Fulham vs Liverpool LIVE: Carabao Cup result, final score and reaction as Reds punch ticket to Wembley
Fulham 1-1 Liverpool (agg 2-3): Jurgen Klopp’s side were made to sweat but will advance to next month’s final against Chelsea
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Liverpool did just enough to advance to the Carabao Cup final as they won 3-2 on aggregate against Fulham despite a 1-1 draw in the second leg.
Jurgen Klopp’s side flew out of the traps and increased their first-leg advantage when Luis Diaz’s low shot squirmed under Bernd Leno.
Fulham had never made it to this stage in the competition before but battled away and grew into the contest as the second half progressed.
Andreas Pereira struck the post before Issa Diop’s goal made for a nervy final period for the travelling Liverpool fans.
The visitors, though, hung on and will advance to next’s month final against Chelsea at Wembley.
Relive all the action and post-match reaction below.
Marco Silva using Carabao Cup exit at Crawley last term as motivation for Fulham
The Cottagers host Liverpool trailing 2-1 on aggregate as they aim to reach a first major domestic cup final since 1975. The journey is a far cry from their 2-0 loss to Crawley in the second round last August, where Silva made 10 changes from their previous Premier League game.
“My ambition is to always play cup competitions and go further,” Silva said on the eve of the tie.
“Last season we were promoted and we played in the quarter-final of the FA Cup and our aim was always to go further – of course it’s important to recognise that the Premier League was the main thing.
“But at the same time, when we played the other competitions we were trying to be strong enough – the first game in the Carabao was really poor last season.
“It was a good moment to speak with the players about what I demand from them and what we demand from any competitions that you play in the future.”
Liverpool team news - Robertson returns to the bench
Jurgen Klopp, meanwhile, makes four changes to the Liverpool side that won 4-0 against Bournemouth on the weekend. Caoimhin Kelleher comes in for Allison while Jarell Quansah replaces Ibrahima Konate in the heart of defence. Further forward, Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo come in for Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota.
Andy Robertson is back in the squad following his long-term shoulder injury but the Scot has to settle for a place on the bench for now.
Liverpool XI: Kelleher; Bradley, Quansah, Van Dijk, Gomez; Elliot, Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Gakpo, Nunez, Diaz.
Fulham team news - one change from Chelsea defeat
Marco Silva makes just one change from the Fulham side that lost 1-0 against Chelsea prior to their winter break as Timothy Castagne replaces Kenny Tete at right-back.
Tim Ream remains on the bench after his spell out with injury, with Tosin Adarabioyo and Issa Diop partnering at centre-half.
Fulham XI: Leno; Castagne, Tosin, Diop, Robinson; Palhinha, Cairney; Decordova-Reid, Pereira, Willian; Jimenez.
Team news coming shortly
Just under five minutes until we have confirmed starting XIs. Will either team have a surprise in store...
From the ridiculous to the sublime, Darwin Nunez is Liverpool’s folk hero for a reason
The creator in chief, it transpires, is the man who wreaks havoc. There is an improbable presence at the top of Liverpool’s leaderboard for assists this season. It is not Mohamed Salah, though no one has made more goals in the Premier League. Nor is it Trent Alexander-Arnold, even though he can complete passes others cannot even imagine. The Egyptian has a lovely left foot, the Englishman a wonderful right.
But Darwin Nunez has more assists than either, two in three minutes in the Carabao Cup semi-final taking him into double figures for the season. His first assist against Fulham was laced with misfortune for Marco Silva’s side, Curtis Jones’s shot going in via a hefty deflection.
His second contained more merit, a surge into the penalty area and a precise low centre for Cody Gakpo to score a goal that may take Liverpool to Wembley. In a three-way battle, it is now Nunez 10, Salah nine, Alexander-Arnold nine. If there is a temptation to think that the duo tied in second have rather more control of what they are doing, the numbers have an eloquence.
As is often the case with Nunez, they can nevertheless paint a confusing picture. The unique Uruguayan is having an impact, though not always the one he intends.
The Independent’s Richard Jolly tackles the enigma that is Darwin Nunez:
From ridiculous to sublime, Darwin Nunez is Liverpool’s folk hero for a reason
Despite his chaotic, unpredictable and inconsistent performances on the pitch, Nunez is already a favourite at Anfield and his two assists in the Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg win over Fulham demonstrated why
Last time out
In the first leg, it was goals from Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez off the bench that inspired a dramatic turnaround and a 2-1 win for Jurgen Klopp’s side in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.
Here’s a reminder of how the game panned out:
Jurgen Klopp conjures another Liverpool escape as Fulham rue missed opportunity
Liverpool 2-1 Fulham: Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez came off the bench to inspire a dramatic turnaround in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg
Carabao Cup: Is there extra time in semi-finals?
In the semi-finals, extra time will be played should the aggregate score be level at the end of the second leg, followed by penalties if required. The same rules are then used for the Carabao Cup final, which is scheduled for 25 February 2024 at Wembley Stadium.
Similarly, VAR is only introduced to the Carabao Cup for the trophy showdown match, as it’s not installed at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium.
As such, it means we’ll have an additional 30 minutes to the semi-finals if Fulham win their second leg by exactly a single goal - any other outcomes mean their ties end after the second 90 minutes.
Fulham vs Liverpool - predicted XIs
We should have confirmed team news in about 40 minutes but here is how we suspect each team will line up:
Fulham predicted XI: Leno; Tete, Ream, Diop, Robinson; Palhinha, Reed; Decordova-Reid, Pereira, Willian; Jimenez.
Liverpool predicted XI: Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez; Elliot, Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Gakpo, Jota, Nunez.
Early team news - Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp’s side, meanwhile, were rocked by the news that Mohamed Salah will miss a month due to a hamstring problem. The Egyptian was competing in the Africa Cup of Nations but will return to Liverpool for rehabilitation.
Elsewhere, Klopp’s side remain without Thiago, Stefan Bajcetic, Joel Matip, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dominik Szoboszlai and Kostas Tsimikas through injury, while Wataru Endo remains with Japan at the Asian Cup.
Andy Robertson, however, could be in line for a return to the Liverpool starting XI after a long spell out with a shoulder injury.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments