Our prediction for this EFL Cup match:
Fulham
Match Time & Date:
24 January 2024
20:00
Prediction: 1-2
Liverpool
All eyes will be on Craven Cottage when Fulham and Liverpool go head to head in the EFL Cup semis, return leg. The Reds came from behind to beat the Cottagers 2-1 in the first leg and, as a result, Jurgen Klopp’s men are with one foot in the final. Mohamed Salah suffered an injury in Egypt’s 2-2 draw with Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Curtis Jones limped off with injury in a 4-0 win over Bournemouth at the weekend. All Alexander-Arnold, Szoboszlai, Tsimikas, and Matip remain in the recovery room.
The capital club, on the other hand, aim to bounce back from a 1-0 loss to Chelsea. Fulham have no other option but to go all guns blazing at Liverpool, meaning that the Reds should have a number of opportunities to score on the break. All Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, and Fode Ballo are on international duty, while Adama Traore misses out with a hamstring problem.
Highlighted Player (Willian):
Willian is a Brazilian football player who was born on 9 August, 1988 in Ribeirao Pires. After playing for Corinthians in the 2006/2007 season, in 2007 he joined Ukrainian outfit Shakhtar Donetsk. The pacey winger won four Ukrainian Premier League trophies with the Miners, while clinching the UEFA Cup title in 2009 as well.
During his spell with Shakhtar, Willian was on Chelsea’s radar and in 2013 the chiefs of the Premier League club agreed a deal to sign the Brazilian ace for a fee of £30 million. Willian won the Premier League trophy with Chelsea in the 2014/2015 season and the following season he was named Chelsea Player of the year.
The 30-year-old winger has 38 caps for Brazil and he has netted six goals for the national team. Speaking of his personal life, Willian is married to Vanessa Martins, who gave birth to their twin daughters Valentina and Manuella.
Highlighted Team (Liverpool):
Founded back in 1892, Liverpool are one of England’s and world’s most famous clubs. The Reds hold a high-profile rivalry with Everton and there have always been fireworks when the two teams take on each other in the Merseyside derby.
The Reds welcome their opponents at Anfield and it has to be noted that they have already won 18 first division trophies. Liverpool were on the verge of lifting the 2014/2015 Premier League trophy, but Steven Gerrard slipped in the decider against Chelsea and left the Reds without a title.
Liverpool won one of their last Champions League trophy's in 2005, with the team coming from three goals behind to beat Milan in a historic clash in Istanbul. The Reds have clinched six European Cups and it is no surprise they are regarded as one of the greatest European clubs.
The likes of Steven Gerrard, Robbie Fowler, Paul Ince, Ian Rush, Graeme Souness, Sami Hyypia and Luis Suarez are some of the most notable footballers to have represented the club over the years. The club’s anthem is You’ll Never Walk Alone and their shirt colour is red.
Sabah Baku
Celje
AEK Larnaca
Partizan
Paks
CFR Cluj
Shakhtar Donetsk
Ilves
Trnava
Hacken
Legia
Aktobe
