Liverpool will face Chelsea within the League Cup ultimate after surviving a scare of their 1-1 draw towards Fulham within the semi-final second leg on Wednesday. Holding a 2-1 benefit from the primary leg, Liverpool took the lead by means of Luis Diaz early within the first half at Craven Cottage. That ought to have been the sign for a snug night for Jurgen Klopp’s aspect. But they missed a number of possibilities to kill off Fulham earlier than Issa Diop’s late aim set the stage for a dramatic denouement. Liverpool barely held on beneath Fulham’s barrage of strain earlier than lastly clinching a 3-2 combination success.

“This was not a night to shine or play a bit of fancy football, it was a night to qualify for a final. The boys did really well and I’m really happy,” Klopp mentioned.

“The very young ones have been incredible. I’m so happy to see their reaction in the dressing room.”

In a repeat of the 2022 ultimate gained by Liverpool on penalties, the Reds will make their 14th look within the League Cup showpiece towards Chelsea at Wembley on February 25.

“It’s fantastic. We had the experience before, we know what to expect. Again Chelsea. Wow what a story that is,” Klopp mentioned.

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

Liverpool have gained the League Cup a report 9 occasions, whereas Chelsea, who routed Middlesbrough 6-2 on combination on the opposite semi-final, have lifted the trophy on 5 events, most not too long ago in 2015.

With Mohamed Salah struggling a critical hamstring harm on Africa Cup of Nations responsibility with Egypt, Liverpool shall be bereft of star energy for a number of weeks.

But in Salah’s absence, Liverpool’s victory over Bournemouth on Sunday took them 5 factors clear on the prime of the Premier League.

The Reds are additionally competing within the FA Cup and Europa League, giving them an opportunity for an unimaginable quadruple trophy haul this season.

Black and white billboards with the slogan ‘dare to dream’ had surrounded the Craven Cottage pitch in a pre-match message to the Fulham followers, who responded with a raucous ambiance that belied their sedate repute.

It did not take lengthy for Liverpool to puncture Fulham’s optimism.

Deadly Diaz

Klopp’s males wasted no time getting on the entrance foot as Diaz glanced a header narrowly extensive from Harvey Elliott’s free-kick inside the primary two minutes.

Crucially, Joao Palhinha wasted a golden alternative to place Fulham forward when the unmarked midfielder met Andreas Pereira’s nook with a volley that whistled over from 10 yards.

Diaz made positive Liverpool took benefit of that escape within the eleventh minute, the Colombian rising to win an aerial problem earlier than darting into the realm for a low drive that squirmed by means of Bernd Leno‘s weak tried save at his close to put up.

A relentless thorn in Fulham’s aspect, Diaz had the ball within the internet once more halfway by means of the half however this time his strike was disallowed for offside towards Darwin Nunez.

So dominant within the opening phases, Liverpool let their guard down after that and Raul Jimenez‘s effort from outdoors the sting introduced a sprawling save from Caoimhin Kelleher.

Deputising for the rested Alisson Becker, Kelleher held Willian‘s 25-yard blast moments later.

Kelleher gifted Fulham an opportunity by coming off his line in a failed bid to catch Willian’s cross, with Tosin Adarabioyo’s knock-down smashed towards the put up by Pereira.

That fortunate let-off re-energised Liverpool, who threatened a second aim as Nunez’s roller pressured a nice save from Leno at full stretch.

But Harry Wilson got here off the bench to offer a spark for Fulham within the closing phases, whipping over a perfectly-placed cross that Diop flicked previous Kelleher from close-range.

In a tense finale, Kelleher made a great cease to maintain out Wilson’s blistering strike earlier than Liverpool may lastly have fun.

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