Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool became the final team to reach the EFL Cup Semifinal at Anfield last night, following a humiliating 5-1 victory over fellow English Premier League side West Ham United. The incredible result served as a relief to the Reds, who were the top team in the English top-flight football before their clash with arch-nemeses Manchester United last weekend, a game where they failed to score any goals at home despite a superior advantage in terms of total number of shots (34 vs. 8), possession (69% vs. 31) and players (11 vs. 10). Liverpool are set to face Fulham in the EFL Cup Semifinal early next month.
The Reds Back to Winning Ways After a Goalless Draw with United
With Chelsea, Middlesbrough and Fulham all booked their places in the EFL Cup Semifinals, the last ticket was reserved for the winners between Liverpool and West Ham United in the remaining quarterfinal game. Klopp only retained five of his starters from the squad that were held to a 0-0 score line at Anfield last time around, whereas the visiting West Ham United, who triumphed against Wolverhampton Wanderers last Premier League matchday, also made the same number of alterations in their first 11 in this game.
Liverpool got off to a good start in the game by scoring the opener within the initial 28 minutes, thanks to Dominik Szoboszlai‘s effort. The Hungarian national team captain unleashed a wonderful long-ranged effort into the bottom left corner, a shot where the opposing goalkeeper Alphonse Areola stood no chance in saving. Liverpool would carry that 1-0 lead for almost half an hour, before they found another goal, this time via Curtis Jones. The 22-year-old was set up by Darwin Núñez with an inch-perfect through ball, and the former was able to squeeze a shot to the far post from an almost impossible angle for Liverpool’s second goal.
The goalless draw against the Red Devils made the home side hungry for more, and Cody Gakpo got himself on the score sheet for Liverpool’s third goal of the game. Substitute Ibrahima Konaté was determined not to let anyone dispossess him, and he found the Dutchman Gakpo outside the penalty box, who then worked himself for a distance shot into the bottom left corner. West Ham United’s Jarrod Bowen pulled one back for the visitors, but the goal only prompted Klopp’s men to score another two to secure their places in the EFL Cup Semifinal.
77′ – Goal for West Ham. Bowen.
[3-1]#LIVWHU
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 20, 2023
Liverpool Made It to the EFL Cup Semifinals
Another replacement Mohamed Salah and Jones were the scorers of Liverpool‘s remaining goals en route to the EFL Cup Semifinal. The 31-year-old Egyptian captain was unleashed from a counterattack, and the speedy winger would make no mistakes with the one-on-one opportunity, whereas the later completed his brace with a brilliant solo effort that started around the halfway line.
Thanks to goals from four different scorers, Liverpool won the game 5-1, allowing them to progress to the EFL Cup Semifinal since the 2021/2022 Season, where they went on to win it all in the tournament.
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The 2023/2024 EFL Cup Semifinals All Set
Liverpool joined Chelsea, Middlesbrough and Fulham in the EFL Cup Semifinals, where the Reds are set to take on fellow Premier League club Fulham in a two-legged cup tie next, and the winners of the matchup will face the victors between the Blues and Michael Carrick’s side. These EFL Cup Semifinal matches are bound to happen in the month of January 2024, while the final at Wembley Stadium approximately is taking place a month after the second leg of these Last Four games.
Make sure you stay tuned to OtherLeague.com for the latest updates of these EFL Cup Semifinal clashes, or alternately, you can also subscribe to AsiaSport.com to livestream all the football games you need via your smartphone and laptop.
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