Manager Jurgen Klopp of Liverpool believes his team “can never take these things for granted” after defeating Fulham and advancing to the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea.
With a 2-1 lead from the first leg, the Reds’ draw at Craven Cottage sealed the deal and guaranteed a Wembley final for February 25.
With the help of a deflection, Luis Diaz gave Liverpool the lead early on when he chested down a diagonal pass from Jarell Quansah, cut inside, and beat Bernd Leno at his near post with ease.
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The hosts under Marco Silva had their moments and were deserving of their equaliser that evening when Issa Diop headed in a deflected shot from Harry Wilson.
Caoimhin Kelleher stopped Wilson’s long-range effort to keep the game from going to extra time, but another Fulham goal would have sealed the match.
But despite their best efforts, the Cottagers were unable to get a second goal, and they will have to wait for their first-ever EFL Cup final.
“You ought to have witnessed the changing area – the young children are ecstatic,” Klopp said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
“It’s a nice one; the stadium Wembley will be filled with blue and red.
It’s amazing to come here tonight and then continue. These are things that you can never take for granted.
“Our foot slipped off the gas after 30 minutes, and it was more exposed. We are very excited about Wembley and had to push it over the edge.”
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This weekend, both teams will play in the FA Cup fourth round: Liverpool will play Norwich at home on Sunday, while Fulham will host Newcastle on Saturday.
Chelsea defeated Middlesbrough, a Championship team, 6-1 on Tuesday to secure their spot at Wembley. Middlesbrough had won the first leg 1-0.
