In the first match between both teams, Liverpool won at home 2-1 thanks to goals by Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo. Coach Juergen Klopp’s players have been in great form recently, winning five games in a row in all competitions and taking the lead in the Premier League. The Reds were therefore a sure favorite to advance in the Carabao Cup.
Liverpool quickly leading
Fulham had to chase the result and initially tried to play offensively. However, the situation for the hosts quickly became complicated.
Already in the 11th minute, Liverpool launched a deadly counterattack. First, Jarell Quansah sent a long pass to Luis Diaz. The Colombian received the ball brilliantly, outplayed three opponents and scored flat. The ball went into the net from the near post. German goalkeeper Bernd Leno certainly could have done better with this shot.
After losing the goal, Fulham was unable to threaten the opponents’ goal for a long time. The locals’ actions started to come together only after half an hour of the game, but the visitors defended very skillfully. They were also able to launch quick attacks from time to time. Despite attempts from both sides, no more goals were scored until the break.
Fulham’s hopes were revived
Liverpool started the second half with a series of attacks on Bernd Leno’s goal, but all of them ended as far as the goal line. The finishing was missing.
In the 53rd minute, Fulham came closer to scoring a goal, but the ball kicked by Andreas Pereira bounced off the post. Liverpool immediately launched a counterattack, but it ended similarly to the previous actions.
In the 71st minute, fate finally smiled on the hosts. They took over the ball in the middle of the pitch and quickly broke through to Liverpool’s goal. Harry Wilson made a fantastic cross, and Issa Diop, jumping out from behind the defender, finished off his teammates’ work.
However, Liverpool was still in the lead in the aggregate and, after conceding a goal, they blocked their own penalty area for a few moments.
The last minutes were full of furious attacks by Fulham, who wanted to change the fate of the two-legged match, and dangerous counterattacks by the Reds. However, the result did not change.
In the final, Liverpool will play against Chelsea, who eliminated Middlesbrough in the semi-final.
Fulham – Liverpool 1:1 (0:1)
Goals: Diaz (11′) – Issa Diop (71′)