Liverpool 2-1 Fulham (10 Jan, 2024) Game Analysis

Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo scored three minutes apart as Liverpool fought back from a goal down to beat Fulham 2-1 in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final at a cold Anfield on Wednesday.

Fulham took the lead in the first half with a Willian goal, then sat back and looked to hit Liverpool on the break, frustrating Juergen Klopp's side until the 68th minute when Jones and then Gakpo hit one after the other.

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“That's the mentality in the group, in the club, in the city, keep going and no matter what happens and we showed that again today,” Gakpo told Sky Sports. “If you have that mentality, a lot of things can happen.”

Fulham threatened to hand the nine-time League Cup winners their first home defeat in all competitions this season after Willian scored in the 19th minute. Taking advantage of a poor clearance from Virgil van Dijk, the Brazilian headed home from the edge of the penalty area between the legs of goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.

Premier League leaders Liverpool dominated possession and eventually got the better of Fulham's well-organized backline when Jones scored, his shot from 25 yards taking a big deflection off the back of Tosin Adarabioyo.

Substitute Gakpo, who scored in all four of his League Cup matches for Liverpool, gave the home side the lead in the 71st minute, tapping in Darwin Núñez's cross at the near post to send the fans home. them happy after extending their remarkable home record this season. to 14 wins and two draws.

“In the first half it was difficult, we had all the ball but we couldn't find the back of the net and in the second half we turned it around,” Jones told Sky Sports. “The fans leave with smiles on their faces so I’m happy.”

Klopp's side managed 21 shots to Fulham's six, and the addition of Gakpo and Nunez in the second half made all the difference.

“[Jones] I scored a very important goal to get us back into the game and after that I felt we were really dominating, not only with possession but also creating chances and then the second, so I was happy.” Gakpo said.

“I love playing with these guys. We showed a good mentality and we have to continue because it's only the first leg of this match.”

Liverpool were missing talisman Mohamed Salah, joint top scorer in the Premier League this season who is participating with Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who injured his knee during the victory in the FA Cup third round on Sunday against Arsenal.

Liverpool travel to Craven Cottage for the second leg on January 24. Chelsea suffered a surprise 1-0 defeat to second division Middlesbrough in the first leg of the other semi-final on Tuesday.