Mohamed Salah’s reaction highlights Liverpool’s situation as a new transfer battle looms.
It took the full 90 minutes, but by the end, Cody Gakpo was basking in the praise of the Kop as he capped off the initial stage of Liverpool’s Carabao Cup defense. Even before he netted twice past Lukasz Fabianski during the second-half stoppage time, contributing to a comfortable win over West Ham, the Dutch forward was making a strong case for Arne Slot’s selection ahead of Saturday’s match against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Gakpo’s journey at Anfield since his £37m transfer from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023 has been far from straightforward. However, with support from his fellow countryman Slot, he has rejuvenated his career with the Reds. Just eight days after his standout performance in the San Siro, Gakpo emerged as Liverpool’s primary threat for much of the third-round match, thriving in his duel against Vladimir Coufal and leading the match in dribbles throughout the 90 minutes.
A collective groan from the 6,000 West Ham fans could be heard when the fourth official announced the entrance of both Mohamed Salah and Alexis Mac Allister just before the hour mark, as Liverpool intensified their efforts and quickly scored three goals following their introduction. While the upcoming midweek match against Brighton and Hove Albion might not excite Liverpool supporters, it presents another chance for Slot to address the needs of his star-studded squad, all competing for playing time.
Wataru Endo Poised For Liverpool Challenge After Transfer Interest Dismissed.
Few players have had their Liverpool careers so closely linked to a cup competition as Wataru Endo has with the Carabao Cup. The Japan international faced a tough task against Julen Lopetegui’s side, going up against the formidable midfield duo of Edson Alvarez and Tomas Soucek. Yet, in classic Endo fashion—marked by a tenacity that fans grew to admire during his debut season—he rose to the occasion.
In a quietly impressive 82-minute display at Anfield, Endo completed 94% of his passes, made seven recoveries, and won three out of four aerial duels. While this performance alone may not elevate him to the top of Slot’s preferred lineup, Endo has at least shown he is prepared for the challenge following a summer filled with speculation about his future after a £12m bid from French club Marseille. For Endo, this is simply how he approaches life at Anfield.