Fulham vs Liverpool LIVE commentary: Reds hold narrow lead heading into Carabao Cup semi-final second leg – kick-off time, team news and how to follow

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Liverpool will be aiming to book their place at Wembley on Wednesday night as they travel to take on Fulham, live on talkSPORT. 

The Reds hold a narrow 2-1 lead after coming back from behind in the first leg of this Carabao Cup semi-final thanks to goals from Cody Gakpo and Curtis Jones

Liverpool came from behind to beat Fulham two weeks ago

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Liverpool came from behind to beat Fulham two weeks agoCredit: Getty

Jurgen Klopp’s side started that game poorly but ended strongly and they will be aiming to carry that into this clash away from home. 

Marco Silva will fancy his side to cause an upset though, with the Cottagers proving they can go toe-to-toe with their in-form opponents. 

Fulham vs Liverpool: Darwin’s double-double 

Darwin Nunez has become the first Premier League player to reach 10 goals and 10 assists in all competitions this season. 

The Uruguayan has gained a reputation of being chaotic, however, if chaos means goals then Liverpool won’t care. 

Nunez has scored seven goals in the Premier League as well as two in the Europa League and one in the Carabao Cup against Bournemouth

Combine that with six top-flight assists, one Europa League assist and three in the Cup, he is having a superb campaign. 

By providing three assists in this competition already, with two coming against Fulham in the first leg of this tie, he is the leading provider. 

And Nunez loves the Carabao Cup, having been involved five goals in just six appearances, averaging a goal or assist every 59 minutes.

Nunez is having an impressive campaign

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Nunez is having an impressive campaign Fulham are winless in their last five home games against Liverpool (D2 L3), since a 1-0 win in the Premier League in December 2011. Liverpool have progressed to the final on eight of the nine previous occasions they’ve won the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final tie. The exception was in 1997-98, being eliminated by Middlesbrough after winning the first leg at Anfield 2-1

Fulham vs Liverpool: Team news

Harry Wilson could be handed a start against his former club while Fulham captain Tom Cairney may be in from the off. 

Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey remain away at AFCON and Adam Traore remains out with an injury. 

As for Liverpool, Trent Alexander-Arnold will remain out despite nearing a return to action.

He stays with Andy Robertson, Konstantino Tsimikas, Thiago and Stefan Bajcetic on the sidelines but Dominik Szoboszlai could be back. 

Fulham proved they have a chance in the tie at Anfield

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Fulham proved they have a chance in the tie at AnfieldCredit: Getty Liverpool have won just two of their last 10 EFL Cup games played in London (D3 L5), beating Chelsea 2-0 in November 2011 and Arsenal 2-0 in January 2022. As a Premier League side, Fulham have won six of their last seven EFL Cup home games (D1), with their last such defeat coming against Bolton in September 2007 (1-2).

Fulham vs Liverpool: What has been said? 

Mohamed Salah will return to Liverpool to recover from his injury suffered at the Africa Cup of Nations for Egypt. 

He won’t feature for the Reds but he will be back on Merseyside receiving treatment. 

Klopp said: "That's the plan. If that's already decided 100 per cent, I don't know. But that's the plan.

"However long he's out, probably everybody sees it like this, it makes sense that he's doing the rehab with us or with our people. If that's written in stone already, I don't know.

"I spoke with him directly after, the night when it happened. Since then he's in contact with our doctor. I think he will be back."

Klopp won't have Salah back in action just yet

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Klopp won't have Salah back in action just yetCredit: Getty If Liverpool avoid defeat they will reach the EFL Cup final for a record 14th time, at least four more than any other side. The Reds have conceded in all four of their wins in the competition this season – the last team to win more consecutively without keeping a clean sheet were Tottenham (6 between the 2007-08 semi-final second leg and 2008-09 semi-final first leg). If they qualify, Fulham would be the 37th different team to reach the EFL Cup final, and first maiden finalists since Bradford and Swansea in 2012-13. Only 25% of teams to lose the first leg of a semi-final tie have reached the final (23/92).

Fulham vs Liverpool: talkSPORT coverage 

This Carabao Cup semi-final second leg will take place on Wednesday, January 24. 

Kick-off at Craven Cottage is scheduled for 8pm. 

talkSPORT will have live coverage of the game presented by Adrian Durham. 

Commentary will come from Sam Matterface and former Chelsea defender Scott Minto

talkSPORT.com will also be running a live blog of all the action. 

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