Carabao Cup: Liverpool edge Fulham to set up final against Chelsea

Liverpool Photo Courtesy: BBC

Liverpool saw off Fulham in the Carabao Cup semi-finals to set up a final showdown with Chelsea at Wembley on 25 February.

The Reds led 2-1 from the first leg and their draw at Craven Cottage was enough to get the job done.

Luis Diaz gave Liverpool an early lead, chesting down Jarell Quansah’s diagonal ball, cutting inside and beating Bernd Leno at his near post too easily, albeit with the help of a deflection.

Marco Silva’s hosts had good spells and deserved their equaliser on the night when Issa Diop bunded in Harry Wilson’s deflected ball.

Another Fulham goal would have sent the tie to extra time and Wilson’s long-range strike was saved by Caoimhin Kelleher.

Luis Diaz scores against Fulham in Carabao Cup Photo Courtesy: BBC

But the Cottagers could not find a second goal despite pushing for one and their wait for a first EFL Cup final goes on.

Van Dijk Photo Courtesy: Yahoo Sports

Both sides are in FA Cup fourth-round action this weekend, with Fulham hosting Newcastle on Saturday and Liverpool at home to Norwich on Sunday.

Chelsea booked their place at Wembley on Tuesday with a 6-1 win over Championship club Middlesbrough, who won the first leg 1-0.

Despite some good Fulham play, Liverpool were looking comfortable until the 75th minute and could have led by more – but got over the line despite a nervy finale.

Liverpool are into a record 14th League Cup final and only 90 minutes away from getting back to lifting silverware after a trophyless 2022-23.

Jurgen Klopp has built an excellent new-look team, and the Premier League leaders’ hopes of a domestic treble go on. They have only lost once domestically all season, at Tottenham in the Premier League on 30 September.

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