Liverpool 2-1 Fulham: Player ratings as Reds take narrow advantage in Carabao Cup semi-final

Liverpool had to come from behind to open up a narrow aggregate lead over Fulham in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday night.

Willian had given the Cottagers a surprise but not undeserved advantage in the first quarter of the game, but substitutions changed things for a Liverpool side missing Mohamed Salah to international duty and Trent Alexander-Arnold through injury.

Darwin Nunez was heavily involved off the bench as Curtis Jones and later Cody Gakpo turned the score-line on its head. Fulham also had a flurry of late saves from Bernd Leno to thank for Liverpool not getting out of sight and putting the tie to bed with the second leg still to come.

Liverpool began the game in full control, probing for an opening goal without creating a great deal in the way of chances. Curtis Jones forced Bernd Leno into a comfortable save from outside of the penalty area, while Diogo Jota also flashed a low effort across the box.

Liverpool had had nothing to defend against by the time Willian fired Fulham into a 19th minute lead. Virgil van Dijk was culpable for it, allowing Andreas Pereira to get into the box due to a weak header. From there, it broke to Willian and he kept his cool to skip past two challenges and fire in low.

With Liverpool unable to break down a resilient visiting defence, Fulham began to grow in confidence and adventure as the contest neared half-time. Antonee Robinson threatened to catch out Ibrahima Konate, while Caoimhin Kelleher needed safe hands to hold onto a drive from Pereira.

Determined to get back into the game, despite having the cushion of the second leg to come, Liverpool really pushed as the second half got underway. But there was potential for such a tactic to also go against them