Liverpool vs Fulham – Carabao Cup semi-final: Live score, team news and updates as Conor Bradley and Harvey Elliott come in for Trent and Mo Salah

I mean, from the start of the competion, we’ve taken it very seriously. We’ve been up against some good opponents. And I feel like we’ve put in a lot of good performances in this competition.

So to be so close to the final rewards our hard work and it gives us something to fight for.

Hopefully the Liverpool manager has not looked up the result for that particulary tie…

… that was a 2-1 victory at Bramall Lane – but the Reds bagged two in the reverse fixture to progress all the same, and win the trophy a month later.

Fulham will hope the other side of the draw hasn’t set a precedent: travel north from west London and collapse completely.

Chelsea were outclassed by Middlesbrough on Tuesday evening, and have a lot to do if they have a hope of meeting either of tonight’s opponents at Wembley in February.

Read Mail Sport’s Craig Hope’s assesment below.

Liverpool’s weakened side is still an impressive force, but Klopp has had his arm twisted into making five changes from the side who faced Arsenal in their weekend FA Cup victory.

But having Virgil van Dijk back in the side is an obviously plus, and he slots back in to the starting XI with Kelleher, Jota, Gravenberch, and up-and-comer Conor Bradley, making just his second start of the season as he steps into Alexander-Arnold’s boots.

Fulham are more conservative with two changes from their side who faced Arsenal in the league, as Pereira, Reed, and Diop come back in for Bassey, Cairney, and Iwobi.

Liverpool are the tournament’s most successful side, having won the trophy – under a variety of different sponsorship names that do a good job of marking a football fan’s vintage – a mammoth nine times.

No doubt Jurgen Klopp will have eyes on making it a round number this year.

No January incoming signings yet, but one outgoing, as the Portugal international heads down a division for a six-month spell away from Merseyside.

You can read Mail Sport’s transfer expert Simon Jones’ report for more information, below

A particularly resplendent view of tonight’s venue, as Fulham look to become the first team to swipe victory at Anfield in 2024.

Only one team managed it in 2023: Real Madrid.

If Liverpool can successfully navigate this tricky period, then they might just realise their dreams this season…

READ MORE BELOW.

It’s been just over a month since the two top-flight sides met at Anfield, and Jurgen Klopp will hope things go slightly more smoothly in the cup competition than they did in the league.

Liverpool snuck the win that day, but needed an 88th-minute winner to snare all three points from a feisty Fulham side that will have felt more than a little aggrieved at letting the tie slip through their fingers.

You can refresh your memory with Lewis Steele’s report from the day below.

Hello and welcome to Mail Sport’s live coverage of the week’s second Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg tie as Fulham travel north to Anfield to face Premier League rivals Liverpool.

Last night’s Chelsea collapse at Middlesbrough has whetted the appetite for upsets: are Fulham capable of reaching their first-ever league cup final?

Stick around as we bring you all the build-up, team news, and more ahead of kick-off at 8pm.