HIGHLIGHTS : Fulham (1—1)Liverpool Carabao Cup result, final score and reaction as Reds punch ticket to Wembley

Fulham vs Liverpool LIVE: Carabao Cup result, final score and reaction as Reds punch ticket to Wembley

 

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.

 

CARABAO CUP SEMI-FINAL LIVE

ANALYSIS: Liverpool vs Chelsea final shows Carabao Cup remains a unique obstacle for clubs outside the elite

FT: Liverpool squeak past Fulham despite 1-1 to book place in next month’s final

‘77 GOAL! Diop bundles cross home to give Fulham hope (FUL 1-1 LIV)

‘53 POST! Pereira hits the woodwork from tight angle as hosts look for equaliser (FUL 0-1 LIV)

‘12 GOAL! Diaz opens the scoring with scuffed effort (FUL 0-1 LIV)

Fulham FC 1 – 1 Liverpool FC

 

Liverpool vs Chelsea final shows Carabao Cup remains a unique obstacle for clubs outside the elite

 

And so it will be a repeat of two years ago, Liverpool and Chelsea in the first domestic cup final of the season, silverware on offer for two teams rebuilding – albeit from rather different points and in very different ways – and another day out at Wembley for two sets of fans who know that stadium almost as well as their own.

 

For the Reds, their place in the Carabao Cup final comes courtesy of a second-leg 1-1 draw at Fulham, yielding a 3-2 aggregate scoreline.

 

Because that’s what Fulham were up against here: not just a team of the calibre of Liverpool, but also the odds and the structure of this very competition. Even if underdogs, mid-table Premier League teams or indeed lower-league sides – see Middlesbrough – reach this stage, the last four, there’s an altogether different obstacle to overcome. Competing with the top-flight’s finest is tough enough, but teams can of course do so. Across 90 minutes, at least. But the more often you have to face them, the less likely it is you prevail on multiple occasions.

 

Analysis at full-time from The Independent’s Karl Matchett at Craven Cottage:

 

 

Repeat final shows Carabao Cup remains a unique obstacle for clubs outside the elite

 

That’s all from us tonight after a nervy encounter in west London. It’s Liverpool who prevail and they will be eyeing up a record-extending tenth trophy next month against Chelsea. What a cracker that promises to be.

 

Thanks for tuning in – until next time!

 

Marco Silva speaking to

 

“I have to be proud of the way we played most of the games in this competition; the way the players fought until the end with our commitment and desire. Overall, it was not our best performance at all – we didn’t perform at our usual level at home. Probably too emotional for the game.

 

“When you concede a goal so early, it’s more difficult to settle the way we wanted and planned. Liverpool performed better than us but our commitment was always there.

 

“We tried until the end. After our goal it became a proper cup tie and emotional; as well. We hit the woodwork but unfortunately didn’t score again and Liverpool go through to the final.

 

“We were not clinical, even the game away from home. In these types of games and these types of sides you have to be ruthless. We are always improving. Last season our Carabao Cup journey was not good at all. We have to grow and get used to these types of moments.”

 

Two teams remain

 

 

So, it will be Liverpool vs Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final next month. Klopp goes in search of yet more silverware while Pochettino looks for a trophy in his first season back in the Premier League.

 

These two sides also met just two years ago in the final of this competition, with Liverpool prevailing 10-11 on penalties after a 0-0 draw after extra-time.

 

More from Klopp

 

“This was not the night to shine, this was the night to qualify for a final. You heard from Marco Silva how much reaching a final would mean for Fulham, we had to prove and we did.

 

“Everything great about the Carabao Cup final. Around that we have to be focused on all the other competitions as well and that is what we will do.

 

“It is so perfect. Wembley is a special place and I am really happy for everyone involved they can have that experience.”

 

Jurgen Klopp speaking to Sky Sports

 

 

“It’s fantastic, outstanding, fantastic for our people. Chelsea again – wow, what a story that is. But tonight I told the boys don’t ever take for granted being part of a football team that can win trophies. That means you have to qualify for the finals and we are obviously the lucky ones that are part of it.

 

“What the boys did tonight was exceptional again. I’m really happy with so many things and, in the end, the only thing that counts is that we are through and qualified.

 

“It’s a big night for the very young ones who have played an incredible role in the whole journey so it’s cool to see them in the dressing room now.”

 

FULL-TIME: Fulham 1-1 Liverpool (agg 2-3)

22:27 , Ben Fleming

 

All smiles for Liverpool at full-time:

 

 

FULL-TIME: Fulham 1-1 Liverpool (agg 2-3)

 

 

Fulham nearly found their way back into the tie through Issa Diop’s second-half goal.

 

Here’s a look at it:

 

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FULL-TIME: Fulham 1-1 Liverpool (agg 2-3)

22:17 , Ben Fleming

 

Jarrel Quansah speaking to Sky Sports: “It’s special, it’s unbelievable; you can’t ask for much more. We had to dig in tonight and we knew we would have to; they are a top side. It’s my first season here so happy to get to a final and try and win some silverware.

 

On building momentum ahead of the final: “It’s all about rhythm, you have to keep playing. I felt a bit rusty out there tonight having not played in a few weeks but it’s all about playing games.

 

“Doing it with Conor [Bradley] is special for me as well because I’ve played with him for almost ten years now. Sharing the pitch with him out here tonight was a special feeling.”

 

FULL-TIME: Fulham 1-1 Liverpool (agg 2-3)

 

Virgin van Dijk speaking to Sky Sports: “We wanted to make sure we did the right things, Fulham played at home with a good atmosphere. it was the biggest game of their season and we had to be ready to fight, we started the game very well and scored a good goal. We created many chances to double the lead but, in the end, we found a way and go to Wembley. I can’t wait to see all our fans there again.”

 

On how Liverpool’s young defenders did: “The right-hand side didn’t have a lot of experience today [with Bradley and Quansah] but they did very well. I am proud of these guys and it is only the beginning for them. To go into a final with this performance is very good and only shows what kind of progress they have made.”

 

FULL-TIME: Fulham 1-1 Liverpool (agg 2-3)

 

 

 

FULL-TIME: Fulham 1-1 Liverpool (agg 2-3)

 

 

Liverpool are into the final!

 

Jurgen Klopp’s side hold on for the final few moments and they will be heading to Wembley to face Chelsea. But credit to Fulham who hung in there in the second half and nearly sent us to extra time with Issa Diop’s 77th-minute strike.

 

It’s not to be for Marco Silva’s side on this occasion but they can take plenty of heart from that cup run.

 

Fulham 1-1 Liverpool (agg 2-3)

 

90+3 mins: A late yellow card for Kelleher as the timewasting Liverpool keeper looks to run down the clock.

 

Fulham 1-1 Liverpool (agg 2-3)

 

90+1 mins: Into the first of four added minutes. Can Fulham conjure up something special in these final few moments?

 

Fulham 1-1 Liverpool (agg 2-3)

 

90 mins: A cutback finds Muniz inside the box but the Brazillian has virtually no space to work with and sees his effort blocked before Palhinha miscues his effort horribly wide.

 

Fulham 1-1 Liverpool (agg 2-3)

 

 

89 mins: The ball falls to Jota inside the box but the Portuguese international can’t quite bring it under his full control before Leno swoops in to claim the loose item.

 

Fulham 1-1 Liverpool (agg 2-3)

 

86 mins: A huge five or so minutes coming up here. Liverpool were coasting for large parts of this half but are now being made to sweat. Fulham will just be looking for that one big chance…

 

Fulham 1-1 Liverpool (agg 2-3)

 

83 mins: A triple change from Fulham as they go in search of another goal to send this game to extra-time. Cairney, Palhinha and Castagne make way for Reed, Muniz and Tete.

 

Liverpool with a double change of their own as Gravenberch and Gakpo are withdrawn for Konate and Clark.

 

Fulham 1-1 Liverpool (agg 2-3)

 

80 mins: SAVE! Fulham have a spring in their step now as Wilson strikes an effort and forces a big save from Kelleher.

 

Moments prior Diop picked up a yellow card but Liverpool are reeling having looked like they were going to see this game out comfortably.

 

GOAL! Fulham 1-1 Liverpool (77 mins, Diop – agg 2-3)

 

Out of nowhere!

 

Fulham recycle a free-kick and it’s Wilson who makes a great burst down the left to get to the byline. His low cross finds Diop, who stayed forward having gone down moments earlier, and the centre-back gets his thigh to the cross to divert it past Kelleher.

 

The hosts are right back in it now.

 

Fulham 0-1 Liverpool (agg 1-3)

 

73 mins: Liverpool appear quite happy to sit a bit deeper and defend their two-goal advantage.

 

Fulham are pressing forward but lacking the required quality in the final third as Palhinha’s long-range effort strikes Jimenez before drifting out for a goal-kick.

 

Fulham 0-1 Liverpool (agg 1-3)

 

67 mins: The first subs of the game as Wilson comes on for Fulham to replace Decordova-Reid.

 

Liverpool, meanwhile, take off Mac Allister and Nunez, with Jones and Jota replacing them.

 

Fulham 0-1 Liverpool (agg 1-3)

 

63 mins: CLOSE! Oh, so close to a second goal for Liverpool. The loose ball clatters around the box and falls gratefully at the feet of Nunez. The Uruguayan turns elegantly before striking a sweet effort that looks destined for the top-left corner before drifting wide at the final moment.

 

Liverpool getting closer.

 

Fulham 0-1 Liverpool (agg 1-3)

 

62 mins: Nunez barges into the box and the loose ball drops to Elliot in an enticing position. But before the midfielder can pull the trigger the whistle is blown for a foul on Castagne.

 

Fulham 0-1 Liverpool (agg 1-3)

 

58 mins: SAVE! Nunez drifts into the box before curling an effort towards the far post with his right foot. Leno does superbly to get across to his left and tip the ball wide for a corner.

 

Fulham 0-1 Liverpool (agg 1-3)

 

53 mins: POST! Tosin beats Kelleher to Willian’s cross but Pereira can’t squeeze home the rebound from a tight angle as it crashes back off the post.

 

It almost gets even worse for Fulham as Liverpool break with numbers up the other end. Elliot receives the ball in space inside the box but his eventual effort is tame and straight at Leno who makes a vital stop.

 

Fulham 0-1 Liverpool (agg 1-3)

 

50 mins: At the other end, however, Gomez proves his worth as the Liverpool defender makes a smart block to deflect Decordova-Reid’s effort out for a corner.

 

Fulham 0-1 Liverpool (agg 1-3)

 

49 mins: Another long-range effort from Gomez but this one curls well over the bar from the edge of the box.

 

Fulham 0-1 Liverpool (agg 1-3)

 

46 mins: A bright start for Liverpool who counter up the pitch within the first few seconds. Diaz surges into the box but his cutback doesn’t find anyone in a red shirt before Elliot skews an effort wide from outside the area.

 

KICK-OFF! Fulham 0-1 Liverpool (agg 1-3)

 

Back underway in the second half. A big half for Fulham who need goals…and quickly.

 

HALF-TIME: Fulham 0-1 Liverpool (agg 1-3)

 

 

Liverpool have a perfect record in this season’s Carabao Cup when they have led at half-time. Unfortunately for Fulham, they need not one but, at least, two goals to keep themselves in the tie.

 

Marco Silva, what have you got up your sleeve?

 

HALF-TIME: Fulham 0-1 Liverpool (agg 1-3)

Just one goal in the first half as Diaz put Liverpool ahead. His strike snuck past Leno at the near post who might have expected to do better.

Full Time: Fulham 1-1 Liverpool (Agg: 2-3) –

Liverpool reach Carabao Cup final with narrow win over Fulham

1

I Diop (76′)

 

1

L Díaz (11′)

2-3

 

 

 

Full Time: Fulham 1-1 Liverpool (Agg: 2-3) –

Liverpool reach Carabao Cup final with narrow win over Fulham

 

First Half: Fulham 0-1 Liverpool (Agg: 1-3) – Live on

• Diaz’s deflected shot creeps in to extend Liverpool advantage  View post
• Liverpool already hold 2-1 lead from first leg at Anfield
• Winners will face Chelsea in February 25 final

 

Fulham vs Liverpool LIVE on

Fulham vs Liverpool LIVE! Carabao Cup team news, free match highlights, live on Sky Sports

Kick Off 8pm: Fulham vs Liverpool (1-2 agg) –

Team news: Gakpo starts, Robertson back on bench

Liverpool hold 2-1 advantage from first leg at Anfield

Winners will face Chelsea/Middlesbrough in February 25 final

Fulham team news

Team to play Liverpool: Leno, Castagne, Tosin, Diop, Robinson, Palhinha, Cairney, De-Cordova Reid, Pereira, Willian, Jimenez.

 

Subs: Rodak, Tete, Ream, Reed, Lukic, Francois, Wilson, Muniz, Vinicius

Liverpool team news

Team to play Fulham: Kelleher, Bradley, Quansah, Van Dijk, Gomez, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Elliott, Diaz, Nunez, Gakpo.

 

Subs: Alisson, Konate, Jones, Jota, Robertson, Clark, McConnell, Beck, Nyoni.