Player ratings as Liverpool secure spot in Carabao Cup final with 2-3 aggregate score against Fulham

On Wednesday evening, Liverpool succeeded securing their spot in the Carabao Cup final by playing a 1-1 draw against Fulham at Craven Cottage and advancing to the final with an aggregate victory of 3-2.

The Reds had a 2-1 lead from the first leg in west London and quickly expanded their lead when Luis Diaz scored shortly after ten minutes. Despite a comeback from Issa Diop for the hosts at the 77-minute mark, Fulham was unable to push the game into extra-time as time ticked away.

At the end of February, Liverpool will meet Chelsea in the Wembley final. Chelsea previously defeated Championship team Middlesbrough with a 6-2 aggregate victory in their semi-final.

During the early stages, the Fulham players demonstrated understandable nerves, with Liverpool taking control from the start. However, the best opportunity before the ten-minute mark came to Joao Palhinha, who found space during a corner but sent his shot over the crossbar.

Even as the Cottagers began to find their footing, Liverpool landed a sucker punch a mere 11 minutes into the match. Diaz received a cross-field pass from Jarell Quansah, adeptly moved inside and saw his deflected shot sneak past Bernd Leno at his near post.

Liverpool's opening goal appeared to deflate the Craven Cottage crowd, as Fulham struggled against Liverpool's intense press. Diaz nearly extended the visitors' lead on the night with a shot following Darwin Nunez's attempt, but the Uruguayan was accurately flagged offside.

Fulham's best chance in the first half came from Raul Jimenez's strong low drive just past the half-hour mark, which was deflected by Liverpool's Irish goalkeeper, Caoimhin Kelleher. Willian's 25-yard shot was also easily defended by Kelleher soon after.

Fulham was given a golden chance seven minutes into the second period as Kelleher failed to secure a high cross into the box, which resulted in Andreas Pereira hitting the post from Issa Diop's drop. The Reds quickly moved to the other end of the field, but a subdued attempt by Harvey Elliott failed to capitalize on his former club.

Nunez's first on-target shot of the game was deflected by Leno as he tried to curve an attempt into the far corner, and a bending strike from the South American fell just short of Fulham's goal following a clean turn around the hour mark.

Just as the clock was winding down for the Cottagers, Fulham unexpectedly equalized. Harry Wilson outmaneuvered Conor Bradley down the left side of the hosts, sent a ball across the goal that Diop redirected beyond Kelleher to revitalise London side's chance of a comeback.

Wilson tested Kelleher with a strong strike shortly after Fulham's equalized, but the hosts were unable to mount a late comeback, transferring Liverpool to Wembley.