Marco Silva isn’t downplaying the enormity of Fulham’s first-ever League Cup semi-final or the size of the task in overturning a one-goal deficit against Liverpool tomorrow night – but he believes the Craven Cottage crowd can roar the Whites on to Wembley.

Willian gave the Cottagers the perfect start to the first leg a fortnight ago but second strikes from Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo gave Jurgen Klopp’s side the advantage. Silva, who feels the reaction of the Anfield crowd inspired the Reds to come from behind and beat Fulham twice in five weeks, told his pre-match press conference this afternoon that a fervent atmosphere by the banks of the Thames will help his players.

“They are going to be crucial. They are going to play a big part. We need them always behind the team. We want to make Craven Cottage really difficult for Liverpool. 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.”

The Portuguese head coach is undaunted by the prospect of beating Liverpool having knocked out Premier League opposition twice on the way to the last four.

“My ambition is to always play cup competitions and go further. The first game in the Carabao Cup was poor last season. It was an important moment for us to talk about the approach in the future. It’s going to be so, so important for us. We are talking about a semi-final; a chance to play [in] a final, a chance to play at Wembley.

The players know how important it is for the football club but, for themselves as well. 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. It is one of [my biggest games in England] but I want to have a bigger game in a month. This is my ambition. Everybody agrees Liverpool are favourites — they are leading — 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.”