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.
The last team to win at Anfield was Real Madrid in February. Before that it was another side in white, Leeds in October 2022, and Fulham – in their first League Cup semi-final – must have been encouraged by the start they had.
Klopp made six changes from the weekend and while that saw 20-year-old Conor Bradley deputise for Alexander-Arnold in only his second start of the season, it also included the return of Van Dijk.
The Netherlands captain was back after illness but his decision to head a ball aimlessly sideways on the edge of his area proved costly.
Willian STUNS Anfield after Van Dijk error ⚡🤯 pic.twitter.com/6iMBAZNsbX
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 10, 2024
Andreas Pereira nipped in behind and cut the ball back to the penalty spot where a couple of neat touches from Willian opened up the space for him to fire through the legs of the recovering Dutchman and give goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher little chance.
Moments later Van Dijk was booked for catching Pereira in the face with an arm as his travails continued.
But his personal difficulties were matched by his team, who were too one-paced in their build-up.
Harvey Elliott was given Mohamed Salah’s position on the right wing but his role often seemed to require filling the space usually occupied by Alexander-Arnold, which meant dropping deep with Bradley pushing forward as an orthodox over-lapping full-back.
But apart from an early Jones attempt straight at Bernd Leno and a Diogo Jota narrow-angle shot across the face of goal chances were rare with Fulham having more on target in the first half.
The tempo increased after the break with Gravenberch shooting wide and Jota delaying a fraction too long having created space for himself with a square run across the penalty area allowing Antonee Robinson to block.
But as the hosts pressed for the equaliser Fulham were able to expose the space opening up in Liverpool’s defence and Kelleher got down low to parry a Bobby Decordova-Reid shot.
TURNAROUND COMPLETE! 😱
Gakpo adds a quick second for Liverpool ⚡⚡ pic.twitter.com/xxUIrtzwpD
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 10, 2024
Alexis Mac Allister’s cross was turned over by Leno but the equaliser had an element of good fortune when Jones took aim from distance and went in off Tosin Adarabioyo’s back.
Leno was beaten again when Gakpo turned home Nunez’s near-post cross after linking with Jota.
Liverpool’s all-action Uruguay international could have all-but sealed Liverpool’s passage to Wembley before the return leg but a full-stretch Leno tipped over his header, pushed away a fierce drive and blocked his close-range effort.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. What should Man Utd do with these guys? Who do you think will win the Ballon d'Or this year? If Liverpool really does this season Not all football players keep their physical condition after retiring ENGLAND KNOCK SWEDEN OUT OF EURO 2025 ON PENALTIES Barcelona in 2009 won all 6 available trophies! Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be m...
Barcelona continue talks with United over Rashford loanDiscussions are ongoing between Barcelona and Manchester United as the Catalan giants pursue a deal for forward Marcus Rashford, according to Nicolo Schira. Barca are proposing a loan agreement that would include a conditional obligation to make the move permanent, aiming to work around their current financial constraints. The Red Devils, howe...
Jadon Sancho's transfer at Manchester United may go down as one of the most underwhelming ever.He arrived in 2021 for £73 million, making him Manchester United's fifth-most expensive signing ever, fresh off the back of a brace in the DFB-Pokal final, and was widely regarded as one of the best wingers in the world.But we have never seen the best of Sancho in England as struggles with disciplin...
Manchester United have reportedly submitted a third transfer bid for Bryan Mbeumo which meets Brentford's valuation. The move looked to be under threat when Newcastle United turned their attention to Mbeumo's Brentford team-mate, Yoane Wissa, on Thursday.The Bees are only willing to lose one of their formidable attacking duo this summer, so if Newcastle tied up a quick deal for Wissa, Mbeumo would...
Liverpool target Hugo Ekitike has reportedly submitted a transfer request at Eintracht Frankfurt in a bid to seal his move to Anfield.The Frenchman has become Liverpool's prime target this summer, with the Premier League champions seemingly moving on from Newcastle's star Alexander Isak, who could have set them back by more than £125million had the Magpies been willing to part with their Swed...
Modric explains AC Milan choice: This club cannot accept mediocrityLuka Modric has explained his decision to sign with AC Milan.The Real Madrid great spoke to Milan's media channels this morning for the first time since completing his transfer.Modric said: 0"I wanted to stay in Europe to continue playing competitive football. I had other offers, but when AC Milan called me, it was clear to me. I w...
Man Utd make late attempt to trump Roma for Palmeiras starManchester United are threatening AS Roma plans for Palmeiras midfielder Richard Rios.The Brazil international is subject of major interest from the Giallorossi - and is said to be keen on moving to Rome.TMW says last night, Roma chief Ricky Massara informed Palmeiras they plan to meet their €30m demands.Roma are ready to make an easi...
Napoli Set to Beat Man United to Potential €21m Andre Onana replacementNapoli are on the verge of signing Vanja Milinkovic-Savic for €21 million with the Torino 'keeper touted as a potential replacement for Andre Onana at Man United.Man United are understood to be weighing up whether they should sign a replacement for Onana, 29, following a string of high-profile mistakes between the s...
Former Man United Boss Erik ten Hag Addresses Potential Antony Reunion at Bayer LeverkusenFormer Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has broken his silence on the possibility of reuniting with Antony at Bayer Leverkusen.The 25-year-old is widely expected to leave Man United this summer despite an impressive second half of the season on loan with Real Betis.United are in desperate need of raisin...
Premier League Glory? Chelsea Backed for Title by Italian Legend Vieri, Who Praises Maresca’s ImpactChristian Vieri backs Chelsea to win the title next season, praising new boss Enzo Maresca for his impressive start at the club.Chelsea ended the 2024-25 season with two trophies and a place in next season’s Champions League despite a rocky patch over the festive period.Maresca’s s...
- 1 Brooklyn Beckham's ex inspires Palmer as Chelsea crush PSG
- 2 Spurs get huge lift in Morgan Gibbs-White row
- 3 Model skips Lamine Yamal's party over 'weird demands'
- 4 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 5 Jude Bellingham finally undergoes surgery on recurrent dislocated shoulder injury as Real Madrid confirm successful procedure for England star ahead of long layoff
- 6 Noni Madueke parties at Wireless with Jadon Sancho
- 7 Chelsea's wage offer to Jadon Sancho revealed
- 8 Xabi Alonso sends warning to Real Madrid stars after PSG thrashing
- 9 Chelsea star’s stunning model Wag captured 'best UFO footage ever'
- 10 Javier Tebas offers reason behind Barcelona's failed Nico Williams pursuit