Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez is "full of fire" and cannot be judged only on goals, says assistant boss Pep Lijnders.

Nunez, 24, has seven this term but is 10 games without a goal as the Reds host West Ham in Wednesday's Carabao Cup quarter-final.

"Darwin is playing a much better season than last year," Lijnders said.

"If we only judge players on the goals that would be so unfair, because when we reach our targets or really were there to compete, it was always about the collective.

"I feel there is a good connection between Mo [Salah] and Darwin, the way they see each other, assist each other. The way he defends for the team, goes, chases back, his counter press as well.

"He helps us a lot when we are deep and we can play with him as a reference. He is learning but I like a lot, and I think this guy is full of fire. That's what our stadium likes and that's what we need as well, to lead the line in this way. He can only become better.

Nunez's last strike for Jurgen Klopp's side came on 1 November in the 2-1 EFL Cup fourth-round win at Bournemouth.

"It's always with goals, if you create a lot, the goals will come naturally," Lijnders added.

"We are creating and sometimes you have to be a little bit lucky. He feels our trust; that's the thing we can give him."

Liverpool, who won their first League Cup in 1981 after a replay against the Hammers, are aiming to reach their 14th final and claim a 10th success.

They will be without the injured Alexis Mac Allister, Joel Matip, Andy Robertson and Diogo Jota for the visit of David Moyes' side, although Ryan Gravenberch, who was substituted in Sunday's goalless Premier League draw with Manchester United, is fit for selection.

Hammers 'capable' of upset

Illnesses in the West Ham camp mean the selection of certain players may be made late as they look for only their second victory at Anfield in 60 years.

Injured forward Michail Antonio also remains absent. However, Hammers' assistant manager Billy McKinlay is confident the Irons have what it takes to progress to the semi-finals of the competition for the first time in a decade.

"Success and winning gives you a couple of things - it makes you hungry for more and it gives you a feeling that you're capable of doing it and being successful and winning things," McKinlay said.

"I think that's been the case for our good run in the Europa League and we've done the business there. We're in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup so we're in a good place at the moment, we're hungry and looking to improve on that."