Liverpool will host Fulham in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-finals on Wednesday, looking to grab an advantage in the tie.
Liverpool are on an impressive run of form, and they are coming into the game against Fulham on the back of a morale-boosting win over Arsenal away from home in the FA Cup third round. The Reds are unbeaten in their last six outings across all competitions, and they will be reasonably confident of grinding out of victory here.
Meanwhile, Fulham have bounced back from their disappointing run of form with two outstanding victories over Arsenal and Rotherham United. They will be hoping to pull off an upset in the first leg at Anfield.
The last time these two sides met was at Anfield in December, with Liverpool winning a thrilling affair 4-3, and this one is likely to be another entertaining affair. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Liverpool
The home side have a number of injury problems heading into this game. Joel Matip has been ruled out for the remainder of the season, Stefan Bajcetic and Thiago Alcantara will return to action next month.
Kostas Tsimikas and Andrew Robertson are still recovering from their respective injuries. Trent Alexander-Arnold picked up ligament damage against Arsenal, and he will be sidelined for three weeks. Dominik Szoboszlai is set to miss out with a hamstring injury as well. Finally, Wataru Endo and Mohamed Salah are away on international duty.
Liverpool are likely to shape up in a 4-3-3 formation, with Alisson Becker in goal. Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez are likely to be deployed as the full backs here. They will look to keep things compact in the wide areas and protect the central defenders.
Ibrahima Konate will start at the heart of the defence alongside Virgil van Dijk. Alexis Mac Allister will be deployed in the holding role in the middle of the park, with Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones adding creativity and drive to the midfield alongside him. Finally, Darwin Nunez will lead the line for Liverpool here, with Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz on either side of him.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez; Elliott, Alexis, Jones; Jota, Nunez, Diaz
Fulham
The visitors will be without Adama Traore (hamstring) and Tim Ream (calf) due to their respective fitness issues. In addition, Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi are away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Fulham will shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Bernd Leno in goal. Timothy Castagne and Antonee Robinson will start as the full-backs. The duo will look to protect the centre-backs and help out during counter-attacks. Tosin Adarabioyo will feature alongside Issa Diop in the central defensive pairing.
As for the midfield unit, Joao Palhinha will start alongside Tom Cairney in the double pivot. They will look to break up the opposition attacks and set up transitions from the midfield. Andreas Pereira will be deployed as the central attacking midfielder, and he will look to add creativity and vision in the final third. Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Willian will start in the wide areas. Finally, Raul Jimenez will lead the line for Fulham.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Adarabioyo, Diop, Robinson; Cairney, Palhinha; Reid, Pereira, Willian; Jimenez
Key Stats
- Liverpool have won five of their last six home matches against Fulham in all competitions.
- Liverpool have won four of their last five matches across all competitions.
- Liverpool have scored 14 goals in their last five matches across all competitions.
- 18 goals have been scored in the last six matches between these two sides.
- Fulham have lost three of their last six matches across all competitions.
Player to Watch
Luis Diaz
The 26-year-old Colombian winger has done quite well in his last couple of outings against Arsenal and Newcastle United. He will have to take over the creative responsibilities in the absence of Mohamed Salah, and he is our key player to watch out for.
Diaz could cause problems for the Fulham defence with his pace, flair and link up play in the final third. He scored a fantastic goal against Arsenal and will be looking to add to his tally as well when Liverpool take on Fulham this midweek.
Prediction
Liverpool 2-1 Fulham
Liverpool are undoubtedly the better team here despite a number of fitness issues. They should be able to pick up a win at Anfield. Fulham are unlikely to make life easy for the home team, and this is likely to be a close contest. However, the away side are quite vulnerable defensively and Liverpool should be able to find a way past them. A narrow home win is on the cards.