Liverpool picked the ideal moment to reconnect with their attacking swagger.

The Premier League leaders are on the horizon, there were whispers about strikers firing too many blanks after their toils against Manchester United, and some of the new midfielders were discovering English football is not as easy as they initially made it look.

A ferocious unleashing of artillery answered lingering questions as Jürgen Klopp’s side took their place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.

This was arguably the most complete Liverpool performance of the season. It was certainly the most sustained exhibition of attacking brilliance, the 5-1 victory flattering West Ham, even if Klopp felt too many spectators were blase about what they were witnessing.

David Moyes will regret that the only demonstration of fury in Liverpool’s direction came from Klopp to a section of his own fanbase, the flashpoint coming in the first-half when a series of rapid precision passes almost led to a goal and the manager turned to the Main Stand demanding more appreciation.

There is probably an element of strategy in that criticism given the need for the decibel level to raise for Mikel Arteta, well known for preparing his Arsenal players for a Kop chorus. Klopp has probably guaranteed an off-field response on Saturday evening.

His side was already ahead by the time of his ‘consultation’ with the supporters courtesy of Dominik Szoboszlai’s thunderbolt. More classic goals were to come, West Ham a submissive opponent as homegrown hero Curtis Jones waltzed through them at will to score twice, with Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo joining the party later.

Jones is one of their more underappreciated young talents in English football, which tends to be a theme for homegrown players who did not cost £60 million, usually signed with accompanying essays about their emergence.

“He added to his game the acceleration of the ball which is really important,” said Klopp of the player rightly named man of the match.

“His second goal is a crazy goal”

Nevertheless, it was Szoboszlai’s 59-minute midfield masterclass, erasing the memories of a difficult few weeks, that gave Liverpool the foundation they needed. For the third successive game, the Hungarian was subbed early. The difference this time was it was in celebration rather than frustration, the team’s performance reaffirming the feeling another successful Anfield era is brewing.

Given recent encouraging away wins at tough venues, West Ham were inexplicably awful. For Klopp, there was only reassurance and vindication for selecting such a strong line-up, defying the idea that the Carabao Cup is secondary to the upcoming schedule.

Szoboszlai, especially, needed this filip. “He’s 22,” was Klopp’s assistant, Pep Lijnders’, response when asked about the No 8’s recent dip, the comparisons to Steven Gerrard both a compliment and ludicrously premature. The midfielder cut a sullen figure when subbed early against both Crystal Palace and United.

“Go on then, show us what you can do,” may have been Klopp’s final words before kick off here.

How Szoboszlai responded, ending what had become a long-distance shooting competition for the first 28 minutes with the kind of screamer which explains why he is considered one of the signings of 2023.

The goal aside, he played like he had a point to prove, tigerish in his pressing and demanding possession. Like Harvey Elliott, who had gone close with a trio of attempts from outside of the penalty area, he was also indulging a shoot on sight policy when invited. Alphonse Areola could only watch the rocket dip past.

Having dispatched Arsenal in the previous round, West Ham will have fancied their chances of a trophy in successive seasons. They rapidly understood the scale of the Anfield task as they struggled to escape their own half, pinned back by the relentless running of Klopp’s forwards and midfielders.

Darwin Núñez was deployed in a wider role to accommodate Gakpo, adopting the false nine position in which he excelled at the start of his Anfield career. The impression of a sharper, pacier Liverpool to that which struggled against United was instant.

Gakpo was close to heading the second just before half-time, Elliott again the provider. But the excellence was not limited to the attackers. Liverpool look like they have discovered a gem in centre-half Jarell Quansah, his poise in out of possession ensuring he was not out of place alongside Virgil van Dijk.

Poor Jarrod Bowen, increasingly isolated in attack, needed help. He was the only Hammer to emerge with credit when he struck a consolation from outside the box. Sadly, most of the away fans had already left. It was a chastening night for Moyes. He has endured many tough Anfield trips, but never seen any of his teams fall like this.

“We weren’t strong enough,” he said. “I thought the second goal was the biggest turning point. We got in at 1-0, had done well to keep it at that but the second goal was a killer. But it’s easy to say. Liverpool did a lot of good things and things that didn’t go for them at the weekend that went for them tonight. Different things went against us.”

Liverpool’s vast superiority was rewarded as the late goals inflicted further punishment.

Whatever the growing expectations in the league, the Carabao Cup has a habit of moving stealthily up the priority lists as teams advance.

Klopp said the best way to speed up the growth of a new-look team is to win a trophy. They’re now a couple of games away and on this form will take some stopping.

Arteta and the Arsenal players probably switched off after an hour, what they will face on the pitch and from the stands now immeasurably tougher than it seemed 72 hours earlier.

Liverpool brush poor West Ham aside – as it happened

David Moyes speaks to Sky Sports - 'Have to give credit to Liverpool'

“Liverpool played very well, we didn’t play well enough. The second was a killer, we were beginning to get back into the game...We didn’t do well in some areas for some of the goals. But look we beat Arsenal to get here and had hardest draw coming to Anfield...we were up against a tough opponents, tough place to come, and that’s how it proved...The second goal was such a poor one to give away...Before today we won seven of nine and in good form so have to give credit to Liverpool.” 

The two-legged ties

• Chelsea vs Middlesbrough 
• Liverpool vs Fulham

The first legs (this is the last year where there will be two-legged semis) will be played on week commencing January 8. 

So the second is...

Liverpool vs Fulham

First semi-final is...

Middlesborough vs Chelsea

Now it's time for the draw

It’s Redknapps Jamie and Harry to do the draw...

Jurgen Klopp speaks to Sky Sports - 'It was a joy to watch the boys tonight'

On the win...

“It was really good game, plenty of top performances. We were tough to play tonight, we were sharp and played really good football.” 

On the depth of the squad...

“Yes, that’s what you have to do with all these competitions we are playing. It’s important to use the squad, that’s what we want to do. The boys showed everyone that they wanted to play the game and win the game.” 

On the performance...

“It was a joy to watch the boys tonight.”

On Curtis Jones...

“He has this speed and tempo and doesn’t use it enough, hopefully tonight is an eyeopener for him.” 

It's nearly time for the semi-final draw

So it’s clear the three Premier League clubs (Chelsea, Fulham, Liverpool) will be hoping to get the sole Champions club (Middlesborough)...

Curtis Jones to start againt Arsenal?

He was brilliant tonight and it will be hard to drop him for the big Premier League clash on Saturday.

Cody Gakpo and Curtis Jones speak to Sky Sports

Cody Gakpo on the win...

“Important game to get through, and it was a good game in the end.”

On the form of Liverpool...

“I think we have a good team and amazing players, we have to stay focused and stay together. We just have to keep going. We’re on the right way. We have to keep calm and stay focused so we can keep going.” 

Curtis Jones on his fine performance...

“Whatever the competition I want to go out there and play, and play with a smile on my face. I want to score goals and help the team and that’s what I’ve done.”

On the side’s form...

“There’s energy in the team, there’s quality in the team...we have equality throughout the team, it’s an exciting team and an exciting season.” 

At the end of the interview Gakpo give Jones the man-of-the-match award and gives him a heartfelt speech, not sure I’ve ever seen that before. It was, for want of a better word, quite sweet...

'That's the best Liverpool have played in a couple of months'

Hard to disagree with Jamie Carragher.

FULL-TIME: Liverpool 5-1 West Ham

That was all too easy for Liverpool, but it’s a rebuilt side and one that is showing a lot of promising signs. They’re into the semi-finals and can smell the chance of a trophy. 

91 mins: Liverpool 5-1 West Ham

There will be four minutes of added time as Liverpool have a corner. Again they don’t make a set piece count, but when you score five from open play it doesn’t really matter...

90 mins: Liverpool 5-1 West Ham

It’s easy to have a go at managers when teams are on the end of hidings such as this, but as Jamie Carragher says on Sky commentary, this isn’t the performance of a David Moyes team, his players have let him down tonight. 

Mo gets his goal

GOAL!

Liverpool 5-1 West Ham 

Jones with his second. This is embarrassing for West Ham. TAA passes to Jones who is still some 35 yards from goal before he dances into the box without as many as six opposition players making anything resembling a challenge before he shoots low into the corner. There wasn’t even a token challenge there. 

GOAL!

Liverpool 4-1 West Ham 

Salah does get on the scoresheet after that miss. West Ham lose the ball in the Liverpool half, it comes to TAA who does what he does best by picking out the Egyptian who seemingly has the West Ham half all to himself as he drives towards the box before slotting low into the corner. That was all too easy. 

79 mins: Liverpool 3-1 West Ham

One to be filed under ‘collector’s item’ as Salah misses from five yards with open goal at his mercy...Nunez cuts in off the left and fires in a shot that comes off the post, it then falls at the feet of the Egyptian King and with Aerola on the floor Salah puts the ball wide.  

GOAL!

Liverpool 3-1 West Ham 

Bowen gives the visitors’ fans something to cheer. Great goal from the striker who gets onto a ball over the top before cutting inside Quansah and curling a shot into the top corner. That came out of nowhere...game still very much over...

74 mins: Liverpool 3-0 West Ham

This game is now very much won for Liverpool. They’re passing the ball around with ease (which is what they’ve basically down all night) and the whistle couldn’t come soon enough for the visitors. 

GOAL!

Liverpool 3-0 West Ham 

Gakpo from outside the box. I’ve said this before and I’ll now say it again, it’s all too easy for Liverpool as Konate is give the freedom of Anfield before laying the ball off to Gakpo. West Ham don’t close down the Dutchman who cuts in on his right before shooting low into the corner. 

69 mins: Liverpool 2-0 West Ham

That Jones goal was the 500th Liverpool have scored in the League Cup, only Aston Villa have score more...

• Aston Villa - 514
• Liverpool - 500
• Man City 465
• Arsenal - 448

As I type Kudus lets fly from outside the area and that is indeed West Hams first attempt on goal...Liverpool have had 22.

67 mins: Liverpool 2-0 West Ham

Another Liverpool change: Tsimikas makes way for the highly rated Conor Bradley. 

The four Liverpool changes very much have have a ‘we’ve one this and now we’re treating it like a training session’ sort of feel to them, testament to how poor West Ham have been. 

A cheeky finish

65 mins: Liverpool 2-0 West Ham

Don’t want to sound like a broken record but West Ham have been poor. Limp and lacklustre. Klopp says matches against West Ham are always tricky. Not tonight, it’s been all too easy. 

62 mins: Liverpool 2-0 West Ham

Another corner for Liverpool. TAA takes and again West Ham deal with it well. If there is one bad spot for the hosts it’s that their set pieces haven’t really posed the visitors any real problems. 

59 mins: Liverpool 2-0 West Ham

Changes for Liverpool - Salah, Konate and TAA are on; Endo Van Dijk and Szoboszlai are off. 

57 mins: Liverpool 2-0 West Ham

That goal gives Liverpool the breathing space their play has deserved. West Ham still very much in it at 1-0 with their bet player Paqueta about to come on. As I type Jones has another go, this time his attempt from outside the box is well over. 

GOAL!!!

Liverpool 2-0 West Ham

Curtis Jones scores from an acute angle on the left, nutmegging Areola in the West Ham goal in the process. He was set up with a lovely inside ball from Nunez. 

52 mins: Liverpool 1-0 West Ham

BREAKING NEWS: West Ham have had an attack! Johnson sets Bowen free on the left, the striker gets his head up and instead of going for goal passes across the box for Fornals, Tsimikas does well to intercept. 

As long as it stay 1-0 then, no matter how poorly the visitors are playing, they are still in this match. That attack should be a warning sign for the hosts to try and get the second. 

49 mins: Liverpool 1-0 West Ham

Yet another Liverpool half chance (their fourth this half) as Jones drags his shot from outside the box wide. 

48 mins: Liverpool 1-0 West Ham

Again it’s too easy for the hosts, these first four minutes of the second half have replicated what we saw in the first, this time Nunez shoots on the turn and forces Areola into a half-decent save. 

46 mins: Liverpool 1-0 West Ham

Liverpool start the second half in much the same way as they played all the first: well on top. They have two quick corners, the second of which West Ham deal with well. 

45 mins: Liverpool 1-0 West Ham

Surprisingly there are no changes for West Ham... have thought at least one sub would have appeared. 

West Ham

Have to make changes so expect Paqueta and Ward Prowse on, possibly as soon as right after the break. 

Some stats are for prats

But some, such as these, do reveal exactly what’s happened...

Shots:  11 vs 0
On target: 3 vs 0
Touches in opp. box: 23 vs 1
Possession: 64% vs 36%

HALF-TIME: Liverpool 1-0 West Ham

It’s been all Liverpool, who are deservedly a goal to the good. West Ham, however, have been poor. They’ve offered nothing and are in dire need of possession and a bit of creativity - Paqueta to come on soon, surely...

44 mins: Liverpool 1-0 West Ham

So very nearly 2-0 for Liveprool. Elliot, who’s been impressive, comes in off the right and curls in a cross with his left. Gakpo meets it with his head but the attempt is just wide. Probably should have at least got that on target, possibly rose a bit too early? 

41 mins: Liverpool 1-0 West Ham

Still no chances for the visitors and you rather fancy that we’ll be seeing Paqueta sooner rather than later. 

38 mins: Liverpool 1-0 West Ham

They are just commenting on Sky commentary that Anfield is a good deal noisier tonight that it was on Sunday against Man Utd. I suppose it helps if their side are giving them something to shout about...

And here is that strike that’s got the crowd going.

35 mins: Liverpool 1-0 West Ham

The ball drops to Bowen, who looks shocked to actually have a touch and that hesitation allows Tsimikas to get in and win the ball back. 

30 mins: Liverpool 1-0 West Ham

The goal had been coming, it was a great finish but for all of Liverpool’s vim and vigour, West Ham have been limp and lacklustre. 

GOAL!!!

Liverpool 1-0 West Ham

It’s a fine finish from Szoboszlai, who belts the ball low into the corner of the net from 25 yards out. BUT West Ham have been poor and are their own worst enemies here as they lose the ball twice in a matter of seconds to gift possession to the hosts. One pass later the ball is at the feet of the Hungarian and two seconds after that it’s in the back of the net. 

Elliott is a livewire

He’s seeing plenty of the ball and has already had four shots. 

24 mins: Liverpool 0-0 West Ham

It’s too easy for Liverpool in the midfield at the moment they are having lots of joy getting into the final third and this time Elliott gets a shot in with his right peg, it’s deflected for a corner and once again the hosts have no joy from the set piece. 

22 mins: Liverpool 0-0 West Ham

Yet more joy for the hosts down the left. They cut the ball back for Szoboszlai who has a go with his left peg, the attempt going wide. 

So far Liverpool have had seven shots to West Ham’s zero. 

20 mins: Liverpool 0-0 West Ham

Another shot from distance from Elliott, this third I make it, you suspect if Liverpool keep on playing like this a gaoll won’t be long away. 

18 mins: Liverpool 0-0 West Ham

Nearly a shot from the visitors as Benrahma dances into the box, but ultimately there are too many bodies between him and any shooting opportunity and the attack comes to nothing. 

16 mins: Liverpool 0-0 West Ham

West Ham have started poorly. They need to relieve pressure on the back four and goalkeeper. They need to get on the ball and get in the Liverpool half, if only for minute or two. 

14 mins: Liverpool 0-0 West Ham

Liverpool are knocking on the door, they are winning the ball high up and getting it into the final third well. This time Jones plays it to Elliott who cuts inside on his left and lets fly from outside the box, the attempt going just over the bar. 

The hosts are building momentum...

12 mins: Liverpool 0-0 West Ham

Liverpool having joy down the left as Van Dijk sets Tsimikas free on the flank, the left-back wins a corner. 

Can they create anything from this? ‘Nope’ is the answer as West Ham head away the delivery. 

10 mins: Liverpool 0-0 West Ham

More pressure from Liverpool. This time Elliott crosses from the left and West Ham deal with the danger. But it’s the hosts asking all the questions at the moment. 

8 mins: Liverpool 0-0 West Ham

Bit more possession for Liverpool, they’re in the final-third and passing well but no end product as yet. They’re pressing high up the pitch and win the ball back and as I type Elliott has a go with his left from outside the box, the shot goes just wide. Better from the hosts. 

6 mins: Liverpool 0-0 West Ham

Lovely ball with the outside of his boot from, I think Jones, to set Nunez free but the flag is up. The replay shows he was onside. Cue: lots of fans now being big fans of Var...

4 mins: Liverpool 0-0 West Ham

First real bit of pressure comes from the boot of Szoboszlai who collects a quick free-kick, drives towards the West Ham box before shooting low, alas it seems to hit his team-mate Nunez. 

2 mins: Liverpool 0-0 West Ham

Another stat to concern West Ham fans: David Moyes has never managed a side to victory at Anfield, in 20 attempts (14 defeats and six draws...).

All rather cagey so far, no real action of note to tell you about. 

1 min: Liverpool 0-0 West Ham

They’re under way at Anfield. The hosts in the famous red attire and West Ham in all white. The visitors rarely win away against Liverpool and this stat suggests they’ll struggle tonight: Klopp’s side has won 11 of 12 at Anfield this season, the one they didn’t win was Sunday’s bore draw against Man Utd. 

The teams are out on the pitch

And we’re moments away from kick off. 

Who’ll join Middleborough, Fulham and Chelsea in the last four?  

David Moyes speaks to Sky Sports

“We have to try and win it, we had a great result against Arsenal to get to this point so we’ll see what we can do.”

Jurgen Klopp speaks to Sky Sports - 'It's always tricky against West Ham'

On the season so far for Liverpool

“We have done a lot of good things, in certain moments of games we weren’t’ there...but that’s how it is.”

On being in the last eight and facing West Ham...

“Now every one can smell a chance [of a trophy] and we want to go through. It’s busy, finding a line up that can go and go. West Ham are a physical team, they are good and impressive. They’re playing without Antonio and then Bowen steps up, he’s my favourite player bar my players.”

On the job David Moyes has done...

“I have to say I couldn’t respect what he’s done more...He’s nice fella and does well every year...Improving the team every year. I couldn’t’ respect the job he’s done more.”

On tonight’s challenge...

“Always tricky against West Ham. Set pieces are super important. It’s just a proper Premier League game in the League Cup.”

Let's hope this match is more enjoyable than Sunday's

The much-hyped clash Liverpool vs Man Utd encounter was the sporting equivalent of a sleeping tablet. It was so flat and about as much fun as Christmas Day with the in-laws being forced to watch the festive special of Mrs Brown’s Boys...

Here’s why the match failed to live up to expectation. 

READ: Four reasons Liverpool vs Manchester United was such a dire game

Liverpool have arrived

And here are those teams in black and white

LIVERPOOL XI TO FACE WEST HAM: Kelleher; Gomez, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Endo, Szoboszlai, Jones; Elliott, Nunez, Gakpo. Subs: Adrian, Konate, Diaz, Salah, Clark, Gordon, McConnell, Alexander-Arnold, Bradley.

For the hosts the big news is that Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold are on the bench, Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones are on from the start.

WEST HAM XI TO FACE LIVERPOOL:Areola; Coufal, Ogbonna (c), Mavropanos, Johnson; Alvarez, Soucek; Fornals, Kudus, Benrahma; Bowen. Subs: Fabianski, Cresswell, Zouma, Ward-Prowse, Paqueta, Ings, Kehrer, Emerson, Mubama.

The visitors have Pablo Fornals coming in to replace Lucas Paqueta who starts on the bench. They’ll look to Jarrod Bowen and the in-form Mohammed Kudus to grabs the goals.

Six changes too for West Ham

Liverpool make six changes

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Preview: Núñez is 'full of fire'

Darwin Núñez has been reassured by Liverpool’s coaching staff his 10-game goal drought has not undermined faith in his ability to spearhead the club’s trophy quest.

Núñez has not scored since a wonder strike against Bournemouth early in November secured Wednesday’s Carabao Cup quarter-final spot against West Ham.

But Liverpool’s assistant, Pep Lijnders, says the Uruguayan’s contribution should not be measured solely by his goal return.

“We sit together and do individual meetings, show images, we have a really good relationship, all of us I am not just speaking about me, and he feels our trust,” said Lijnders.

“That is the thing we can give him and, as I said, if you are not creating that would be much worse. But we are creating.

“Darwin is full of desire. You see that in each game and if we would only judge players on goals that would be so unfair because in our way always when we reach our targets and when we were really there to compete it was always about the collective. That always made the difference, not individuals.

“When Mo [Salah] was not playing well it was Sadio [Mané] that created, when Bobby [Firmino] was not playing well, Mo was the one who was decisive. These things happen. I feel there is a good connection between Mo and Darwin for example the way they see each other and assist each other and I feel above everything that Darwin is playing a much better season than last year.

“The way he defends for the team, the way he controls the centre and puts pressure on, the way he holds and chases back, his counter press, he helps us a lot when we are deep and we can play to him as a reference. He does that much better.”

Núñez has become a favourite of the Kop as he strives to match the consistency of immediate predecessors Mané and Firmino. There is an enduring sense of a talent with a high ceiling for improvement.

“This guy is full of fire and that is what our stadium likes, that is what we need as well, to lead the line in this way and he can only become better,” said Lijnders.

“That is a good thing. If you create a lot then the goals will come naturally and that is a complement to our team, we are creating and creating and sometimes you have to be a bit lucky.”

West Ham’s visit is part of a potentially defining week for Liverpool in two competitions, with Arsenal’s imminent trip to Anfield one of the most significant Premier League games this season.

Lijnders says the new players are embracing heightened expectations for this campaign.

“We created this ourselves,” he said.

“One thing is the expectation the people think, the other is the expectation that we think. We started the season wanting to create new memories and special games, with a team that can beat the best in the world. We don’t want to be the best, we want to beat the best. This mentality has to grow. Underneath all the discussions after the United game, this team is growing and growing. You feel it in everything in how we train, and how we pushed Manchester United for 30 minutes into their half and they can’t come out. That is our new team that is growing.

“We all feel this and it is something we want to build on. It will never go [motions a quick rise to the top]. That will never happen. It takes time to build and drill a good team so they feel connected in a certain way and know our game inside out. We are really happy with the team in front of us and we hope Anfield is also because this team has an unbelievable futu

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