Liverpool will play in the EFL Cup final after Diaz’s goal secured a 3-2 aggregate win over Fulham
In Jurgen Klopp’s tenth semi-final tie as Liverpool manager, the Reds were looking to advance to their third EFL Cup (formerly Football League Cup) final in the manager’s eight years at the club.
The first was in Klopp’s inaugural campaign as Liverpool manager (2015/16). That was against Manchester City, which the Reds lost on penalties. The second, a penalty shootout victory over Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea.
Despite being a goal to the good in the tie heading into the match at Craven Cottage, Jurgen Klopp stressed that they were there to win the game. No room for complacency.
And they started as they finished in the first leg, with Luis Diaz scoring inside 11 minutes with a curling effort at the near post on his right foot. Bernd Leno had a howler, with the German shot-stopper letting the ball squeeze underneath him.
Diaz thought he had firmly put the tie to bed when he finished from close range into the top corner, but the linesman’s flag rose for offside. The Reds needed to start taking their chances.
They took the 1-0 advantage into the interval, 3-1 up on aggregate. Firmly in the driver’s seat, Liverpool looked set to set up a date with Chelsea at Wembley. Until Issa Diop scored. Former Red Harry Wilson set up a beautiful cross for the central defender to touch home past Caoimhin Kelleher. Game on.
Fulham needed one more goal to take the tie to extra time. Just moment’s after Diop’s goal, Wilson had a great opportunity to fire his side ahead on the night, level on aggregate, but Kelleher made a superb stop at the far post to deny the Welshman.
Klopp’s team saw out the game and qualified for the 2024 EFL Cup final, beating Fulham 3-2 on aggregate. Liverpool and Chelsea have a rich, recent history of playing each other in finals – most recently in the 2022 FA Cup final, which saw the Reds lift the trophy after winning 6-5 on penalties (0-0 full-time).
The Reds return to FA Cup action in their next fixture, with Norwich City visiting Anfield in the fourth round. Kick-off is at 2.30pm on Sunday, 28 January.
Fulham team: Leno, Castagne (Tete 83), Adarabioyo, Diop, Robinson, Palhinha, Cairney (Reed 83), De Cordova-Reid (Wilson 67), Pereira (Muniz 83), Willian, Jimenez.
Liverpool team: Kelleher, Bradley, Quansah, Van Dijk, Gomez, Elliott, Mac Allister (Jones 67), Gravenberch (Clark 84), Gakpo (Konate 83), Nunez (Jota 67), Diaz.
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