Liverpool staged a comeback to secure a 2-1 victory over Fulham in the League Cup semi-final second leg at Anfield on Wednesday.

Willian put the visitors ahead in their first ever League Cup semi-final at Anfield.

Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo scored twice in three second-half minutes, giving the Reds a slim lead heading into the second leg at Craven Cottage on January 24.

Jurgen Klopp’s side has now fallen behind in 14 games this season, but they have won seven and lost only three.

“It’s the mentality in the group, in the club, in the city. Everybody is like this,” said Gakpo.

“Just keep going no matter what happens. We showed it again today. If you’ve got that mentality, a lot of beautiful things can happen.”

Liverpool were without Mohamed Salah due to his participation in the Africa Cup of Nations, and Trent Alexander-Arnold was one of several injury absentees, which showed in a sluggish first half.

Fulham’s start could not have been better, with Willian opening the scoring on 19 minutes.

Virgil van Dijk was twice at fault, as Andreas Pereira capitalised on his weak header.

Willian then got the ball inside the penalty area and fired through Van Dijk’s legs, past Caoimhin Kelleher.

Fulham were left to curse their fortune after the break, but the visitors were responsible for their own demise by failing to take advantage of the opportunity to extend their lead.

Klopp left his midfield wide open, bringing on Gakpo and Darwin Nunez to form a front four with Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota.

But, before the home side turned the game around, Fulham had several chances to catch them on the counter-attack.

Bobby De Cordova-Reid squandered the best of them when he forced Kelleher into a comfortable save while Pereira and Raul Jimenez begged for a cross.

“Second half we had really good moments, we should have scored another goal at least,” said Fulham manager Marco Silva.

“Even so the game is at half-time. We are losing 2-1 but we will go for it for sure.

“At home, with our fans behind us, it is going to be a great night for Fulham FC.”

Liverpool were struggling to make their attacking numbers count until Jones’ long-range shot deflected off the unfortunate Tosin Adarabioyo and past the helpless Bernd Leno.

Moments later, the record nine-time League Cup winners took the lead.

Gakpo converted Nunez’s low cross at the near post after the substitutes combined.

However, Leno won his personal duel with Nunez three times in the final 20 minutes, keeping Fulham in the tie.

The Uruguayan stretched the German custodian with a towering header and a blast from a tight angle.

Leno’s best save came five minutes from time, when the former Arsenal custodian spread himself to block from a tight angle.

“It was not our best game we ever played but it is not about that at the moment,” said Klopp.

“If we want to go to the final we need a really good game at Fulham and we need a result.”

Liverpool remain strong favourites to face Middlesbrough or Chelsea in the Wembley final next month.

Fulham, on the other hand, has a chance of winning the second leg at home.