Jurgen Klopp issues major Mo Salah update on star’s Afcon injury
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Liverpool will look to punch their ticket to the Carabao Cup final when they take on Fulham on Wednesday evening.
Jurgen Klopp’s side came from a goal down to register a 2-1 first-leg victory at Anfield thanks to goals from Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo.
Fulham have never reached the final of the Carabao Cup in the club’s history and will have to find just their second win in their last 13 games against the Reds if they are to overturn their first-leg deficit.
The winner will take on Chelsea in next month’s final after Mauricio Pochettino’s side coasted past Championship Middlesbrough 6-2 on aggregate following a convincing win at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.
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CARABAO CUP SEMI-FINAL LIVE
- Fulham take on Liverpool for a place in the Carabao Cup final
- Jurgen Klopp’s side have a one-goal advantage following their 2-1 win at Anfield
- Fulham have never reached the League Cup final and have just one win in 12 against the Reds
- Fulham XI: Leno; Castagne, Tosin, Diop, Robinson; Palhinha, Cairney; Decordova-Reid, Pereira, Willian; Jimenez.
- Liverpool XI: Kelleher; Bradley, Quansah, Van Dijk, Gomez; Elliot, Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Gakpo, Nunez, Diaz.
Show latest update
Fulham 0-0 Liverpool (agg 1-2)
7 mins: Nunez cuts inside from the left but his low effort is saved easily by Leno. Up the the other end, Fulham go and a low cross from Castagne has to be tipped around the near post for a corner by Kelleher.
Ben Fleming24 January 2024 20:08
Fulham 0-0 Liverpool (agg 1-2)
4 mins: It’s fair to say it’s been a sluggish start from the hosts who have been sloppy with the scraps of possession they have enjoyed so far. They certainly won’t want to concede first, let alone this early.
Ben Fleming24 January 2024 20:05
KICK-OFF! Fulham 0-0 Liverpool (agg 1-2)
1 min: We are underway at Craven Cottage and straight away there is defensive work to do for the home side as Palhinha gives away a free-kick. Diaz rises highest from Elliot’s cross but his effort goes well wide of the far post.
Ben Fleming24 January 2024 20:03
Kick-off fast approaching
Despite the cold temperature, the atmosphere is hotting up nicely inside Craven Cottage as we close in on kick-off here in London.
A big 90 minutes awaits both teams and their respective fans.
Ben Fleming24 January 2024 19:55
Fulham hoping for a fast start
Fulham will hope to use their home-crowd advantage tonight as they plot a historic comeback in this tie. A fast start would be ideal and, in that respect, Marco Silva’s side certainly have precedent.
His side have opened the scoring in all five of their EFL Cup games this season, including the semi-final first leg in which Willian put them 1-0 ahead.
(Getty Images)
Ben Fleming24 January 2024 19:52
First leg momentum
Liverpool have the one-goal advantage from the first leg and historically that’s something that has been a benefit for the Reds.
In fact, they have progressed to the final on eight of the nine previous occasions they’ve won the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final tie. The exception was in 1997-98, being eliminated by Middlesbrough after winning the first leg at Anfield 2-1.
Can Fulham upset the record books tonight?
(Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Ben Fleming24 January 2024 19:48
Liverpool’s route to this point
In contrast, it’s been relatively plain sailing for Liverpool in this competition who arrived at this stage after a big win against West Ham. They have the one-goal lead after the first leg – can they make it count?
Third round: Liverpool 3-1 Leicester City
Fourth round: Bournemouth 1-2 Liverpool
Quarter-finals: Liverpool 5-1 West Ham
Semi-finals (first leg): Liverpool 2-1 Fulham
(Getty Images)
Ben Fleming24 January 2024 19:43
Fulham’s route to this point
There have been a couple of nervy penalty shootouts for Marco Silva’s side so far in the competition but they now stand 90 minutes away from their first League Cup final. Here’s how they made it this far:
Second round: Fulham 1-1 Tottenham (Fulham win on penalties)
Third round: Fulham 2-1 Norwich City
Fourth round: Ipswich Town 1-3 Fulham
Quarter-finals: Everton 1-1 Fulham (Fulham win on penalties)
Semi-finals (first leg): Liverpool 2-1 Fulham
(Getty Images)
Ben Fleming24 January 2024 19:36
The stage is set
Just over half an hour to go until kick-off here in South West London and the stage is set…
Ben Fleming24 January 2024 19:29
Mohamed Salah injury ‘more serious than first thought’
Aside from this game, Liverpool have been dealing with the fallout from Mohamed Salah’s injury while on international duty.
And now his agent has confirmed that the hamstring injury is worse than was initially thought and could keep him out for four weeks.
It means Liverpool’s hopes of getting their top scorer back for their double header against Chelsea and Arsenal next week are over and could result in him missing their next six games.
Ben Fleming24 January 2024 19:22