Watch out, Arsenal: Liverpool are purring again with Dominik Szoboszlai back to his best

Jones is one of their more underappreciated young talents in English football, which tends to be a theme for homegrown players who did not cost £60 million, usually signed with accompanying essays about their emergence.

“He added to his game the acceleration of the ball which is really important,” said Klopp of the player rightly named man of the match.

“His second goal is a crazy goal”

Nevertheless, it was Szoboszlai’s 59-minute midfield masterclass, erasing the memories of a difficult few weeks, that gave Liverpool the foundation they needed. For the third successive game, the Hungarian was subbed early. The difference this time was it was in celebration rather than frustration, the team’s performance reaffirming the feeling another successful Anfield era is brewing.

Given recent encouraging away wins at tough venues, West Ham were inexplicably awful. For Klopp, there was only reassurance and vindication for selecting such a strong line-up, defying the idea that the Carabao Cup is secondary to the upcoming schedule.

Szoboszlai, especially, needed this filip. “He’s 22,” was Klopp’s assistant, Pep Lijnders’, response when asked about the No 8’s recent dip, the comparisons to Steven Gerrard both a compliment and ludicrously premature. The midfielder cut a sullen figure when subbed early against both Crystal Palace and United.

“Go on then, show us what you can do,” may have been Klopp’s final words before kick off here.

How Szoboszlai responded, ending what had become a long-distance shooting competition for the first 28 minutes with the kind of screamer which explains why he is considered one of the signings of 2023.

The goal aside, he played like he had a point to prove, tigerish in his pressing and demanding possession. Like Harvey Elliott, who had gone close with a trio of attempts from outside of the penalty area, he was also indulging a shoot on sight policy when invited. Alphonse Areola could only watch the rocket dip past.