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

[TheShanklyGates]

A bigger win with the home leg first would have been nice but will take that after how the game went and with the players we have missing.

Time for a much needed little break with everything still to play for.

[Gnurglan]

2-1.
We got the job done. Things improved in the second half. Good to see goals from Jones and Gakpo. Nunez unfortunate. Really liked Jota’s involvement before the goals. We have given ourselves a good chance to reach the Final.

[thaddeus]

I only watched the second half but I thought we were very good.  At times a bit too easy to play around - a couple of players taken out of the game by simple give-and-go football or Willian dropping his shoulder - but very dominant.

I was moaning when Harvey went off as he looked lively but Darwin and Gakpo were both outstanding.  Playing effectively a 4-2-4 put a lot of strain on Macca but he did well.

Other than a bit of a dead leg for Curtis we seem to come through unscathed (but then I thought the same after the FA Cup game).

[RyanBabel19]

Great turnaround

Nunez was top class as was Gakpo

[OkieRedman]

That halftime tread was an embarrassment from most involved. It was as if no one has watched us all season. That went almost to the entire season's script. 

Only a dangling leg keep the tie alive for them.

[Fromola]

Thought Mac Allister and Jota were really good.

Yeah they bossed it throughout.

[art03]

    Great 2nd half ... as usual. The subs again changed the game in our favor. Seems like every team knows that they have to beat us in the 1st half. In doing so, they run themselves ragged and we win the game in the 2nd half. I wish we hard players that can release the ball to Darwin sooner. He made so many runs but we kept holding onto the ball. I get we want to stick to our pattern of play, which is working out great - see the 2nd goal but every now and then, you got to try that fast release to keep their back line guessing. Bradley is doing great, he can really defend and later on in the 2nd half, shows some glimpses of his attacking prowess too.

[Higgins79]

Bradley and Jones were ace, all the forwards apart from Elliot were good, just need more impetus from midfield and I think Szoboszlai will provide that when he’s back. Gomez and Konate brilliant again.

A week off now before a big week. Rest up, and then the serious work begins.

[Seebab]

Bradley was excellent. My motm.

[Father Ted]

What is handball now days? Nunez is brilliant. Bradley was very impressive tonight.

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

[Crosby Nick]

Looked so dangerous in the last 30 minutes. I said before the game I’d settle for any kind of lead going into the second leg, the way the game panned out, I’m even more satisfied to be in front.

They’ll have to come in to us at some point which should play into our hands.

Think in the absence of some of our creators, we have to have Darwin out there. Big shout out to him and Cody for their game changing cameos.

[4pool]

A win. On to the second leg with a one goal lead. Happy Days. 

[stockdam]

Good result! Shoulda had a clear pen.

The handball stopped the ball going to Jota in space. Yes it would have been harsh but it should have been a penalty.

[QC]

That sense that we’ll always come back is back

[Gerry83]

Looked clueless first half - second half were a bit better but fortunate to come away ahead as they were in several times before we scored.

Be a tough second leg but at least we go in with a small advantage

[RyanBabel19]

Special mention for Bradley, brilliant tonight in a tough game

[Lynndenberries]

Huge performances from Jones, Bradley, Nunez, and Jota.

Also, bin VAR.

[Red Ol]

Konate great again. Nunez and Gakpo made a big difference (as expected). Bradley was just excellent! Well done lads. Half way there but need more in the next leg and not just in the last 30 minutes

[Fromola]

That halftime tread was an embarrassment from most involved. It was as if no one has watched us all season. That went almost to the entire season's script. 

I was sound with the first half for the most part, we played well enough. Miles better than the league game against them.

Just lacked a cutting edge but the energy was there.

[Banquo's Ghost]

I have seen this movie before. Needs better writers for the first half.

Bradley MotM for me - heart and soul and good defending. Not too shabby on the attack either. Seemed like the only player to want to make things happen until the substitutions.

Darwin elevates our attack so much it is heartbreaking that he’s getting no luck for a goal himself.

Well, a win is a win and a lead to take to the Cottage.

[Red Beret]

And I just remembered - it's 2-1 and it's technically half time, and we usually do much better second half...

[TipTopKop]

Lots of positives from seeing Jones, Gakpo scoring and Bradley and Nunez efforts, also McAllister getting fitness and back to form.

[LiverBirdKop]

Excellent comeback from the boys. Notable mentions for me, Bradley, Gapko, Jota. Nunez and Curtis good as well. What a solid player Bradley is.

[koptommy93]

Be a tricky second leg but I think we'll be fine. Nunez changed the game there, bradley was immense.

[Higgins79]

Bradley might just give us a ‘Robbo’ at right back. Tenacious in the tackle and press, fast and direct. Just needs more confidence with the ball but that will come. Excited to see him develop.

[TSC]

Take that result after the first half.  Tough 2nd leg incoming

[has gone odd]

Under the circumstances, you take any kind of win. Happy with the 2nd half.

Now for a well earned rest for the lads.                                                               

[StL-Dono]

Finally some nice energy once the subs came on.  Nunez has nothing but bad luck.  Seems he's doing everything right and getting into dangerous positions, but just not finding the goal.  Took incredibly lucky save from Leno to keep out his last chance.

Amazing they missed the handball in the box.  It wouldn't have been a penalty if it'd gone off his head and hit his arm, but it hits nothing but arm.  *scratches head*

I didn't think (unlike the commentators) the Decordova-Reid not crossing the ball took away a sure-fire goal from Fulham.  Konate is there.  They might have scored had he crossed it, but it wasn't an absolute 100% for me.

[LovelyCushionedHeader]

I was sound with the first half for the most part, we played well enough. Miles better than the league game against them.

Just lacked a cutting edge but the energy was there.

That's when you know the half time thread has gone too far mate.. when you're the most positive one in there

[jillcwhomever]

Looked clueless first half - second half were a bit better but fortunate to come away ahead as they were in several times before we scored.

Be a tough second leg but at least we go in with a small advantage

They had two shots on target we had about seven.

[Clint Eastwood]

Another very good turnaround.

Looked much better with Darwin stretching their backline. I think Elliott's better off in midfield for us right now.

Bradley excellent in the second half.

Jones getting better every game.

[meady1981]

Most important thing here was we did a second gear game without any injuries.

[Zimagic]

Also, bin VAR.

Don't know how you can say that after one of VAR's better performances all season.
Ok, didn't give the obvious penalty, but otherwise not a foot wrong.

[Caston]

Subs changed the game, well done lads.

Can’t see us being beat at their ground… no complacency and it’s another final for us.

[Jm55]

They had two shots on target we had about seven.

To be fair one of those shots on target would have been a certain goal if he’d passed it.

[stockdam]

That halftime tread was an embarrassment from most involved. It was as if no one has watched us all season. That went almost to the entire season's script. 

Only a dangling leg keep the tie alive for them.

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.

[Samie]

Looked clueless first half - second half were a bit better but fortunate to come away ahead as they were in several times before we scored.

Be a tough second leg but at least we go in with a small advantage

We wern;t fortunate at all. The fuck are you watching?

[12C]

I'll take that. As usual, the opposition find several more gears against us, help from the ref, and their goal leads a charmed life. But a win is a win, even if the lead is slender.

Starting to wish we'd had Chelsea in the semis.

Jones was immense. Thought Grav’s touch deserted him. Jota looked sharp Darwin was chaos as usual.
Bradley looked the part. Thought Elliot was trying too hard against his old club. Macca was good.
Half time 2-1. Let’s see what happens down there.
At least we won’t have Coote to contend with.
He reminded me of a Maths teacher with no actual knowledge of football doing a PE sub. He just ran around blowing the whistle if he suspected he should perhaps give a foul. Pereira was taking the piss out of him. And that handball.
I wonder what excuse will be dreamt up for that one?
Can’t be proximity cause it travelled 30yards. He wasn’t slipping over because he stooped to head it and his hand wasn’t supporting him
Absolute fraud of a ref.

[marmite]

big pat on the back for bradley that was a very good game  from him

[number 168]

The handball stopped the ball going to Jota in space. Yes it would have been harsh but it should have been a penalty.

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.