Liverpool vs Fulham: Reds and Cottagers to clash in EFL Cup semi-finals after FA Cup 23/24 win

Liverpool vs Fulham: Both Liverpool and Fulham, who have won their previous FA Cup matches, hope to advance to the EFL Cup semi-finals. Following a 2-0 FA Cup win over Arsenal, Liverpool welcomes Fulham, who beat Rotherham 1-0. This Wednesday match, the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final, will take place at Anfield.

Preview: Liverpool 2-0 FA Cup win sets the stage for EFL Cup clash with Fulham

Liverpool took advantage of Arsenal wasted chances to win 2–0 in the FA Cup third round, reminiscent of West Ham recent success at the Emirates. Despite the absence of key players like Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, Liverpool withstood Arsenal attacks. An injury-time goal from Luis Diaz and an own goal from Jakub Kivior guaranteed Liverpool’s progress to the fourth round.

Liverpool quest for a quadruple continues with this win, including realistic targets of winning the Premier League and Europa League. Their 19th consecutive appearance in the EFL Cup semi-finals is testament to their unwavering quality.

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Liverpool had defeated West Ham United, Leicester City and Bournemouth in the previous rounds. Despite their questionable defensive record, their attacking ability is still quite strong. They have now won six games without losing, including 23 consecutive competitive games without defeat at Anfield. In particular, the defeat to Arsenal on home ground in the 2020 EFL Cup is a long-forgotten memory.

Liverpool have been playing really well recently, and their FA Cup win over Arsenal sets up an exciting matchup with Fulham in the EFL Cup. In contrast, Fulham secured their place in the fourth round by beating Rotherham United 1–0 thanks to Bobby DeCordova-Reid goal in the first half.

The stage is set for an interesting match between Liverpool and Fulham as they prepare for their EFL Cup match. Both clubs are coming off big wins and will be looking to leave their mark in this important competition.

Head-to-Head: An in-depth look at the 16 head-to-head meetings with Fulham

In their 16 head-to-head meetings, Liverpool has the advantage against Fulham, winning 10, losing 3 and drawing 3. A fierce rivalry in the past is evident, laying the groundwork for another exciting encounter.

With 22 goals in 20 league games, Liverpool Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah has excelled this year. Darwin Nunez, a Uruguayan striker, has an excellent record for Fulham, contributing 11 goals in 12 league games. Additionally, Brazilian winger Willian has scored five goals in 13 league starts, and Mexican striker Raul Jimenez has scored five goals in 15 league starts for Fulham.

Jurgen Klopp and Marco Silva can both remember the win against Arsenal four years ago, when Fulham beat the Gunners 2-1 on New Year Eve. Although it was a close match, Fulham recent win over Rotherham demonstrated their determination in the FA Cup.

Fulham, who are reaching the semi-finals for the first time, are on the verge of achieving a historic EFL Cup win. Fulham are not fazed by the fact that they are playing Liverpool, a team that they have lost to in each of their last five EFL Cup matches. Their tendency to challenge the odds is demonstrated by their recent victory over Everton in the quarter-finals and previous successes.

In their quest to reach their first EFL Cup final, Fulham could come up against west London rivals Chelsea or Middlesbrough. But the Cottagers face a tough challenge after losing their last five EFL Cup matches against Liverpool, including a thrilling 4-3 Premier League meeting at Anfield just a month ago. Fulham hopes and potential success in the EFL Cup hinge on their performance in the upcoming match against Liverpool.

Team Update: Liverpool rollercoaster of injuries and challenges ahead of EFL Cup clash

The Liverpool team is going through both defeats and wins. Manager Jurgen Klopp has opened up about Virgil van Dijk’s recent illness, admitting concerns but confirming his readiness for the upcoming clash. Trent Alexander-Arnold is a key player for the Reds and will unfortunately be missing due to a knee injury. Several players are still recovering from injuries, including Ben Doak, Thiago Alcantara, Kostas Tsimikas, Andrew Robertson, Dominik Szoboszlai, Stefan Bajcetic and Joel Matip.

The fact that Japanese international Wataru Endo and star player Mohamed Salah will miss both legs of the semi-finals due to continental obligations has added to the difficulty. Connor Bradley, Ryan Gravenberch and Diogo Jota are three experienced prospects that Klopp may consider using to rotate the starting lineup.

AFCON call-ups have impacted Fulham’s roster, as Foday Bailo-Tour, Kelvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi have joined their respective national teams. Even though Bello-Toure is finding it difficult to get into games, his absence presents a problem.

Fulham rested Raul Jimenez, Joao Palhinha and Bernd Leno against Rotherham; The same players are expected to start again. Former Liverpool player Harry Wilson, who made a significant impact in the EFL Cup this season, will likely continue to play attacking football.

Match Prediction for Liverpool vs Fulham

Fulham could pose a threat to Liverpool defense given their FA Cup achievements and slight fatigue advantage. Liverpool have benefited from the return of Van Dijk, but Salah absence balances the playing field. Liverpool goalscoring ability gives them a distinct advantage which is essential in a busy calendar and their pursuit of multiple championships.

With Kylian Mbappe and Joao Palhinha being linked to the Reds, who currently lead the league, it is possible that they will check the transfer market. 13th-placed Fulham look to win a cup while talks continue over Palhinha’s future. Despite any potential obstacles, Liverpool are in a good position to win this match.

We Say Liverpool 2-1 Fulham

Here the probable lineup for upcoming match between Liverpool vs Fulham

Liverpool Possible Starting Lineup:

• Goalkeeper: Kelleher
• Defenders: Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez
• Midfielders: Jones, Mac Allister, Gravenberch
• Forwards: Jota, Nunez, Diaz

Fulham Possible Starting Lineup:

• Goalkeeper: Leno
• Defenders: Tete, Adarabioyo, Diop, Robinson
• Midfielders: Cairney, Palhinha
• Attacking Midfielders: Wilson, Pereira, Decordova-Reid
• Forward: Jimenez