Liverpool can take one step closer to a Wembley final when they host Fulham today, Wednesday, January 10, in the first leg of their semi-final tie in the EFL Cup.
Jürgen Klopp’s side are the most successful team in EFL Cup history, having won the cup nine times, most recently winning it in 2022 when defeating Chelsea in a penalty shoot-out.
Despite a trophy-less season last year, Liverpool look like a re-energised team this season as they continue to fight on four fronts in 2024, in the Premier League, Europa League, EFL Cup, and the FA Cup in 2024
It’s been a blistering start to the new year for the Reds who clinched a thrilling 4-2 victory over Newcastle and secured their passage into the fourth round of the FA Cup after besting Arsenal 2-0 at the Emirates.
While they’ve lost Mohamed Salah and Wataru Endō for potentially a month due to international duty, the Liverpool squad keep trucking on as they aim to get back to regularly winning silverware.
It hasn’t been long since they faced Fulham as they beat Marco Silva’s side 4-3 at Anfield last month in a game where the West London side were leading in the dying embers before the Reds scored twice in two minutes to secure all three points.
It’s been a difficult season for The Cottagers who’ve had to adjust to Aleksander Mitrovic’s departure which has resulted in their struggle for goals.
The Cottagers sit 13th in the Premier League table but last defeated high-flying Arsenal in a massive 2-1 win at Craven Cottage. Despite their iffy league form, they’ve had an impressive cup run which could see them play in a cup final for the first time since their Europa League final against Juventus in 2010.
With nothing to lose, there should be a sense of fearlessness in Fulham when they take on Liverpool at Anfield – a stadium they defeated the Reds at, back in 2021.
LFC Globe Verdict
With Dominik Szoboszlai still out with injury, Jürgen Klopp could field an identical side from the one against Arsenal but could see Virgil van Dijk back in the starting 11 if he’s recovered from his illness.
The Anfield crowd will be roaring at the opportunity to return to Wembley as Liverpool will run out comfortable winners in a 3-0 victory to set themselves up well for the away tie at Craven Cottage.
In the absence of Mohamed Salah, Luis Díaz will net again while Darwin Núñez will score a brace in the win.
