England’s Liverpool (AP) – In the first leg of the English League Cup semifinals on Wednesday, Liverpool defeated Fulham 2-1 after mounting a comeback in the second half and scoring twice in a three-minute period.
Tuesday’s first semifinal match saw second-tier Middlesbrough overcome Chelsea 1-0. However, there was still more upset in store as Fulham’s Willian gave the team the lead at Anfield in the 19th minute after Virgil van Dijk failed to clear his header.
With Mohamed Salah absent with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations and Trent Alexander-Arnold sidelined due to injury, Liverpool’s attacking threat was curtailed in the first half.
Darwin Núñez and Cody Gakpo made a double change in the 55th minute, which proved to be crucial as Núñez assisted in two of Liverpool’s goals and Gakpo scored the other.
Curtis Jones equalised in the 68th minute following Núñez’s layoff with a drive that viciously deflected off the back of Tosin Adarabioyo and looped into the corner past helpless goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
Subsequently, Núñez crossed for Gakpo to sweep home a finish in the 71st, giving Liverpool the lead before the second leg on January 24 at Craven Cottage, home of Fulham. The Reds had a chance to lead London by more, but in the 89th, Leno made a fantastic save at Núñez’s feet.
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