AnalysisFive talking points from Liverpool 2-1 Fulham
Willian struck in the first half of Wednesday’s game to give the visitors the lead, but the Reds hit back after the break and netted twice in the space of three minutes to claim victory.
Jürgen Klopp’s side will now take a slender advantage to Craven Cottage for the second leg on January 24.
Read on for five talking points from Anfield.
Curtis loves the cup
Having scored twice in the quarter-final victory over West Ham United, Jones was at it again to ignite Liverpool’s comeback here.
A much-improved second-half display from the Reds had been met with Fulham defiance until the Scouser broke the visitors’ resistance midway through the period.
Diogo Jota’s tenacity saw the ball retrieved and Darwin Nunez teed up Jones, who steadied himself before striking with his left foot. A heavy deflection off Tosin Adarabioyo rendered goalkeeper Bernd Leno stranded and the home team’s recovery was under way.
That’s now four goals – two of which have arrived in successive Anfield games – this season for the Academy graduate.
Super subs
Gakpo and Nunez were two of the players to cede their places in Liverpool’s starting XI following the win at Arsenal three days earlier, but the duo influenced the outcome hugely after being introduced early in the second half.
A trademark livewire performance from Nunez featured an assist for the more understated, yet no less impressive, Gakpo as Liverpool turned the first leg on its head in the space of three minutes.
The Uruguayan sped down the inside-left channel and delivered a fine cross for his Dutch colleague, who had read the situation and darted to the near post, from where he guided home a deft left-footed volley.
Gakpo has now netted in all four of his appearances for the club in this competition and is the first Liverpool player to score in four consecutive League Cup outings since Vladimir Smicer in 2000-01.
Déjà vu
It’s only been a little over a month since the Reds recovered from a deficit to overcome Fulham at Anfield – and they again roused themselves to repeat the trick.
For Wataru Endo and Trent Alexander-Arnold in the thrilling 4-3 Premier League win in early December, read Jones and Gakpo here.
Klopp’s team didn’t leave it quite as late this time around and while the drama of that turnaround remained unsurpassed, this response was vital too, as it means Liverpool head into the second leg at Craven Cottage in a fortnight in pole position to advance to Wembley.
Conor convinces at right-back
“Conor is a top boy, he was with us in pre-season before he got injured and the pre-season he had – the few weeks – were already really impressive… Of course we trust him.”
Klopp’s pre-match faith was repaid handsomely by Conor Bradley, who produced an all-action display at right-back and was voted the fans’ Player of the Match.
The 20-year-old delivered an outstanding full-back performance – in a more conventional manner than the unique Alexander-Arnold – that brimmed with energy and enthusiasm.
Two moments bookended and summed up Bradley’s night neatly.
The Northern Ireland international set the tone by biting into a tackle inside the opening 30 seconds and then, in the final minutes of the match, he found Nunez with a superb low cross that the No.9 very nearly converted.
A warm embrace from his manager awaited at full-time – a thoroughly deserved Klopp hug after a bright evening’s work.
Kelleher’s crucial contribution
Caoimhin Kelleher is, of course, no stranger to heroics in the Carabao Cup.
This will not join his extensive list of unforgettable moments in the competition but, should Liverpool finish the job at Craven Cottage later in the month, it can be considered pivotal in this semi-final tie.
The Reds were still trailing 1-0 when, just after the hour mark, Bobby De Cordova-Reid was presented with a chance to double Fulham’s lead.
Aiming for the far bottom corner, the forward shot low across Kelleher, who got down sharply to turn his attempt away.
A few minutes later, Jones equalised and, a few minutes after that, Gakpo completed the comeback.