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Fulham v Liverpool – Premier League Preview

After an emotional and disheartening couple of footballing weeks, it’s another away day for the faltering Reds as they head to London, where a very difficult game against Fulham awaits. Liverpool must win, or any hopes of a title charge will be gone—it really is that simple.

Photo by IMAGO

The Fulham Availability

Regarding availability, the West London side manager, Marco Silva, will have a fully fit squad to choose from and should keep an unchanged side from last Sunday. The rest period between games and home advantage will most certainly play to Fulham’s advantage, as their visitors head to the capital following their turgid trip to Italy in the latter part of the week.

Regarding recent form, the Cottagers won on their most recent travels last weekend by recording a very impressive 0-2 win over West Ham. Before that surprise away win, a 0-1 loss at home to Newcastle and a 3-1 defeat away to Nottingham Forest make their current form as sporadic as the Reds. With 33 games played, the midtable side sits comfortably in 12th position in the Premier League, with 42 points on the board.

Below is a predicted line-up for the home team in a 4-2-3-1 formation. An aggressive approach will be undertaken, with blood very much apparent in the Merseyside waters. Marco Silva will go for the win and look to overpower a wounded animal already struggling with huge fatigue.

GK – Bernd Leno
RB – Timothy Castagne
RCB – Tosin Adarabioyo
LCB – Calvin Bassey
LB – Antonee Robinson
CDM – João Palhinha
CM – Saša Lukić
ACM – Andreas Pereira
RW – Alex Iwobi
CF – Rodrigo Muniz
LW – Willian

The Liverpool Availability

In terms of injures, Thiago Alcântara remains on the Anfield missing list and is unlikely to play for Liverpool again. Joël Matip has sustained a season-ending ACL injury, one that may have seen him play his last game for the club also.

Regarding recent form, a 0-1 win at Atalanta was preceded by a 1-0 home loss to Palace, days prior to the 0-3 Europa League first-leg loss, also at Anfield. Before that disastrous and season-defining period, the European heavyweights failed to overcome United at Old Trafford, as the rot started to build up in their 2-2 draw. That game came a few days after a good 3-1 home win against Sheffield United, following a 2-1 win over Brighton the weekend prior.

Below is the team I believe the Reds German manager will start on Sunday, with a desire to return to match-winning form. All that matters is three points. Therefore, a tighter and more regimented start must be undertaken.

GK – Alisson Becker
RB – Trent Alexander Arnold
RCB – Jarell Quansah
LCB – Virgil van Dijk (c)
LB – Joe Gomez
RCM – Dominik Szoboszlai
CDM – Waturu Endō
LCM – Alexis Mac Allister
RF – Luis Díaz
CF – Darwin Núñez
LF – Mohamed Salah

How Will This Contest Play Out

I must believe the Reds will simply want this too much not to win, with Fulham hopefully now settled, having attained the all-important 40-point mark. Rodrigo Muniz is a handful and will test the resolve of a Liverpool defence that is struggling to keep clean sheets in the league. Ultimately, this could be a battle that is won by individual brilliance, which I hope will come through Trent Alexander Arnold, the vice-captain.

Player to watch – Trent Alexander Arnold

Score Prediction; Fulham 1 – 2 Liverpool

Steven Smith

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