Liverpool are set to face Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final after surviving a scare in their 1-1 draw against Fulham in the semi-final second leg at Craven Cottage in London.
Liverpool took the lead early in the first half at Craven Cottage thanks to Luis Diaz. They were ahead 2-1 after the first leg.
That should have been the sign that Jurgen Klopp’s team would have an easy night.
They had several chances to kill Fulham, but they missed them all. Issa Diop’s late goal set up a dramatic ending.
Fulham put a lot of pressure on Liverpool, but they just barely held on to win in the end 3-2.
“This was not a night to shine or play a bit of fancy football, it was a night to qualify for a final. The boys did really well and I’m really happy,” Klopp said.
“The very young ones have been incredible. I’m so happy to see their reaction in the dressing room.”
On February 25, Liverpool will play Chelsea in the League Cup final at Wembley, just like they did in 2022, when they won on penalties. This will be Liverpool’s 14th trip to the final.
“It’s fantastic. We had the experience before, we know what to expect. Again Chelsea. Wow what a story that is,” Klopp said.
“You should never take for granted if you are part of the team who can qualify for trophies.”
Liverpool has won the League Cup an amazing nine times, while Chelsea has won it five times, most recently in 2015, after beating Middlesbrough 6-2 overall in the other semi-final.
Mohamed Salah hurt his hamstring badly while playing for Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations. For a few weeks, Liverpool will not have any star players.
The Reds beat Bournemouth on Sunday, though, and now they are five points ahead at the top of the Premier League without Salah.
With games in the FA Cup and the Europa League as well, the Reds have a great chance to win an amazing four trophies this season.
Before the game, black-and-white billboards with the message “dare to dream” were placed all around the Craven Cottage pitch as a message to the Fulham fans. The fans responded with a loud atmosphere that belied their quiet reputation.
Liverpool wasted no time in putting an end to Fulham’s hopes.
In the first two minutes, Harvey Elliott’s free kick was met by Diaz, who hit a header just wide. This put Klopp’s team ahead right away.
Most importantly, Joao Palhinha missed a great chance to put Fulham ahead when he met Andreas Pereira’s corner with a volley that went over the goal from 10 yards out.
In the 11th minute, Diaz made sure that Liverpool took advantage of that break. The Colombian rose to win a high-flying challenge and then darted into the area for a low drive that went past Bernd Leno’s weak attempt to save at his near post.
Diaz was always a problem for Fulham. He had the ball in the net again in the middle of the half, but Darwin Nunez was offside when he scored, so the goal was taken away.
After being so strong in the beginning, Liverpool let their guard down, and Raul Jimenez’s shot from outside the box required Caoimhin Kelleher to make a sprawling save.
Kelleher saved Willian’s 25-yard shot right after coming on for the rested Alisson Becker.
They had a chance because Kelleher came off his line to try to catch Willian’s cross but failed. Tosin Adarabioyo’s header hit the post and was saved by Pereira.
Congratulations, you saved the game! That lucky break gave Liverpool new life, and Nunez’s curling shot forced Leno to make a great save at full stretch.
But Harry Wilson came off the bench and gave Fulham a boost in the last few minutes. He sent over a perfectly placed cross that Diop flicked past Kelleher from close range.
At the end of a tense game, Kelleher made a great save to stop Wilson’s powerful shot before Liverpool could finally celebrate.
Photo by EPA/ISABEL INFANTES
