Liverpool produced one other comeback after conceding first to take a 2-1 lead over Fulham into the second leg of their League Cup semi-final on Wednesday.
Willian fired the guests in entrance of their first-ever League Cup semi-final at Anfield.
But two objectives in three second-half minutes from Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo gave the Reds a slender benefit forward of the second leg at Craven Cottage on January 24.
Jurgen Klopp’s males have now fallen behind in 14 video games this season, however have received seven of these matches and misplaced simply three.
“It’s the mentality in the group, in the club, in the city. Everybody is like this,” mentioned Gakpo.
“Just keep going no matter what happens. We showed it again today. If you’ve got that mentality, a lot of beautiful things can happen.”
Liverpool had been with out Mohamed Salah because of his participation on the Africa Cup of Nations, whereas Trent Alexander-Arnold was amongst a variety of harm absentees and it confirmed in a sluggish first half.
Fulham couldn’t have wished for a greater begin when Willian opened the scoring on 19 minutes.
Virgil van Dijk was twice at fault as his weak header was pounced on by Andreas Pereira.
Willian then acquired the break of the ball contained in the penalty space earlier than firing via Van Dijk’s legs past Caoimhin Kelleher.
Fulham had been left to curse their fortune after the break, however the guests had been architects of their very own downfall for not taking the possibility to increase their lead.
Fulham’s missed probability
Klopp left his midfield broad open as he threw on Gakpo and Darwin Nunez to kind a entrance 4 alongside Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota.
But earlier than the house aspect turned the sport round, Fulham had a number of alternatives to choose them off on the counter-attack.
Bobby De Cordova-Reid wasted the very best of them when he compelled Kelleher into a cushty save with Pereira and Raul Jimenez begging for a cross.
“Second half we had really good moments, we should have scored another goal at least,” mentioned Fulham supervisor Marco Silva.
“Even so the game is at half-time. We are losing 2-1 but we will go for it for sure.
“At house, with our followers behind us, it’s going to be a terrific evening for Fulham FC.”
Liverpool were struggling to make their numbers in attacking areas count until Jones’ long-range effort deflected off the unfortunate Tosin Adarabioyo and beyond the helpless Bernd Leno.
Moments later the record nine-time League Cup winners led.
The substitutes combined as Nunez’s low cross was turned home by Gakpo at the near post.
But Leno then won his personal duel with Nunez three times in the final 20 minutes to keep Fulham in the tie.
The German goalkeeper was stretched by a towering header and blast from a tight angle by the Uruguayan.
Leno’s best stop, though, came five minutes from time when the former Arsenal ‘keeper spread himself to block from a narrow angle.
“It was not our greatest recreation we ever performed however it’s not about that in the meanwhile,” said Klopp.
“If we wish to go to the ultimate we want a very good recreation at Fulham and we want a end result.”
Liverpool stay the sturdy favourites to succeed in the Wembley remaining towards both Middlesbrough or Chelsea subsequent month.
However, Fulham do have hope with house benefit to return within the second leg.
Source web site: www.hindustantimes.com
