Liverpool scored twice in quick succession as they beat Fulham 2-1 in the EFL Cup semi-final first leg at Anfield.
Anfield saw host to the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final tie between Liverpool and Fulham. Jurgen Klopp’s side were looking to put one foot into Wembley as they took on Marco Silva’s Cottagers.
The EFL Cup is a competition woven into the fabric of Liverpool’s history, winning the tournament a record nine times, most recently in the 2021/22 season.
Off the back of a 2-0 win in the FA Cup third round against Arsenal, Jurgen Klopp made numerous changes to his lineup at Anfield. Alisson made way for Caoimhin Kelleher in between the sticks, with youngster Conor Bradley called up to right-back for the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold.
After a slow start, Willian fired the visitors in front with a tidy finish at the Kop end, capitalising on a rare, sloppy header from Virgil van Dijk. For the second time this season, Fulham led at Anfield.
The Cottagers would take this lead into the interval with them as they looked to hold on for a surprise result at Anfield. They had been leading Liverpool by three goals to two back in their December meeting up until the 87th minute. They lost 4-3.
Liverpool’s power of recovery has been something of note so far this season: on 14 occasions this campaign, the Reds have been in a losing position. They’ve gone on to get a result 11 of those 14. The only three defeats this season have been Tottenham Hotspur away in the Premier League, and then Toulouse and Union Saint-Gilloise away in the Europa League.
Two second-half substitutes changed the game completely for Liverpool: Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez. The latter provided the assist for Curtis Jones’ deflected long-range equalising goal.
Again, Nunez would provide an assist, this time for Cody Gakpo as the Uruguayan put the ball on a plate for Gakpo to smartly tuck into the bottom corner, evading Bernd Leno who was helpless in saving the strike.
In a flash, Liverpool had gone from a goal down, to a goal up. Leno would make an excellent save not long after to deny Nunez from scoring the Reds’ third goal of the game.
Nonetheless, Klopp’s side take a 2-1 advantage to Craven Cottage in the return leg with an EFL Cup final against either Middlesbrough or Chelsea at Wembley on the periphery. That second leg won’t be until Wednesday, 24 January at 8pm.
Three games into 2024 and three wins for Liverpool who look to complete the season as strong as they’ve started. Their quest for Premier League glory continues next as they travel down to Bournemouth. Kick-off is at 4.30pm on Sunday, 21 January.
Liverpool team: Kelleher, Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez, Gravenberch (Nunez 56), Mac Allister, Jones, Elliott (Gakpo 56), Jota, Diaz.
Fulham team: Leno, Castagne, Adarabioyo, Diop, Robinson, Reed (Lukic 83), Palhinha, De Cordova-Reid, Pereira (Cairney 72), Willian (Wilson 72), Jimenez.
Read More Liverpool Coverage:
- Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool: Dazzling Diaz Seals FA Cup Win In The Capital
- Liverpool 4-2 Newcastle United: Salah, Jones & Gakpo Fire Reds Three Points Clear
- Burnley 0-2 Liverpool: Nunez & Jota Send Reds Top On Boxing Day
- Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal: Salah Scores As Reds Drop Points To Gunners
- Liverpool 5-1 West Ham United: Reds Soar Into EFL Cup Semi-Final