Marco Silva has called on his Fulham players to write a new chapter in the club’s history when they face Liverpool in the EFL Cup semi-finals, with a chance to reach their first final in the competition.
Fulham will begin their first ever EFL Cup semi-final tie with a trip to Anfield on Wednesday, before welcoming the Reds to Craven Cottage for the second leg two weeks later.
Silva’s team edged out his former club Everton in a penalty shoot-out at Goodison Park before Christmas to advance beyond the last eight for the first time in their history, having previously suffered quarter-final exits in 1967-68, 1970-71, 1999-00, 2000-01 and 2004-05.
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Fulham have only previously participated in one major domestic cup final, losing 1975’s FA Cup showpiece to West Ham, and Silva is acutely aware of the significance of this month’s tie.
“These matches are a great challenge for us, no doubt,” Silva said at Monday’s pre-match press conference.
“It’s source of pride for us to be there and achieve something that has never been achieved, but we want more.
“I remember the first game in this competition we played against Tottenham [a penalty shoot-out win in the second round], and at that moment they were the best team in the country with the way they started the season.
“From that moment we have been really serious in our approach. The players have worked hard to get to this stage. If you are at this stage, you want to win and have the ambition to be at Wembley.
“You have to realise that ambition but you also have to understand the quality of Liverpool and the huge challenge it will be for us.”
💬 On the Semi-Final: “Let’s hope we can give the fans a good second leg which can be decided at the Cottage.”#LIVFUL PIC.TWITTER.COM/XPFXGAHRU5
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) JANUARY 8, 2024
Liverpool remain in contention for silverware on four fronts, holding a three-point lead at the Premier League summit, winning their UEFA Europa League group before Christmas and eliminating Arsenal in the FA Cup’s third round on Sunday.
That 2-0 win over the Gunners came despite the Reds being without Mohamed Salah, Wataru Endo and Virgil van Dijk, and Silva knows Fulham will need to be at their best to have any chance of progressing.
“We have huge respect for Liverpool and the quality they have,” Silva said. “How they have been playing and the season they have had… they are top of the Premier League.
“Yesterday they showed how strong they can be with seven changes. They have the quality and they are in a very good moment.
“But if you are there and you have the chance to play in a semi-final, you have worked so hard to do it.”
Lucho securing our place in the #EMIRATESFACUP fourth round 🔒😮💨 PIC.TWITTER.COM/C8B2FQOACY
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) JANUARY 8, 2024
