- Date: Wednesday January 24 – 20:00 GMT
- Location: Craven Cottage, London, UK
- Teams: Fulham vs Liverpool
Liverpool seek to press home advantage
Liverpool won the first leg 2-1 at Anfield but Jurgen Klopp was keen to state that there was a considerable amount of work to do before they can think of Wembley. Fulham gave their hosts an uncomfortable evening for long periods and will feel that they can cause a depleted Liverpool problems in West London. Fulham were very disciplined, kept things tight and attacked with purpose,taking the lead through Willian. However, after Klopp made a couple of changes a Curtis Jones strike levelled things up befores substitute Cody Gakpo then drove in a Darwin Nunez cut-back to win it for Liverpool on the night and give them a narrow advantage ahead of the second leg.
Fulham
Fulham sit in mid table, however, they have produced some impressive cup performances this season. They ran Liverpool close in the league encounter at Anfield and then competed extremely well in the first leg. They will be confident that they can cause the visitors problems and will feel that a trip to Wembley remains a possibility. Their last game was a 1-0 defeat to West London rivals Chelsea.
Fulham have only Adama Traore on the injured list at the moment, and the Spaniard’as return from a hamstring strain is immenent, though if he is involved against Liverpool he will proabably be on the bench. However, the Cottagers are missing Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey and Fode Ballo-Toure who are on international duty at the AFCON. Harrison Reed has been struggling with illness of late and was only on the bench against Chelsea having played when under the weather in the semi-final first leg. He should be fit enough to come back into contention.
Liverpool
Liverpool are right in the mix for the title and are fighting for trophies on four fronts. However, a combination of injuries and AFCON and Asia Cup call ups has left them somewhat depleted as the games come thick and fast. They have shown a great deal of resilience as well as quality this season and will be determined to make a record-extending 14th EFL Cup Final and go on to secure the trophy for a record extending 10th time. They go into the match fresh from extending their lead at the top of the Premier League to five points with a commanding away win at Bournemouth.
Mohamed Salah was due to be on international duty. The winger has sustained a muscle injury at the AFCON and has been back to Liverpool for treatment. Wataru Endo is on international duty with Japan. Thiago Alcantara (hip), Stefan Bajcetic (calf), Joel Matip (ACL), Ben Doak (knee), Kostas Tsimikas (collarbone) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (knee) all miss out. Andrew Robertson (shoulder) could make a return to the squd and Dominik Szoboszlai is hoping to be recovered from a thigh problem. Curtis Jones is doubtful after feeling tightness in his hamstring in the win over Bournemouth.
Prediction
Fulham have played well in both of their encounters with Liverpool this season and cannot by any means be written off here. However, I expect Liverpool to firstly progress to the final and secondly do this via a win on the night. They have become masters at finding a way to get results this season. I expect them to do it again despite the players they have unavailable. Away win.
Craven Cottage, London, United Kingdom
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