the two.

But there was also an exchange with Klopp on the pitch at the end of the game, with the two gesticulating as Jones appeared to explain an action during the match.

He said: “In the first half, there was a time where Darwin [Nunez] had the ball and I could have made a run.

“It was a throw-in. I was saying that I wanted to manage the game, I wouldn’t want to receive the ball and give it away in attack and then they scored.

“It is what it is. No problem.”

Jones has been with Liverpool since the age of nine and made his debut in January 2019 in the FA Cup against Wolves.

Following a number of midfield departures in the summer, he’s stepped up another level at times this season and Klopp was delighted with his most recent display.

The German, who slammed his own fans for the lack of atmosphere, described Jones as “super fresh” with his energy and “acceleration with the ball”.

Speaking afterwards, Klopp said: “He did even better to be honest, because he added in his game the acceleration with the ball, which is really important.

“You cannot do that against each opponent, but there are some opponents where you can do it, when you pass the first line then you have to go with the ball.

“His second goal is now a crazy goal because you go pretty much towards the penalty spot from where he scored, that’s pretty rare, but it’s an important thing for him to do. Yes, it was a really good game.

“He looked super-fresh, which is probably not surprising because he didn’t now play thousands of minutes in recent weeks. In general, the performance was just good.”

Topics: Curtis Jones, Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp
Josh Lawless
How Jurgen Klopp reacted after seeing Liverpool star Curtis Jones play for the first time
Ryan Smart

M

How Jurgen Klopp reacted after seeing Liverpool star Curtis Jones play for the first time
Jurgen Klopp’s reaction to seeing Curtis Jones play for the first time has re-emerged following the Liverpool star’s brace against Leicester on Monday.

Jones earned the player of the match award for his display at the King Power Stadium, with his two goals coming inside two minutes in the first half.

The 24-year-old’s first goal saw him arrive at the back post to volley in Mohamed Salah’s cross. But his second strike was even better.

On the edge of the area, Jones received Salah’s pass and took a touch to turn his body towards goal, before firing an unstoppable effort beyond Foxes goalkeeper Daniel Iversen.

It is the first time the England youth international has netted a Premier League brace for Liverpool – he achieved the feat in a Carabao Cup game against Lincoln City – and the eventual 3-0 victory took the Reds to within one point of the Champions League places, having played a game more than third and fourth-placed Newcastle and Manchester United.

Klopp was full of praise for the midfielder after the game: “Both goals were absolutely exceptional. I am not sure they were real chances.

“First with the left foot, a similar goal to the last goal he scored [against Tottenham]. The second one is a super finish. He is in a good moment, really cool.”

Now, past Klopp quotes on the midfielder have re-emerged.

Klopp on Jones
Jones came through Liverpool’s academy, having grown up on Merseyside and joined the club when he was aged nine.

He was 15 when Klopp was appointed manager in 2015, and it took until 2018 before he signed his first professional contract at Anfield.

Jones, therefore, has spent his entire senior career under the management of the German, and has made 95 appearances to date in all competitions.

Speaking in January 2022, Klopp spoke about his reaction to seeing the midfielder play for the first time when he took over at Anfield.

Following a Carabao Cup semi-final win against Chelsea, in which Jones starred, he explained (quotes via talkSPORT): “Look, you win a football game, a difficult one. You can only win it if all the players are good but Curtis was really good in the last two games.

“I’m one of his biggest fans to be honest. I saw him out my office when I first joined and thought, ‘Wow, how old is he?’ He was 15. We couldn’t have won the game last night without good individual performances and Curtis was one of them.”

Topics: Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool, Premier League, Curtis Jones, Transfers
Ryan Smart

Cody Gakpo did something ‘never seen before’ in post-match interview with Curtis Jones, he was stunned
Cody Gakpo left viewers emotional when he handed Curtis Jones the Player of the Match award for his performance against West Ham.

Liverpool ran riot at Anfield on Tuesday evening, beating West Ham 5-1 to book their place in the Carabao Cup semi-final, where they will face Fulham.

Goals from Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah and a brace from the aforementioned Jones wrapped up the victory.

And Gakpo was delighted for Jones at full-time, offering him some kind words as he presented the Player of the Match award to his teammate.

As he handed over the award, Gakpo said in their post-match interview: “Santa has come early! A quick word. You work really hard. I am very proud of you. Nobody sees it because it is behind closed doors, but you deserve all the best. Keep going brother!”

With a beaming smile on his face, Jones replied: “I appreciate you as always brother. Thank you so much.” You can watch the heartwarming moment below.

Gakpo giving Jones his MOTM award:

“Quick word, very proud of you you’re working really hard you deserve all the best keep going brother” ❤️

 

Jones was also reminded that he scored Liverpool’s 500th goal in the competition before opening up on how he has coped with the competition for places at Anfield.

“At the end of the day, I just want to go and play. If it’s the Carabao Cup, Europa League, Premier League or FA Cup, I just want to go and play.

“So anytime I go out there, I’ve got a smile on my face and I try and help the lads, the team and that’s what I’ve done.

“I’ve gone and scored two so I’ve got a big smile on my face.”

Featured Image Credit: Sky Sports

Topics: Liverpool, Cody Gakpo, Curtis Jones, Football, Carabao Cup

Jurgen Klopp proven right after receiving apology text from Liverpool owners

Jurgen Klopp proven right after receiving apology text from Liverpool owners
Jurgen Klopp once revealed the text message he received from Liverpool’s owners after taking charge of the club.

In 2015, Liverpool appointed Klopp as their manager as he replaced Brendan Rodgers.

At the time of his arrival, the Reds were in tenth place in the Premier League table as work had to be done to turn their fortunes around.

The 56-year-old has since guided Liverpool to Premier League and Champions League glory, winning the league title in the 2019/20 season and Europe’s coveted trophy in the 2018/19 season.

 

 

Through his shrewd business in the transfer market, Liverpool returned to their glory ways as Klopp worked his managerial magic.

He needed time after taking the reins at Liverpool – a message which was relayed to the club’s owners following his appointment.

The German boss revealed he received a text message from John Henry apologising for the state of the squad when he took over.

“At the beginning I received a message from the US saying, ‘Sorry for the squad we’ve given you’,” said Klopp.

“But all was good I replied, it just needs time.”

“There is a very strong tie to the owners, they support a lot. I just want to win football matches, to be honest.”

He was proved right as Liverpool have gone on to win domestic and European titles, with his side currently at the top of the Premier League.

Liverpool came from behind to beat Crystal Palace last Saturday as they occupy top spot, with 37 points on the board – one point ahead of Arsenal.

The Merseyside outfit have lost just one league game this season – the fewest of any team in England’s top flight.

Jurgen Klopp names his ‘favourite’ player outside of Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp has surprised fans by naming his favourite player outside of Liverpool.

The German is extremely complimentary of opposition players and that was no different ahead of the Carabao Cup quarter-final with West Ham on Wednesday night.

The Reds progressed to the semi-finals following a thumping 5-1 win at Anfield.

Curtis Jones bagged a brace in a Man of the Match performance, with Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo and Mo Salah also on target.

Jarrod Bowen bagged West Ham’s only goal to make it 3-1, produce a fine strike with his weaker right foot.

The England international has been linked with Liverpool in the past and touted as a potential replacement for Salah.

And prior to the cup tie, Klopp admitted he has a soft spot for Bowen – picking him as his favourite player not playing for his team.

, he said: “In quarter-finals, everybody can smell the chance to go through. In a very busy period, finding a line-up which can go and go and go because West Ham is a physically really strong team. David (Moyes) is doing an incredible job, I have to say.

“They are good again, through in Europe, it’s really impressive. Injuries issues as well. Playing without (Michail) Antonio, and Bowen steps up in that position.

“[He is] probably my favourite player besides all my players, I have to say. It’s great what he is doing and how he has developed.”

Bowen was playing in the Conference back in 2013/14 before joining Hull City and has hit double figures in the past three seasons for the Hammers.

The 27-year-old, who scored the winner in last season’s Conference League final, has found the net 12 times in all competitions this term – including 10 in the Premier League.

A £22 million signing in January 2020, Bowen signed a new and improved contract in October – committing himself to the Hammers until 2030.