Fulham 1-1 Liverpool: Reds hold on to secure aggregate win and reach League Cup final

Luis Diaz struck a crucial goal as Liverpool booked their place in the 2024 Carabao Cup final with a 1-1 draw at Fulham in the second leg of their last-four clash at Craven Cottage.

The Merseysiders came into the contest with a 2-1 advantage from the first meeting at Anfield and survived a late push from Marco Silva’s side to secure a 3-2 success on aggregate.

Fulham were hoping to pull off a famous comeback to reach the final of the competition for the first time in their history and Palhinha blew an eighth-minute chance to give them a dream start when he volleyed over.

It was a costly miss as Diaz beat Timothy Castagne to a high, diagonal pass and somehow squeezed a deflected shot beyond Bernd Leno at his near post just three minutes later.

Fulham improved following the interval and came within a whisker of an equaliser when Andreas Pereira hit the post from a tight angle after Tosin Adarabioyo beat Caoimhin Kelleher to Willian’s cross.

It looked like Liverpool would coast through from there but a close-range finish from Issa Diop 13 minutes from time set up a nervy finale.

The home team pushed to try to force extra-time but the Merseysiders held firm to clinch the tie.

Liverpool will now meet Chelsea at Wembley in their 14th League Cup final on February 25 when Jurgen Klopp’s men will look to lift the trophy for a record-extending 10th time.

So, Liverpool Reloaded reach their first final but it will be a familiar foe, with Klopp having already tasted victory over Chelsea in both the League Cup and FA Cup finals in 2022.

This was a mature display from a young side as they controlled what could have been a tricky second leg for the majority of the contest. Even when Fulham levelled, the Liverpool boss made tactical tweaks to shore up the defence and ensure his side would avoid a late slip.

Liverpool will now turn their attention to the FA Cup fourth round clash with Norwich City at Anfield prior to a crunch week in the Premier League where they will follow up a midweek home match against Chelsea with a visit to title rivals Arsenal on the Sunday.

It's a tricky period that's made all the more devilish to navigate successfully given recent absences to key men, but Klopp has already shown he is making intelligent use of his squad and they continue to push on all fronts with yet another EFL Cup success firmly on their radar.

Luis Diaz (Liverpool). The forward was lively throughout. His driving runs caused Fulham countless problems and his seventh goal of the season was timely in the context of the tie.

FULHAM: Leno 6, Castagne 6, Robinson 7, Tosin 7, Diop 7, Palhinha 7, Cairney 7, De Cordova-Reid 6, Andreas 6, Willian 6, Raul 6. Subs: Wilson 7, Tete n/a, Muniz n/a, Reed n/a.

LIVERPOOL: Kelleher 6, Bradley 7, Quansah 8, Van Dijk 8, Gomez 8, Mac Allister 7, Elliott 6, Gravenberch 6, Diaz 8*, Nunez 8, Gakpo 7. Subs: Jota 6, Jones 6, Clark n/a, Konate n/a.

08’ – FULHAM CHANCE! Liverpool go to sleep from a right-wing corner but Palhinha somehow contrives to volley over from 15 yards out despite being left in acres of space.

11’ – GOAL! – Fulham 0-1 Liverpool: (Diaz - Liverpool lead 3-1 on aggregate). Luis Diaz chests down a long, diagonal ball and drives into the left side of the area before firing a deflected shot beyond Leno at his near post.

53’ – FULHAM CHANCE! Kelleher completely misses Willian's cross from the left. Tosin meets it but Andreas hits the post from a narrow angle with the goal gaping.

77’ – GOAL! – Fulham 1-1 Liverpool: (Diop - Liverpool lead 3-2 onaggregate). Wilson beats Bradley down the left and fires a lovely cross into the middle for Diop to guide home from inside the six-yard box.

- - -

TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media