by Recent history has repeated itself in the form of another Liverpool comeback against Fulham and later pain for Marco Silva’s brave team at Anfield. Jürgen Klopp’s side established a slender advantage in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final but the winner and losers know the tie is a long way off.
Willian scored the first goal for Fulham but, as happened in the Premier League meeting here, the visitors were unable to get the upper hand against Liverpool’s barrage. Klopp’s side came from 3-2 down in the 87th minute to lead 4-3 in the final 88th hour. The comeback wasn’t as late or dramatic here, but two goals in three minutes from Curtis Jones and substitute Cody Gakpo turned the tide in Liverpool’s favor again.
Related: Liverpool 2-1 Fulham: Carabao Cup semi-final first leg – live
Fulham had lost all five previous League Cup meetings with Liverpool but came into the first semi-final in confident form. And with a strong lineup, set. Their ability to hurt Klopp’s side was evident in the 4-3 win here last month and it was on display again when Silva’s side took the lead in their first meaningful attack. It was the result of a rare error by Virgil van Dijk, who missed Sunday’s FA Cup third-round win at Arsenal due to illness and was left sick when he returned to the team.
The visitors were under constant pressure from the start as Liverpool dominated possession and changed the play with ease. Jones forced the first save from Bernd Leno with a low drive from distance and Diogo Jota pulled a shot straight across the Fulham goal after good work by Alexis McAllister and Ryan Gravenberch. With Conor Bradley settling in comfortably at right-back in place of the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold, and even roaming freely in his hybrid midfield role at times, Fulham were in for a long, challenging night. So much for appearances.
Liverpool’s composure and composure faded as Fulham took the lead. The promotion started with Joe Gomez heading back towards the Liverpool penalty area. Van Dijk, trying to clear under pressure from Raúl Jiménez, made a weak header into the path of Andreas Pereira who advanced into the box and pulled a pass back to Willian. The 35-year-old Brazilian tripped over the onrushing Bradley but was able to keep his balance long enough to drill an accurate and powerful shot inside the near post past Kevin Kelleher. Van Dijk may not have seen the Liverpool goalkeeper when Willian took the shot.
The Liverpool captain was booked a minute later for catching Pereira in the face of a corner and both against a loose ball. There was no VAR in place to slow down the incident and make it look much worse. Technology was removed from the semi-finals due to the involvement of Championship club Middlesbrough. A little mercy.
Fulham threatened again when Antonee Robinson’s deep cross fell to the unmarked Bobby De Cordova-Reid inside the Liverpool area. Cover Luis Díaz saved his team with a crucial interception. Pereira also tested Kelleher from 22 yards after attacking Fulham’s patient.
The home side’s performance took a turn for the worse from the moment Willian scored. Unforced errors began to litter Liverpool’s display and possession was freely lost. Gravenberch showed the lack of focus by catching a ball that was going out for a throw-in while it was still in play. Gomez came close to his first Liverpool goal on the stroke of half-time, however, volleying inches wide after a counter-attack continued with Harrison Reed injured in the home penalty area following a collision with Kelleher.
Not for the first time, Klopp’s half-time team talk greatly improved Liverpool’s performance. The hosts attacked with much more intensity and purpose in the second half. Fulham, after becoming more comfortable in the first half, were overwhelmed, although they had several opportunities to hurt Liverpool on the break.
Gravenberch went close from the edge of the area after being released into space by Mac Allister and checking inside João Palhinha. Jota looked certain to score when Harvey Elliott’s shot was deflected into his path before Leno’s goal. Issa Diop got the better of the Portugal international and Tosin Adarabioyo cleared the danger. Fulham’s threat increased when Klopp brought on Darwin Núñez and Gakpo from the bench minutes later.
De Cordova-Reid was unable to take advantage of three chances that fell his way on the counter, being denied by Gomez’s fine tackle, only to connect with Willian through the ball, and Kelleher shooting when Pereira was positioned more better inside. Fulham were penalized twice in quick succession.
Liverpool drew level with good fortune when Jota beat two strong challenges before finding Núñez. The striker teed up Jones for a 20-yard effort that hit Adarabioyo at the back and looped over the stranded Leno.
Jota and Núñez were also instrumental in Liverpool’s second place. The former put the latter away racing down the left and, from Núñez’s low cross, Gakpo swept home with a superb finish at the near post. It could have been worse for Fulham but Leno produced three fine saves to deny Núñez in the closing stages.
