’Five-Star’ Performances from Liverpool and Arsenal

In the English Premier League, both Liverpool and Arsenal have played five matches each, with only a one-point difference between them. Liverpool sits second with 12 points, while Arsenal is fourth with 11 points. There's not much to separate them, and last night’s third-round matches of the League Cup also reflected that, with identical scorelines. Both at the Emirates Stadium and Anfield, the final whistle saw a 5-1 result!

Liverpool’s ‘five-star’ performance (a 5-1 victory) against West Ham United was driven by Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota, who both scored braces. However, it was Liverpool who initially fell behind in the 21st minute after an own goal by centre-back Jarell Quansah. But by the end of the first half, Liverpool had scored twice, and they added three more goals after the break. Mohamed Salah also found the back of the net in the 74th minute, and West Ham was reduced to ten men after Edson Álvarez received a red card in the 76th minute.

Under Jürgen Klopp, Liverpool, who are the record 10-time winners of the League Cup, advanced to the fourth round, where they will face Brighton. Despite losing just one match in the league this season, Liverpool’s Portuguese forward Jota is pleased with the team's performance, saying, "We’ve lost only one match. We’re still improving and trying to implement our ideas on the pitch. It’s tough, but we want to win (the trophy) again because we are the defending champions."

At the Emirates, Arsenal cruised to a 5-1 victory against Bolton Wanderers, with Raheem Sterling scoring his first goal for the club. Making his debut in the senior team, 17-year-old midfielder Ethan Nwaneri also bagged a brace. Kai Havertz and Declan Rice added one goal each.

In this match, Arsenal’s goalkeeper Jack Porter made history as the youngest player to ever feature in the club’s starting XI, at just 16 years and 72 days old. He broke the record previously held by Cesc Fàbregas, who debuted at 16 years and 177 days. However, Nwaneri remains the youngest player overall in Arsenal’s history, having made his debut in 2022 at 15 years and 181 days. In the fourth round, Arsenal will face Preston North End.

In the other fourth-round ties, Manchester City will take on Tottenham Hotspur, while Manchester United will face Leicester City. The matches will be played on 28th October.