Key events
A reminder that there is no VAR in operation tonight. That’s because Middlesbrough, who lost to Chelsea in the other semi-finals, don’t have the technology at the Riverside – so to level the playing field, it won’t be used in any of the semi-finals.
The teams
Fulham (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Adarabioyo, Diop, Robinson; João Palhinha, Cairney; Decordova-Reid, Andreas Pereira, Willian; Jimenez.
Substitutes: Rodak, Tete, Reed, Wilson, Ream, Rodrigo Muñiz, Lukic, Vinícius, Francois.
Liverpool: Kelleher; Bradley, Quansah, van Dijk, Gomez;
Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Elliott; Gakpo, Nunez, Diaz.
Substitutes: Alisson, Konate, Jones, Jota, Robertson, Clark, McConnell, Beck, Nyoni.
Referee: Simon Hooper.
Assistants: Adrian Holmes, Simon Long.
Fourth official: Tony Harrington.
Jurgen Klopp has made four changes since the win at Bournemouth, with Caoimhin Kelleher start in the gate, Jarell Quansah replaces Ibrahim Konaté in defense, Ryan Gravenberch for Curtis Jones in midfield and Cody Gakpo has the advantage over Diogo Jota in attack. What is most significant, however, Andy Robertson is back on the bench for the first time since October.
For Fulham, Timothy Castagne comes in for Kenny Tete at right-back Bobby Decordova Reid is preferred to Harry Wilson as Marco Silva makes two changes to the side that lost 1-0 at Chelsea on January 13 – fielding the same line-up that suffered a respectable 2-1 defeat at Anfield in the first leg .
Here are Twitter’s lineups; Yes, I still call it Twitter.
More Afcon drama than… er, maybe not… it is finished South Africa – Tunisia 0-0 And Namibia 0-0 Mali in the last games of Group E. Nevertheless, Tunisia sends home and the other three teams on – and leaves Ivory Coast I hope the results of Group F go well. Poor Yara El-Shaboury survived both games here:
preamble
In the 145 years since its founding as St Andrew’s Church Sunday School FC, Fulham Football Club has yet to win a major trophy. Their opponents tonight, Liverpool, have won a few – 50 to be exact – and so come here with a significant historic lead, in addition to their 2-1 aggregate lead at Anfield.
Still, with eleven days off since the first leg and Liverpool back in action just three days after beating Bournemouth, tonight represents a big opportunity for Fulham. The presence of Chelsea – long-time local champions, but in a rare one Phase of vulnerability – in the final should also serve as an inspiration for Marco Silva’s team.
It is 10 years since a team outside England’s core group of elite trophy collectors got their hands on the League Cup, when Swansea beat fourth-tier side Bradford City in a runaway final. Since then, Manchester City (six), United (two), Chelsea (one) and, yes, Liverpool (one) have secured the monopoly of the big clubs.
Jürgen Klopp’s side have shown ominous dynamism in several competitions and are hot favorites to win what will be their 127th domestic cup final against Chelsea in the last decade. Home fans and neutrals alike will continue to hope for more famous nights under the lights at Craven Cottage. Kick-off is at 20:00 (GMT).
