Marco Silva admits Fulham have 'small percentage chance' of beating Liverpool in Carabao Cup semi-final clash
Marco Silva admits Fulham have a “small percentage chance” of beating Liverpool to reach the Carabao Cup final, but insists “no one can take our ambition away from us.”
Fulham trail 2-1 following the first leg at Anfield a fortnight ago. They have already made history by reaching their first-ever League Cup semi-final and will bid to go one better by turning to tie around at Craven Cottage on Wednesday night.
Victory by two goals would afford Silva the chance to manage in his third cup final, having reached the Portuguese Cup and Greek Cup finals in his managerial career. It would be the 46-year-old’s first time managing at Wembley.
Fulham have never won major silverware, and their only previous major finals came during their 1974/75 FA Cup run and in the Europa League under Roy Hodgson back in 2009/10.
“They [the players] know how important it is for the football club but, for themselves as well," said Silva. “If you can reach the last stage of the competition by playing sides like Tottenham and Everton, it is special for the club, the fans and them.
“I want to have a bigger moment in a month. This is my ambition. Everybody agrees Liverpool are favourites — they are leading the score — but no one can take our ambition away from us.
“The fans, of course, are really hungry to see the club again fighting for silverware. Everyone is looking at us to see what we are capable to do against a top side like Liverpool. Of course, it’s a great chance for us, but if the club keep doing the right things I’m sure that it won’t be the last.”
In July, Silva rejected a £40million two-year offer to take charge of Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ahli. At the time, he explained his decision by declaring the Premier League the best league in the world.
“It is another [reason]," he said, revealing that competing for the Carabao Cup and FA Cup are further reasons he stayed at Fulham.
“We have a small percentage chance, but we still have a chance. We have been doing it. It’s simple: if you are here [in England] then it means you are playing the best and the most difficult competitions in the world, and facing the best managers in the world and the best players in the world too.”
Premier League leaders Liverpool are daunting opposition for Fulham. They scored twice in quick succession in both Fulham’s 4-3 league defeat and 2-1 first-leg defeat at Anfield this season, coming from behind to beat the West Londoners on both occasions.
Asked whether this time playing at Craven Cottage will nullify Liverpool’s ability to feed off the crowd at Anfield, Silva replied: “Yes, this is for sure. It is true, after a goal for Liverpool, the way Anfield boosts them was crucial in the games against us. Let’s hope tomorrow, the opposite happens for us.
“Unfortunately for us, it’s not going to be a chance to have our stadium full of people. The Riverside Stand is not going to be full; it is going to be part-empty.”