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Jurgen Klopp hailed Liverpool’s game plan and admitted his players “understood” the occasion better than Fulham after Wednesday night’s 1-1 Carabao Cup semi-final draw booked their place in the final thanks to a 3-2 aggregate win.
Luiz Diaz scored in the first half, but Issa Diop’s equalizer in the 76th minute resulted in a tied game. Despite their efforts, the Cottagers were unable to score again at Craven Cottage, leading to a Wembley face-off against Chelsea for the Reds.
Liverpool’s manager, Klopp, complimented their performance in the second half. They were able to handle the pressure and make it difficult for Marco Silva’s team.
Klopp stated that after they came out and pressed for a period of time, they had a better understanding of the game.
I enjoyed the second part too. We missed opportunities to score in two situations.
I believe that the counter-attack was executed flawlessly, but unfortunately Lucho Diaz was unable to find the ideal player. It was a pity that Harvey Elliott, using his weaker right foot, was not able to score and secure the win for us.
Liverpool did not perform well during the game and they felt the absence of Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Whoever thought we could easily win by just playing well tonight was mistaken. The game is more complex than that.
Klopp was aware that the match against their Premier League competitors would not be a simple one, but the team put in a strong performance and were able to take advantage of their 2-1 lead from the first leg at Anfield.
Klopp also commented that it was a well-played and enjoyable cup game.
“Those who thought tonight’s match would be an easy win solely based on our team’s skill do not fully comprehend the nature of the game or the significance of this event.”
“Both teams desired to reach Wembley, and we achieved that goal. It was all we could have hoped for.”
Joe Gomez remained in the left-back position as a replacement for the injured Andy Robertson, and he did an excellent job against Bobby De Cordova-Reid, making few mistakes.
Klopp praised his performance once more, stating that he played exceptionally well. He emphasized that he is a true defender who is able to move into the center effectively. This is something he has been executing successfully.
To be honest, he has been a lifesaver. His presence and ability to play have been crucial, and it is often overlooked how vital Joey Gomez was during our most successful years.
I am unsure of the number of games he participated in during the year we became champions and during our victory in the Champions League. However, it was a considerable amount and justified, as he is a highly skilled player.
Source: independent.co.uk
