The midfielder was on target twice as Liverpool rediscovered their goalscoring touch – but their No.9 didn't manage to end his drought
Just three days after failing miserably to break down a team that came to Anfield solely to defend, Liverpool tore another ambition-less opponent to shreds, with the rampant Reds routing West Ham 5-1 to progress to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.
Curtis Jones stole the show with a two-goal salvo, with the midfielder slaloming through the visitors' backline to score his second of the evening, but there were several other outstanding performers on a night when Jurgen Klopp's team bore the teeth once more, making this victory both the perfect response to the 0-0 draw with Manchester United and the perfect preparation for Saturday's showdown with Premier League leaders Arsenal.
It was a seemingly revitalised Dominik Szoboszlai who opened the scoring with a pile-driver from well outside the area before Jones doubled Liverpool's lead by nutmegging Alphonse Areola.
Cody Gakpo got back among the goals by making it 3-0 from just outside the area and although Jarrod Bowen netted with West Ham's only shot on target, the hosts finished with a flourish, with substitute Mohamed Salah striking shortly after coming off the bench before Jones scored his stunning solo effort.
GOAL rates all of the Liverpool players on a show at Anfield…
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Caoimhin Kelleher (6.5/10):
Could do nothing about Bowen's well-hit goal and had little else to do all evening. But his passing was gone and when he had to come for crosses, he did so with conviction.
Joe Gomez (7.5/10):
Played with real vim and vigour, offering a good outlet down the right flank, even if his touch and technique let him down at times. Still, he underlined his valuable versatility by switching to left-back for the final 20 minutes, and very nearly scored too.
Jarell Quansah (7/10):
Will be desperately disappointed with himself for letting Bowen get by him far too easily for the West Ham goal but was very impressive for the most part, particularly in possession. Indeed, it was his pass, after a nice show of anticipation to win the ball back, that created the opener for Szoboszlai.
Virgil van Dijk (7/10):
May have been the picture of frustration on Sunday but he wasn't remotely ruffled here. A characteristically comfortable display before being taken off in the 60th minute with Saturday's visit of Arsenal in mind.
Konstantinos Tsimikas (7/10):
Got forward fantastically well but also made one perfectly-timed intervention at the back post that probably prevented a West Ham goal. Given a well-deserved rest late on.
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Dominik Szoboszlai (8/10):
The Hungarian has looked a little tired in recent weeks but he was back to his best here, deservedly breaking the deadlock with a stunning strike from distance. And the little rest he got courtesy of a 60th-minute substitution should do him the power of good.
Wataru Endo (7/10):
Was a surprise to see him start given he's likely to have plenty of work to get through on Saturday but he was withdrawn after a very effective performance in which he repeatedly won the ball for his team before moving it on quickly. Job done.
Curtis Jones (9/10):
Surely he has to start against Arsenal now? Jones has had a difficult season, interrupted by injury and suspension, but he showed what he adds to Klopp's side here in emphatic fashion. Both of his goals were brilliantly taken, while he also got through a massive amount of work.
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Harvey Elliott (8/10):
Selected to start on the right wing in place of the rested Salah, the 20-year-old underlined his enormous potential with an incredibly dynamic display. Unlucky not to get a goal or an assist for his efforts.
Cody Gakpo (7.5/10):
Really should scored with a header just before the break, after being brilliantly picked out by Elliott, but made amends with a fine low strike that clearly meant the world to him.
Darwin Nunez (7/10):
Plenty of energy and endeavour as usual from the Uruguayan, who was deployed on the left wing, while he also created Liverpool's second goal for Jones with a fine return pass. However, his disappointment was obvious after seeing his best effort of the game pushed onto the post. He just can't catch a break right now.
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Trent Alexander-Arnold (8/10):
Brought on in the 60th minute and filled the void left in midfield by Endo. The benefits of having him in front of the back four were made clear when he put Salah through to score with a stunning pass from deep inside his own half, and then released Jones for his second goal of the evening.
Mohamed Salah (7.5/10):
Replaced Szoboszlai for the final half hour and got right into the thick of the action. After slicing one shot wide, he missed an open goal before then making it third time lucky with a cool finish.
Ibrahima Konate (7.5/10):
Took over in the centre of defence from Van Dijk and his rampaging run forward paved the way for Gakpo's goal.
Conor Bradley (6/10):
Came on midway through the second half for Tsimikas and did a good job at right-back, even setting up a great chance for Salah.
Luis Diaz (N/A):
Only introduced for the last 10 minutes.
Jurgen Klopp (9/10):
An almost perfect evening for the Liverpool boss, who managed to rotate his squad, resting several key players in the process, and yet still saw his side romp to victory with several starters staking a serious claim for a starting spot on Saturday. Just a shame Darwin didn't end his drought…