Moments involving Luis Diaz of Liverpool and referee Simon Hooper are not invariably positive.

Liverpool are through to the Carabao Cup final after a 1-1 draw with Fulham

Liverpool won 3-2 on aggregate and will play old foes Chelsea at Wembley

Hooper’s indication to the center circle for a restart after Diaz scored in the eleventh minute at least averted a perplexing controversy.

The only anticipation was the extinguishment of a red flare emitted from the distant end.

September’s strike by Diaz against Spurs, which was erroneously ruled offside, will eternally stand as the most egregious VAR error in the annals of English football.

The seventh goal of the season was scored tonight by the Colombian, extending Liverpool’s lead from the first leg by one goal.

Although Issa Diop’s equaliser gave the Fulham faithful hope for the club’s second-ever final appearance, Marco Silva’s squad was unable to force extra time despite putting forth a strong effort in the dying moments.

Thus, although Jurgen Klopp did not have the most ideal evening, he will be content given the number of players he was absent.

Despite the absences of Mo Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Joel Matip, they proceeded with the arrangements for their Wembley date.

This demonstrates not only the caliber of Liverpool’s roster but also the seamless integration of summer acquisitions Alexis MacAllister and Ryan Gravenberch into the midfield.

Jarrel Quansah, who provided the goal’s masterful pass, was only making his twelfth appearance in his career, but it appears he has been a regular substitute for Virgil van Dijk for years.

Marco Silva’s Fulham squad ultimately required an early goal in order to force Liverpool to worry.

Midfielder Joao Palhinha, in exasperation, erupted with both palms on his head after miscontrollably volleying an Andreas Pereira corner kick above the bar.

Palhinha was uncontested, so he probably ought to have performed better; however, that opportunity was wasted when he failed to prevent Diaz from netting a few minutes later.

That exquisite pass was delivered by Quansah from his own half; Timothy Castagne was far too easily defeated in the air by Diaz before he could seize the loose ball.

Leno should have saved the ball when Diaz passed it to Palhinha in the midst of a challenge, but instead he could only deflect it onto the inside of the post.

Diaz squandered a favorable opportunity when he sidefooted a feeble shot at Leno subsequent to Gravenberch effortlessly navigating the home midfield.

After forcing a respectable one-handed save from Kelleher, Raul Jimenez asserted he should have been awarded a penalty for Gravenberch’s slightest touch on his shirt, but Hooper made the correct decision.

Luis Diaz opened the scoring in the 11th minute 

The Colombian has been on fire this season 

Despite Fulham’s recovery from that early setback, they were still failing to significantly disrupt Klopp’s squad.

Kelleher’s improper connection on a strike caused Pereira’s shot to miss the post, but with 14 minutes remaining, Fulham found a way past Liverpool’s number two keeper.

Harry Wilson powered past Liverpool right-back Conor Bradley with great ease, and Diop, assisted by Quansah’s minor deflection on his cross, converted the ball past Kelleher with a thigh flick.

Issa Diop pulled one back for Fulham with 15 minutes left

The hosts were unable to find another goal despite huffing and puffing

Liverpool’s players lost composure for a few minutes, and Fulham believed they had a significant opportunity to reverse the situation.

Kelleher appeared uncertain in the penalty area, and it was unfortunate that the host team was unable to put him to the test more often.

However, Liverpool, who have effectively progressed in the four months since that contentious evening in north London, managed to avert a late drama.

Jurgen Klopp will be hoping for more final success against Chelsea

Marco Silva will be proud of his side’s effort

Although Fulham supporters might hold a different opinion, Liverpool versus Chelsea ought to be an entertaining championship match. The Reds will attempt to win their seventh championship under Klopp, exclusive of the Community Shield.

Meanwhile, Mauricio Pochettino is striving to earn his first trophy and is cognizant of the fact that achieving this will require considerable effort.