Liverpool booked their place in the Carabao Cup final as they capitalised on their first-leg advantage and held a spirited Fulham to a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage.
Luis Diaz’s opener was cancelled out by Issa Diop but the Red’s dug deep in the second leg to claim a 3-2 aggregate victory.
Liverpool will face Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea at Wembley on February 25, two years after defeating the Blues in both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup finals.
🔵v🔴
🏆 Another classic #CarabaoCupFinal to look forward to!#EFL | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/0pEN4Q72wS
— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) January 24, 2024
A fired up Fulham came out of the blocks fighting as they looked to overturn a 2-1 deficit.
After Joao Palhinha’s first-time volley from Andreas Pereira’s corner sailed over, the hosts continued to push through the overlapping Antonee Robinson whose dangerous delivery failed to connect with a white shirt.
But a moment of complacency saw Liverpool strike the first blow in the 11th minute.
Jarell Quansah sent a long ball forward which appeared routine for Timothy Castagne to claim but the full-back was caught napping by Diaz.
The winger reacted quickly to beat him in the air before he drove into the box and scored past Bernd Leno at his near post.
Diaz had the ball in the back of the net again after Darwin Nunez exploited large gaps between centre-backs Tosin Adarabioyo and Diop but the goal was ruled offside after the striker naively moved too soon.
The Cottagers sought inspiration through Raul Jimenez and the Mexico international’s long-range shot forced Caoimhin Kelleher into action when he tipped the ball wide for a corner.
The hosts, now galvanised, enjoyed a five-minute flurry but despite Willian’s attempt from distance and Tom Cairney finding promising pockets, Marco Silva’s men failed to get the goal they desperately needed.
Fulham’s momentum continued after the break but so did their poor day in front of goal. Second-choice keeper Kelleher failed to collect a high ball, losing out to Bobby Decordova-Reid before Pereira found the post from a tight angle instead of the open net.
Liverpool appeared to have rode the storm and began to turn the screw themselves. After Nunez’s effort whistled past Leno’s left post in the 63rd minute, powerful midfielder Ryan Gravenberch did well to get the ball out of his feet before producing a driven strike which missed the target, much to the delight of Leno who would have been well-beaten.
🚨 ONE more goal for @FulhamFC and we have extra time!#EFL | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/0qs7KT5uDV
— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) January 24, 2024
Fulham blew the tie wide open when they scored in the 77th minute.
Harry Wilson drove down the left and curved a cross into the area where he found Diop, who had galloped forward from the back and expertly claimed the leveller with a neat finish past the keeper.
The west Londoners pushed for a dramatic ending and to take the tie into extra-time but a stubborn Liverpool held on through four added minutes.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Neuer vs Auckland City Fabrizio Romano when asked about the Ballon d'Or. lol Oh no This Rayan X Cherki They knew he wouldn’t save it …Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, FootballLaughss, FootballWTF247, originaltrollfootball, PL__OOC, MaguireSkills)...
Paris Saint-Germain had arguably the most dominant Champions League final win in the tournament's history.Beating Inter Milan 5-0 in the Munich final, it is a performance that will be talked about for many years to come.With a core of exciting young players, this PSG side could dominate Europe for years.The city of Paris finally has a European champion, and their team is expected to go from streng...
Xabi Alonso during a Real Madrid training sessionLiverpool defender Ibrahima Konate is supposedly being eyed up by Real Madrid ahead of next summer, as the Spanish giant's new transfer policy takes shape.According to MARCA, Real Madrid is lining up a move for Konate, but only if his Liverpool contract runs down to the point of expiration in 2026. It is also hoping to sign Myles Lewis-Skelly from A...
The Italian champs laid down the law to Manchester rivals City and United over deals for their exiled wingers.Jack Grealish set to leave Man City this summerAlejandro Garnacho is like to depart Old TraffordUnited want £70m for Garnacho but are yet to receive an offer for the 20-year-old Argentina international.However, City will be prepared to accept a fee of around £45m for Grealish, 29...
Arteta makes transfer decision on Arsenal defensive duoArsenal boss Mikel Arteta has reached the decision over the future of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Riccardo Calafiori, with the defensive duo finding themselves on AC Milan's radar.Man Utd eye Atalanta goalkeeper Carnesecchi to replace OnanaThe Red Devils have set their sights on Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi as they continue their quest to...
Spain v France - UEFA Nations League 2025 Semi-finalRayan Cherki has laid out his ambitions after joining Manchester City and has set his sights on winning the Ballon d'Or. WHAT HAPPENED?New Manchester City signing Cherki has already set his sights on winning the Ballon d'Or at his new club, with the young attacking midfielder sharing his ambition of following in the footsteps of fellow team-mate ...
Athletic Club v Rangers FC - UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second LegAthletic Club have sent a warning to Barcelona over their pursuit of Nico Williams telling La Blaugrana to meet the player's release clause. FBL-EUR-C3-ATHLETIC BILBAO-ROMAWHAT HAPPENED?The seemingly never-ending transfer saga between Williams and La Blaugrana took another turn this week, as representatives of Athletic...
Southampton FC v Aston Villa FC - Premier LeagueMarcus Rashford has been training in Spain to build up his fitness ahead of a potential transfer as Barcelona track the Manchester United outcast.WHAT HAPPENED?Rashford is training in Marbella during the post-season in an attempt to be fit and raring to go for the 2025-26 campaign. The England international is facing an uncertain future, with United ...
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Ange Postecoglou has been approached by Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli and is considering their offer after being sacked by Tottenham.WHAT HAPPENED?Postecoglou is considering an approach from Al-Ahli as he weighs up his next move after being sacked by Tottenham. The Sun claim the Saudi Pro League outfit have offered the Greek-Austral...
AFC Bournemouth v Everton FC - Premier LeagueBournemouth midfielder Ryan Christie went on a spending spree with his partner Georgina Bell, purchasing six properties in Glasgow in one day.WHAT HAPPENED?A report from The Sun reveals that Bournemouth midfielder Christie recently expanded his property empire by going on a seven-figure spending spree, purchasing as many as six flats in Glasgow in one d...
- 1 PSG vs Atletico Madrid Prediction 16 June 2025
- 2 Laura Woods gives update on post-pregnancy body
- 3 Chloe Kelly enjoys sun-kissed holiday as Arsenal star rests before Euro 2025
- 4 Jack Grealish set to leave Man City this summer
- 5 Tottenham make 'mega £70m bid for Bryan Mbeumo' as Man Utd fear hijack
- 6 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 7 Daily Laugh - Liverpool are spending big
- 8 Portugal and France play out draw to start U21 Euro campaign
- 9 Baldanzi scores winner as Italy beat Romania to start U21 Euros
- 10 Man Utd ANNOUNCE Matheus Cunha's arrival