It wasn't to be for Fulham on Wednesday night as a respectable draw against in-form Liverpool wasn't enough to book a ticket to Wembley for the Carabao Cup final.
The Cottagers needed to overturn a 1-0 deficit against the Reds and an early Luis Diaz goal made that task doubly hard as the Colombian pounced on a slow Timothy Castagne. Marco Silva's side slowly worked themselves back into the fixture and piled on the pressure after a second-half goal from the unlikely source of Issa Diop.
Defeat in the semi-final will hurt, but a draw against rampant Liverpool on any other night would be a praiseworthy result for Fulham. Here's how the players got on.
9. Willian - 6
As always, looked a threat with the ball at his feet and worked some nice opportunities. Never came that close to grabbing a goal. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
10. Raul Jiminez - 5
Jiminez had a couple of chances but put in another frustrating performance. Slow when closing down in the first half and misfired a couple of audacious passes. Made Kelleher work in the first half with a shot that reinvigorated Fulham. | AFP via Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
11. Bobby Decordova-Reid - 3
Anonymous in his 65 minutes on the pitch except for dithering at a chance early in the second half. A shame as he was a real danger at Anfield earlier this month. | AFP via Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
12. SUB - Harry Wilson - 8
Was a gamechanger with his directness after coming on. His brilliant run and pass made the Fulham equaliser. | Getty Images