Fulham v Liverpool player ratings: Diop 7, Jimenez 5; Diaz 8, Nunez 7

Carabao Cup semi-final second leg finishes 1-1 at Craven Cottage but Jurgen Klopp's side win 3-2 on aggregate

FULHAM RATINGS: Nightmare start when German keeper he allowed Diaz’s shot to squirm into the net at his near post. Fine one-handed stop from Nunez curler just before hour. AFP

Belgian right-back was caught out by long ball ahead of Diaz’s early goal and Liverpool seemed to target space behind him. PA

Magnificent sliding tackled stopped Nunez getting through on goal midway through first half. Won header in box that led to Pereira hitting post at other end of pitch. PA

Big defender was the unlikely player to haul Fulham back into the tie when he used his thigh to nudge the score back to 2-1 on the night in the 77th minute. Booked for chopping down Jota straight afteShow more

Surging early overlap and cross had keeper scrambling to palm clear but not enough of that from American left-back who was more focused on defensive duties. Reuters

Harsh booking after catching Mc Allister with follow through on tackle that barely deserved a free-kick. Tidy with the pass and tireless in the Fulham engine room. AFP

Portuguese midfielder should have scored in opening 10 minutes but volleyed over from game’s first corner. Will look back in anger at that as likely to be last chance to play at Wembley with Fulham beShow more

Very quiet first half where he offered next to no threat. Started second with sloppy pass that started a dangerous Liverpool counter-attack. Hooked with more than 20 minutes left and he will want to fShow more

Another key Fulham attacking threat who failed to turn up in opening half but nearly levelled after break when he struck the post from a tight angle. Reuters

Fulham’s first-leg goalscorer drilled effort from edge of area straight into hands of Kelleher on 35 minutes but was generally well marshalled by Bradley. Reuters

Saw one low shot that might have crept into the corner well saved by keeper in first half and then went down looking for penalty soon after but rightly waved away. Fulham needed more from their main sShow more

SUBS: (On for De Cordova-Reid 66’) Big impact from former Liverpool man. Lovely skill, run and cross to set-up Diop’s goal. Saw shot turned out for corner by keeper minutes later. Getty Images

(On for Castagne 83’) Getty Images

(On for Pereira 83’) PA

(On for Cairney 83’) PA

LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Had a couple of tricky crosses to deal with before being called into serious action to palm away a low Jimenez shot. Missed a catch just after break only for Pereira to smash loose Show more

Relishing his run in team as right-back for injured Trent Alexander Arnold. Had been immaculate before being skinned by Wilson ahead of Fulham’s goal but should not take away from what was an excellenShow more

Started ahead of Ibrahima Konate and was his excellent ball over the top that led to Diaz scoring. Can certainly spray a tidy ball out from back and defensively sound as well. AP

Captain is such a dominant figure at back. Never ruffled, tackles always well timed and won everything in air. Gave Jimenez next to nothing. PA

Lost his man after early corner but relieved to see Paulinha volley over but that was pretty much his only blemish. Had a couple of attempts on goal from distance as still awaits his first Liverpool gShow more

In the thick of the midfield action and didn't waste a pass, if not as influential as he has been of late. Manger Jurgen Klopp decided to rest the Argentine in second half with plenty of big games stiShow more

Dutch midfielder showed some flashes of real quality and was at heart of a lot of Liverpool's good work going forward, particularly in first half. Pulled shot from edge of area wide with 20 minutes toShow more

Former Fulham man had home fans cheering by completely missing a volley in opening minutes. Also showed them what they were missing with some glorious touches and crosses. Could have really silenced tShow more

The first-leg match-winner was lively throughout but didn’t have effort on goal until just after break when he sent an improvised first-time shot over bar. EPA

Pace caused problems for Fulham from start and helped launch numerous counter-attacks. Opened scoring via deflected strike and had ball in net again just before half hour but denied by offside flag. GShow more

Hit post in opening 45 minutes although flag had went up anyway. Saw lovely curling strike saved by keeper just before hour mark, then produced full 360 turn on ball before sending shot just wide not Show more

SUBS: (On for Nunez 67’) Seemed to be at loggerheads with Diop from moment he cameon. No surprise when Fulham defender was booked for obvious foul on Portuguese. Reuters

(On for Mac Allister 67’) One of Liverpool’s form players was brought on to help see out match, which they did, if closer than they would have liked. Reuters

(On for Gakpo 84’) AFP

(On for Gravenbach 84’) PA

Liverpool will face Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final after surviving a scare in their 1-1 draw against Fulham in the semi-final second leg on Wednesday.

Holding a 2-1 advantage from the first leg, Liverpool took the lead through Luis Diaz early in the first half at Craven Cottage. That should have been the signal for a comfortable evening for Jurgen Klopp's side.

But they missed several chances to kill off Fulham before Issa Diop's late goal set the stage for a dramatic finale.

Liverpool, though, held on under Fulham pressure before finally clinching a 3-2 aggregate success.

In a repeat of the 2022 final won by Liverpool on penalties, the Reds will make their 14th appearance in the League Cup showpiece against Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on February 25.

“It is fantastic,” said Klopp. “We had the experience before, we know what to expect. Again Chelsea – wow! What a story that is.

“You should never take for granted if you are part of the team who can qualify for trophies.

“This was the full cup experience. Open game, second half they started a bit wilder. We don't score. They got the equaliser. But the boys did really well and I am really happy.

“The only thing that counts in the end is that we are through. The very young ones have been incredible, so happy to see their reaction in the dressing room.

“They are all exceptional and they all worked extremely hard. This was not the night to shine, this was the night to qualify for a final. You heard from Marco Silva how much reaching a final would mean for Fulham, we had to prove and we did.

“Everything great about the Carabao Cup final. Around that we have to be focused on all the other competitions as well and that is what we will do.

“It is so perfect. Wembley is a special place and I am really happy for everyone involved they can have that experience.”

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