Jurgen Klopp hails Liverpool’s ‘perfect’ Carabao Cup journey and relishes final showdown against Chelsea… but warns the Blues will be out for revenge after losing at Wembley in 2022

Liverpool face another Wembley showdown with Chelsea next month after Jurgen Klopp’s men weathered a late storm at Craven Cottage to beat Fulham and book a place in the Carabao Cup final.

The Reds came into West London with a 2-1 aggregate lead and extended it after 11 minutes through Luis Diaz, but defender Issa Diop made it a nerve-wracking finish for Liverpool after his 76th minute goal pulled one back in the draw and equalized that evening. .

But Liverpool held their own to book a third final in two years with Chelsea – after beating them on penalties in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup finals in 2022 – and Klopp warned: ‘We all know it’s Chelsea and they want to make history. right.’

Klopp was delighted Liverpool could accommodate the raucous crowd at Craven Cottage after Fulham boss Marco Silva called on fans to create a memorable atmosphere ahead of this match, the Cottagers’ first ever League Cup semi-final.

“We were just ready for this match,” said the German. ‘I heard Marco’s press conference, I have so much respect for him. It was their most important game of the season and we knew what it meant to them. We had to show the outside world that we wanted it just as much – and I saw that.

Liverpool reached the Carabao Cup final with a 1–1 draw against Fulham in the second leg

‘We could have put the game to bed, but we didn’t. Harry Wilson had a really good moment to be honest. We had to get it over the line and we did that. It feels great, the dressing room is very happy, we wanted it and we got it.

‘Everything great about the Carabao Cup final. That’s why we have to concentrate on all the other competitions and that’s what we’re going to do. It’s so perfect. Wembley is a special place and I am very happy for everyone involved that they can have this experience.’

Klopp singled out Liverpool’s youngsters for praise and confirmed that number 2 goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher is likely to continue as Alisson Becker’s replacement against Chelsea. The boss also described versatile defender Joe Gomez as a ‘life-saver’.

The 26-year-old has played at right-back, centre-back and left-back this season and played 90 minutes in all five of Liverpool’s games in 2024. “Without Joey, nothing would have happened,” Klopp said. ‘Exceptional, supreme defender and he comes in. But yes… a life saver!

“And Jarell looks very calm. He’s just a really good player. Also Conor Bradley, Bobby Clark – these guys (the young players) are essential to what we do. It’s really fun to see how they grow every day.’

Marco Silva thought his team could have played better, but he couldn’t fault their effort

Silva thought his team could have played better, but he couldn’t fault their effort. “Performance-wise and overall it wasn’t our best,” he said. ‘ But the desire, the attitude and the commitment of our players… they gave everything from the first and the last minute.

“I am proud of our journey in this competition and this season. From the moment we played against Tottenham for the first time, we showed our ambition and our desire to continue in this competition. Our attitude was serious and we can be proud of our ambition.

“We’ve kept the semi-finals open against the team at the top of the Premier League and they’ve been so consistent in games. We can be proud of it and unfortunately we did not win the match. As a club and myself, I am proud of the fans, there was a great atmosphere.’