Marco Silva says Fulham’s players will be less “emotional and nervous” once they are used to reaching the latter stages of cup competitions more often.
Wednesday night’s 1-1 draw at home against Liverpool saw them knocked out of the Carabao Cup at the semi-final stage, with the Reds reaching next month’s final 3-2 on aggregate.
For Fulham, it was a missed chance to reach their first-ever League Cup final and only a second domestic final in their history, after the 1975 FA Cup final.
“Any club that is not used to being at this stage is going to develop," Silva said following his side’s exit.
“Not being so emotional [and] nervous, at the start of these games comes with experience of these types of games. It is a journey. In some things we are really growing. Last season our Carabao Cup was not good enough. This season we were able to be in the semi-finals.
“It was a difficult match as we expected. Performance-wise it was not our best performance, to be honest. But my players gave everything, with the attitude and commitment that they showed.
“There were two or three spells that we had, and before they scored we had a big chance with Joao [Palhinha, who] should hit the target in that situation.
“We were not performing at our best level, I have to say. We were not ruthless enough. We knew before the match we wanted to play better tonight than we did. Sometimes it is not possible to play the good football under our plan.”
He said of Liverpool: “They are so, so consistent. They are top of the league for a reason.”
Silva’s victorious counterpart, Jurgen Klopp, hailed his team’s performance after admitting his side could have secured victory earlier in the night.
The Liverpool boss said: “Pleasing that we got the first goal. I think we could have got the second. We could have put the game to bed tonight but we didn’t. Then 1-1. Harry Wilson, another [former] Liverpool boy, so that’s great! But we got over the line.
“We are now looking forward to Wembley definitely.”
Liverpool’s goal on the night was scored by Colombian winger Luis Diaz, who was also their most threatening player at Craven Cottage.
“He is a fantastic player, absolutely fantastic," Klopp said of the 27-year-old.
“I wish he had set up the second and scored the third. But playing wise, what a boy — the speed, the power he can generate.”
