LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Struggled in Premier League fixture between two sides last month but no problems here. Had no chance with Willian’s early goal. Regulation save when De Cordova Reid shot from tight angle on the hour was extent of second-half efforts. Reuters
Caoimhin Kelleher 7/10
LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Struggled in Premier League fixture between two sides last month but no problems here. Had no chance with Willian’s early goal. Regulation save when De Cordova Reid shot from tight angle on the hour was extent of second-half efforts. Reuters
LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Struggled in Premier League fixture between two sides last month but no problems here. Had no chance with Willian’s early goal. Regulation save when De Cordova Reid shot from tight
The 20-year-old right-back found Robinson and William tough customers, particularly in first half when the Brazilian hurdled his tackle before scoring. More solid after break and set-up great chance for Nunez with perfect cross. Getty Images
Conor Bradley 6/10
The 20-year-old right-back found Robinson and William tough customers, particularly in first half when the Brazilian hurdled his tackle before scoring. More solid after break and set-up great chance for Nunez with perfect cross. Getty Images
The 20-year-old right-back found Robinson and William tough customers, particularly in first half when the Brazilian hurdled his tackle before scoring. More solid after break and set-up great chance f
Man of the match in the FA Cup win at Arsenal on Sunday, the French defender was strong, quick and composed again here. Reuters
Ibrahima Konate 8/10
Man of the match in the FA Cup win at Arsenal on Sunday, the French defender was strong, quick and composed again here. Reuters
Man of the match in the FA Cup win at Arsenal on Sunday, the French defender was strong, quick and composed again here. Reuters
Liverpool’s captain was guilty of rare error that led to Fulham’s opener. Harsh booking for putting hand into face of Pereira who went down as if he’d been punched. Sailed through rest of game untroubled. AP
Virgil van Dijk 7/10
Liverpool’s captain was guilty of rare error that led to Fulham’s opener. Harsh booking for putting hand into face of Pereira who went down as if he’d been punched. Sailed through rest of game untroubled. AP
Liverpool’s captain was guilty of rare error that led to Fulham’s opener. Harsh booking for putting hand into face of Pereira who went down as if he’d been punched. Sailed through rest of game untroub
Playing his 200th game for club, cracked decent effort just wide of Leno’s goal as wait for first Liverpool goal goes on. Continues to fill in at left-back impressively. AFP
Joe Gomez 7/10
Playing his 200th game for club, cracked decent effort just wide of Leno’s goal as wait for first Liverpool goal goes on. Continues to fill in at left-back impressively. AFP
Playing his 200th game for club, cracked decent effort just wide of Leno’s goal as wait for first Liverpool goal goes on. Continues to fill in at left-back impressively. AFP
Argentine was strong presence in middle of park, winning the ball back impressively on several occasions, testing keeper Leno with one curling effort from out wide in second half. PA
Alexis Mc Allister 7/10
Argentine was strong presence in middle of park, winning the ball back impressively on several occasions, testing keeper Leno with one curling effort from out wide in second half. PA
Argentine was strong presence in middle of park, winning the ball back impressively on several occasions, testing keeper Leno with one curling effort from out wide in second half. PA
Former Bayern Munich midfielder’s impact in first half was negligible but came to life after break dragging a shot from edge of area just wide of target - but was still hooked before hour mark. AFP
Ryan Gravenberch 6/10
Former Bayern Munich midfielder’s impact in first half was negligible but came to life after break dragging a shot from edge of area just wide of target - but was still hooked before hour mark. AFP
Former Bayern Munich midfielder’s impact in first half was negligible but came to life after break dragging a shot from edge of area just wide of target - but was still hooked before hour mark. AFP
Drilled game’s first shot straight at keeper in sixth minute then did the same at start of second half. Levelled for Liverpool in 67th minute after shot from outside box took huge deflection off Tosin. In great form at moment. Reuters
Curtis Jones 8/10
Drilled game’s first shot straight at keeper in sixth minute then did the same at start of second half. Levelled for Liverpool in 67th minute after shot from outside box took huge deflection off Tosin. In great form at moment. Reuters
Drilled game’s first shot straight at keeper in sixth minute then did the same at start of second half. Levelled for Liverpool in 67th minute after shot from outside box took huge deflection off Tosin
Elliott, who made his pro debut for Fulham and was jeered by away fans throughout, would have been relieved to see linesman raise his flag when he sliced over great chance minutes after Fulham took lead. Struggled to make impact and was replaced early in second half. AFP
Harvey Elliott 6/10
Elliott, who made his pro debut for Fulham and was jeered by away fans throughout, would have been relieved to see linesman raise his flag when he sliced over great chance minutes after Fulham took lead. Struggled to make impact and was replaced early in second half. AFP
Elliott, who made his pro debut for Fulham and was jeered by away fans throughout, would have been relieved to see linesman raise his flag when he sliced over great chance minutes after Fulham took le
Tireless effort from Portuguese and his pressing on Fulham’s backline would have delighted manager Jurgen Klopp. Fizzed one cross-come-shot across face of goal in 15th minute. Blasted another strike over bar 13 minutes from time. AFP
Diogo Jota 7/10
Tireless effort from Portuguese and his pressing on Fulham’s backline would have delighted manager Jurgen Klopp. Fizzed one cross-come-shot across face of goal in 15th minute. Blasted another strike over bar 13 minutes from time. AFP
Tireless effort from Portuguese and his pressing on Fulham’s backline would have delighted manager Jurgen Klopp. Fizzed one cross-come-shot across face of goal in 15th minute. Blasted another strike o
Very quiet opening 45 minutes from Colombian and Liverpool’s attacking trio in general. More threat after break but it was Liverpool’s attacking substitutes that changed game. Getty Images
Luis Diaz 6/10
Very quiet opening 45 minutes from Colombian and Liverpool’s attacking trio in general. More threat after break but it was Liverpool’s attacking substitutes that changed game. Getty Images
Very quiet opening 45 minutes from Colombian and Liverpool’s attacking trio in general. More threat after break but it was Liverpool’s attacking substitutes that changed game. Getty Images
SUBS: (On for Elliott 56’) Supplied assist with perfect cut-back for fellow substitute Gapko’s goal that put Liverpool 2-1 up. Denied hat-trick by three fine Leno saves. Getty Images
Darwin Nunez 8/10
SUBS: (On for Elliott 56’) Supplied assist with perfect cut-back for fellow substitute Gapko’s goal that put Liverpool 2-1 up. Denied hat-trick by three fine Leno saves. Getty Images
SUBS: (On for Elliott 56’) Supplied assist with perfect cut-back for fellow substitute Gapko’s goal that put Liverpool 2-1 up. Denied hat-trick by three fine Leno saves. Getty Images
Cody Gakpo : 7/10 (On for Gravenberch 56’) Lovely first-time finish to put team in front at Anfield. AFP
FBL-ENG-LCUP-LIVERPOOL-FULHAM
Cody Gakpo : 7/10 (On for Gravenberch 56’) Lovely first-time finish to put team in front at Anfield. AFP
Cody Gakpo : 7/10 (On for Gravenberch 56’) Lovely first-time finish to put team in front at Anfield. AFP
FULHAM RATINGS: Would have been surprised at how little he was tested in first half as Liverpool managed just one shot on target. No chance with deflected Jones goal or Gapko finish after break. Three excellent stops to deny Reds substitute Nunez. AP
Bernd Leno 8/10
FULHAM RATINGS: Would have been surprised at how little he was tested in first half as Liverpool managed just one shot on target. No chance with deflected Jones goal or Gapko finish after break. Three excellent stops to deny Reds substitute Nunez. AP
FULHAM RATINGS: Would have been surprised at how little he was tested in first half as Liverpool managed just one shot on target. No chance with deflected Jones goal or Gapko finish after break. Three
Brilliant recovery tackle just after half-time prevented Jota having what would have been a clear shot at goal. Comfortable until last 20 minutes when Fulham defence finally cracked against Liverpool pressure. PA
Timothy Castagne 7/10
Brilliant recovery tackle just after half-time prevented Jota having what would have been a clear shot at goal. Comfortable until last 20 minutes when Fulham defence finally cracked against Liverpool pressure. PA
Brilliant recovery tackle just after half-time prevented Jota having what would have been a clear shot at goal. Comfortable until last 20 minutes when Fulham defence finally cracked against Liverpool
Sloppy pass handed early chance to Jones and looked an accident waiting to happen trying to play out from back. Unfortunate when he deflected Jones’ shot past Leno and into the net. Reuters
Tosin Adarabioyo 6/10
Sloppy pass handed early chance to Jones and looked an accident waiting to happen trying to play out from back. Unfortunate when he deflected Jones’ shot past Leno and into the net. Reuters
Sloppy pass handed early chance to Jones and looked an accident waiting to happen trying to play out from back. Unfortunate when he deflected Jones’ shot past Leno and into the net. Reuters
While his centre-back partner was taking risks, former West Ham defender Diop was much more no-nonsense and looked fairly comfortable until introduction of Nunez. Gave Gakpo too much space for second goal. AP
Issa Diop 6/10
While his centre-back partner was taking risks, former West Ham defender Diop was much more no-nonsense and looked fairly comfortable until introduction of Nunez. Gave Gakpo too much space for second goal. AP
While his centre-back partner was taking risks, former West Ham defender Diop was much more no-nonsense and looked fairly comfortable until introduction of Nunez. Gave Gakpo too much space for second
Regularly bombed forward down left wing on overlap and sent over a number of dangerous crosses in first half. Less so after break. Important block denied Jota shot at goal after break. AFP
Antonee Robinson 7/10
Regularly bombed forward down left wing on overlap and sent over a number of dangerous crosses in first half. Less so after break. Important block denied Jota shot at goal after break. AFP
Regularly bombed forward down left wing on overlap and sent over a number of dangerous crosses in first half. Less so after break. Important block denied Jota shot at goal after break. AFP
Impressive pressing and distribution - both long and short, including one glorious cross-field pass to Willian on the left in first half - despite apparent illness. Clobbered by Kelleher just before break but able to come out for second half. PA
Harrison Reed 8/10
Impressive pressing and distribution - both long and short, including one glorious cross-field pass to Willian on the left in first half - despite apparent illness. Clobbered by Kelleher just before break but able to come out for second half. PA
Impressive pressing and distribution - both long and short, including one glorious cross-field pass to Willian on the left in first half - despite apparent illness. Clobbered by Kelleher just before b
Portuguese midfielder is one of Premier League’s finest at hoovering up any mess in front of the defence. Has lovely ability to nick ball of opponent’s toes and rarely gives ball away. Reuters
Joao Palhinha 7/10
Portuguese midfielder is one of Premier League’s finest at hoovering up any mess in front of the defence. Has lovely ability to nick ball of opponent’s toes and rarely gives ball away. Reuters
Portuguese midfielder is one of Premier League’s finest at hoovering up any mess in front of the defence. Has lovely ability to nick ball of opponent’s toes and rarely gives ball away. Reuters
Went looking for what would have been his third goal in three games just after the hour mark but saw shot saved when a ball across six-yard box to Palhina would have given his teammate an open goal. Liverpool levelled minutes later. PA
Bobby De Cordova-Reid 6/10
Went looking for what would have been his third goal in three games just after the hour mark but saw shot saved when a ball across six-yard box to Palhina would have given his teammate an open goal. Liverpool levelled minutes later. PA
Went looking for what would have been his third goal in three games just after the hour mark but saw shot saved when a ball across six-yard box to Palhina would have given his teammate an open goal. L
Claimed assist for Willian’s goal after being gifted possession by Van Dijk. Rolled around in embarrassing fashion after Dutch defender’s hand touched his face not long after. Cracked long-range effort straight at keeper. AFP
Andreas Pereira 6/10
Claimed assist for Willian’s goal after being gifted possession by Van Dijk. Rolled around in embarrassing fashion after Dutch defender’s hand touched his face not long after. Cracked long-range effort straight at keeper. AFP
Claimed assist for Willian’s goal after being gifted possession by Van Dijk. Rolled around in embarrassing fashion after Dutch defender’s hand touched his face not long after. Cracked long-range effor
Brazilian, making 50th appearance for club, showed great skill and composure to drill Fulham into a 19th-minute lead with their first attempt at goal. Getty Images
Willian 7/10
Brazilian, making 50th appearance for club, showed great skill and composure to drill Fulham into a 19th-minute lead with their first attempt at goal. Getty Images
Brazilian, making 50th appearance for club, showed great skill and composure to drill Fulham into a 19th-minute lead with their first attempt at goal. Getty Images
Has re-found scoring touch of late but never threatened the Liverpool goal at Anfield. One failed attempt at a Showboating Rabona cross in second half sailed out for goal kick when teammates were waiting in penalty area. AP
Raul Jimenez 5/10
Has re-found scoring touch of late but never threatened the Liverpool goal at Anfield. One failed attempt at a Showboating Rabona cross in second half sailed out for goal kick when teammates were waiting in penalty area. AP
Has re-found scoring touch of late but never threatened the Liverpool goal at Anfield. One failed attempt at a Showboating Rabona cross in second half sailed out for goal kick when teammates were wait
SUBS: (On for Willian 73’) Brought on against former club who had just taken the lead and offered little bar picking up booking for hauling down Jones. Reuters
Harry Wilson 6/10
SUBS: (On for Willian 73’) Brought on against former club who had just taken the lead and offered little bar picking up booking for hauling down Jones. Reuters
SUBS: (On for Willian 73’) Brought on against former club who had just taken the lead and offered little bar picking up booking for hauling down Jones. Reuters
Tom Cairney : 6/10 (On for Pereira 73’) Club captain could not help turn the game back in Fulham’s favour. EPA
BRITAIN SOCCER
Tom Cairney : 6/10 (On for Pereira 73’) Club captain could not help turn the game back in Fulham’s favour. EPA
Tom Cairney : 6/10 (On for Pereira 73’) Club captain could not help turn the game back in Fulham’s favour. EPA

Sport

Football

Liverpool v Fulham player ratings: Jones 8, Nunez 7; Willian 7, Jimenez 5

Merseysiders beat Fulham 2-1 in League Cup semi-final first-leg at Anfield

Gareth Cox

January 11, 2024

  • English
  • Arabic

Liverpool fought back from a goal down to beat Fulham 2-1 at Anfield in the League Cup semi-final first leg at Anfield on Wednesday.

Fulham had taken a first-half lead through Willian's composed finish and could have made it 2-0 after the break had Bobby De Cordova-Reid squared the ball to teammate Andreas Pereira instead of going for goal himself and seeing his shot saved.

It was to prove a key moment in the game as Curtis Jones levelled for Liverpool in the 68th minute with a deflected strike. Darwin Nunez set-up fellow substitute Cody Gakpo to score what turned out to be the winner on the night three minutes later.

Nunez was also denied three times by good saves from Fulham goalkeeper Bern Leno meaning Liverpool will only have a one-goal advantage when they head to Craven Cottage for the second leg on January 24.

“[Curtis Jones] got a very important goal to get us back in the game and after that I felt we really dominated, not only with possession but creating chances and then the second so I was happy,” Gakpo told Sky Sports after the match.

“It's the mentality in the group, in the club, in the city, everyone is like this mentality of just keep going and it doesn't matter what happens and we showed that again today. If you have that mentality a lot of things can happen.

“I love playing with these guys. We showed good mentality and have to keep going as it's only the first leg of this game.”

Jurgen Klopp's men have now fallen behind in 14 games this season, but have lost just three and needed their powers of recovery once more after a sluggish first half.

Fulham could not have wished for a better start when Willian opened the scoring on 19 minutes.

Virgil van Dijk was at fault as his weak header was pounced on by Andreas Pereira.

Willian then got the break of the ball inside the penalty area before firing through Van Dijk's legs beyond Caoimhin Kelleher.

The Liverpool captain was then lucky to escape a second yellow card before half time as Van Dijk trod on Pereira.

Fulham were again left to curse their fortune after the break, but the visitors were architects of their own downfall for not taking the chance to extend their lead.

Klopp left his midfield wide open as he threw on Gakpo and Nunez to form a front four alongside Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota.

But before the home side turned the game around, Fulham had multiple opportunities to pick them off on the counter-attack.

De Cordova-Reid wasted the best of them when he forced Kelleher into a comfortable save with Pereira begging for a cross.

Liverpool were struggling to make their numbers in attacking areas count until Jones' long-range effort deflected off the unfortunate Tosin Adarabioyo and beyond the helpless Bernd Leno.

Moments later the record nine-time League Cup winners led. The substitutes combined as Nunez's low cross was turned home by Gakpo at the near post.

But Leno then won his personal duel with Nunez three times in the final 20 minutes to keep Fulham in the tie. The German goalkeeper was stretched by a towering header and blast from a tight angle by the Uruguayan.

Leno's best stop, though, came five minutes from time when the former Arsenal goalkeeper spread himself to block from a narrow angle.

“You cannot concede another goal, you have to manage the game,” said Fulham manager Marco Silva. “A fast counter attack away from home, drawing in a competition where you have the second game at home, you cannot concede.

“The reality is that they score in that moment. But OK, they are winning 2-1 at half time, we have a game to play at home and we are for sure going to fight for it. We are going to do our best to play in the final.”

Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015

- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France

The%20specs
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Fitness problems in men's tennis

Andy Murray - hip

Novak Djokovic - elbow

Roger Federer - back

Stan Wawrinka - knee

Kei Nishikori - wrist

Marin Cilic - adductor

UAE currency
The specs: 2018 Volkswagen Teramont

Price, base / as tested Dh137,000 / Dh189,950

Engine 3.6-litre V6

Gearbox Eight-speed automatic

Power 280hp @ 6,200rpm

Torque 360Nm @ 2,750rpm

Fuel economy, combined 11.7L / 100km

BORDERLANDS

Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis

Director: Eli Roth

Rating: 0/5

Thor: Ragnarok

Dir: Taika Waititi

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Jeff Goldblum, Mark Ruffalo, Tessa Thompson

Four stars

EA Sports FC 26

Publisher: EA Sports

Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S

Rating: 3/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

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Leading all-time NBA scorers

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 38,387
Karl Malone 36,928
Kobe Bryant 33,643
Michael Jordan 32,292
LeBron James 31,425
Wilt Chamberlain 31,419

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More from Firas Maksad
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Global Fungi Facts

• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil

While you're here
Islamophobia definition

A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.

if you go

The flights

Fly to Rome with Etihad (www.etihad.ae) or Emirates (www.emirates.com) from Dh2,480 return including taxes. The flight takes six hours. Fly from Rome to Trapani with Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) from Dh420 return including taxes. The flight takes one hour 10 minutes. 

The hotels 

The author recommends the following hotels for this itinerary. In Trapani, Ai Lumi (www.ailumi.it); in Marsala, Viacolvento (www.viacolventomarsala.it); and in Marsala Del Vallo, the Meliaresort Dimore Storiche (www.meliaresort.it).

The more serious side of specialty coffee

While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.

The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.

Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”

One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.

Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms. 

While you're here
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

Start-up hopes to end Japan's love affair with cash

Across most of Asia, people pay for taxi rides, restaurant meals and merchandise with smartphone-readable barcodes — except in Japan, where cash still rules. Now, as the country’s biggest web companies race to dominate the payments market, one Tokyo-based startup says it has a fighting chance to win with its QR app.

Origami had a head start when it introduced a QR-code payment service in late 2015 and has since signed up fast-food chain KFC, Tokyo’s largest cab company Nihon Kotsu and convenience store operator Lawson. The company raised $66 million in September to expand nationwide and plans to more than double its staff of about 100 employees, says founder Yoshiki Yasui.

Origami is betting that stores, which until now relied on direct mail and email newsletters, will pay for the ability to reach customers on their smartphones. For example, a hair salon using Origami’s payment app would be able to send a message to past customers with a coupon for their next haircut.

Quick Response codes, the dotted squares that can be read by smartphone cameras, were invented in the 1990s by a unit of Toyota Motor to track automotive parts. But when the Japanese pioneered digital payments almost two decades ago with contactless cards for train fares, they chose the so-called near-field communications technology. The high cost of rolling out NFC payments, convenient ATMs and a culture where lost wallets are often returned have all been cited as reasons why cash remains king in the archipelago. In China, however, QR codes dominate.

Cashless payments, which includes credit cards, accounted for just 20 per cent of total consumer spending in Japan during 2016, compared with 60 per cent in China and 89 per cent in South Korea, according to a report by the Bank of Japan.

KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
MATCH INFO

Champions League quarter-final, first leg

Ajax v Juventus, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)

Match on BeIN Sports

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INDIA SQUAD

Virat Kohli (capt), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Vijay Shankar, MS Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
Updated: January 11, 2024, 2:52 AM
LiverpoolFulham