Arne Slot had said he wanted his Liverpool team to be inspired by history ahead of the defence of their League Cup trophy.
This is a competition that the Reds have won a record 10 times and Slot said while there may be some ‘muscle memory’ from their previous achievements, that this was merely the start of a new journey.
It is one that is now in full swing after a Diogo Jota brace and strikes from Mohammed Salah and Cody Gakpo sealed victory over West Ham, who had taken the lead in the first half through a Jarrel Quansah own goal.Â
Slot will be pleased with how his team showed grit to see out a flurry of late pressure from a much-improved Hammers team.
Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui has had a difficult start to the season with just one victory in the league, but his side were much improved despite the scoreline. The spirited performance was marred by Edson Alvarez’s late red card after the midfielder committed a silly foul on Salah while already on a booking.
Arne Slot had said he wanted his Liverpool side to be inspired by history in their Carabao Cup defence
Diogo Jota (pictured) scored a brace for the Reds as they beat West Ham 5-1 at Anfield
Mohamed Slaah (centre) came off the bench to score after Jarell Quansah had put through his own net
It did not, however, prevent a furious reaction when West Ham had two second half penalty appeals turned down, the first against Joe Gomez and the second against Kostas Tsimikas.
Given the goal that got the Hammers to this stage of the competition in a 1-0 victory over Bournemouth involved the use of Jarrod Bowen’s hand, Lopetegui can perhaps not have too many complaints.
What had been a spirited performance by West Ham ended on a sour note when Alvarez was sent off for a second booking after a silly foul on Salah.
There was still time for Gakpo to add another as his shot deflected off Todibo and past Fabianski.Â