Liverpool vs Fulham LIVE: Carabao Cup result and final score as Cody Gakpo completes dramatic turnaround
Liverpool 2-1 Fulham: Two goals from Gakpo and Curtis Jones in three second-half minutes turned the tie around as the hosts came from behind at Anfield
Substitutes Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez came off the bench to help turn around Liverpool’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at home to Fulham and ensured they will take a 2-1 lead to Craven Cottage.
The pair were introduced early in the second half with the hosts trailing to Willian’s 19th-minute goal after a Virgil van Dijk error. Liverpool were struggling for creativity without the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold - who helped turn a 3-2 Fulham lead into a 4-3 Reds win in last month’s Premier League meeting - but as at Arsenal in the FA Cup at the weekend Jurgen Klopp’s changes altered the game.
Nunez added a directness which had been lacking while Gakpo brought the composure and control to midfield Ryan Gravenberch had not before he was replaced by his Netherlands team-mate. And the pair combined for Gakpo to score in the 71st minute, just three minutes after Curtis Jones’ deflected equaliser.
Liverpool will travel to Craven Cottage for the second leg on January 24. Chelsea suffered a surprise 1-0 loss at Middlesbrough in the first leg of the other semi-final on Tuesday.
Follow live updates from Liverpool vs Fulham in the Carabao Cup semi-finals, below.
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham
61 mins: And speaking of... what a chance for Fulham! The Liverpool defence is hesitant and Willian pounces on the loose ball before playing in De Cordova-Reid, who was through on goal but his touch lets him down and Liverpool recover!
That won’t go down as a shot, but it’s a huge chance!
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham
59 mins: Nunez beats Tosin twice but his cross is straight at Leno... Fulham are looking so dangerous on the counter-attack and there is SO much space already for the visitors to break into.
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham
55 mins: This has been a completely different Liverpool this half - Jota plays a good one-two with Gravenberch but can’t find the room to get his shot away, and when he does Robinson can make the block.
Here come the changes, and it’s Nunez and Gakpo on for Elliott and Gravenberch. That is an attacking move from Klopp.
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham
53 mins: It’s still early in the second half but the double change is coming for Liverpool: both Nunez and Gakpo are getting ready.
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham
51 mins: Liverpool keep up the pressure but Jones’s curling shot is easily saved by Leno. Pereira goes back to ground, holding his back, and the Liverpool fans are not happy with the alleged time-wasting tactics.
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham
49 mins: ALMOST! Liverpool are knocking on the door now! Elliott picks up the ball well and tries his luck - it’s deflected but breaks to Jota, inside the box! But just as he goes to pull the trigger, Castagne comes across and makes the goal-saving challenge. Great defending.
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham
48 mins: CLOSE! Almost an immediate response from Liverpool after half time! It’s great work from Gravenberch, who carries well from midfield and then chops inside Palhinha. The Kop begs for the shot and Gravenberch just drags his wide of the post. Leno was worried.
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham
Back underway at Anfield - this is only the second time Liverpool have been behind at half time this season, the first was earlier in the Carabao Cup before they went on to beat Leicester 3-1.
HALF TIME! Liverpool 0-1 Fulham
There was a concern for Fulham at the half-time whistle after Harrison Reed got a knock but Liverpool goalkeeper Kelleher, but the midfielder is ok to carry on.
Liverpool have Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo on the bench, will they be needed in the second half?
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