Liverpool thrash West Ham to book Carabao Cup semi-final spot

Curtis Jones' double and strikes from Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah eased Liverpool into a record 19th League Cup semi-final with a 5-1 win over West Ham.

After Sunday's disappointing goalless draw against Manchester United, the first time Jurgen Klopp's side had failed to win at home this season, ended a run of 34 successive matches with a goal the Hammers provided less stubborn resistance.

West Ham manager David Moyes departed after a 21st unsuccessful attempt to win at Anfield as his club's woeful record at the ground extended to one win in the last 56.

Both teams made six changes from the weekend; Liverpool left Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold on the bench with Alisson Becker rested completely - Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher starting for his 10th appearance in all competitions this season - while West Ham changed three of Sunday's back four.

But their defence was not necessarily as much of an issue as their midfield which was bypassed with alarming ease and regularity.

Harvey Elliott, deputising for Salah on the right wing, was the player most adept at finding space in between the lines and even against the Hammers' five-man midfield Liverpool were still able to find the gaps easily to pick him out.

As a result, the 20-year-old had a couple of early attempts and with their pressing game back on point, with Gakpo preferred as the central forward and Darwin Nunez pushed out to the left, the hosts dominated.

Young centre-back Jarell Quansah’s positivity in winning a 50-50 with Said Benrahma as West Ham threatened a two-on-two on the counter-attack led to the opener.

None of Szoboszlai’s previous three goals were straightforward – two from distance and one a neat control and