Fulham v Liverpool: Carabao Cup semi-final second leg – live

“As possibly Britain’s most northerly Fulham fan (on the island of Whalsay, population 1,000, 30 minutes’ ferry journey from mainland Shetland), I’m hoping for another night like Juventus,” writes James Soper. “Stand up if you still believe, Fulham fans, wherever you might be.”

Lovely stuff. Any other far-flung Fulham (or indeed Liverpool) fans out there? Get in touch by email, or tweet @niallmcveigh.

Another big game in Fulham tonight, as Chelsea host Real Madrid in the Women’s Champions League. Join Sarah Rendell for that one:

“I think the changes the Kloppster makes most games also means it takes much of the first half to adjust,” writes Ian Copestake, “Liverpool don’t start quickly like they used to. But like a red tortoise (or green-and-white away tortoise?) they get there in the end.”

Red and green tortoises? I’m getting Mario Kart flashbacks. I guess Manchester City are the dreaded blue shell.

Here’s a stat for you. I would say it’s working well for them so far.

“I may be corporeally in southwest France but I am emotionally in SW6, hoping to see the Whites through to a Wembley final against some team that can’t find their own borough to play in and have to squat in ours,” writes Richard Hirst.

“What a season defining seven nights await at the Cottage: tonight, then Newcastle in the FA Cup on Saturday and Everton in the league next Tuesday, with points still badly needed. Three wins would do nicely; well, you’re allowed to have dreams!” Bonne chance, Richard.

A reminder that there is no VAR in operation tonight. That’s because Middlesbrough, who lost to Chelsea in the other semi-finals, don’t have the technology set up at the Riverside – so to level the playing field, it’s not in use across either of the semi-final ties.

Fulham (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Adarabioyo, Diop, Robinson; João Palhinha, Cairney; Decordova-Reid, Andreas Pereira, Willian; Jiménez.
Subs: Rodak, Tete, Reed, Wilson, Ream, Rodrigo Muñiz, Lukic, Vinícius, Francois.

Liverpool: Kelleher; Bradley, Quansah, van Dijk, Gomez;
Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Elliott; Gakpo, Nuñez, Díaz.
Subs: Alisson, Konate, Jones, Jota, Robertson, Clark, McConnell, Beck, Nyoni.

Referee: Simon Hooper.
Assistants: Adrian Holmes, Simon Long.
Fourth official: Tony Harrington.

Jürgen Klopp has made four changes from the win at Bournemouth, with Caoimhin Kelleher starting in goal, Jarell Quansah replacing Ibrahim Konaté in defence, Ryan Gravenberch in for Curtis Jones in midfield, and Cody Gakpo preferred to Diogo Jota up front. Most significantly of all, Andy Robertson is back on the bench for the first time since October.

For Fulham, Timothy Castagne comes in for Kenny Tete at right-back, while Bobby Decordova-Reid is preferred to Harry Wilson as Marco Silva makes two changes from the side who lost 1-0 at Chelsea way back on 13 January – and puts out the same line-up that earned a respectable 2-1 defeat in the first leg at Anfield.

Here are the line-ups from Twitter; yes, I’m still calling it Twitter.

More Afcon drama as … er, maybe not … it’s finished South Africa 0-0 Tunisia and Namibia 0-0 Mali in the final Group E games. Still, that sends Tunisia home and the other three sides through – and leaves Ivory Coast hoping for the Group F results to go their way. Poor Yara El-Shaboury sat through both games here:

In the 145 years since they first formed as St Andrew’s Church Sunday School FC, Fulham Football Club are yet to win a major trophy. Their opponents tonight, Liverpool, have won a few – 50, to be precise – so arrive here with a significant historical advantage, to go alongside the 2-1 aggregate lead accrued at Anfield.

Still, with 11 days off since the first leg and Liverpool back in action just three days after beating Bournemouth, tonight represents a big opportunity for Fulham. The presence of Chelsea – long-time local overlords, but in a rare period of vulnerability – in the final should also serve as inspiration for Marco Silva’s side.

It’s been 10 years since a team from outside England’s core group of elite trophy-gatherers got their hands on the League Cup, when Swansea beat fourth-tier Bradford City in an outlier of a final. Since then, Manchester City (six), United (two), Chelsea (one) and, yes, Liverpool (one) have ensured a big-club monopoly.

Jürgen Klopp’s side have an ominous momentum across several competitions, and are hot favourites to book what must be their 127th domestic Cup final against Chelsea in the last decade. Home fans and neutrals will hold on to hope for another famous nights under the lights at Craven Cottage. Kick-off is at 8pm, GMT.