Reds Cruise into Semis
Well where was this on Sunday then eh?!?! Without looking into the past, Liverpool certainly moved the ball forward in this one and the score line didn’t flatter them. Under the Anfield lights and with the wind and the rain in full flow, it felt like a good time for the reds to remind everyone of what they can do. People will look at the lethargy of West Ham as a factor but two things can be true, as Jurgen Klopp’s men gave them no breathing room to move into the semi finals of the Carabao cup. There were numerous pleasing performances on show and with Arsenal set to visit on Saturday, this was a timely reminder for many. We look at the lessons learned from West Ham (Carabao).

Me and Mr….Mr Jones…
Cody Gakpo wasn’t the only one feeling proud of Liverpool’s other Scouser by the end of this one. Jones has been in and out of the team, mainly through injury and the the emergence of Ryan Gravenberch, but if anyone has remaining doubt he was in our strongest XI this display allayed those. From minute one, the 22 year-old pressed from the front, linked play and more than deserved his two goals and man of the match performance. The second being the pick of the night with a mazy, winding run through the West Ham defence before finishing into the bottom corner past Areola. Like many, you just feel he needs to stay fit and this could be a big period for him.
No Inverting Thank You!
Joe Gomez hasn’t really got too much praise recently, but here again he gave another decent display at right full-back. Tsimikas was decent enough, although there were a few wild touches and some juggling tricks in the first-half which could have been avoided. More importantly, Jurgen Klopp let them play in a standard 4-3-3 like the old days and they offered the width the reds were lacking time and time again. Gomez especially and sometimes in a similar wild style, seemed determined fo bring the ball forward at pace and hit the bye-line repeatedly. Anfield sensed his maiden strike but it wasn’t to be. When it does come, wait for the let off.

Forwards Firing Finally
It’s been a bit of a dark time for the reds forward line and there wasn’t any real surmise that Harvey Elliott found himself part of it in this one. However, the great majority of them had an impact. Leave it to Mo Salah to come on and demonstrate the most composed finish of the night typically. Gakpo struggled at times, but his finish was classy and clinical. Nunez looked revitalised on the left, pressing and tacking throughout and the 23 year-old was desperately unlucky not to score. Diaz had a small cameo but nothing of real note, which brings us finally to Elliott. His best start for the club this season and a threat throughout. That means a decision for Saturday now.