Curtis Jones and substitute Cody Gakpo scored second-half goals as Liverpool came back from a goal down to secure a 2-1 victory over Fulham in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final at Anfield.
It is the seventh time Liverpool have won a match despite conceding the first goal in all competitions this season, the most of any side in England’s top four tiers in 2023/24.
How the match unfolded
Liverpool dominated possession early on, but it was Fulham who went in front against the run of play on 19 minutes.
Virgil van Dijk misjudged his header and could only send the ball to Andreas Pereira, who then cut it back for Willian to show great footwork and fire past Caoimhin Kelleher.
It is the fourth time Fulham have scored at Liverpool this season, after netting three in a losing effort back in December.
Liverpool upped their pressure in the second half, with Ryan Gravenberch having two efforts in quick succession.
Bobby De Cordova-Reid had a great chance to double Fulham’s advantage, but opted to shoot instead of squaring it across the six-yard box for Pereira.
That would prove costly, as Liverpool eventually equalised on 68 minutes, when a shot from Jones deflected in off Tosin Adarabioyo.
Three minutes later, Jurgen Klopp’s side struck again. Substitutes Darwin Nunez and Gakpo combined for the latter to fire in first time.
Nunez could have scored a third for Liverpool, but Bernd Leno did well to block the striker’s effort.
The two sides will meet again with the second leg set for Wednesday 24 January at Craven Cottage.
But before then, both teams return to Premier League action, with Fulham visiting local rivals Chelsea on Saturday while Liverpool are at AFC Bournemouth on Sunday 21 January.
See: Liverpool report and line-up
See: Fulham report and line-up
