Jurgen Klopp’s team continues to demonstrate their resilience as the “Comeback Kings” this season by overturning the situation against Fulham.

Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo scored in the 68th and 71st minutes respectively, giving Liverpool the advantage on the path to the final. However, Marco Silva’s team still has 90 minutes in the return leg at Craven Cottage to change the situation.

Liverpool received a cold shower in the 19th minute due to a defensive mistake by center-back Virgil van Dijk. He couldn’t clear the ball properly with a header, allowing Andreas Pereira to pass him on the right before crossing to the left for Willian. Right-back Conor Bradley also slipped at the wrong time, making it easy for the former Chelsea midfielder to dribble into the penalty area and score past Van Dijk from a close angle, opening the scoring.

Van Dijk continued to be unlucky five minutes later in an aerial challenge with Pereira. The Dutch center-back raised his arm horizontally and seemingly unintentionally hit the opponent’s face. Pereira rolled on the ground holding his face, and the referee showed a yellow card, cautioning Van Dijk, although he appeared perplexed by that decision.

Previously, in 12 matches this season where Fulham scored first, they won 11 and drew only one. Marco Silva’s team maintained a compact defensive shape and didn’t allow the home team many chances. The stands at Anfield were quieter than usual, despite Jurgen Klopp criticizing the lack of enthusiasm from the fans a few weeks ago. This time, the German coach shook his head multiple times on the sidelines, showing his disappointment.

The situation turned around for Liverpool from a somewhat fortunate moment in the 68th minute. Curtis Jones’s long-range shot deflected off defender Tosin Adarabioyo, changing the ball’s trajectory like a banana peel, out of the reach of goalkeeper Bernd Leno. The Anfield stands erupted, providing an extra boost of energy for the players.

Liverpool had previously staged a dramatic comeback to defeat Fulham 4-3 in the Premier League on December 3, with two goals in two minutes from Wataru Endo and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Neither of these players played in the first leg of the League Cup, not to mention Mohamed Salah’s absence, but the home team still managed to come from behind against Fulham once again. They took only three minutes to score the second goal, thanks to the attacking trio’s combination play. Diogo Jota overlapped on the left side for Darwin Nunez to make a run, and he delivered a cross for Gakpo to tap in and find the net.