Liverpool 2-1 Fulham

Fulham fell to a 2-1 defeat at Anfield on Wednesday in our Carabao Cup Semi-Final first leg.

Willian fired us ahead in the first half, but a deflected Curtis Jones strike got the hosts level before Cody Gakpo added a second from close-range just a couple of minutes later.

Having featured in the previous round at Merseyside neighbours Everton, Bernd Leno was brought back into the line-up, while Antonee Robinson was also re-introduced.

Raúl was given the nod up top for this one, with João Palhinha and Willian replacing Saša Lukić and Harry Wilson, who both started on the substitutes bench.

The hosts were enjoying most of the ball in the early stages, and Leno needed to be on his toes five minutes in to get down and smother Curtis Jones’ stinging low effort.

Our stopper was called into action again soon after, collecting young Connor Bradley’s low cross from the right-hand side.

We found ourselves under some pressure again as the clock ticked past the 15-minute mark. Diogo Jota flashed a dangerous ball across our six-yard box and thankfully, away from danger.

Despite our difficult start under the Anfield lights, we went ahead courtesy of Willian. The Brazilian received the ball from Andreas before rounding a couple of players and slotting past Caoimhin Kelleher at his near post.

Jedi did brilliantly for us on 37 minutes, powering forward before aiming an inch-perfect cross towards De Cordova-Reid. The delivery was pinged in with power and Bobby’s heavy touch meant the chance went begging.

We kept the Reds at bay for the remainder of the half, with Joe Gomez coming closest just before the break when his half-volley bounced just wide. 

The first decent chance after the interval went to Liverpool, when Ryan Gravenberch cut the ball onto his right on the edge of the area before drilling wide. A decent opportunity for the Dutchman.

Leno stayed calm a couple of minutes later to catch a fairly tame Jones effort from range.

After a quieter spell, we broke away via Bobby down the right-hand side. He had Andreas for company in the middle but opted to go for goal and his strike was well saved.

The hosts got themselves level with a stroke of luck as we approached the 70^th minute. Jones’ attempt from range cannoned off Tosin before wrong-footing Leno and bouncing into the top right corner.

The goal gave Liverpool the boost they needed and they added a second just a few minutes later. The two substitutes combined, as Gakpo poked in from close-range after latching onto a Darwin Nunez cross.

Nunez was making an impact and forced Leno into an excellent diving save to punch away his decent header, which was travelling towards the top corner.

Leno made an even better save to deny Nunez with three minutes of normal time remaining. Our 'keeper came rushing off his line to block his venomous effort from a Bradley cross.

The result means it'll all be to play for in the second leg at the Cottage in a couple of weeks.