Fulham manager Marco Silva reflected on his side’s 2-1 defeat to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg on Wednesday.
Marco Silva believes Liverpool are “lucky” to have reached the League Cup semi-finals against Fulham.William dominated the visitors in the first leg at Anfield on Wednesday night.
However, Liverpool won 2–1 midway through the second half, replacing Cody Gakpo with Curtis Jones and scoring twice in three minutes.
Jones’ goal was deflected wide by Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo and legless goalkeeper Bernd Leno. And Cottagers manager Silva said: “It was a bit of luck, a first goal and a deflection that changed the game completely.”
The only disappointment was the way we played in the next 10 minutes. “It’s a big disappointment for us. We spoke before the game about how we won 3-2 (at Anfield in the Premier League in December) and how we lost the game in the last five minutes.
We know what can happen with these parties and crowds. If so, it was a huge breakthrough for them. “Their 1-1 goal put everyone ahead, then we have to be consistent for five or 10 minutes.
We should be very smart, but unfortunately we are not.”In a two-sided game you can’t allow such a quick attack (for the second goal). Liverpool had two chances to score a third goal. In fact, Leno kept us in the game.”
The second game takes place at Craven Cottage in two weeks’ time. Former Everton manager Silva assessed the tie thus: “It’s still tight. We lost the first half (win) and we have to give everything we can in the second half.
“Two different halves (first period). It wasn’t our best performance, but we had a plan in the first half. I was ruthless from the first moment I entered their box. Willian is really great.
The second half was different and a bit difficult for us. “When players like Gakpo and Nunes are on the bench, we can provide more speed and intensity,” he said.Early in the second half, Andreas Pereira was unmarked in the area when Fulham’s Bobby de Córdoba-Reid fired a shot past Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
And Silva: “This is one of the key moments. We responded very well in the first 10 minutes of the second half. Bobby Pereira didn’t see him in front with the goalkeeper. We had the chance to score the second goal. We fight for what we want. It will be difficult. Now Liverpool have won the result.”
