LIVERPOOL, Sept 25 (Reuters) – Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo scored twice each as defending champions Liverpool thrashed West Ham United 5-1 at Anfield on Wednesday to advance to the fourth round of the League Cup.

In the other League Cup match of the evening, Arsenal defeated third division side Bolton Wanderers 5-1.

West Ham opened the scoring at Anfield when Wataru Endo’s attempt to clear a corner rebounded off Jarell Quansah and went past goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher into an own goal.

The Hammers’ celebrations were short-lived, however, as Jota equalised four minutes later, heading in Federico Chiesa’s acrobatic volley. Jota scored his second goal in the 49th minute when Curtis Jones played a back pass to the Portuguese, who slotted home into the bottom corner.

Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah almost decided the game in the 74th minute when he slotted home the rebound from Alexis Mac Allister’s shot. Gakpo increased Liverpool’s lead with goals in the 90th and 93rd minutes.

The Reds won their record tenth League Cup title last season, and it was manager Jürgen Klopp’s last trophy with the team before he resigned at the end of the season.

Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri scored twice – the 17-year-old’s first goals and his first start for the club – while Raheem Sterling scored his debut goal for the Gunners. Declan Rice and Kai Havertz also scored at the Emirates Stadium, while Aaron Collins scored Bolton’s only goal.

(Reporting by Lori Ewing, editing by Toby Davis)