In the EFL Cup quarter-final at Anfield, Liverpool took a commanding lead with a series of impressive goals against West Ham United. Pepijn Lijnders praised Darwin Nunez for his significant contribution and improvement from the previous season, emphasizing the player's value beyond just scoring goals. The match commenced with both teams at 0-0, but Liverpool quickly asserted dominance. Dominik Szoboszlai broke the deadlock at 28' with a stunning right-footed shot into the corner. Curtis Jones then doubled Liverpool's advantage at 56' with a skillful finish, and Cody Gakpo added a third goal at 71', securing a comfortable lead for Liverpool going into the second half.
71' - Konate strides forward before getting a little bit of luck off Soucek's touch, before sliding the ball into Gakpo. He cuts inside before finding the bottom corner. [3-0] #LIVWHU https://t.co/a4RB56G5Uv
CODY!!!! IT'S THREE!!!!!! https://t.co/14kp8vLDzb
Placed to perfection from Curtis 👏 https://t.co/X6xaaQMZpl
A brilliant finish from Curtis Jones to double Liverpool's lead. #LIVWHU | #LFC 🎥 @SkyFootball https://t.co/duNZ7436ma
what a ball from nunez and FUCK ME what a finish from Jones
56' - Nunez with a wonderfully weighted ball into Jones' run. The angle is tight but he slots it low through Areola's legs at the near post and into the opposite corner. [2-0] #LIVWHU https://t.co/sa4VtiP8tM
CURTIS DOUBLES OUR ADVANTAGE!!!!!! https://t.co/7zHV0mmJBE
2-0 Liverpool, Jones.
46' - The Reds get the second-half going. [1-0] #LIVWHU
This Dominik Szoboszlai strike 🤌 Growing into your favorite footballer’s favorite footballer. https://t.co/XuXEUNcx3t
Taking a lead into the break thanks to Szobo's sublime effort 🙌 #LIVWHU https://t.co/jmFaTZactr
🚀 A rocket from Szoboszlai💥 He’s hit a screamer to put Liverpool ahead in the EFL Cup quarter-final 🎯 #LIVWHU https://t.co/IcTDexyP3d
It had been coming. Liverpool lead through a magnificent strike from Dominik Szoboszlai. #LIVWHU | #LFC 🎥 @SkyFootball https://t.co/bu0qiNYbPe
Dominik Szoboszlai. A man who scores goals nearly as beautiful as he is. https://t.co/zqj7pNzvpm
28' - Quansah does brilliantly to read the situation and win it off Benrahma. He lays it in to Szoboszlai, who takes aim and arrows one right-footed into the corner. [1-0] #LIVWHU https://t.co/dMOvXhqhqW
Szoboszlai with an absolute gem of a shot. You cannot give most of these guys two yards of space or they'll punish you.
Just when we thought Szoboszlai was starting to drop off, he pulls that out the bag. What a strike! He needs to try that more often. #LFC Totally deserved lead.
Szoboszlai, the type of goal we should see more often.
1' - We're under way at Anfield...UP THE REDS! ✊🔴 [0-0] #LIVWHU
Kick-off in tonight's EFL Cup quarter-final! Listen to #LIVWHU on @BBCSounds and @5LiveSport, get more on the BBC Sport app 👇 #BBCFootball
Lijnders on Nunez: "Darwin is full of desire. If you only judge players on goals it would be so unfair. Darwin is playing a much better season than last year. He helps us a lot."