Liverpool-Fulham is a match valid for the League Cup semi-finals first leg and is played on Wednesday at 9 p.m.: odds and predictions.
The heavy absence of Momo Salah, who will be engaged with his Egypt team in the African Cup of Nations from next weekend, did not prevent Liverpool from getting past the FA Cup round and exacerbating the crisis of Arsenal, beaten 2-0 at Emirates Stadium.
The clash between the Gunners and Reds, the highlight of the third round of English soccer’s most important cup, was won by Jurgen Klopp’s men, who continue to do well on all fronts. Liverpool only needed to contain a wasteful Arsenal and then strike at the right moment. Ten minutes from the end an own goal by former La Spezia man Kiwior allowed the visitors to take the lead and Colombian Diaz’s goal in the midst of recovery later made the final result more rounded. It was a strong and clear signal as well from a title perspective, since both Arteta and Klopp’s teams are vying for first place in the Premier League (Liverpool 45 points, Arsenal 40). The German coach can now quietly turn his attention to the other cup, the League Cup, where his side reached the semifinals after eliminating Leicester, Bournemouth and West Ham.
Liverpool are chasing their 10th title but to make it to the final at Wembley they will have to get the better of the semifinal with Fulham, who surprisingly landed in the top four.
First League Cup semifinal for the Cottagers
Marco Silva’s Cottagers, as it happens, in their last game in 2023 had in turn given Arsenal a disappointment, bent 2-1 at Craven Cottage.
And last Friday Fulham extended their winning streak to two, filing away Rotherham thanks to a Decordova-Reid goal midway through the first half. It was no cakewalk, however, to eliminate the club that is currently last in the Championship table, the equivalent of our Serie B. The Bianconeri, who in the league seem to be on their way to a quiet salvation (they are currently 13th), are now preparing to play in the first League Cup semifinals in their history. It cannot be said that Fulham has snubbed the League Cup this year: the Cottagers’ “victims” have been Tottenham, Norwich, Ipswich Town and Everton, the latter beaten on penalties. Marco Silva will be able to count on Jimenez, Palhinha and Willian, all three of whom were kept at rest against Rotherham while Klopp hopes to have captain van Dijk back, who was struggling with an illness on Sunday.
The Prediction
Fulham just over a month ago came close to a memorable feat at Anfield Road, getting overturned by Liverpool within 2 minutes after going ahead 3-2 in the 80th minute. Without Salah, the Reds lose so much but are having a really good moment and it comes hard to image a slip-up by them, at home to boot. They are favored in a match in which the visitors should also score at least one goal.
Liverpool-Fulham
likely lineups.
LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, van Dijk, Gomez; Jones, Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz.
FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete, Adarabioyo, Diop, Robinson; Cairney, Palhinha; Wilson, Pereira, Decordova-Reid; Raul Jimenez.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
