Liverpool vs Fulham LIVE: Carabao Cup latest score and goal updates as Willian punishes Van Dijk error
Liverpool host Fulham in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tonight. The Premier League leaders are on the hunt for four trophies this season and will hope the Carabao Cup is the first of them, although Marco Silvaâs side are set to be tough opposition and will look to make life difficult for the Reds ahead of the return leg at Craven Cottage later this month.
Jurgen Klopp is without a number of key players as Liverpool continue to battle on multiple fronts, with the news that influential vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to be out for at least three weeks adding to the absences of Mohamed Salah and Wataru Endo while they are at the Africa Cup of Nations and Asia Cup respectively.
The Liverpool manager could therefore be forced to shuffle his pack following Sundayâs 2-0 win over Arsenal in the FA Cup third round, while Fulham are set to be closer to full strength as the Cottagers target their first ever major domestic honour. Fulham have not played in a major final since losing the Uefa Cup to Juventus back in 2009 but are now dreaming of Wembley, with Middlesbrough defeating Chelsea in the first leg of the other semi-final at the Riverside last night.
Follow live updates from Liverpool vs Fulham in the Carabao Cup semi-finals, below.
Liverpool vs Fulham LIVE: Latest Carabao Cup semi-final updatesLiverpool host Fulham in first leg of Carabao Cup semi-finals, live on Sky Sports
71â GOAL! Incredible turnaround as Gakpo strikes for two goals in three minutes (LIV 2-1 FUL)
68â GOAL! Jones long-range shot deflects off Adarabioyo and past Leno (LIV 1-1 FUL)
63â CHANCE! Fulham unable to take advantage of crucial counter-attack (LIV 0-1 FUL)
55â CHANGES! Liverpool improve after half time and bring on Nunez and Gakpo (LIV 0-1 FUL)
19â GOAL! Willian punishes Van Dijk error to stun Anfield (LIV 0-1 FUL)
Liverpool FC 2 – 1 Fulham FC
Liverpool 2-1 Fulham21:43 , Jamie Braidwood
83 mins: Almost sensational again from Gakpo and Nunez – this Dutchman skips clear and then feeds Nunez with an angled pass. The angle is tight, but Nunez unleashes a fierce shot and Leno has to produce a smart reaction stop to claw it away.
Liverpool 2-1 Fulham21:39 , Jamie Braidwood
79 mins: SAVE! Gakpo and Nunez are at it again! This time the Dutchman swings in a wonderful ball to Nunez, who sends a towering header towards goal. It takes an incredible clawing hand from Leno, underneath his own bar, to keep it out. What a difference those two have made.
Liverpool 2-1 Fulham21:37 , Jamie Braidwood
77 mins: Just after the Gakpo goal, Fulham took off Willian and Pereira and replaced them with Harry Wilson and Tom Cairney.
But just how crucial were those Bobby DeCordova Reid chances? One was just a bad touch, but on the other he had Pereira free in the middle.
Fulham could have quite easily have found themselves 2-0 up.
Liverpool 2-1 Fulham21:36 , Jamie Braidwood
75 mins: Just three minutes between those Jones and Gakpo goals, and this match has completely turned on its head. Jota unleashes a rasping drive just over the bar and Fulham are suddenly hanging on.
(REUTERS)
GOAL! Liverpool 2-1 Fulham (GAKPO 71â)21:30 , Jamie Braidwood
AN INCREDIBLE TURNAROUND AT ANFIELD!
Thatâs just remarkable! Fulham should have been two up, but are now behind! Liverpoolâs attack comes to life brilliantly as Nunez gets to the byline, cuts the ball back, and Gakpo turns a smart finish past Leno from the front post!
Kloppâs substitutes change the game and now Liverpool are in charge of the semi-final!
GOAL! Liverpool 1-1 Fulham (JONES 68â)21:27 , Jamie Braidwood
Liverpool are level! And itâs so, so cruel on Fulham. Jones drives on from midfield and tries his luck from 25 yards on his left foot – and the midfielder gets a huge break. His shot deflects off the back of Tosin Adarabioyo and deflects over Leno, who was stranded! Jones doesnât care and immediately turns back to the half-way line!
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham21:26 , Jamie Braidwood
66 mins: HANDBALL?! Thatâs the cry from the Kop as Robinson misses his header and Mac Allisterâs free-kick hits his hand in the box. It was accidental, clumsy and Fulham get away with it, but itâs probably the right decision. VAR may have had other ideas if it was here.
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham21:23 , Jamie Braidwood
63 mins: AND ANOTHER! Huge chance for Fulham, again for De Cordova-Reid! After a ball over the Liverpool defence, he takes on the shot from the tight angle when Pereira was waiting for the tap-in in the middle!
What a waste from De Cordova-Reid and Fulham canât put Liverpool away! Kloppâs team are so open at the back.
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham21:21 , Jamie Braidwood
61 mins: And speaking of… what a chance for Fulham! The Liverpool defence is hesitant and Willian pounces on the loose ball before playing in De Cordova-Reid, who was through on goal but his touch lets him down and Liverpool recover!
That wonât go down as a shot, but itâs a huge chance!
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham21:18 , Jamie Braidwood
59 mins: Nunez beats Tosin twice but his cross is straight at Leno… Fulham are looking so dangerous on the counter-attack and there is SO much space already for the visitors to break into.
(REUTERS)
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham21:15 , Jamie Braidwood
55 mins: This has been a completely different Liverpool this half – Jota plays a good one-two with Gravenberch but canât find the room to get his shot away, and when he does Robinson can make the block.
Here come the changes, and itâs Nunez and Gakpo on for Elliott and Gravenberch. That is an attacking move from Klopp.
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham21:12 , Jamie Braidwood
53 mins: Itâs still early in the second half but the double change is coming for Liverpool: both Nunez and Gakpo are getting ready.
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham21:11 , Jamie Braidwood
51 mins: Liverpool keep up the pressure but Jonesâs curling shot is easily saved by Leno. Pereira goes back to ground, holding his back, and the Liverpool fans are not happy with the alleged time-wasting tactics.
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham21:09 , Jamie Braidwood
49 mins: ALMOST! Liverpool are knocking on the door now! Elliott picks up the ball well and tries his luck – itâs deflected but breaks to Jota, inside the box! But just as he goes to pull the trigger, Castagne comes across and makes the goal-saving challenge. Great defending.
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham21:08 , Jamie Braidwood
48 mins: CLOSE! Almost an immediate response from Liverpool after half time! Itâs great work from Gravenberch, who carries well from midfield and then chops inside Palhinha. The Kop begs for the shot and Gravenberch just drags his wide of the post. Leno was worried.
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham21:05 , Jamie Braidwood
Back underway at Anfield – this is only the second time Liverpool have been behind at half time this season, the first was earlier in the Carabao Cup before they went on to beat Leicester 3-1.
HALF TIME! Liverpool 0-1 Fulham21:04 , Jamie Braidwood
There was a concern for Fulham at the half-time whistle after Harrison Reed got a knock but Liverpool goalkeeper Kelleher, but the midfielder is ok to carry on.
Liverpool have Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo on the bench, will they be needed in the second half?
HALF TIME! Liverpool 0-1 Fulham20:50 , Jamie Braidwood
A superb first half from Fulham. They lead at the break.
(Getty Images)
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham20:50 , Jamie Braidwood
45+3 mins: CLOSE! Joe Gomez is getting closer and closer to that first Liverpool goal! The full-back tries his luck with a dipping volley from about 25 yards that had Leno scrambling, but it drops just wide of the post.
And thatâs it.
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham20:47 , Jamie Braidwood
45 mins: Van Dijk has committed a couple of fouls on Jiminez since picking up his booking earlier in the half and the Liverpool captain has to be careful. There will be three minutes added on at the end of this half but Liverpool do not look like threatening.
(REUTERS)
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham20:45 , Jamie Braidwood
43 mins: Fulham are outworking Liverpool in midfield here, with Reed and Palhinha winning their battles in the middle of the pitch. Pereira tests Kelleher with a long-range shot after a good Fulham spell and on this evidence, Marco Silvaâs side want this more than the hosts.
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham20:41 , Jamie Braidwood
40 mins: There are whistles around Anfield every time Leno stands over the ball at goal kicks. A few in the Liverpool stands suggesting the goalkeeper is wasting time with his team a goal ahead. Fulham, though, have been well worth their lead so far as we approach half time. That Liverpool response hasnât really arrived yet.
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham20:39 , Jamie Braidwood
38 mins: CHANCE! Or it would have been for Fulham, had it not been for Luis Diaz! Great work, again, by the impressive Robinson to get to the byline and bend a good cross into the box. DeCordova Reid was free in the middle but Diaz got back brilliantly and took the ball from his feet as he was lining up the shot on goal.
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham20:37 , Jamie Braidwood
36 mins: Leno has to clay away a tricky inswinging corner from under his crossbar before Jota picks up a free kick on the edge of the box, which is around about the same area where Alexander-Arnold scored from against Fulham in the Premier League this season…
No Alexander-Arnold this time, of course, and Mac Allister hits the wall.
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham20:33 , Jamie Braidwood
32 mins: Great play from Bradley to keep the ball alive on the right – itâs worked through to Gravenberch but he canât find Jones, who was free in the box and would have had a clear sight of goal.
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham20:31 , Jamie Braidwood
29 mins: The game is starting to open up nicely as Fulham counter well following good hold-up play from Jiminez and a smart advantage from the referee. Robinson gets past Bradley to speed to the byline but Liverpool manage to clear his cross.
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham20:28 , Jamie Braidwood
27 mins: Liverpool have rather lost their way after a decent start and still seem stunned by that Willian goal – Diaz almost finds space to chase onto a through ball, but Tosin gets across well.
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham20:24 , Jamie Braidwood
22 mins: Liverpool almost hit back immediately but Elliott slices over the bar from Jotaâs cross to the back post – the flag went up anyway. Van Dijk is then booked after catching Pereiraâs face with a stray hand – thatâs harsh on the Liverpool captain as there was not a lot of contact there.
GOAL! Liverpool 0-1 Fulham (WILLIAN 19â)20:20 , Jamie Braidwood
Fulham and Willian stun the Kop against the run of play! Van Dijk lets the ball bounce when challenging Jiminez and Willian comes alive on the corner of the box. The forward wriggles inside and past a couple of weak Liverpool challenges and fires the ball inside Kelleherâs near post!
What a moment for Fulham, who take the lead in the Carabao Cup semi-final!
Liverpool 0-0 Fulham20:17 , Jamie Braidwood
16 mins: CHANCE! Excellent work from Mac Allister to slide in and win the ball back from Palhinha (who is probably twice the size of him) – from there, Gravenberch helps it onto Jota and the forward tries his luck from the angle. He doesnât get the sweetest of strikes away and it bobbles wide of Lenoâs far post.
Liverpool 0-0 Fulham20:15 , Jamie Braidwood
13 mins: Fulham have started this game by sitting pretty deep and arenât offering too much when they do get a chance to get onto the ball so far. That said, Marco Silva would probably snap your hand off to take a draw back to Craven Cottage.
Liverpool 0-0 Fulham20:11 , Jamie Braidwood
10 mins: Another half-chance for Liverpool, who are finding early gaps in the Fulham defence. This time Jota is able to run with the ball into the room on the left of the Liverpool attack but his final ball is a waste with good options in the box.
Liverpool 0-0 Fulham20:09 , Jamie Braidwood
8 mins: Early days, but itâs been a good start from Conor Bradley. Elliott picks him out after a fine run around the outside of Fulhamâs left back Robinson – Bradley tries to pull it back but thereâs no one there and Leno is able to gather the ball.
Liverpool 0-0 Fulham20:07 , Jamie Braidwood
6 mins: CHANCE! The first real action of the game, and itâs almost a disaster for Tosin Adarabioyo – the Fulham defender passes straight to Gravenberch and Jones has the chance to drive towards goal. Fulham back off but Jonesâs shot is straight at Leno.
Liverpool 0-0 Fulham20:04 , Jamie Braidwood
3 mins: A low-key start at Anfield, with a few boos from the away end for Harvey Elliott, who I think left Fulham for Liverpool when he was 15?
KICK-OFF! Liverpool 0-0 Fulham20:00 , Jamie Braidwood
Underway at Anfield!
Liverpool vs Fulham LIVE: Latest Carabao Cup semi-final updates19:58 , Jamie Braidwood
As a reminder, thereâs no VAR tonight. Hereâs why:
Is Liverpool vs Fulham on TV tonight? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch
Liverpool vs Fulham LIVE: Latest Carabao Cup semi-final updates19:54 , Jamie Braidwood
Jurgen Klopp on Conor Bradley: âA top boy. We knew we wanted to use him. Of course we trust him. I like the team and we know whatâs at stake. We know what it means to Fulham, so we have to be sure what know what it means for us as well.
âWe played recently against Fulham and it was a wild one. Itâs a tough one.â
(Getty Images)
Liverpool vs Fulham LIVE: Latest Carabao Cup semi-final updates19:54 , Jamie Braidwood
Will it be Liverpool or Fulham left dreaming of Wembley tonight? This is a two-legged tie, but the final is within reach…
When is the Carabao Cup final?
Liverpool vs Fulham LIVE: Latest Carabao Cup semi-final updates19:41 , Jamie Braidwood
Marco Silva on Fulhamâs cup âdreamâ: âIt is going to be a remarkable situation for this football club. It is clear for us, it is a dream and for our fans we love that they are able to dream which means we are doing something really good.
âFor me it is much more of an ambition than a dream. For me it is an aim because we worked so hard to be there and we want to take another step by facing Liverpool and getting to the final.
âThatâs the ambition (to make final). We are going to play and understand the quality of Liverpool and the huge challenge we have ahead of us. From that moment where we beat Tottenham (second round) we have been so serious with the approach.
âIf you get to this stage (semi-final) you want to win more and have the ambition to be at Wembley.â
(PA Wire)
Liverpool vs Fulham LIVE: Latest Carabao Cup semi-final updates19:31 , Jamie Braidwood
Liverpool will be without Mohamed Salah tonight, with his Egypt side facing Mozambique in their opening game on Sunday.
Hereâs Karl Matchett with a good read on how Salah can add to his legacy at the Africa Cup of Nations this month.
Salah has one last page of history to write at the Afcon with Egypt
Liverpool vs Fulham LIVE: Latest Carabao Cup semi-final updates19:15 , Jamie Braidwood
Joe Gomez, who makes his 200th Liverpool appearance tonight, insists the Reds will not get giddy at the prospect of another potential quadruple tilt, but has acknowledged there is a fire in the squad to achieve this season.
âWeâre all just full of desire and want to make the best out of the season,â he said. âAll we can do is take it one game at a time. I know itâs a cliche, but thereâs desire and we have a platform to build on.
âWe canât take that for granted, as we know with last season itâs not always plain-sailing and we went through rough patches but we built from it and learnt from it. So, we have to keep at it and see where it takes us.â
(Getty Images)
Liverpool vs Fulham LIVE: Latest Carabao Cup semi-final updates19:06 , Jamie Braidwood
Team news!
Liverpool make five changes from Sundayâs win at Arsenal. Virgil van Dijk returns to captain the side, with Conor Bradley replacing the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold at right back. Ryan Gravenberch comes into midfield and there is a start for Diogo Jota in attack as Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez drop out. As expected, Caoimhin Kelleher starts in goal ahead of Alisson.
Marco Silva also makes five changes from the weekend, and in come some of the big-hitters: Bernd Leno, Antonee Robinson, Joao Palhinha, Willian and Raul Jimenez all return to the starting line-up.
Liverpool vs Fulham LIVE: Latest Carabao Cup semi-final updates19:00 , Jamie Braidwood
Fulham team to face Liverpool:
Leno, Castagne, Tosin, Diop, Robinson, Palhinha, Reed, Pereira, DeCordova Reid, Jimenez, Willian
Liverpool vs Fulham LIVE: Latest Carabao Cup semi-final updates19:00 , Jamie Braidwood
Liverpool team to face Fulham:
Kelleher, Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Jones, Elliott, Jota, Diaz
Liverpool vs Fulham LIVE: Latest Carabao Cup semi-final updates18:01 , Jamie Braidwood
When is the match?
The game kicks off at Anfield at 8pm GMT on Wednesday 10 January.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football. Subscribers can stream the match via the Sky Go app.
If youâre not a Sky customer you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription. We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
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Good evening18:00 , Jamie Braidwood
Liverpool host Fulham in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tonight. The Premier League leaders are on the hunt for four trophies this season and will hope the Carabao Cup is the first of them, although Marco Silvaâs side are set to be tough opposition and will look to make life difficult for the Reds ahead of the return leg at Craven Cottage later this month.
Jurgen Klopp is without a number of key players as Liverpool continue to battle on multiple fronts, with the news that influential vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to be out for at least three weeks adding to the absences of Mohamed Salah and Wataru Endo while they are at the Africa Cup of Nations and Asia Cup respectively.
The Liverpool manager could therefore be forced to shuffle his pack following Sundayâs 2-0 win over Arsenal in the FA Cup third round, while Fulham are set to be close to full strength as the Cottagers target their first ever major domestic honour. Fulham have not played in a major final since losing the Uefa Cup to Juventus back in 2009 but are now dreaming of Wembley, with Middlesbrough defeating Chelsea in the first leg of the other semi-final at the Riverside last night.
Follow all the build-up to tonightâs match in our live blog.
