EFL Cup: Liverpool and Fulham on the Silverware Trail

Liverpool vs Fulham

The first major trophy of the English domestic season is up for grabs and the final four in the 2024 EFL Cup are in action this week.  

On Tuesday Championship side Middlesbrough host Chelsea and then, on Wednesday it’s the turn of Liverpool and Fulham for their first leg tie at Anfield. The latest EFL Cup 2024 betting oddsmake Jurgen Klopp’s Reds the favourites to win the trophy in February, but Marco Silva’s Fulham will certainly give it a real go having come so far.  

Liverpool come into the game on the back of a thrilling 2-0 FA Cup win away to Arsenal while Fulham squeezed past Championship side Rotherham 1-0, and we’re in for a fascinating clash when the two meet on Merseyside.

Talking Points

Van Dijk in contention

In the FA Cup tie of the weekend Liverpool found a way to beat Arsenal, which was quite something to watch as they were seriously depleted with star striker Mo Salah away at AFCON and defensive leader Virgil Van Dijk sidelined with a virus. Klopp said his player looked dreadful when he reported for training with a bug, but now he is hopeful that the big Dutchman will be fit to make a return by Wednesday. That would be big EFL Cup 2024 news and a boost for the Reds who had to rely on some of their youngsters when they met the Gunners.

The stand-ins performed well, particularly in defence as Arsenal totally dominated the first half and, but for wasteful finishing and Liverpool’s brave defence, they could have been out of sight by the break. As the match wore on the Reds could sense an opportunity and they hit the Gunners with a late double blow as two of their senior players cut through the hosts’ rearguard. First, the stand in skipper Trent-Alexander Arnold whipped in a dangerous ball which Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior headed into his own net. Then Luis Diaz broke through and hit a bullet of a shot past Aaron Ramsdale and into the roof of the net. 

Trent, who was superb throughout, also hit the woodwork while Darwin Nunez ran tirelessly in the absence of Salah and he is in line to start up front again alongside Diaz. As well as Van Dijk’s likely return, there will probably be a switch in goal, where Caomhin Kelleher has played throughout the EFL Cup and he can give Alisson a rest.              

Fulham welcome in the New Year

When the Cottagers met Arsenal on New Year’s Eve they were on a run of three consecutive league defeats, but they put in a brilliant performance to deny the Gunners top place, beating them 2-1 and making plenty of friends up in Liverpool in the process! The Cottagers went behind early in the first half when Bukayo Saka poked in a rebound after Bernd Leno had parried an effort from Gabriel Martinelli. But they fought back when the fit again Raul Jimenez converted a cross from Tom Cairney, and then Bobby Decordova-Reid won the game on the hour.

Reid and Fulham carried their form into the New Year and the forward hit a thunderous strike to break Rotherham hearts in the FA Cup third round tie at Craven Cottage. Fulham should have triumphed by a bigger margin as they won the shot count by 21 to three as Harry Wilson tormented the Yorkshiremen’s defence from start to finish. 

Back to back wins makes it a strong start to the year and Fulham fans are hoping for a successful 2024…and maybe even a trophy.      

History

With 20 wins to Fulham’s seven, the Reds have had the better of these meetings and they won a thrilling seven goal encounter when the two sides met at Anfield at the beginning of December as Trent scored a late winner.

Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 23 games at Anfield and their recent form is stronger too, with four wins and two draws from the last six games while Fulham have won three and lost three. 

Betting Tip

At 1.31 to win the Reds are hot favourites to win this first leg, with Fulham at 7.33 and the draw at 4.45.

I think the value is in a game with goals but not a flood. The most likely score line is 2-0 at SBOTOP odds of 6.56 while a 2-1 win is close behind at 7.14. Having  pushed the Reds so close in December Fulham should have no fear on Wednesday and I think they can stay in the tie. 

 

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