Holders Liverpool outclassed West Ham United in the Carabao Cup third round with a resounding 5-1 victory. Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo both scored braces in the match, with Jota opening the scoring for Liverpool after the Hammers had initially taken the lead through an own goal. Liverpool then took control of the game, with Mohamed Salah also getting on the scoresheet. The result was harsh on West Ham and their goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, who made several fine saves but couldn’t prevent Liverpool’s onslaught in the latter stages of the match.
Despite West Ham’s frustrating start to the season, they had a competitive showing against Liverpool before the match spiraled out of control in the second half. The Hammers had two penalty shouts that were denied, leading to frustration among the players and staff. Julen Lopetegui received a booking, and Edson Alvarez was sent off shortly after Liverpool scored their third goal. The margin of defeat was not a fair reflection of the match, given Fabianski’s saves had kept West Ham in the game for the most part.
Liverpool’s Conor Bradley was the standout player of the match, excelling in both attack and defense. With Trent Alexander-Arnold likely to remain a key player for Liverpool, Bradley’s talents may lead him to seek regular playing time elsewhere. At just 21 years old, Bradley showcased his abilities in setting up Salah’s goal and providing defensive cover for his team. His performance against West Ham highlighted his potential and value as a homegrown player.
Player ratings for the match saw Liverpool’s Bradley receive the highest score of 8, while other Liverpool players such as Jota and Salah also received high marks for their contributions. West Ham’s Fabianski was acknowledged for his efforts despite conceding five goals, demonstrating his importance to the team even in defeat. Overall, Liverpool’s dominant performance extended their winning streak against West Ham at Anfield to nine consecutive matches in all competitions.
Key moments in the match included the own goal that gave West Ham the lead, Jota’s equalizer for Liverpool, and subsequent goals from Jota, Salah, and Gakpo. Alvarez’s sending off and Gakpo’s brace in injury time sealed the emphatic victory for Liverpool, leaving West Ham to reflect on missed opportunities and contentious decisions. The match highlighted the importance of staying disciplined and focused, especially in the face of adversity, as West Ham look ahead to crucial upcoming matches against Brentford and Ipswich Town.
