The Reds trailed after 45 minutes at Anfield on Wednesday night, with Willian firing the Cottagers into a lead from close range.
But Jürgen Klopp’s men collectively showed their resolve after the interval as Curtis Jones equalised with the benefit of a deflection and Gakpo, sent on from the bench, clinically swept in a second.
“It’s the mentality in the group, in the club, in the city,” Gakpo told Sky Sports post-match.
“Everybody is like this: mentality, just keep going no matter what happens. We showed it again today. If you’ve got that mentality, a lot of beautiful things can happen.”
On Jones’ vital strike, which he then added to within just three minutes, Gakpo said: “A very important one to get us back in the game.
“After that I felt like we really dominated the game – not only with possession, which we did in the first half, but also with creating chances.
“And after that we scored the second one. Happy days.”
Gakpo’s finish in front of the Kop was his fourth goal in the Carabao Cup this season and took him to nine overall for the 2023-24 campaign.
It was an ultimately satisfying night for the Dutchman, though he quickly reiterated the awareness that the last-four clash is only at its halfway stage.
The place in the showpiece at Wembley will be decided when the teams meet again in the return fixture at Craven Cottage in two weeks.
“I love to play with the guys,” added the No.18. “We showed a really good mentality and we have to keep going, because it’s only the first leg of this game. We have to keep going.”
