Liverpool Sets Up League Cup Final With Chelsea After Overcoming Fulham

Liverpool, who faced a fright in their 1-1 draw with Fulham in the semi-final second leg on Wednesday, will play Chelsea in the League Cup final. Luis Diaz gave Liverpool the lead early in the first half at Craven Cottage, extending their lead from the first leg to 2-1. That ought to have been the indicator for Jurgen Klopp’s team to have an easy evening. However, they squandered multiple opportunities to eliminate Fulham prior to Issa Diop’s late goal setting up an exciting conclusion. Liverpool finally secured a 3-2 aggregate victory, narrowly surviving Fulham’s relentless assault.

“To make it to a final, this was not a night to shine or play some spectacular football. The boys did really well and I’m really happy,” Klopp said.

The youngest ones have excelled beyond belief. The way they responded in the changing room makes me very delighted.”

On February 25, the Reds will play Chelsea in the League Cup final at Wembley, replicating the 2022 final that Liverpool won on penalties. This will be the Reds’ 14th appearance in the championship game.

It’s excellent. We’ve been there before, so we know what to anticipate. Once more, Chelsea. “Wow, that is quite the story,” remarked Klopp.

“You should never take for granted if you are part of the team who can qualify for trophies.”

While Chelsea defeated Middlesbrough 6-2 on aggregate in the other semi-final, they have won the League Cup five times, most recently in 2015. Liverpool has won the competition a record nine times.

Mohamed Salah had a severe hamstring injury while playing for Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations, leaving Liverpool without a marquee player for a few weeks.

However, Liverpool’s victory over Bournemouth on Sunday put them five points clear atop the Premier League, even without Salah.

The Reds have an amazing opportunity to win four trophies this season as they are also playing in the FA Cup and Europa League.

‘Dare to dream’ billboards in black and white had encircled the Craven Cottage pitch in an attempt to inspire the Fulham supporters, who responded with an exuberant mood that defied their reserved exterior.

Liverpool quickly chipped away at Fulham’s optimism.

Diaz Deadly

Within the opening two minutes, Diaz missed a header from Harvey Elliott’s free kick, giving Klopp’s team a quick advantage.

Most importantly, Fulham lost a great chance to take the lead when Joao Palhinha, an unmarked midfielder, met Andreas Pereira’s corner with a shot that whistled over from ten yards.

In the eleventh minute, Diaz ensured that Liverpool capitalized on the escape. The Colombian player won an aerial tussle, then darted into the area and curled a low drive past Bernd Leno’s feeble near-post save.

A persistent thorn in Fulham’s side, Diaz found the back of the net again halfway through the half, only to have his strike against Darwin Nunez disallowed for offside.

After being so strong in the first half, Liverpool let their guard down, and Raul Jimenez’s attempt from outside the edge forced Caoimhin Kelleher to make a scrambling save.

Moments later, Kelleher, filling in for the rested Alisson Becker, stopped Willian’s 25-yard effort.

Kelleher gave Fulham a chance when he strayed from his line in an attempt to stop Willian’s cross, and Pereira struck Tosin Adarabioyo’s knock-down against the post.

After that fortunate escape, Liverpool gained momentum and threatened again, forcing Leno to make a fantastic save at full stretch on a curling shot by Nunez.

In the closing moments, however, Harry Wilson came off the bench to give Fulham a spark, sending over a superbly placed cross that Diop flicked past Kelleher from close range.

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Before Liverpool could finally celebrate, Kelleher produced a great save to deny Wilson’s blazing strike in a tense ending.