Liverpool secured a commanding 5-1 victory over West Ham United in the Carabao Cup, advancing to the next round and extending their strong start to the season.
Arne Slot’s side has impressed in all competitions so far, currently sitting second in the Premier League, just behind Manchester City. They’ve also enjoyed a successful beginning in both the Champions League and Carabao Cup, with dominant performances in each.
At Anfield, they comfortably dispatched Julen Lopetegui’s West Ham team, though the match was not without controversy.
The Hammers’ boss highlighted a contentious moment surrounding Diogo Jota’s equaliser in the first half. Lopetegui argued that Cody Gakpo, who was involved in the buildup to the goal, had been in an offside position. Replay footage appeared to support his claim, but due to the absence of VAR in the early stages of the Carabao Cup, the decision stood, much to West Ham’s frustration.
After the match, Lopetegui expressed his disappointment, telling Sky Sports, “They scored an offside goal. We suffered the first goal.” His team had been competitive up until that point, but the controversial decision shifted the momentum in Liverpool’s favor.
Despite the setback, Liverpool continued to dominate, showcasing their attacking prowess with four more goals to seal a convincing win. The result reinforces their strong start to the campaign, as they aim to compete on multiple fronts this season.
West Ham, meanwhile, were left to rue the missed opportunity and the impact of the controversial goal. Without VAR to review the situation, the Hammers felt hard done by, though the margin of defeat suggests Liverpool were the superior side on the night. Nevertheless, the incident highlights ongoing discussions about the use of technology in football, especially in competitions like the Carabao Cup where VAR is not consistently applied.
For Liverpool, the focus now shifts to their upcoming fixtures, as they continue to challenge for silverware across multiple tournaments. Meanwhile, Lopetegui and his team will look to regroup and move forward after a tough night at Anfield.
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