HIGHLIGHTS : Liverpool player ratings, winners and losers (5—1)West Ham as Curtis Jones and two others brilliant

Liverpool player ratings, winners and losers vs West Ham as Curtis Jones spearheads a resurgent performance after the weekend’s disappointment against Man Utd.

Curtis Jones scored twice as Liverpool beat West Ham 5-1
Curtis Jones scored twice as Liverpool beat West Ham 5-1
ANFIELD, // Liverpool booked a place in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup with a dominant 3-0 victory over West Ham on home soil. Dominik Szoboszlai put the Reds in front with a long-range strike just before the half-hour mark, and Curtis Jones doubled the lead 10 minutes into the second half before Cody Gakpo added a third. Jarrod Bowen pulled a goal back from West Ham with 15 minutes to go, but then substitute Mohamed Salah and another from Jones buried David Moyes’ side for good.

Liverpool will face one of Chelsea, Fulham or Championship side Middlesbrough in the last four, with the draw to take place later on Wednesday night. Both legs of the tie will take place in January.

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Dominik Szoboszlai responded to the question marks over his recent form with yet another wonder strike, and Curtis Jones surely guaranteed a start alongside him against Arsenal by finding the net twice too. A goal was also welcome for Cody Gakpo for five matches without one.

It may seem harsh to include Jarell Quansah given his youth and his generally good performance, but he was one of the few players who put a foot wrong. Darwin Núñez’s link-up play and defensive work were very good, but he’ll be frustrated to walk off the pitch without ending his goal drought, especially after hitting the post.

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’)