Luis Diaz’s strike fired Liverpool past Fulham 3-2 on aggregate into the 2023-24 Carabao Cup Final, following a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage.
Diaz struck the defining goal in the 11th minute as he fired in via Bernd Leno’s deflection after the Colombian initially met Jarrell Quansah’s deep cross.
Issa Diop flicked in a 77th minute goal from Harry Wilson’s close-range cross to rescue an eventual 1-1 draw on the night, yet Jurgen Klopp’s Reds advanced 3-2 on aggregate by virtue of their first leg victory at Anfield.
Liverpool will now face Chelsea in this season’s Carabao Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, London, on Sunday 25 February.
Liverpool defender, Quansah spoke to Sky Sports post-match about helping the team reach the final, which could be his first major final appearance as a senior player if he features in the showpiece match.
“It is special, unbelievable. Can’t ask for much more really. We had to dig in tonight. It is my first season here and happy to get to a final.
“It is all about rhythm, you have to keep playing. I felt a little rusty as I’ve not played recently.
“Doing this with Conor [Bradley] is special for me because we have played together for 10 years.”
Having fought back to clim a 2-1 aggregate lead at the end of the first leg, Liverpool began on the front foot with a first minute free-kick only for Diaz to head wide.
Darwin Nunez then saw a sixth-minute shot saved by Bernd Leno whilst Fulham eventually mounted their first attack barely a minute later, as Timothy Castagne’s low cross drew a block from Caoimhin Kelleher but Joao Palhinha volleyed over from the resulting corner on his right foot.
Kelleher then made another save in the tenth minute as he flapped Antonee Robinson’s shot way from goal, after the US international had played a quick one-two with Willian up the left.
Those wasted chances for the hosts were punished in the 11th minute as Quansah played a deep cross towards Diaz on the left, which allowed him to knock down and cut into space inside the box to rifle into the near-left corner via Leno’s deflection to make it 3-1 on aggregate.
Liverpool almost took a huge step towards extending their lead in the 28th minute but Nunez volleyed his shot onto the left-post from which it ricochetted towards Diaz yet the Colombin was offside as he smashed his shot into the top-right corner via the underside of the crossbar.
Fulham consequently had faint hopes of reducing their defict on aggregate to one goal but referee – Simon Hooper denied them a penalty for a 35th minute foul by Diaz upon Jimenez from a throw-in, whilst Willian soon afterwards saw his shot saved by Kelleher.
Liverpool went on to protect their narrow one-goal lead on the night and 3-1 aggregate lead into half-time, although Ryan Gravenberch missed a chance to extend their lead further with a fumbled volley at the left post from Harvey Elliott’s deep cross.
Klopp’s Reds immediately wasted another chance to add to their lead on the start of the second half as Diaz teed up Cody Gakpo, who laid the ball off for Elliott but the 20 year-old dragged his shot wide of the left corner.
Liverpool soon received a huge scare in the 53rd minute as Pereira played a free-kick short and the resulting cross was knocked down by Tosin Adarabioyo onto the left post, which led to a quick counter-attack only for Elliott’s shot to be blocked by Leno.
Nunez missed a further chance as he intercepted a 63rd minute clearance but on the spin, he smashed his shot wide of the top-left corner in what proved to be his final meaningful involvement as he was substituted for Diogo Jota four minutes later.
Fulham meanwhile substituted Bobby De Cordova-Reid for Wilson which paid off as the Wales international broke up the left and weaved into the box, with his curled shot flicked in by Diop to restore parity on the night and reduce their aggregate deficit to one goal again.
Diop’s goal also marked his first goal since he scored in a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth in the Premier League in October 2022.
That goal sparked Fulham’s home crowd into life and they almost turned the game around to level up the aggregate score in the 80th minute, yet Wilson’s shot was blocked by Kelleher.
Liverpool almost reclaimed their lead and in-turn absolute victory on aggregate in the 88th minute, as Jota got through towards goal but Fulham’s defence recovered to prevent him taking aim upon goal.
Upon completion of four minutes of injury-time, Liverpool clung on to reach a 14th appearance in the Final of this competition where Chelsea await in a rematch of the 2022 Final which the Reds won on penalties after a goalless draw.
Speaking to Sky Sports post-match, Klopp was thrilled to have strong opposition in the Final after Chelsea overturned a 1-0 aggregate deficit to beat Middlesbrough in the other semi-final.
“It is fantastic. We had the experience before, we know what to expect. Again Chelsea wow what a story that is,.
“You should never take for granted if you are part of the team who can qualify for trophies.”
Klopp also spoke highly of how entertaining this semi-final tie was despite scraping through on aggregate, as he praised his players for their efforts.
“This was the full cup experience. Open game, second half they started a bit wilder. We don’t score. They got the equaliser. But the boys did really well and I am really happy.
“The only thing that counts in the end is that we are through,. The very young ones have been incredible, so happy to see their reaction in the dressing room.
“They are all exceptional and they all worked extremely hard. This was not the night to shine, this was the night to qualify for a final. You heard from Marco Silva how much reaching a final would mean for Fulham, we had to prove and we did.”
Klopp however is aware that Liverpool can’t totally dream of winning the title because they’re currently chasing a quadruple, with Premier League, Europa League and FA Cup also up for grabs.
“Everything great about the Carabao Cup final. Around that we have to be focused on all the other competitions as well and that is what we will do.
“It is so perfect. Wembley is a special place and I am really happy for everyone involved they can have that experience.”
What’s Next?
Fulham turn their attention to the Fourth Round of this season’s FA Cup, which sees them host Newcastle United at Craven Cottage on Saturday 27 January at 7pm GMT.
Liverpool are also in FA Cup action this weekend as Klopp’s Reds entertain Norwich City at Anfield on Sunday 28 January in a 2:30pm kick-off.
Teams
Fulham: Bernd Leno, Timothy Castagne (Tete 83′), Tosin Adarabioyo, Issa Diop, Antonee Robinson, Joao Palhinha, Tom Cairney (Reed 83′), Bobby De Cordova-Reid (Wilson 67′), Andreas Pereira (Muniz 83′), Willian, Raul Jimenez
Substitutes: Marek Rodak, Kenny Tete, Tim Ream, Harrison Reed, Sasa Lukic, Tyrese Francois, Harry Wilson, Rodrigo Muniz, Carlos Vinicius
Liverpool: Caoimhin Kelleher, Connor Bradley, Jarrel Quansah, Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Ryan Gravenberch (Clark 84′), Alexis Mac Allister (Jones 67′), Harvey Elliott, Cody Gakpo (Konate 83′), Darwin Nunez (Jota 67′), Luis Diaz
Substitutes: Alisson, Ibrahima Konate, Curtis Jones, Diogo Jota, Andrew Robertson, Bobby Clark, James McConnell, Owen Beck, Trey Nyoni
Referee – Simon Hooper
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