Liverpool smashed West Ham 5-1 at Anfield to march into the Carabao Cup semi-finals and put another Wembley appearance within view.

Dominik Szoboszlai set the Reds on their way with a terrific strike before Curtis Jones threaded home the second from a tight angle after the break.

Cody Gakpo put Liverpool three in front before Jarrod Bowen pulled one back for the Hammers, but later goals by Mohamed Salah and another by Jones settled the matter.

Jurgen Klopp‘s side will face Fulham in the two-legged semi-final in the new year.

Mail Sport’s LEWIS STEELE was at Anfield and supplied player ratings for both teams.

Liverpool cruised into the Carabao Cup semi-finals after scoring five goals against a hapless West Ham side at Anfield

Dominik Szoboszlai made the breakthrough for the dominant hosts after crashing home a stunning effort from long range

It was a dreadful evening for West Ham at Anfield as they shipped five goals in a woeful display

LIVERPOOL 

(4-3-3)

Caoimhin Kelleher – 6.5

Almost given an ‘N/A’ as a rating as he had so little to do, with West Ham not having a shot until the 71st minute, which went wide.

Kelleher could do little about Bowen’s goal and he was commanding when coming for a cross in the second half.

Joe Gomez – 6.5

This was his 195th appearance for Liverpool and still he is looking for his first goal for the club – but it feels like he is getting closer!

Gomez had a couple of chances but fluffed his lines here. The 26-year-old has vastly improved as an attacking full-back as the season has gone on.

Jarell Quansah – 8

Hard to believe he was playing in League One just last season. The best compliment you can pay to Quansah is that he looks like he has been in this Liverpool team for years. Calm on the ball, positionally and tactically aware.

Made a great tackle on Bowen early on then his eager interception seconds later led to Liverpool’s first goal. Broke the lines with good passes.

Young defender Jarell Quansah once again impressed with his calmness and positioning

Virgil Van Dijk – 6.5

Always sets the tempo with his passing out from the back and guided young Jarell Quansah through the game.

Was substituted on 60 minutes and, in truth, not a lot to report about Van Dijk in a defensive sense as West Ham offered, well, nothing.

Kostas Tsimikas – 7

Made a pivotal interception with a sliding challenge when West Ham made a rare attack at 1-0 and Bowen looked for Fornals at the back post on 54 minutes.

The Greek full-back offered width and energy in an attacking sense, as ever.

Good width. Excellent interception when Bowen looked for Fornals at back post.

Wataru Endo – 6.5

A couple of misplaced passes early on but the Japan captain grew into the game and broke up play well in a defensive sense.

Will be missed as a squad option when he goes to the Asia Cup but his early substitution shows he might have an important part to play against Arsenal.

Dominik Szoboszlai – 8

A couple of loose touches early on but this was Szoboszlai’s best performance in a month.

His goal was the best of the five for Liverpool and he could have had a couple more with a bit of luck. Is at his best when he is given licence to drift into wide areas.

Curtis Jones – 9

Just edges the man of the match from Elliott given he scored a brace.

Jones has shown his maturity in a defensive sense this season but this was a different performance, with the Scouser bursting through midfield in an aggressive way.

First goal was a tidy finish, second even better.

Curtis Jones was exceptional as his two goals provided the backbone of Liverpool’s easy win

Harvey Elliott – 8.5

Offered a window into what Liverpool’s right-hand flank might look like when Salah goes to the African Cup of Nations.

A constant source of energy, whether taking players on and going to the byline or cutting in.

Unlucky not to score for himself but never stopped running and creating.

Cody Gakpo – 8

The fact that he was substituted might hint that the Dutchman could pip Nunez to a spot in the starting XI against Arsenal.

Led the line well, whether in a traditional sense or dropping deep. His goal was a lovely finish and Gakpo’s combination play was top quality.

Darwin Nunez – 7 (BOOKED)

Now 11 games and counting without a goal for Nunez but this was a much better performance, with the Uruguayan operating on the left wing.

So unlucky not to score as Areola made a fine save towards the end but Nunez was a constant nuisance.

Darwin Nunez didn’t end his goal drought but proved himself a considerable threat

Substitutes

Ibrahima Konate (for Van Dijk, 60) – 6

Trent Alexander-Arnold (for Endo, 60) – 6

Mohamed Salah (for Szoboszlai, 60) – 6

Conor Bradley (for Tsimikas, 68) – 6

Luis Diaz (for Gakpo 78)

Unused substitutes: Adrian, Bobby Clark, Kaide Gordon, James McConnell.

Manager

Jurgen Klopp – 7

Can’t complain about anything. Found a perfect balance between the ‘rest and rhythm’ he so craves, with none of his star men playing the full 90 minutes.

Will be delighted with how his decision to play Gakpo centrally and Nunez out wide turned out.

Jurgen Klopp with his customary celebrations in front of the Kop after a handsome victory