Liverpool secured a spot in the Carabao Cup semi-finals after an impressive 5-1 victory over West Ham, with goals from Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones (2), Mohamed Salah, and Cody Gakpo. However, they will face Fulham in January without Salah and Wataru Endo, who will be playing in the Africa Cup of Nations and the Asian Cup respectively. Liverpool’s fixtures against Fulham will be held during the Premier League’s winter break, adding to their already busy schedule. Salah is expected to join the Egypt squad after the FA Cup third round match against Arsenal on January 7. Liverpool’s top position in Group E ensures that they will progress directly to the last 16 of the Europa League, avoiding a knockout playoff against Galatasaray, Lens, SC Braga, Benfica, Feyenoord, AC Milan, Young Boys, or Shakhtar Donetsk in February.
