Liverpool 2-1 Fulham – Carabao Cup semi-final LIVE RESULT: Gakpo’s strike sets up tasty second leg at Craven Cottage
LIVERPOOL have pipped Fulham to a marginal victory in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final - but it is far from a foregone conclusion.
Willian's low-driven strike had initially put the visitors in front.
But Curtis Jones' deflected strike followed by Cody Gakpo's effort has made it an interesting spectacle in the return leg
- RESULT: Liverpool 2-1 Fulham
- Live stream:
- TV channel: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football
- Liverpool XI: Kelleher, Gomez, Van Dijk, Konate, Diaz, Mac Allister, Jones, Elliott, Jota, Gravenberch, Bradley.
- Fulham XI: Leno, Castagne, Tosin, Diop, Robinson, Palhinha, De Cordova-Reid, Andreas, Willian, Jimenez.
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Liverpool 0-1 Fulham
62. There is just not enough movement from Liverpool's forward.
When a player is in possession, there are no options, the side are static waiting for the ball.
Willian feeds the ball into the path of De Cordova-Reid but he cannot control the ball and chance is gone.
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham
60. Fulham are looking dangerous on the break now.
With Liverpool having such an attacking formation, there are going to be chances for Marco Silva's side to land the sucker punch.
Pereira whips in a corner but Konate heads clear.
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham
58. It is a very attacking side out on the pitch for Liverpool now.
Fulham counter with Jimenez but his shot is deflected and nearly drops to a player in white before Gomez clears.
The home fans are trying to get their side going once again.
Credit: AFP
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham
56. Nunez and Gakpo come on for Liverpool.
They replace Elliott and Gravenberch.
Just before the break in play, Jota had a great chance to work Leno but took one too many touches, allowing Robinson to get the block in.
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham
54. Marco Silva's side come forward on the attack.
Gomez does well to block the ball but Fulham have the throw in.
It looks like Jurgen Klopp is about to make some changes.
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham
52. Liverpool are knocking on the door once again.
Play is held up as Leonardo Di Caprio, I mean Andreas Pereira, requires some treatment.
The home fans voice their displeasure for the actor.
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham
50. Massive chance for Liverpool.
As the ball comes into the box, it drops to Jota and a goal seems inevitable.
The Portuguese forward takes too many touches and allows Castagne to clear.
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham
48. Liverpool are on the front foot once again.
They are lacking the killer-pass in the final third.
Gravenberch steams forward, checks back onto his right and shoots but drags his shot wide of the post.
Credit: PA Liverpool 0-1 Fulham
46. It will be interesting to see how Klopp reshuffles his pack tonight.
If Nunez is brought on, he tends to play better coming in from the left.
In which case, dropping Elliott into midfield and playing Diaz on the right makes sense, so he can cut onto his left foot much like Salah.
Kick-off: Liverpool 0-1 Fulham
We are back underway at Anfield.
No changes from either side at the break.
Liverpool get the second half started.
HT: Liverpool 0-1 Fulham
Liverpool need to be more forceful in the final third if they are to take this game by the scruff of the neck.
It has all been too vanilla from Jurgen Klopp's side, making it too easy for Fulham to keep them at bay.
Unless The Reds' manager sees some change in the second half, it won't be long before we see Darwin Nunez introduced to proceedings.
View from SunSport's Ken Lawrence
Half–time : Liverpool 0 Fulham 1.
The diminutive but feisty Marco Silva has seen his player more than punch above their weight – a bit like a few weeks ago.
They became so much more comfortable once van Dijk had blundered to allow Willian to grab the opener and jet–heeled left back Antonee Robinson has delivered a constant threat.
Klopp won’t be panicking just yet for as his players have proved repeatedly that they are the bounce-back stars of the season.
Yet having left Darwin Nunez on the bench the German is bound to call on him – if nothing else to add a touch of devil to an attack that has benefitted from Liverpool’s superior possession but hasn’t put much of a bite on goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
HT: Liverpool 0-1 Fulham
Despite having the lion's share of possession, Jurgen Klopp's side have not done anything with it.
The stats tell the true story and the shots on target for the hosts is a poor return.
Unless they can put the Fulham keeper under more pressure, you cannot see how they are going to find a way back into this game.
HT: Liverpool 0-1 Fulham
The referee brings the first half to a close.
It this were a school report, for Liverpool, it would say must try harder.
As for Fulham, everything is going according to plan.
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham
45+2. Gomez is fouled in a wide position by De Cordova-Reid.
Liverpool manage to work the ball into the box via Bradley.
It is headed away all too easily by the visitors.
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham
45. Fulham are dropping deep whenever Liverpool have the ball.
They are inviting the hosts to try and break them down.
Jimenez goes down in dramatic style and wins the visitors a free kick.
You have to wonder whether The Cottagers have been spending time at the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art.
We are going to have an added three minutes.
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham
43. Jurgen Klopp looks agitated on the touchline.
He knows how important it is that his side get a solid result in this first leg before heading to West London.
Konate wrestles Pereira on the edge of the box and uses his strength to win the ball back.
Credit: PA Liverpool 0-1 Fulham
41. This has taken the form of a Europa League tie for the hosts so far.
It all seems a little drab, their play is like they feel if they continue to do the basics well a goal will come.
Fulham are better than that and Klopp's side need to be a bit more creative in the final third.
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham
39. Liverpool need to try and find a goal before the break.
It would knock the wind out of the sails of the visitors.
Should Silva's side go in at the interval one-nil up, they will come out in the second half with a renewed confidence.
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham
37. Bradley is having a good half against Willian.
On this occasion the Brazilian beats the youngster and finds De Cordova-Reid at the back post.
He dwells on the ball and Curtis Jones is able to get back and clear at the expense of a corner.
View from SunSport's Ken Lawrence
Muted atmosphere within Anfield at the start but by the 19th minute the home support suddenly find themselves on the edge of their seats suffering from a sudden surge of anxiety.
For Willian marks his 50th appearance or Fulham with a stunning opener – and most stunned of all is Virgil van Dijk after dropping a proper clanger.
The Reds captain gets himself in one of several minds to the left of his side’s box and Andreas Pereira ambushes him.
He does well to control and flick inside for Willian who keeps his emotions muted, a bit like the audience, before driving low into the net.
Liverpool had been almost totally control until that point but night soon got worse for van Dijk.
He picks up a booking for a shove on Pereira who goes down like he had just been shot by the Liverpool captain.
Actually it was a handbags challenge and Klopp had every right to not-so- quietly suggest to the fourth official that Pereira had displayed serious artistic licence in his dying swan act.
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham
35. The Reds need to try and start working Leno more.
Trying to play their way through the Fulham defence is not working for them at the moment.
Jones wins a corner from Palhinha.
Credit: AP Liverpool 0-1 Fulham
33. It has all gone a little quiet at Anfield now.
Willian showing that he not just a really good Tracy Chapman lookalike with the goal for the visitors.
Liverpool could not deal with him once he got in that Fast Car in the box.
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham
31. Just to remind you, there is no VAR in play this evening.
Jimenez goes to ground under the challenge of Van Dijk but the referee plays advantage.
The Liverpool skipper needs to be careful as he has already received a yellow card for the decapitation of Periera earlier.
Or so the Fulham player would have you believe.
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham
29. All is going according to plan for Marco Silva so far.
He would have expected Liverpool to dominate possession but with almost half an hour gone, his side lead and still have their clean sheet in tact.
Jurgen Klopp's side have not found a way to unlock this Fulham defence so far.
