Carabao Cup - players.bio

Hayden Hackney and Middlesbrough punish Cole Palmer’s wasteful night

Chelsea striker Cole Palmer squandered a hat-trick of chances as Hayden Hackney handed Sky Bet Championship Middlesbrough a priceless first-leg lead in their Carabao Cup semi-final.

Jurgen Klopp has 'endless belief' in his strikers

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists his belief is endless in his forwards whether they score or not after Darwin Nunez had an impactful but not ultimately decisive role in the 2-1 Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg win over Fulham. After coming off the bench in the 56th minute, the Uruguay international provided the assist for Curtis Jones' deflected equaliser and then the cross from which fellow substitute Cody Gakpo swept home the winner. On another day Nunez, who has scored just once in the last 16 matches, could have had a late hat-trick after being denied by goalkeeper Bernd Leno which would have virtually put Liverpool in the final ahead of the second leg in a fortnight. "He plays outstanding, I have to say it. There are so many things I love about his game," said Klopp. "The first year was a year to adapt and he scored here and there but now he contributes in all games. "The boys don't start because they score or not score. My belief and trust in them, as long as they behave properly, is endless. They deserve it because of the effort they put in. "I don't know how to explain the Darwin situation. I'm so happy about Darwin's reaction and how he takes it but you cannot be more unlucky in these finishing situations, that's not possible. "He does absolutely everything right, yet ball not in. And then he still sets up the other goal. I think that is really special to do that again." Liverpool's substitutes have contributed 15 goals and 15 assists in all competitions this season, 12 better than any other Premier League team, and Nunez has been responsible for three goals and four assists.