Even though Fulham defeated Liverpool once more at Anfield, they still had to work hard to advance to the League Cup final. However, they had already won the first leg of the semi-final.
January 10, 2024; Anfield; Liverpool 2-1 Fulham League Cup semi-final first leg
Seven (of 10) is Caoimhin Kelleher.
The goal was much more about defensive incompetence than goalkeeping this time around, since it was ferociously struck, from close range, and through Van Dijk’s knees. Beaten at the near post for the first goal.
Fairly good at closing distance and making aerial assertions, and he had excellent footwork the entire time. To his right, De Cordova-Reid made a decent save.
Conor, Bradley (2009)
Lost his footing in the build-up to the goal and was occasionally outmuscled by the quick-witted left-back Antonee Robinson, but overall he handled Willian well in one-on-one situations and moved forward bravely, which was crucial as we looked for a way back into the game.
Never scared to challenge his opponent, he managed to win a couple risky free kicks. But in the end, he played with the defensive grit we needed, particularly in the last fifteen minutes when he tackled back four or five times in an attempted Fulham onslaught along his flank.
Very well-run, with Klopp and his team constantly confirming that he was good to go.
six tackles in a row won.
Ibrahima Konate, number nine
Right now, the Frenchman is in fine form. Several times, his strength and recovery rate were needed, both centrally against direct passes and in the channel as the covering man.
Excellent aerially, passed the ball beautifully, and carried it into the Fulham half to press the Reds forward.
Virgil van Dijk – six
Maybe the aftereffects of the illness? Slow and not his usual aggressive self, he was especially bad in the first-half goal.
Before the break, Van Dijk made a number of poor decisions. He bounced a header instead of clearing it, then failed to make a tackle and lastly failed to block the next shot.
Definitely not as significant as one may anticipate. He will benefit from this ten-day vacation.
Participated in both half of the game, coordinating well and staying vigilant to prevent counterattacks.
probably believed that his days as a regular left defender were over eight years ago, but now he’s charging forward, attempting 30-yard half-volleys and outside crosses.
Though not all of them work out, he never disappoints.
Seven Alexis Mac Allister
The Argentine needed to be a creative spark for Liverpool, and to be fair, he looked like one in the first half with Szoboszlai, Salah, and Alexander-Arnold all out.
He showed a determination to advance the game swiftly and some incisive passes, but he fatigued rather quickly from the counterattacks from incredibly deep, which is exhausting. This could have been a natural result of his injury.
Defense-wise, they were frequently rotated before switching to a two-man midfield.
Six Ryan Gravenberch
Just more of the same, sadly.
There have been a few moments that could be really good, like a second-half take-on and dragged shot wide, but he is too frequently sidelined and defeated in the challenge.
It was expected that he would be replaced. won only two of his twelve fights.
Curtis Jones: 8
One of the players that attempted to push the pace and take the game to the Cottagers, with plenty of industry and no lack of inspiration.
The issues arose from his overuse of turns and dribbles inside his own defensive third, which led to multiple possession losses in risky situations and an inability to break through their press.
Who cares, though? He scored with a powerful left-footed shot that deceived a defender and soared in. He located what was required.
Harvey Elliott: 7
Around the hour mark, he appeared irritated, but in reality, he was in and out of the game. Sometimes, he was very good at identifying gaps and passing the ball, but far too frequently, he was unable to influence play in crucial situations.
Though he hasn’t always been able to make an immediate impression, he is still playing a significant role and has more to give.
Not sure if he is a winger or not!
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Diogo Jota (9): Player of the game
I’m tempted to give him a ten just for the willpower and tenacity it took to force the equaliser out of thin air. gained possession of the ball, spun to face space, and then made a second tackle to ricochet it through to a teammate. A few seconds later, the ball was in.
Despite creating opportunities with dummies, shooting feints, and overall cunning, he should have scored at least twice on his own, but his lack of a goal this time did not detract from his performance.
This is the Jota that we haven’t really seen in the last two years; she is sharp and deadly, quick across small distances, and resilient as nails.
Luis Diaz -7
Animated and fierce, swift and resolute.
however, to be honest, didn’t really do anything with it. Extremely diligent and involved in the build-up play, but he didn’t get many chances to score or set up others. Perhaps his greatest contribution was a desperate clearance at the far post as Fulham threatened to score again.
Darwin Nunez
Darwin Nunez (during Elliott’s 58-foot segment) – 9 Jones received the pass to help with the first, and he made a nice run and cutback to help our second more effectively. then, with a tremendous effort, almost broke Leno’s hand with a cannon on the angle. And, of course, fired a five-yard shot straight at the goalie.
Cody Gakpo
Cody Gakpo (58′) – 8 – On for Gravenberch A spinning finish from outside the post for the first time, perhaps his greatest to date. Darwin’s two shots were well-executed by a good through pass and cross.
Alisson, Quansah, Beck, McConnell, Nyoni, Clark, and Gordon were not substituted.
Jurden Klopp
Maybe concerns about one or two of his starters, but as is customary, it’s simple to say that after the fact and that there was a good reason to choose one over the other.
More importantly, Klopp once more selected his substitutes wisely and got the best performance out of them; a double substitution, in fact, resulted in two assists and a goal between them.
However, switching to a 4231 formation was more important.
Given that he devoted a significant portion of his first forty-five minutes to criticising every official he saw—and frequently with good reason—it was encouraging to see that we still possessed the maturity in the locker room to settle disputes during halftime and reposition the team for attack with a more defined strategy.
More than anybody else, Klopp understands that this is just half the work, and he will know enough to proceed cautiously in the second leg.
