LIVERPOOL (Reuters) – Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo scored two goals apiece as holders Liverpool thrashed West Ham United 5-1 at Anfield on Wednesday to move into the fourth round of the League Cup.
Arsenal crushed third-tier Bolton Wanderers 5-1 in the evening’s other League Cup tie.
West Ham opened the scoring at Anfield when Wataru Endo’s attempt to clear a corner kick ricocheted off Jarell Quansah and past keeper Caoimhin Kelleher for an own goal.
The Hammers’ celebrations were short-lived as Jota eqaualised 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 to the Portuguese player who scored into the bottom corner.
Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah all but put the game away in the 74th when he knocked in the rebound off Alexis Mac Allister’s shot. Gakpo added to Liverpool’s lead with goals in the 90th and 93rd minutes.
The Reds captured a record 10th League Cup title last season, manager Juergen Klopp’s final trophy with the team before he stepped down at the end of the campaign.
Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri scored twice — the 17-year-old’s first goals and his first start for the club — while Raheem Sterling netted his debut goal for the Gunners. Declan Rice and Kai Havertz also scored at the Emirates Stadium, while Aaron Collins netted Bolton’s lone goal.
(Reporting by Lori Ewing; Editing by Toby Davis)
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