Liverpool are 90 minutes away from a return to Wembley, however they nonetheless have loads of work to do to get past Fulham and into the League Cup last.
Fulham vs. Liverpool
League Cup semi-final second leg | Craven Cottage
January 24, 2024 | 8pm (GMT)
The Reds have been pressured to come back from behind within the first leg two weeks in the past to present themselves a bonus at Craven Cottage, with quickfire objectives from Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo sufficient to seal a 2-1 win at Anfield.
The return leg awaits on Wednesday night time, when Jurgen Klopp’s aspect will probably be trying to e book their place within the League Cup last for the second time in three seasons.
Right here’s a have a look at every little thing you’ll must know forward of Fulham vs. Liverpool
1. Workforce information
It has been a difficult few months on the health entrance for Liverpool, however they appear set to probably welcome one participant again into the fold on Wednesday night.
Andy Robertson has been declared match to hitch the squad for the journey to London, having been out of motion with a dislocated shoulder since October.
Dominik Szoboszlai and Trent Alexander-Arnold will hopefully not be far behind him, however Wednesday night time is ready to come back barely too quickly for each.
2. Gakpo eyeing historical past
Cody Gakpo may write his identify into the membership’s file books ought to be get on the scoresheet at Craven Cottage.
The Dutchman would develop into the first-ever Liverpool participant to register a aim in 5 successive matches within the competitors, having netted in each spherical of the competitors thus far this season.
He definitely appears to love the League Cup!
3. No away objectives – penalties potential
As is now the case in Europe, away objectives don’t apply within the League Cup semi-final, which means any win by one aim for Fulham would prolong the competition into additional time.
The match won’t go straight to penalties, because it does after 90 minutes within the earlier rounds, however we may see spot-kicks if the mixture rating stays stage after two hours.
Let’s simply hope it doesn’t come to that!
4. Not a foregone conclusion
Followers are naturally starting to dream of one other journey to Wembley, however the rating is in no way settled on this cup tie.
The hosts knocked Tottenham out of the competitors within the second spherical again in August and have received six of their 10 house video games within the Premier League thus far this season.
5. Constructive away fortunes
That mentioned, Liverpool themselves boast a formidable file on the street this season, topping the league by way of away type with six wins from 11.
It was one other spectacular outing away to Bournemouth on the weekend, and the Reds will probably be trying to proceed that development on Wednesday night time.
It’s a far cry from final season’s away fortunes, with Liverpool having already picked up as might league wins on their travels as they managed in the entire of the 2022/23 season.
6. Hunt for double figures
Liverpool are bidding to develop into the primary group within the competitors’s historical past to achieve 10 League Cup triumphs, having re-established their place because the cup’s most profitable group by lifting the trophy in 2021/22.
The opposite finalists that yr have been Chelsea, however they should overturn a 1-0 deficit towards Middlesbrough on Tuesday night time if they’re to arrange the potential for a re-run.
The Reds have reached the final 4 a formidable 19 instances in 58 makes an attempt, and have received 13 of their 18 semi-final ties thus far.
7. Craven Cottage file
Solely a win will suffice for Fulham if they’re to have a chace of reaching their first-ever League Cup last, one thing they haven’t achieved on this fixture at Craven Cottage in over 12 years.
The hosts have been 1-0 winners over the Reds again in 2011 with a aspect that included Danny Murphy, when a late Clint Dempsey strike was sufficient for Martin Jol’s aspect to select up all three factors.
That drought does solely account for 5 matches, nevertheless, with the Lilywhites having had a lot of spells within the Championship during the last decade.
8. Likelihood for six in a row
Liverpool are quietly placing collectively one other spectacular profitable run, with an ideal file in 2024 thus far and 5 consecutive victories in all competitions.
A draw can be sufficient to make sure the Reds are within the Wembley showpiece on the finish of subsequent month, however a victory and one other assertion efficiency would do confidence no hurt for what continues to be to come back.
9. Unpopular referee – and no VAR
Simon Hooper – the person within the center for Luis Diaz’s wrongly disallowed aim at Tottenham in November – is accountable for this one, and he’ll accomplish that with out the help of VAR.
It had been deliberate for the know-how to be launched at this stage within the competitors, however Middlesbrough’s development to the final 4 means that we are going to now have to attend till the ultimate because of the lack of VAR at Championship stadiums.
Hooper will probably be assisted by Adrian Holmes and Simon Lengthy on the touchlines, with Tony Harrington on fourth official responsibility.
10. Hold up to date with us!
For those who’re searching for biased, by-the-minute commentary of every little thing taking place at Craven Cottage then look no additional than TIA’s very personal matchday liveblog!
As all the time, we’re available to convey you the most recent from one other big recreation, and our protection begins at round 7.15pm (GMT) on our web site.
Let’s get again to Anfield south!
