MOMENTS involving Liverpool’s Luis Diaz and referee Simon Hooper don’t always end well.

So, when Diaz found the net in the 11th minute and Hooper pointed to the centre circle for a restart, at least we were spared any bewildering controversy.

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

The only wait was for a red flare, thrown from the away end, to fizzle out.

Diaz’s strike at Spurs in September, incorrectly ruled out for offside, will forever remain as the worst VAR mistake in English football history.

Tonight, the Colombian scored his seventh goal of the season to extend Liverpool’s one-goal advantage from the first leg.

While Issa Diop got the Fulham crowd dreaming of only the club’s second ever final with an equaliser, Marco Silva’s side – despite having a real go at the end – were unable to force the match into extra-time.

So, while it was not the most comfortable of evenings for Jurgen Klopp, he will be satisfied considering how many players he had missing.

Mo Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joel Matip were all absent yet still, they booked their date at Wembley

This not only tells you about the strength of Liverpool’s squad but the way summer replacements, such as Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch, have slotted into the midfield so seamlessly.

Jarrel Quansah, who delivered a world class pass for the goal, was making only his 12th full appearance yet looks as though he has been playing next to Virgil van Dijk for years.

Ultimately, Marco Silva’s Fulham team really needed an early goal if they were going to make Liverpool sweat.

Midfielder Joao Palhinha placed both hands on his head in frustration when volleying a corner from Andreas Pereira over the bar.

Palhinha was unmarked so he should have probably done better and he was left to rue that chance when he was unable to stop Diaz from scoring a few minutes later

Quansah delivered that stunning pass from his own half, Diaz beat Timothy Castagne fair too easily in the air before seizing onto the loose ball.

Diaz struck the ball just as Palhinha challenged yet Leno should have saved but instead, could only push the ball onto the inside of the post.

Luis Diaz opened the scoring in the 11th minute 

The Colombian has been on fire this season 

Diaz wasted a good chance by sidefooting a tame shot at Leno after Gravenberch strode through the home midfield unchallenged.

Raul Jimenez, having forced a decent one-handed save from Kelleher, then claimed he should have been awarded a penalty after the slightest of tugs on his shirt from Gravenberch but Hooper got the decision right.

And while Fulham recovered after suffering that early blow, they were still not really hurting Klopp’s team enough.

Pereira’s shot hit the post after Kelleher failed to make a proper connection on a punch yet with 14 minutes left, Fulham finally found a way past Liverpool’s no 2 keeper.

Issa Diop pulled one back for Fulham with 15 minutes left

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

Harry Wilson powered impressively past Liverpool right-back Conor Bradley and his cross – following a slight deflection off Quansah – was met by Diop who used his thigh to turn the ball past Kelleher.

For a few minutes, Liverpool’s players lost composure and Fulham felt they had a real chance of turning this around.

Kelleher looked unsure in goal and it was a shame the home team could not have tested him a few more times.

Yet Liverpool, who have moved on impressively since that controversial night in north London four months ago, were able to avoid a late drama

Jurgen Klopp will be hoping for more final success against Chelsea

Marco Silva will be proud of his side’s effort

Fulham supporters may not agree, but Liverpool vs. Chelsea should be a good championship game. Under Klopp, the Reds will be vying for a seventh championship, excluding the Community Shield.

In the meantime, Mauricio Pochettino is trying to win his first trophy and realizes he will have to work hard to get it.