THE NOTEBOOK: Joe Gomez is back to his best and could make England’s Euro squad, Daniel Sturridge dazzles in eye-catching outfit… and Marco Silva has Craven Cottage rocking

Luis Diaz scored an early goal and Liverpool held on to book their berth in the League Cup final after a 1-1 draw with Fulham in the second leg of their semi-final tie at Craven Cottage on Wednesday.

The record nine-times League Cup winners beat Fulham 3-2 on aggregate and will meet Chelsea in the Wembley final on Feb. 25 in a repeat of the 2022 final that Liverpool won on penalties.

Diaz scored in the 11th minute when he chested down a high ball in the box before cutting inside and launching a shot that took a deflection before sneaking in the near corner.

Issa Diop injected some life into the Fulham fans when he equalised in the 76th minute, kneeing home a pinpoint pass from former Liverpool player Harry Wilson. Fulham kept pressing until the final whistle in some nerve-wrangling minutes for Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Mail Sport’s Lewis Steele picks out a few things you may have missed…

Gomez is back to his best

If you could take your eyes off Daniel Sturridge’s pink and grey scarf — not a dig, he pulled it off exceptionally — and his baggy, wooly grey coat, the former Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City striker’s pre-match interview with Joe Gomez was heart-warming. 

‘You were my baby bro, now you’re the longest-serving player,’ the ever-improving pundit told Gomez. 

It’s hard to believe the former Charlton kid is only 26 but after a troubling few years with injury, he’s reached his best level again. 

His versatility might give him an outside chance of making England’s Euro squad. 

Daniel Sturridge’s bold outfit caught the eye at Craven Cottage on Wednesday night

Silva fired up for cup clash

We achieved something the club has never done in the past — but we want more.’ Those were the words from a fired-up Marco Silva after his side had knocked out the blue half of Merseyside at Everton in the previous round. 

He demanded the home fans create a vibrant atmosphere for the visit of Liverpool. And they certainly responded. 

Fulham fans responded to calls from Marco Silva to create a vibrant atmosphere

This grand old stadium can be quiet at times but that wasn’t the case here, with Fulham’s Portuguese boss — and the stadium PA system — repeatedly encouraging noise. Cottagers fans sang loudly about going to Wembley and produced a fantastic white-and-black flag montage. 

Fulham’s players also responded with a solid first 10 minutes but Liverpool’s first goal from Luis Diaz was a sucker-punch. 

And so Fulham’s wait to win a first major trophy goes on — but at least this cup run got Craven Cottage rocking like rarely seen before. Fair play to Silva for not disrespecting the cups.

Fringe players to leave Liverpool

Liverpool, like most Premier League clubs, have had a very quiet transfer window and that will not change in the next week — but several fringe players will leave the club on loan.

 Nat Phillips has strong interest from Blackburn and Wigan, with Leeds also making enquiries. Fellow defender Calvin Ramsay, who was on loan at Preston, has admirers —mainly at Leeds, but Southampton are also keeping an eye on him. 

And young midfielder James Balagizi has joined Kilmarnock on loan until the end of the season.