Liverpool survive Fulham scare to book League Cup final date with Chelsea

Liverpool’s Luis Diaz celebrates scoring their first goal with Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott. (Reuters)
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Updated 25 January 2024
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Liverpool survive Fulham scare to book League Cup final date with Chelsea

LONDON: Liverpool will face Chelsea in the League Cup final after surviving a scare in their 1-1 draw against Fulham in the semifinal second leg on Wednesday.

Holding a 2-1 advantage from the first leg, Liverpool took the lead through Luis Diaz early in the first half at Craven Cottage.

That should have been the signal for a comfortable evening for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

But they missed several chances to kill off Fulham before Issa Diop’s late goal set the stage for a dramatic denouement.

Liverpool barely held on under Fulham’s barrage of pressure before finally clinching a 3-2 aggregate success.

In a repeat of the 2022 final won by Liverpool on penalties, the Reds will make their 14th appearance in the League Cup showpiece against Chelsea at Wembley on February 25.

Liverpool have won the League Cup a record nine times, while Chelsea, who routed Middlesbrough 6-2 on aggregate on the other semifinal, have lifted the trophy on five occasions, most recently in 2015.

With Mohamed Salah suffering a serious hamstring injury on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Egypt, Liverpool will be bereft of star power for several weeks.

But in Salah’s absence, Liverpool’s victory over Bournemouth on Sunday took them five points clear at the top of the Premier League.

The Reds are also competing in the FA Cup and Europa League, giving them a chance for an incredible quadruple trophy haul this season.

Black and white billboards with the slogan ‘dare to dream’ had surrounded the Craven Cottage pitch in a pre-match message to the Fulham fans, who responded with a raucous atmosphere that belied their sedate reputation.

It didn’t take long for Liverpool to puncture Fulham’s optimism.

Klopp’s men wasted no time getting on the front foot as Diaz glanced a header narrowly wide from Harvey Elliott’s free-kick inside the first two minutes.

Crucially, Joao Palhinha wasted a golden opportunity to put Fulham ahead when the unmarked midfielder met Andreas Pereira’s corner with a volley that whistled over from 10 yards.

Diaz made sure Liverpool took advantage of that escape in the 11th minute, the Colombian rising to win an aerial challenge before darting into the area for a low drive that squirmed through Bernd Leno’s weak attempted save at his near post.

A constant thorn in Fulham’s side, Diaz had the ball in the net again midway through the half but this time his strike was disallowed for offside against Darwin Nunez.

So dominant in the opening stages, Liverpool let their guard down after that and Raul Jimenez’s effort from outside the edge brought a sprawling save from Caoimhin Kelleher.

Deputising for the rested Alisson Becker, Kelleher held Willian’s 25-yard blast moments later.

Kelleher gifted Fulham a chance by coming off his line in a failed bid to catch Willian’s cross, with Tosin Adarabioyo’s knock-down smashed against the post by Pereira.

That lucky let-off re-energised Liverpool, who threatened a second goal as Nunez’s curler forced a fine save from Leno at full stretch.

But Harry Wilson came off the bench to provide a spark for Fulham in the closing stages, whipping over a perfectly-placed cross that Diop flicked past Kelleher from close-range.

In a tense finale, Kelleher made a good stop to keep out Wilson’s blistering strike before Liverpool could finally celebrate.


Klopp ‘heartbroken’ by Diogo Jota’s death

Updated 31 sec ago
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Klopp ‘heartbroken’ by Diogo Jota’s death

  • “This is a moment where I struggle!” Klopp posted on Instagram
  • “I’m heartbroken to hear about the passing of Diogo and his brother Andre”

MUNICH: Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said he was “heartbroken” to learn Diogo Jota, who he signed in 2020, had died with his younger brother Andre in a car crash on Thursday.

Diogo Jota, 28, died alongside Andre after their vehicle veered off a motorway in northern Spain before bursting into flames.

Klopp, who is Red Bull’s “head of global soccer,” persuaded the Liverpool board to pay £45 million ($62 million) for Diogo Jota after he impressed at Wolves.

“This is a moment where I struggle!” Klopp posted on Instagram.


“There must be a bigger purpose! But I can’t see it! I’m heartbroken to hear about the passing of Diogo and his brother Andre.

“Diogo was a not only a fantastic player, but also a great friend, a loving and caring husband and father!

“We will miss you so much! All my prayers, thoughts and power to Rute, the kids, the family, the friends and everyone who loved them! Rest in peace — Love.”

Diogo Jota was labelled an “exceptional player, exceptional boy,” by Klopp early on in the player’s spell at Liverpool.

Jota took little time to deliver some return on Liverpool’s investment, becoming the first player in the club’s history to score in his first four home games.

He was a key part of Klopp’s side that won the League Cup and FA Cup in 2021/22, narrowly missing out on the Premier League and Champions League for what would have been an unprecedented quadruple.


Can Inzaghi and Al-Hilal go all the way?

Updated 03 July 2025
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Can Inzaghi and Al-Hilal go all the way?

  • Arab News looks at possible ways that Al-Hilal can upset the odds to reach and possibly win the FIFA Club World Cup final

RIYADH: Al-Hilal are the talk of the football world after their sensational 4-3 win over Manchester City in the round of 16 at the FIFA Club World Cup.

Ahead of their quarterfinal against Brazil’s Fluminense on Friday, Arab News asked three experts on Saudi Arabia football how Al-Hilal can continue to upset the odds and potentially reach and win the final.

  • Roel Coumans - Former Saudi Arabia national team assistant, head coach of Abha, Al-Hazm, Al-Adalah

“If Al-Hilal are in any European competition then they would be in the top four and there is no doubt that when Fluminense look at the Hilal team, they will not be underestimating them.

“In football everything is possible and Hilal can go all the way. I always tell my players to dream big, this is what football is all about.

“But it is important that Hilal don’t look forward too much, the next match is always the important one. There is a chance that after City the players may underestimate Fluminense and that is not possible at this level.

“They should involve the Brazilian players who can tell them about Fluminense.

“The game will be totally different to the City game. In that, they were the underdog and you have to defend much more than against Fluminense.

“When I look at Inzaghi’s tactics, he is always trying to play in a compact 4-5-1 formation and he will ensure that the system is not too different.

“There is a danger in that South America football is more physical and that may be something that the players are not used to.

“But now there is a good vibe around Al-Hilal. If Al-Dawsari can return that will be great as he adds creativity.”

  • Paul Williams - Founder and host of The Asian Game podcast, football journalist

“Al-Hilal’s path to the Club World Cup final has certainly opened up after their stunning upset win over Manchester City. It was a landmark moment, not just for the club but for Saudi football.

“While the challenge on paper might look easier against Fluminense, it’s likely to be anything but.

“One has to consider the context and circumstances of the victory against Manchester City, which was achieved without three of their starting XI, who will all be absent again against Fluminense.

“Not to mention the physical and emotional toll that the 120 minutes in Orlando would have taken. But having slayed the Premier League giant, they’ll attack that game with a renewed sense of vigor.

“Should they get through, then a likely semifinal against Chelsea awaits, although one can never discount Palmeiras. But having beaten one Premier League giant already this tournament, facing Chelsea would hold no fears for them.

“And then it would likely be Real Madrid or PSG in the final, and having already gone toe-to-toe with Real Madrid in the opening game, and even shading that game for large parts, that is another that would hold no fear for Al-Hilal.

“Of course, as fun as it is to speculate, it’s all still hypothetical and Al-Hilal cannot allow itself to think any further than Fluminense this week. Having dispensed of Inter Milan, they have shown they also should not be taken lightly.

“But after defeating the might of Manchester City, Al-Hilal will now believe anything is possible.”

  • John Duerden - Asia and Middle East football writer and analyst

“While it is premature to talk of the draw opening up for Al-Hilal, there is no doubt that the road to the final looks rockier on the other side.

“The biggest challenge may be coming back down to Earth after the win against Manchester City.

“Coach Inzaghi talked of how his team climbed Everest without oxygen against the European powerhouse, and while those words were perfect, the message has to now change.

“The summit is within sight but is still some distance away.

“Hilal are the talk of the football world, and that is a unique position for an Asian club to be in. Maybe now the pressure is off, the tournament will always be remembered as a success, whatever happens.

“Or maybe it will be hard, both physically (after 120 grueling minutes in the heat) and mentally, to recover from the last game.

“And, Fluminense will now be very wary, if they weren’t before. Inzaghi was happy to let City have most of the ball and City were happy to have it. Hilal were hugely impressive on the counter, but Fluminense are not likely to make the same mistakes that City did defensively.

“Korea’s Ulsan gave the Brazilian(s) many problems but couldn’t kill the game when they were ahead and eventually paid the price. Taking chances will be key.

“If Salem Al-Dawsari plays, then he could be the difference, though Hilal would love to have the physical presence of Aleksandar Mitrovic.

“A win means the last four and there is nobody to fear. If it is Chelsea in the semifinal then the London team are awkward opponents and able to pull off results when needed but they are a level below the elite of Europe.

“And that is Real Madrid, PSG and Bayern. Surely one of those will make the final.

“Hilal have impressed but would, rightly, be clear underdogs. Hilal are not expected to win but they have shown that they are capable of doing so.

“First though, that cliche has to be repeated all around the training ground over the next day or two ‘one game at a time.’”


Liverpool’s Portuguese forward Diogo Jota dies in car crash in Spain

Updated 03 July 2025
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Liverpool’s Portuguese forward Diogo Jota dies in car crash in Spain

  • Spanish police confirmed the death of Diogo Jota and his brother

MADRID: Liverpool's Portuguese forward Diogo Jota, 28, died in a car crash near Zamora in northwestern Spain with his brother, the Portuguese Football Federation said on Thursday.

The regional fire department of Castile and Leon, where Zamora is located, said on its website a car crashed early on Thursday, shortly after midnight, and burst into flames, with two men, aged 28 and 26, found dead.

"We have lost two champions. Their deaths represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football, and we will do everything we can to honour their legacy every day," the Portuguese Football Federation said in a statement.

Spanish police told Reuters they could not yet officially confirm the names of the deceased, but everything pointed to it being Jota and his brother. The Lamborghini they were travelling veered off the road, the spokesperson said.

The bodies have been taken to a forensics unit in nearby Zamora where autopsies will be performed, they said.

Jota, who got married on June 28, helped Liverpool win the Premier League last season and also won the FA Cup and League Cup with the Merseyside outfit.

Jota arrived at Anfield from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020 and scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for the club in all competitions.

He also made 49 appearances for Portugal, twice winning the UEFA Nations League. 


Diego Luna’s 2 goals lift US past Guatemala into Gold Cup final

Updated 03 July 2025
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Diego Luna’s 2 goals lift US past Guatemala into Gold Cup final

  • Luna, a 5-foot-8 Real Salt Lake midfielder, scored his first US goal on Sunday against Costa Rica and leads the team in goal contributions in 2025 with seven (three goals, four assists)
  • The US will play either Honduras or Mexico, who play later Thursday, on Sunday in Houston

ST. LOUIS, Missouri: Diego Luna scored twice in the first 15 minutes and the US men’s national team held on for a 2-1 victory over Guatemala in St. Louis on Wednesday to advance to the final of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Luna tallied in the fourth and 15th minutes before Olger Escobar made it 2-1 in the 80th minute.

American goalkeeper Matt Freese made four saves, including a diving stop at the left post on Joes Morales in the second minute of second-half stoppage time.

The US will play either Honduras or Mexico, who play later Thursday, on Sunday in Houston.

Luna, a 5-foot-8 Real Salt Lake midfielder, scored his first US goal on Sunday against Costa Rica and leads the team in goal contributions in 2025 with seven (three goals, four assists).

At this time a year ago, he was miffed that he was not selected for the US Olympic team for the Paris Games.

Now, he is a mainstay, at least for this iteration of a team that does not include most of the European-based players. Still, Luna appears to be playing his way onto the roster for the 2026 World Cup.

He opened the scoring with his quick reaction to rebound of a long shot by Luca de la Torre. Goalkeeper Kenderson Navarro fumbled the ball straight to Luna, who brought it down with his right foot before delivering a left-footed strike.

Luna silenced the pro-Guatemala even further with his laser from 22 yards after taking a pass from Malik Tillman.

The desperate Guatemalans dominated the rest of the half, outshooting the US 12-2 over the final 20 minutes.

Navarro was the story early in the second half as the US looked for a third goal. First, he parried a header by Patrick Agyemang in the 62nd minute, then two minutes later Agyemang broke free but couldn’t get the ball past the keeper.

The saves proved huge when Escobar dribbled to the top of the box and slipped a shot through several Americans.

This was the nations’ first-ever meeting in a Gold Cup knockout round and Guatemala’s first appearance in a Gold Cup semifinal since 1996.


Hosts Switzerland beaten 2-1 by Norway in their Women’s Euro opener

Updated 03 July 2025
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Hosts Switzerland beaten 2-1 by Norway in their Women’s Euro opener

  • The hosts had plenty of opportunities to grab what would have been a famous victory but the Norwegians dug deep to snatch a narrow win
  • The victory puts the Norwegians top of Group A, with Finland second after their 1-0 win over Iceland earlier in the day

BASEL, Switzerland: Switzerland took the lead against Norway but fell to a 2-1 defeat on home soil after scoring an own goal on the opening day of the Women’s Euro 2025 Championship on Wednesday, with Norwegian captain Ada Hegerberg netting the equalizer and missing a penalty.

The hosts had plenty of opportunities to grab what would have been a famous victory but the Norwegians dug deep to snatch a narrow win, their third over the Swiss by a single goal in 2025.

Having lost to the Norwegians twice in the Nations League this year, the home side dominated the opening 45 minutes and Geraldine Reuteler came close to giving them the lead in the 24th minute with a shot that cannoned back off the crossbar before Nadine Riesen struck four minutes later to send the St. Jakob-Park Stadium into raptures.

Riesen reacted quickly to an attack that broke down, rattling the ball past Vilde Boe Risa and off the near post into the net to send the Swiss fans at St. Jakob-Park into raptures.

However, it was a different story after the break and it was Norway’s Hegerberg who turned the page.

After barely featuring in the first half, she leveled nine minutes into the second with an emphatic header from a corner that briefly silenced the home crowd and four minutes later, under pressure from Hegerberg, Switzerland’s Julia Stierli turned a low cross from Caroline Graham Hansen into her own net.

Reuteler was sparkling throughout for the Swiss but despite a number of golden chances, she could not get the goal both she and her team deserved, and she conceded a penalty which Hegerberg missed in the 70th minute.

Switzerland were awarded a spot-kick of their own that was overturned after a VAR review and, as the Swiss poured forward, the Norwegians hung on grimly for a victory that puts them top of Group A, with Finland second after their 1-0 win over Iceland earlier in the day.

“This was important, this means a lot for us... the goal was euphoria for me but it was damn important for the team as well,” Hegerberg told Norwegian broadcaster TV2.

“It is very strong of us to manage to turn it around. It may not happen in the prettiest way. We were told forcefully during the break that we did not run enough, then we saw two clips, a defensive and offensive, about how to take them, I think we managed to do that,” vice-captain Graham Hansen said.

Swiss coach Pia Sundhage was unhappy that her side did not manage to get more out of the game.

“I think it’s very heavy, a defeat like that. Our game plan was good and we even scored a goal... today it’s tough but tomorrow we’ll see a smile and start working,” she told broadcaster SVT.