Liverpool will host Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday, looking to continue the recent unbeaten run with a victory at Anfield.
Liverpool are coming into the game against Fulham on the back of a six-match unbeaten run in the Premier League. In addition, they cruised to a straightforward win over LASK in the UEFA Europa League this week. So, they will be confident of grinding out all three points.
The Reds are third in the league table, and a win here could take them to the top of the Premier League if the other results go their way. Meanwhile, Fulham are 14th in the standings, and they ended their winless streak with the victory against Wolves on Monday.
Liverpool have an impressive head-to-head record against Fulham, and they are unbeaten in five of their last six meetings against the West London side. The hosts will be the favourites heading into this context, and the fans will be expecting a comprehensive victory at home.
Team News & Tactics
Liverpool
Thiago Alcantara, Andrew Robertson and Stefan Bajcetic remain long-term absentees for Liverpool and they are set to miss out against Fulham. Meanwhile, Diogo Jota picked up a knock against Manchester City, and he is expected to return towards the end of the year.
But the latest fitness update is frustrating, as Alisson Becker picked up a thigh injury against Manchester City. The Brazilian international is set to be sidelined for a couple of weeks, handing a blow to Jurgen Klopp.
Caoimhin Kelleher is set to start in goal for Liverpool here after impressing in the midweek win over LASK in the Europa League. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kostas Tsimkias will be deployed as the full-backs. The two players will look to help out in the attack as well as protect the central defence.
Ibrahima Konate will start alongside Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the defence. As for the midfield unit, Alexis Mac Allister will be the defensive midfielder, and he will look to keep things compact in the middle. Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones will add creativity, drive and control to the side. Finally, Darwin Nunez is set to start as the main striker, with Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz on either side of him.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Tsimikas; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Jones; Salah, Nunez, Diaz
Fulham
Fulham will be without Issa Diop (foot), Adama Traore (hamstring), and Rodrigo Muniz (knee) due to their respective injuries. All three players are expected to return later this month. The away side are likely to shape up in their usual 4-2-3-1 formation, with Bernd Leno in goal.
Timothy Castagne and Antonee Robinson will start as the full-backs, and they will look to nullify the threat posed by Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz. Calvin Bassey will feature in the heart of the defence along with Tim Ream.
Harrison Reed and Joao Palhinha will start in the midfield pivot, and the two players will look to protect the central defence and break up opposition attacks. Alex Iwobi and Willian will start as the wingers here. The duo will look to create goal-scoring opportunities in the final third.
Finally, Raul Jimenez will lead the line for Fulham against Liverpool, with Andreas Pereira behind him as the central attacking midfielder.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Bassey, ream, Robinson; Palhinha, Reed; Iwobi, Pereira, Willian; Jimenez
Key Stats
- Liverpool are unbeaten in five of their last six meetings with Fulham across all competitions.
- Liverpool have kept nine clean sheets in their last 11 home matches against Fulham.
- Fulham have failed to win four of their last five Premier League matches.
- Fulham have conceded 22 goals in 13 Premier League matches this season.
- 13 goals have been scored in the last six meetings between these two sides.
Player to Watch
Mohamed Salah
Mo Salah has 18 goal contributions in 19 games so far this season for Liverpool and nobody is talking about it.
The new normal. pic.twitter.com/61ZCTlCGEh
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) December 1, 2023
The 31-year-old Egyptian international has been in splendid form for Liverpool this season, scoring ten goals and picking up five assists in 13 Premier League matches. Salah is one of the best players in the world, and he will look to create goalscoring opportunities for his teammates here and get on the score sheet himself.
He is likely to cause problems for a vulnerable Fulham defence with his pace, flair, creativity and vision in the final third.
Prediction
Liverpool 3-1 Fulham
Liverpool are undoubtedly the better team on paper, and they are in better form as well. Fulham have picked up just one win from their last five Premier League matches, and this will be a tough outing for them.
The West London side are likely to put up a fight here and make things difficult for the home team. But Liverpool have enough quality and experience to come out on top eventually. The Reds have the attacking quality to exploit Fulham’s vulnerabilities and a 3-1 win at home is on the cards here.
