Fulham vs Liverpool: Cody Gakpo can set new record in Carabao Cup semi-final second leg

Cody Gakpo can set a new club record in Liverpool's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Fulham on Wednesday night.

The Reds travel to Craven Cottage with a 2-1 advantage from the first leg at Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp's side went a goal down at home as Willian opened the scoring on 19 minutes. However, a second-half turnaround saw Gakpo's 71st strike complete the comeback just three minutes after Curtis Jones' leveller.

Gakpo's goal in that tie made him Liverpool's top scorer in the Carabao Cup this season with four, while his strike off the bench also equalled an impressive feat not matched since the 1980s.

The Dutchman became the first Reds player to score in four consecutive rounds of the League Cup since Ian Rush way back in 1983/84. That record extends further back when excluding replays, with Kenny Dalglish achieving the feat in 1980/81.

More recently, Vladimir Smicer managed four goals in four consecutive appearances in the same competition during the 2000/01 season  However, two of those goals came in either leg of the semi final, rather than in separate rounds.

Now, ahead of the second leg, Gakpo has the chance to become the first ever Liverpool player in history to score in five successive League Cup matches.

The former PSV forward has netted three times in the Premier League in 2023/24, making just nine starts.

The Netherlands international has been asked to play a variety of attacking and midfield positions across the competitions, but has found form in the cups – also scoring twice in the Europa League to date.

Should Liverpool maintain their advantage over Fulham on Wednesday night, they will advance to a competition-record 14th final on 25 February at Wembley.

No side has won the League Cup more times than the Reds (9).