Liverpool booked a record 19th appearance in the League Cup semi-finals with a 5-1 hammering of West Ham United on Wednesday, winning the final of four slots.

Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo, and talisman Mohamed Salah, who did not join the game until it was an hour old, also scored for Juergen Klopp’s squad in the final 20 minutes.

“The performance, the scoresheet, the result, and the individual performances put together to make a team on the pitch,” Klopp said, beaming. “The boys had a great time; they worked hard but also had fun with some joyful football.” That’s great to see.”

Szoboszlai scored in the 28th minute with a tremendous 20-yard effort that soared into the far corner. Jones extended Liverpool’s advantage with his first goal minutes into the second half, running onto Darwin Nunez’s pass and one-timing his shot through keeper Alphonse Areola’s knees.

Gakpo scored from the top of the 18-yard box before Jarrod Bowen equalized in the 77th minute for the Hammers. Salah sealed the win in the 82nd minute, and Jones added his brace two minutes later, slicing past West Ham’s defense with such ease that manager David Moyes was furious.

“I want to score goals and help the team,” stated Jones. “It is okay playing well but you need to score goals, I’ve scored two so a big smile on my face.”

West Ham were already in for a difficult night against the nine-time League Cup champions, hindered by illness before of the game and having only won once in 60 years at Anfield.

Chelsea, Fulham, and other Championship clubs Middlesbrough was also in the final four. Chelsea and Fulham both won penalty shootouts against Newcastle United and Everton, respectively, on Tuesday night.

“A crucial game to complete.” “We gave it our all, and it turned out to be a good game in the end,” Gakpo added. “We have a great team with fantastic players.” All we have to do is stay focused, stay united, and keep working hard, and the quality will follow.”

The opening legs of the semi-finals will be contested the week of January 8, with the second legs following on January 22. The final will be held on February 25 at Wembley Stadium, and fans at rain-soaked Anfield yelled “Wembley” in the final minutes on Wednesday.

Liverpool had just come off a dismal 0-0 Premier League tie against Manchester United. With multiple near-misses, including a Darwin Nunez shot that rang off the post in the second half, Wednesday’s score could have been even more lopsided. The rebound was subsequently blasted wide by Salah.