Liverpool 2-1 Fulham: Cody Gakpo scores winner as Reds come from behind to take advantage in Carabao Cup semi-final

Cody Gakpo and Curtis Jones were on target as Liverpool came from behind to beat Fulham 2-1 in the first leg of a hard-fought Carabao Cup semi-final at Anfield.

The visitors frustrated the Premier League leaders for long spells and got off to a flyer when Willian made the most of an error by Virgil van Dijk to drill a low shot home on 19 minutes.

Liverpool were missing the creative force of the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold and struggled to test Bernd Leno throughout a lacklustre first half.

Bobby De Cordova-Reid had a chance to double Fulham’s lead following the interval and it proved to be a significant moment as Jurgen Klopp’s men then turned the contest in their favour.

A two-goal blast in just three minutes saw Jones fortuitously level through a deflected 20-yard strike before substitutes Darwin Nunez and Gakpo combined for the Dutchman to steer in an excellent first-time finish.

Leno then made a wonder save to keep out Nunez late on as the Reds came close to increasing their advantage heading into the second leg at Craven Cottage on January 24.

Liverpool are next in action on January 21 when they visit Bournemouth in the Premier League. Fulham visit Chelsea this Saturday lunch time.

The Reds have made a habit of turning around deficits and recovering from adversity on various occasion this season and they were at it once more here. For long spells Fulham frustrated the visitors and looked the more likely on the counter attack.

However, a double change that saw Gakpo and Nunez introduced, as well as a slice of luck with Jones’ equaliser, completely transformed the contest and in the end Marco Silva may well be relieved to have come away with just the one-goal deficit.

Much has been made of Liverpool’s injury list and players missing on international duty, and that could yet hamper their targets in a busy couple of weeks, but key attackers again stepped up in the absence of Mo Salah to keep them on the path towards another Wembley final and the chance to fight for a record-extending 10th League Cup triumph.

Curtis Jones (Liverpool) The midfielder continues to impress with his driving runs and confidence on the ball. Dragged his side level with a deflected strike and looks like being an obvious candidate to be in Klopp’s first-choice midfield when everyone is fit.

LIVERPOOL: Kelleher 6, Bradley 8, Konate 7, Van Dijk 6, Gomez 7, Mac Allister 7, Gravenberch 5, Jones 8*, Elliott 7, Jota 8, Diaz 6. Subs: Nunez 8, Gakpo 8.

FULHAM: Leno 7, Castagne 7, Diop 7, Tosin 7, Robinson 7, Palhinha 7, Reed 7, De Cordova-Reid 7, Pereira 7, Willian 7, Jimenez 7. Subs: Cairney 6, Wilson 6, Lukic n/a.

18’ – GOAL! – Liverpool 0-1 Fulham: (Willian). Willian side steps a challenge and drills a low shot through Van Dijk and into the net after the Liverpool captain’s error had allowed Andreas to cut the ball back from the right.

63’ – FULHAM CHANCE! Reid spins into the right channel and is clear on goal. He drills in a low shot from a tough angle and forces a decent save out of Kelleher. His boss, Marco Silva is fuming on the touchline. He wanted Reid to square it for Andreas to convert a tap-in on the far side.

68’ – GOAL! – Liverpool 1-1 Fulham: (Jones). Curtis Jones drags the hosts level with a 20-yard shot that hits Tosin and flies past Leno.

71’ – GOAL! – Liverpool 2-1 Fulham: (Gakpo). The Reds turn it around as Gakpo darts to the near post to apply a first-time finish to Nunez’s low pass from the left.

89’ – LIVERPOOL CHANCE! Nunez sees a close-range volley brilliantly kept out by Leno following a sumptuous, low cross from Bradley.