The competition for starting roles in Arne Slot’s attack is intensifying, though the defense remains less robust. Liverpool kicked off their Carabao Cup title defense with a commanding 5-1 victory over 10-man West Ham at Anfield. Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo each netted twice, showcasing their talents.

After a drought since the Premier League opener, Jota, who had been benched for the Bournemouth match, found the net early on. Following an own goal by Jarell Quansah, Jota quickly leveled the score with a header from Federico Chiesa’s effort. He then added another goal shortly after halftime, assisted by Curtis Jones. Mohamed Salah made an immediate impact off the bench, extending the lead to 3-1. After Edson Alvarez received a second yellow card, Gakpo capped off the night with two late goals.

Player Ratings:

• Caoimhin Kelleher (7/10): Made crucial saves and showed reliability as Liverpool’s backup keeper, despite having no chance with the own goal.
• Conor Bradley (7/10): Had a goal-saving intervention that led to the own goal but was a consistent attacking presence on the right flank, contributing to the third goal.

• Joe Gomez (6/10): Started at center-back, wearing the captain’s armband, and performed well in both aerial and ground duels.
• Jarell Quansah (5/10): The own goal wasn’t entirely his fault, and he made several important clearances, although he struggled to contain Antonio at times.
• Kostas Tsimikas (6/10): Delivered dangerous set-pieces and pushed forward, though Bowen tested him defensively.
• Wataru Endo (5.5/10): Competent in reclaiming possession but held responsible for the own goal, impacting his chances for more Premier League playtime.

• Curtis Jones (7/10): Generally reliable and energetic, he played a key role in Jota’s second goal with a strong forward run.
• Federico Chiesa (6.5/10): Active on his first start, he provided an assist and showed glimpses of his skill, including a clever nutmeg.

• Diogo Jota (8/10): Scored two well-timed goals, demonstrating his instinctive finishing and positioning. Expected to start against Wolves.
• Cody Gakpo (8/10): Impressive throughout, contributing to Jota’s opener and scoring twice, showcasing his threat on the left.

• Darwin Nunez (6.5/10): Involved in the buildup but failed to score, missing the chance to build on his recent form.
• Mohamed Salah (7.5/10): Made a quick impact after coming on, scoring from a rebound and drawing the foul that led to Alvarez’s red card.

• Alexis Mac Allister (7/10): Came on with Salah, his shot leading to Salah’s goal and nearly scored himself with a shot tipped onto the post.
• Andy Robertson (N/A): Subbed in during the final minutes.
• Tyler Morton (N/A): Made a brief appearance, marking his first game since February 2022.

Arne Slot (7.5/10): His bold attacking lineup paid dividends, particularly with Jota’s role as a second striker. Slot will be pleased with Gakpo, Chiesa, Jones, and Bradley’s performances, though Quansah’s struggles raise concerns. Overall, he now faces promising selection dilemmas, especially in attack.