Thanks to a strong joker and a double strike within three minutes, Liverpool FC achieved a comfortable starting position in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final.
Team manager Jürgen Klopp’s thinned-out team defeated FC Fulham led by national goalkeeper Bernd Leno 2-1 (0-1) at Anfield Road. The Reds will travel to the second leg at Craven Cottage next Wednesday with a tailwind.
With the first chance to score, Willian (19th) gave the guests the lead, who then acted on equal terms and not undeservedly took the lead into the locker room. But after the break, Curtis Jones (68′) and Joker Cody Gakpo (71′) turned the game around, both times on a pass from substitute Darwin Nunez.
Klopp had to rotate his personnel. Among other things, top striker Mo Salah is missing because of the Africa Cup of Nations, while vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold is out for the time being due to a knee injury suffered on Sunday. In addition, regular goalkeeper Alisson was given a breather.