Liverpool managed to hold off Fulham in an intense Carabao Cup semi-final second leg, to secure a spot in the final, where they will face Chelsea. Despite a strong challenge from Fulham, Liverpool’s early advantage, established by Luis Diaz’s goal, proved vital in their 2-3 aggregate win.
The match at Fulham’s ground saw Liverpool take a narrow 2-1 lead into the second leg. Diaz’s early goal, a deflected shot that evaded Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno, set the tone for Liverpool’s performance. However, Fulham responded vigorously, with Andreas Pereira hitting the post and Issa Diop scoring 15 minutes from time, injecting tension into the match’s closing stages.
Fulham’s strategy involved a careful balance between attacking Liverpool and containing their potent offense. Despite early threats from Diaz and others, Fulham’s efforts to turn the game around fell short. Liverpool’s goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher made several crucial saves, contrasting with Leno’s struggle to handle Diaz’s shot effectively.
The match highlighted individual performances, including Conor Bradley’s resilience at right-back for Liverpool and Harvey Elliott’s impressive play against his former club. Andy Robertson’s presence on the bench after a long injury hiatus was also a positive sign for Liverpool.
The upcoming final is set to be a repeat of the 2022 encounter, which Liverpool won on penalties. With both teams having played out several draws since then, anticipation is high for what promises to be an intense and closely contested final.
This victory for Liverpool sets the stage for an intriguing Carabao Cup final against Chelsea, offering the potential for revenge after Liverpool’s previous cup victories over their rivals. Fans and analysts alike will be keenly awaiting the showdown to see if Liverpool can maintain their cup-winning form or if Chelsea will emerge victorious.