Fulham 1-1 Liverpool (2-3 agg) – Carabao Cup semi-final: Live score, team news and updates as Reds book Wembley date with Chelsea as they cling on to victory after late Issa Diop strike

Liverpool are aiming for a quadruple this season – albeit with a Europa League rather than a Champions League in their sights.

They’ll have another final against Chelsea, who they beat 11-10 on penalties in 2022 in an utterly bizarre match.

This will be a huge marker for them and potentially a first trophy for some of their players, such as Jarell Quansah.

Van Dijk told Sky Sports: ‘We wanted to make sure that we did the right things. Fulham played at home, brought the flags out. We had to be ready to fight.

‘We scored a good goal, created many chances to double the lead or triple the lead.

Quansah said: ‘It’s special, it’s unbeliavable. You can;t ask for much more really. We had to dig in tonight.

‘It’s all about rhythm. Felt a little bit rusty out there tonight, not played in a few weeks, but it’s about about playing games.

‘Sharing a pitch with Connor [Bradley] was a special feeling.’

That was a pulsating finish.

Fulham gave it everything to try and reach their first Carabao Cup final, and looked super dangerous for spells, but ultimately they weren’t clinical enough.

Liverpool did just enough. Kelleher had to save their souls at times, particularly from a hungry Jimenez, but tehy have done it.

Liverpool stride on, Fulham wallow in heartbreak. The cruellest of nights and the most joyful, depending on who you are.

And there we have it! Liverpool are through to the Carabao Cup final!

Palhinha has a shot blocked inside the area and he should’ve tried to find a team-mate.

Fulham are giving every ounce of energy but making some rash judgements. Robinson pawed Bradley while they were both nowhere near the ball and gave away a free-kick. What was he thinking? Time is precious.

Four minutes are added on.

Both sides are playing frenetically.

Jota arrived late in a challenge on Adarabioyo, just some poor judgement.

Every pass feels important, a swing towards safety if it goes right or a lurch towards danger if it goes wrong – as they increasingly are.

Whoever can find the oasis of calm will succeed.

Dare to call this game?

A momentous moment for Fulham, but they still need another goal!

Meanwhile, a tonne of subs have been made.

For Fulham: Tete on for Castagne, Muniz on for Pereira, Reid on for Cairney.

For Liverpool: Konate on for Gakpo, Clarke on for Gravenberch.

Craven Cottage’s atmosphere is electric!

Wilson blasted a shot at Kelleher and he had to make a save.

Self-belief is coarsing through Fulham’s veins. Every time they get on the ball, you can feel the anticipation and buzz. Suddenly everything is being played at twice the speed.

Issa Diop!

The defender gets his thigh on Wilson’s cross and it beats Kelleher.

He had gone down a minute earlier to raucous shouts.

What an impact from Wilson, what a finish for Diop!

A minute later, Diop goes in the book for a foul on Jota. Their enmity this game is hotting up.

Probably not what Fulham were going for…

Fans have pointed out that Fulham’s flags have taken on an unfortunate resemblence to the hoods of the white-supremacist group, the Klu Klux clan

Liverpool are pressing high. Bradley capitalised on a loose ball on the edge of the area and got it to Gravenberch, who dragged a shot wide.

It’s an intense game, this. Jota and Diop have started wrestling a little bit after some heated discussion. Nothing WWE-style yet, just some flailing arms. Simon Hooper asks them to cut it out.

For Fulham, Harry Wilson is on for Bobby De Cordova-Reid.

Jurgen Klopp makes a couple of forward-thinking changes.

Diogo Jota is on for Darwin Nunez, with Curtis Jones replacing Alexis Mac Allister.

Darwin Nunez played a game of twister in the box, spinning the defence inside out with clever feet before lobbing a shot beyond the reach of Leno.

It was also beyond the frame of the goal. Top marks for trying. Anyone who makes Nunez out to be some lumbering, chaotic dolt needs to appreciate this side of him – he has extraordinary technique.

Leno comes up with a good save! Sore fingers!

Diaz found Nunez on the counter, who opened up his body on the left and whipped the ball towards the far corner, but Leno had it covered.

Mac Allister fancies himself to create on his own after the corner, shruggling off Robinson, but Fulham dig their heels in and stave off his and Gravenberch’s attempts at crosses.

Adarabioyo rose like a leviathan to beat Kelleher to the ball and knock it on to Pereira, who thunders a shot off the post from yards out. Kelleher flapped there and it should have been 1-1!

Liverpool immediately bombed down the other end and Elliott had the chance to put Fulham to the sword, but he couldn’t have his Deeney moment. What a passage of play.

Fulham won a corner after a De Cordova-Reid effort. Obviously he was reading this blog and wanted to silence any criticism.

Liverpool dash down the other end and Gakpo nearly pulled off an almost alien finish. He managed to contort his leg to such a flexible angle after it bounced up from a Diaz pass, but his effort misses the goal. If the football goes south, he can always be a gymnast.

A deflating stat for Fulham fans – De Cordova Reid has had just 15 touches this game, the least of anyone.

I could whip out a stat about someone else, as Gomez cannons another shot over the bar. We see this every week now. I won’t bore you.

Liverpool fans serenade Jota as he saunters around the edge of the pitch, swaddled in his Liverpool puffer jacket. Doesn’t look like he’ll be on any time soon, though.

Fulham get us going in exactly the same fashion as Liverpool began the first half – booting the ball up to the left flank.

Except they give it away, and Liverpool counter with Gravenberch leading the charge, with Elliott eventually getting a chance. He swipes at it with his left foot and it goes well wide.

Any budding gamers? If you can’t get on the turf as a player at Craven Cottage, you could at least feature as a video game wizard.

I’m tempted to give Elliott my provisional gong, but Diaz has also been a constant thorn in Fulham’s side. Between those two for top performer so far I reckon.

Jimenez has brimmed with potential for Fulham but Liverpool have shephered him away from goal well.

Quansah deserves all the praise for his magnificent assist.

It was a cross-field ball in the ilk of Alexander-Arnold or Van Dijk, carving Fulham open like a samurai’s sword through hot butter.

And that’s it from the first half. Liverpool comfortable but not free from exertion. Palhinha and Jimenez have had chances to give Fulham something to cheer, but so far, Diaz’s goal has made all the difference.

Elliott, mercurial and floating, drifted out to the right flank and made Fulham do a double take when he cut in.

He sliced a ball right in the danger zone but Gravenberch fluffs his lines on the slide. Could he have left it for Nunez? A decent chance to make it 2-0, that.

Elliott has been a stand-out so far. He’s luscious on the ball.

Jimenez worked a bit of space down the left side and slipped in a cross, but nobody was there to meet it.

Five minutes added on.

Fulham should take encouragement from the way they have responded to Liverpool’s opener. Castagne draws a foul from Mac Allister for a free-kick in Liverpool’s half.

Cairney goes on the naughty step after following through on Mac Allister.

I’m surprised it took us almost 40 minutes for Gomez to have a long shot!

Liverpool’s longest-serving man has been salivating for his first Reds goal recently, gingerly wandering out of defence, growing in confidence on the ball, and suddenly thinking he’s Roberto Carlos whenever he’s in 40-yard range.

Except he’s not. Another long-range effort blocked. Fulham 0-0 Joe Gomez (after 150 games).

What’s better than a cold Andy Robertson? A warm one, if you’re a Liverpool fan.

Diaz fouled De Cordova-Reid, giving away a free-kick.

Pereira whipped it in from deep, but Liverpool initially defended to give a throw-in.

Jimenez went down in the area after a shirt tug, but Simon Hooper waved away any shouts – and there were a lot.

Moments later, Willian unleashes a long-range shot, channelling his inner Bebe from the Africa Cup of Nations the other day, but it’s an easy save for Kelleher.

Good stuff from Fulham.

You get people who sneer at the Carabao Cup. People who say it doesn’t matter. Try telling that to the fans who have travelled across the country to be here on a working day.

Fulham have looked a bit more comfortable in recent minutes, and Leno is asserting his authority in net. You get the sense he has a busy night ahead, but Liverpool are slightly sloppy in possession and when the home side get the likes of Palhinha on the ball, a world of possibilities opens up and the decibel levels increase.

JImenez had a good chance, prodding it towards the bottom corner, but Kelleher saved with panther-like instinct. At the other end, Adarabioyo put in a crucial slide tackle to derail Nunez’s thundering run.

Liverpool rejoice… for a moment.

Diaz had the ball in the net after following up on Nunez’s show, but Nunez was offside when he was deftly chipped through. It remains 1-0 to Liverpool.

Once again, Fulham gave the ball away in a compromising area.

Elliott just single-handedly carved Fulham open there. He burst through the midfield lines to the left and curled a wicked ball over the top into the box, but Gakpo was a slither offside so it was all for nothing.

It’s safe to say Elliott isn’t the most popular man at his former ground. He left Fulham for Liverpool in 2019, and years later, he still gets a bitter reception. Isn’t it time to move on?

It’s interesting seeing how Liverpool have changed their play style since the goal.

We’ve seen more of those long balls, more of Diaz on the ball, more of Elliott teasing his way down the left. I think they smell blood in Castagne’s errant defending.

Liverpool just sliced Fulham open again witht he same ball and Nunez nearly teed up Gravenberch with a header.

Fulham will be really disappointed after giving away such a cheap goal, built on the back of one long ball that caught them out.

You know Liverpool have got that in their locker. Don’t allow them to get goal-side of you and win it so easily.

Fulham will already be regretting their squandered opportunities and have to adjust quickly to a new challenge.

Luis Diaz has put Liverpool in front against the run of play!

It came from a long cross ball from Quansah. Diaz beat Castagne to it and beats Leno at his near post after a minor deflection.

Fulham have thrown themselves into this.

Willian and Robinson outnumbered Bradley on Liverpool’s right flank and managed to thrash a cross across goal, but Kelleher parried it away.

If he hadn’t, Decordova-Reid would have had an empty net to bundle the ball into.

Liverpool’s wrecking ball, Nunez, had Castagne’s number there and charged towards him on the left hand side, cutting in and releasing a shot.

Leno gets down at the near post and saves well.

At the other end, Fulham counter and Castagne gets his own back, striking it towards the near post and forcing Kelleher into a save, resulting in a corner from which Palhinha almost scores on the volley.

Big chance gone begging.

Bradley picked up the ball high on the right wing and blasted a ball across goal, but it was too hard and too high and unless you’re Peter Crouch bouncing on a trampoline, you’re not getting on the end of that.

Liverpool have had most of the possession and Fulham have been sloppy on the ball.

It’ll be a long night if they surrender possession so easily.

Liverpool get us going and immediately boot it up to the top left flank, as ever side does.

This time, after a throw-in, they win a free-kick on the left side of the pitch.

Luis Diaz heads wide after Harvey Elliott’s delivery.

Some dramatic song that I’ve forgotten the name of plays at Craven Cottage, but it’s sure got my blood pumping.

There are few better feelings than the anticipation of seeing the players line up and knowing the next couple of hours can change, ever so slightly, the course of your life as a fan.

Wherever you are, thanks for joining us for the ride. This is going to be a belter.

Fighting on four fronts means Jurgen Klopp has had to dig deep into the reserves of his squad, blood youngsters, and keep the side fresh with regular rotation.

As Opta point out, he’s made 191 changes to his starting XI this season, streaks ahead of the competition. There are sometimes questions about who his best XI is, particularly in the midfield and up top, and perhaps the rotation is part of the reason why.

Jurgen Klopp hasn’t lost his love for big occasions, despite winning 12 trophies as a manager.

Speaking about the value of cup finals, he told Sky Sports: ‘It’s worth each yard you run for it. It’s sensational. Now we have to play a really good game.

‘I would write a book [if I had a recpie for cup success]!

‘Be just as good as you can in two-leg semi-finals. One away game, you have to make that that it doesn’t count. Calm down the atmosphere.’

Marco Silva isn’t satisfied with the crowd being a 12th man. By the sounds of it, he wants them to be the 13th, 14th… Craven Cottage’s capacity almost touches 26,000, you know?

He told Sky Sports that the fans will be critical to Fulham tonight.

‘They [the home fans] are going to be crucial, they are going to play a big part. We need them behind us. Some moments we are going to be playing well; other moments probably Liverpool will make us suffer.

We need them always behind the team to make Craven Cottage really difficult for Liverpool. In these types of games, the crowd can make a big impact. We had good examples at Anfield with the two games we played there.

We were playing so good and, in tough moments for Liverpool, they are always there and pushed the team forward. That’s what we need from our fans [on Wednesday].

I’m sure they will be with us and they will play a big part in it.’

Not long to go now. Kick-off at 8pm awaits.

While Jurgen Klopp has names some big hitters tonight, he is perfectly happy to trust young players who have earned his confidence.

Liverpool’s defence consists of Jarell Quansah and Connor Bradley, while Trey Nyoni, a 16-year-old midfielder, is on the bench.

Who is your favourite up-and-coming talent at Liverpool?

Do you agree with Lewis Steele’s assessment of Ryan Gravenberch’s season so far? He starts tonight in what could be a defining game early in his Liverpool career.

Daniel Sturridge waxed lyrical about Fulham star man Willian, who is having something of a second wind at the age of 35.

He looked all but finished in his ill-fated season at Arsenal, but he has been a revelation downstream across the capital. Willian has five goals in 21 games this season.

Could he define how tonight goes?

Away from the small fry of a domestic cup, Mohamed Salah is traversing the torments of having a nation’s expectations on his shoulders as they chase continental glory.

Revered in Liverpool, but not so currently in his homeland. Egypt’s fans and the nation’s media are heavily critical of his decision to return to Liverpool for rehab following an injury.

Liverpool have tried to soothe tensions. Read below to find out more.

Not that you’d expect complacency, but Liverpool look extra-serious tonight. If they’re excited, they’re not showing it. Game faces on.

Joe Gomez, Liverpool’s longest-serving player who makes his 150th outing for them tonight, batted away Daniel Sturridge’s cheeky question about whether he wants to become Joe GOALmez tonight. He is yet to score for Liverpool and Sturridge noted that he has been taking more shots recently.

He told Sky Sports: ‘It’s a big game. We know that we need to try and get the job done today.

‘We have a one-goal lead but the gaffer emphasises it’s a clean slate.

‘I’ve just enjoyed the process and the journey. This is what it’s about, trying to get success with the club and the team.

‘The main thing – defender first man, clean sheet. Try and get a result for the team.’

Lewis Steele is Mail Sport’s lucky man tonight as he has a prime view of the action, which is currently just sprinklers and groundspeople going about their business. But we expect that to pick up somewhat.

Do follow him on X for his updates from Craven Cottage and beyond in his capacity as Merseyside football reporter.

Bernd Leno, Fulham’s goalkeeper, has told Sky Sports that tonight is about ’emotional control’.

He said: ‘Especially at home, we had some great results. We beat Arsenal and Liverpool know what they can expect and we can take advantage with our fans.

‘It’s about emotional control today. It’s a positive pressure for all of us and I think that’s what you want.’

Tom Cairney steps in for Harrison Reed but the rest of Marco Silva’s side stays the same from that closely fought first leg.

Not much messing around from Jurgen Klopp…

Three changes for Liverpool from the first leg as Jarell Quansah, Cody Gakpo, and Darwin Nunez come in.

Andy Robertson is in a matchday squad for the first time since October!

Nice of the Reds to smile for the camera!

Jurgen Klopp looks like he’s just stepped out of combat.

Diogo Jota, goalscoring supremo at the moment, gives a wave.

In the last picture, James McConnell, Ryan Gravenberch, and Andy Robertson appear. How much have Liverpool been missing their main left-back, Kopites?

Nat Phillips and Calvin Ramsay are likely to leave Liverpool on loan this January.

Both defenders are on the fringes of Jurgen Klopp’s thinking at the moment and would benefit from more minutes in the bank.

I spy with my little eye something beginning with… Liverpool team bus?

A large, conspicuous, red bus with Liverpool branding on the sides has been mobbed by clamouring fans. It doesn’t take Einstein to guess who’s on it.

We’ll bring you more images from Liverpool’s arrival shortly.

Fulham have never reached the League Cup final. Now it is within their sights.

‘What a job Marco Silva has done at Fulham, by the way.’ You can almost hear that line dripping from pubs when in earshot of Premier League fans.

Silva snubbed the riches of the Saudi riyal in the summer to stay put with what is, in all fairness, a mid-table Premier League outfit. Now he could be about to take a huge stride towards being rewarded for his loyalty.

How much would it mean to make the final, Fulham fans?

Fulham have disembarked from their coach and a few seconds into this video you’ll see Williams, the seasoned troublemaker on the wing who opened the scoring for them in the first leg.

The home side have urged fans to arrive early and provided them with flags for this one. They’re hoping for a special atmosphere.

It’s rare that you see a 10-0 scoreline, and you really have to rub your eyes and pinch yourself when LIverpool are on the wrong end of it.

But no, it’s real. Liverpool’s U18s suffered an ignominious 10-0 mauling at the hands of Ajax in a friendly earlier today.

Jurgen Klopp will be hoping his senior side don’t take a leaf from the youngsters’ book tonight.

Not to worry, though, Liverpool fans – your youngsters did batter Arsenal’s U18s 7-1 just a few days ago, so the future is still bright.

Please keep off the pitch, reads the sign on the verge of the Craven Cottage turf.

At least 22 men will need to ignore that command tonight as they lock horns in west London.

Fulham claimed a 2-1 win over Arsenal here at the end of December in a sign of what they’re capable of.

Hello and welcome to Mail Sport’s live blog as Fulham host Liverpool in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.

Mauricio Pochettino described this stage as a ‘passport’ to Wembley and if that’s the case, then Liverpool are already in the boarding lounge after a 2-1 win at Anfield.

But not so fast! Fulham went ahead in the first leg and will fancy their chances of causing an upset.

Don’t go anywhere.