Wed Sep 25 21:30:36 UTC 2024: ## Liverpool Cruise Past West Ham in League Cup Thriller
**Anfield, England** – Liverpool began their defence of the League Cup with a convincing 3-1 win over West Ham United at Anfield on Wednesday night. The victory saw new manager Arne Slot notch his first win in English cup football, while West Ham suffered another setback under Julen Lopetegui.
The Reds dominated possession from the outset, with Federico Chiesa impressing in his full debut for the club. However, it was West Ham who struck first, Edson Alvarez inadvertently deflecting a corner into his own net in the 21st minute.
Liverpool responded with a flurry of goals in the second half. Diogo Jota scored twice, first in the 25th minute and again in the 49th, before Mohamed Salah added a third in the 74th minute to seal the victory.
Alvarez was sent off in the 76th minute for a second bookable offence, further compounding West Ham’s misery.
Despite the defeat, West Ham will have taken some encouragement from their first-half performance, particularly the early goal.
The victory will be a welcome boost for Liverpool, who are currently topping the Premier League table. However, they will be wary of the challenge posed by West Ham, who have a history of causing upsets against the Reds.
The fourth-round draw for the League Cup will take place immediately after the conclusion of the match.