Topic: LEAGUE CUP SEMI - Liverpool 2 Jones 68, Gakpo 71 v Fulham 1 Willian 18'

[Le Westalero]

After a dreadful first half we turned it around. Imo we should have/could have won 3-1 in the end but the 2-1 will do.

And to be honest Fulham could have scored at least one more goal before we got our first.

We're better than them and certainly good enough to draw at their place.

Bradley was superb, as Jones, as Cody, as Darwin and Ibou.

Thought Gravenberch had a horror show for 50 minutes and 5 good minutes.

[meady1981]

Maybe, but I'd rather than than having the game stopped and hannging around until VAR decided it wasn't a penalty. I really enjoyed watching a game without the omnipresenT VAR.

More than happy to take the decision as it happened and move on. Fuck VAR.

[Yorkykopite]

Another terrible decision over the hand ball. There seems to be an unwritten law which says "The defender is shit, therefore he's allowed to handle it".

Who loves Jota? We all love Jota.

Great performance, and an important one from Conor Bradley.

Love Kelleher's distribution.

[duvva 💅]

Loving the Curtis/Gakpo interview double act here

[naYoRHa2b]

Gladly take the 2-1 after the first half. Truth be told Fulham played well for large parts of the game (playacting and time wasting aside) and they could of had another if they made better decisions Infront of goal.

Similarly for us though Nunez is unlucky with Leno saving that one where he just spreads himself. Nunez changed the game though with his movement across the front line and their defense never knew where he would pop up.

Fair play to Cody as well for his goal and impact.

Was less stressful with no VAR

[Sheer Magnetism]

Really liking the interview chemistry between Jones and Gakpo post-match.

[Mister Flip Flop]

Some of the bedwetters on here at half time. Grow a pair FFS.

[robertobaggio37]

I'm sure it's a new instruction from PGMOL that handball doesn't apply against us.

To be fair, it did look like he headed it first, and without VAR, well it would have been a big call. Still think AR should have seen that so no excuses.

[Cruiser]

Jota, Jones, Bradley and Jones noteworthy mentions tonight. Brilliant.

[Dim Glas]

Should have been more comfortable, great 2nd half.

Blatant penalty not given.

Curtis and Connor brilliant.

Darwin brilliant.

Great finish by Cody.

Pereira is a scumbag. Players who feign head injuries deserve bans.

[jillcwhomever]

They are right piss takers Gakpo and Jones in those interviews. 

[LiverBirdKop]

I always go for the Spanish language streams for obvious reasons. They gave the MoM to Bradley, were impressed by the kid.

[DarkOfTheManatee]

Think I saw that Fulham hadn't lost a game this season when they'd scored first, and they're a handy outfit at the moment, so a great effort to turn things around.

Hopefully in the away match when they have to go for it a bit more, we'll find more space in the transitions and can pick them off.

[Nick110581]

Think I saw that Fulham hadn't lost a game this season when they'd scored first, and they're a handy outfit at the moment, so a great effort to turn things around.

Hopefully in the away match when they have to go for it a bit more, we'll find more space in the transitions and can pick them off.

That’s correct.

[rafathegaffa83]

Harder than it should have been. Great finish by Gakpo. Bradley, Nunez and Jones were all very good.  Pereira is an utter prick. Coote once again shows why he shouldn't be anywhere near our games. How on earth does he miss that handball?

[Studgotelli]

Well done boys great character to come back with a weakened team. Just get it over the line in the 2nd leg.

Credit to Klopp for the squad management too. Has been top class this season with his subs and the timing of them. What a manager.

[StevoHimself]

In what way was it embarrassing? Most people were saying that we weren’t playing well and the stats back that up. Nobody was saying that we couldn’t win but it was a fact that we needed to up our game which we did……not sure why stating facts is embarrassing.

Modern football where being a good fan means being a sanctimonious ideologue. Hard to believe these people have ever watched a match in a boozer - let alone the ground - without self-combusting. We were losing 1-0 at home in a big game against a side we're much better than. It doesn't take a genius to work out why people weren't jumping for joy and yet....

[MonsLibpool]

Good result.

[Barrow Shaun]

Any semi-final we've ever been in during my lifetime, if 1 game you just want to still be in at half-time, if 2 legs you just want to be in it after the first leg.

Great result, especially after trailing 0-1.

[spider-neil]

Is anyone due back before the second leg?

[lukeb1981]

I always go for the Spanish language streams for obvious reasons. They gave the MoM to Bradley, were impressed by the kid.

He worked well with Gakpo - i thought Elliott was killing him in the first half , every time he made the run or overlap Elliott turned back infield and held on to the ball killing momentum .

[Fromola]

Maybe, but I'd rather that than having the game stopped and hannging around until VAR decided it wasn't a penalty. I really enjoyed watching a game without the omnipresenT VAR.

Shame it'll be back for the final. Football is far better without it.

[Red Beret]

Fulham were always going to be the toughest because they're a decent side but also a bit unpredictable. Everyone who was pooh-poohing the draw were doing Fulham a great disservice.

That said, as discussed in the Chelsea thread, our record against Middlesbrough stinks, so our options were limited.

[Butcher Knife Roberto]

Conor Fucking Bradley, that is all. Well in lad, well in 

[Cafe De Paris]

Wasn’t it great seeing a goal go in and not worrying about if it was offside/foul/handball/Tierney/Taylor. Lovely.

[Gili Gulu]

Good result.

Given our lack of creative players due to the loss of Trent and Mo, I was hoping for any kind of lead so Fulham have to come on to us, and we can unleash Darwin, Luis and Diogo.

I still think they'll keep things tight and hope to nick a goal rather than go toe-to-toe with us until fairly near the end.

[Nick110581]

Is anyone due back before the second leg?

Dom is close to fitness.

We now have 10 days off too.

[reddebs]

3 things.

1.  I had the game on but did anything but watch 👍

2.  Serves them right for pissing about with all the time wasting and pretend injuries.

3.  We let them run out of steam then left them in the dirt.

Have a good hols lads, see you in a couple of weeks 👌

[naYoRHa2b]

More than happy to take the decision as it happened and move on. Fuck VAR.

Exactly this.

Nice to celebrate a couple of goals as well without worrying what VAR are going to find

[the_red_pill]

We're gunna have a hell of an off season next season, I can guarantee you that.
Don't see us getting into top4, to be honest- based on past patterns, BUT at least we can win A LOT this season with the 2nd half displays we're having.

[OkieRedman]

In what way was it embarrassing? Most people were saying that we weren’t playing well and the stats back that up. Nobody was saying that we couldn’t win but it was a fact that we needed to up our game which we did……not sure why stating facts is embarrassing.

Right: and the calls for Virg to be subbed were all based on facts, not knee jerk reactions. It was way over the top. I think anyone would say that if they read it again while not foaming at the mouth.

The most annoying thing is that the tie should be dead. Now we will really have to turn up.

[DonkeyWan]

I don't think people understand how important Nunez is to this team. He has 8 goals and as many assist at around the half way mark in the season.

Firmino was 8 seasons at Liverpool and got 111 goals in the league in total. But that included one bumper crop of  aseason. Usually he averaged about a dozen goals a season.  But everyone knew how important he was. He changed how the team played, assisting the assister and allowing Mane and Salah duke it out for the goals. He was a master thief picking defensive locks with guile and technique.

Nunez does something similar but he uses a sledgehammer to bludgeon the defensive door to death, before stamping on it a few times, just to be sure. It's not pretty but it is singularly effective. In a team of technicians a barbarian at the gates is exactly what is needed. Darwin the Barbarian, sewing chaos, upsetting defenders and generally allowing his teammates to exist around the periphery of the maelstrom he is at the centre of.

[MonsLibpool]

Given our lack of creative players due to the loss of Trent and Mo, I was hoping for any kind of lead so Fulham have to come on to us, and we can unleash Darwin, Luis and Diogo.

I still think they'll keep things tight and hope to nick a goal rather than go toe-to-toe with us until fairly near the end.

If we score first, it's all but done.

[AllyouneedisRush]

I don't think people understand how important Nunez is to this team. He has 8 goals and as many assist at around the half way mark in the season.

Firmino was 8 seasons at Liverpool and got 111 goals in the league in total. But that included one bumper crop of  aseason. Usually he averaged about a dozen goals a season.  But everyone knew how important he was. He changed how the team played, assisting the assister and allowing Mane and Salah duke it out for the goals. He was a master thief picking defensive locks with guile and technique.

Nunez does something similar but he uses a sledgehammer to bludgeon the defensive door to death, before stamping on it a few times, just to be sure. It's not pretty but it is singularly effective. In a team of technicians a barbarian at the gates is exactly what is needed. Darwin the Barbarian, sewing chaos, upsetting defenders and generally allowing his teammates to exist around the periphery of the maelstrom he is at the centre of.

Captain Chaos... other teams don't know how to play him. 

Love him

[Lubeh]

Good win against a team full of cheating playacters, did not ever feel in doubt we would win, need to start with Diaz - Jota - Nunez imo but i guess Nunez and Gakpo may not have made the difference coming on in the end, Bradley MotM for me was super in defence and going forward, I think gravenberch just had a bad game it happens, second half he played better but was always getting the hook. Very odd header from Virgil for thier goal never seen him head one inside like he completely losy his bearing.

Anyway 2-1 half time against a side we helped scored otherwise they did not have much about them , I think we make the final and to be honest Chelsea aint great i think Middlesborough would be a tougher game.

[12C]

Maybe, but I'd rather that than having the game stopped and hannging around until VAR decided it wasn't a penalty. I really enjoyed watching a game without the omnipresenT VAR.

I’d rather have a competent referee, meself

[12C]

I don't think people understand how important Nunez is to this team. He has 8 goals and as many assist at around the half way mark in the season.

Firmino was 8 seasons at Liverpool and got 111 goals in the league in total. But that included one bumper crop of  aseason. Usually he averaged about a dozen goals a season.  But everyone knew how important he was. He changed  how the team played, assisting the assister and allowing Mane and Salah duke it out for the goals. He was a master thief picking defensive locks with guile and technique.

Nunez does something similar but he uses a sledgehammer to bludgeon the defensive door to death, before stamping on it a few times, just to be sure. It's not pretty but it is singularly effective. In a team of technicians a barbarian at the gates is exactly what is needed. Darwin the Barbarian, sewing chaos, upsetting defenders and generally allowing his teammates to exist around the periphery of the maelstrom he is at the centre of.

Darwin the Barbarian 
That’s a flag if ever there was one

[DonkeyWan]

Darwin the Barbarian 
That’s a flag if ever there was one

What is best in life Darwin?

"Crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentation of their women"

[kop306]

fulham should have been 2 or 3 goals up

second half as soon as our goal went in you knew we would get a second

bradley superb again

[Wabaloolah]

Good result! Shoulda had a clear pen.

yes not much said about that, the commentator made no sense either when he said  something like, it can't be a penalty as he tried to head the ball, can't have penalties given for that!

I mean what the fuck was he on about, he got himself in a mess positionally, it hit him on his hand away from his body and it was miles from the ball too.

Clear penalty