LIVERPOOL, Sept 25 (Reuters) – Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo both scored twice as title holders Liverpool defeated West Ham United 5-1 at Anfield to secure a place in the fourth round of the League Cup.

Arsenal defeated third division Bolton Wanderers 5-1 in the evening’s other League Cup match.

West Ham opened the scoring at Anfield when Wataru Endo attempted to clear a corner, but the ball bounced off Jarell Quansah and past keeper Caoimhin Kelleher for an own goal.

The Hammers’ celebrations were short-lived as Jota equalised four minutes later, heading home Federico Chiesa’s acrobatic volley. Jota added his second in the 49th minute when Curtis Jones reversed the ball to the Portuguese player, who slotted home into the bottom corner.

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah nearly sealed the match in the 74th minute when he fired home the rebound from Alexis Mac Allister’s shot. Gakpo extended Liverpool’s lead with goals in the 90th and 93rd minutes.

Last season, the Reds won a record ten League Cup titles, the last trophy for manager Jurgen Klopp before he stepped down 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 the only goal for Bolton.

(Reporting by Lori Ewing Editing by Toby Davis)