If you were trying the theme-component linked it may need some updates due to changes in core.
However I imagine you were trying the code snippet that @Canapin shared with me. I am not sure if there is an attribute for silence. However try targetting a group. You will need to use the theme-component that adds all groups current user is in as CSS targetable classes.
If your static test works. Create a group to add the toxic users to. You will maybe want to either use bookmarks(custom) or a scheduled post in a private moderator’s category to schedule a post to remind to remove or review removing the member from the toxic group used to hide likes.