Liverpool manager Arne Slot was delighted with the impact of Diego Jota and Cody Gakpo after they scored a brace in the 5-1 bashing of 10-man West Ham United in the EFL Cup third round on Wednesday night, Afrosport reports.
Jarell Quansah had put the Hammers ahead at Anfield with an own goal in the 21st minute before Jota put the Reds in front with his brace in 25th and 49th minute.
Egypt superstar Mohamed Salah made it 3-1 in the 74th minute for Liverpool only for West Ham to be reduced to 10 men after Mexican midfielder Edson Alvarez was given a second yellow card two minutes later.
Gakpo then put the icing on the cake off the bench with his brace in the 90th and 93rd minute.
Speaking after the game, Slot said as per the club website: “I think Diogo deserved it because he played a lot of good games for us already. If I’m correct he was only on the scoresheet in the first game against Ipswich.
“He’s been important for us in every single game he played but a striker also wants to score goals. I’m pleased for him that he scored two today although he played in a No.10 position. He scored two really good goals and Cody I think it was 10, 15 or 20 minutes before the end where he cleared the ball in his own 18-yard box and that is also what he brings to our game apart from scoring two.
“If I see him in training and the way he hits the ball in and around the 18-yard box it is with incredible speed. So, I’m not surprised to see him scoring like this. Someone just told me he scored a similar one last season in this cup tie against West Ham. So, I’m not surprised to see him score; not in the way he did, but it’s not only about them scoring, it’s also about them defending in their own 18-yard box.”
The action from Anfield as the Reds progressed into the fourth round of the @Carabao_Cup 🎬 pic.twitter.com/lad4EcIoa8
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 26, 2024
Slot also reflected on new signing Federico Chiesa who made his first start since joining from Juventus and provided the assist for Jota’s first goal before he was replaced by Salah on the hour mark.
“It was pleasing to see that he could already play 60 minutes because I think I said in the last press conference he hasn’t played a lot, maybe hasn’t played hardly any minutes in the last three or four months,” the Dutch tactician added.
“So, for him it is important that apart from getting more match fitness, he has to have playing minutes – and that’s what he got today. He assisted, although it was a shot on target that provided Diogo for a goal, worked really hard and I think it is normal he is not already in the top of his ability.
“He has to get used to the club, he has to get used to his teammates, he has to adjust to the playing style. It was very good to see how match fit he already is so we can use him if we need him.”
Liverpool will now turn their attention to a Premier League away trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday evening.
