Fulham vs Liverpool – Premier League Preview

Date: Sunday, 4 January 2026

Venue: Craven Cottage

Kick-off: 15:00 BST

Liverpool head into West London as a side still searching for coherence rather than momentum. The goalless draw with Leeds on New Year’s Day brought the brief feel-good factor of December crashing back to reality, exposing once again the creative bluntness and structural caution that continue to define Arne Slot’s reign.

Possession without penetration. Control without conviction. Effort without incision, that is the current state of affairs for a reigning champion that gave up their title defence long ago..

This trip to Craven Cottage arrives at a delicate point for the Reds. Liverpool remains inside the top four, but that position feels fragile rather than earned. Rivals are circling, performances are stagnating, and the sense that this team is simply managing games rather than imposing itself is impossible to ignore. For Slot, this is no longer about buying time — it’s about demonstrating tangible progress before patience evaporates completely.

Fulham, meanwhile, represent the exact type of opponent Liverpool has struggled against all season. Organised, disciplined, physically competitive, and entirely comfortable allowing possession in harmless areas before striking when mistakes arrive.

This is not a free hit. This is an examination and one that could see mounting pressure resurface.

🗣️ Hugo Ekitike on Fulham :

“It's a good team. They have great players but I think maybe some have gone to AFCON. It's going to be a tough game for us but we're going to work and we will be ready.” pic.twitter.com/IZ3x3JqLHn

— Anything Liverpool (@AnythingLFC_) January 3, 2026

Fulham: Compact, Physical, and Designed to Frustrate

Fulham will welcome Liverpool knowing they are well-equipped to expose the Reds’ shortcomings. Marco Silva’s side is structured, intelligent without the ball, and ruthless when opportunities present themselves. They do not chase possession for vanity, nor do they panic under pressure.

Fulham will defend in numbers, close central spaces aggressively, and force Liverpool wide — precisely where creativity has dried up in recent weeks. They will contest second balls relentlessly and aim to turn every loose touch into a transition opportunity.

Liverpool’s fullbacks will be tested both defensively and mentally. Fulham’s wide players thrive on isolations and delayed runs, while the midfield will look to crowd Florian Wirtz out of influence and turn the game into a physical grind.

This is a team that has taken points off better sides than Liverpool this season by doing the basics exceptionally well. They will not gift space, and they will not be intimidated by reputation.

🚨 | 𝗡𝗘𝗪: Joe Gomez may be in contention to return for Liverpool at Fulham.

A muscle injury caused the defender to miss the Reds’ last three matches but Arne Slot was hopeful of welcoming him back to training on Friday. pic.twitter.com/lwFvpCJocX

— Anfield Express (@AnfieIdExpress) January 3, 2026

Liverpool: Control Must Become Authority

Liverpool arrives needing more than a clean tactical diagram. They need assertiveness. The midfield-heavy structure has stabilised the defence, but it has also neutered attacking spontaneity. Too often, Liverpool looks like a team afraid of losing rather than one intent on winning.

Hugo Ekitike should continue to lead the line. His movement and work rate remain among the few reliable attacking traits. Florian Wirtz must again be central — not just in position, but in responsibility. If Liverpool is to create, it will come through him.

Around them, Slot must decide whether safety-first football can continue to sustain results. Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai offer energy and ball retention, but someone must take risks. Without Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak, that responsibility cannot be deferred.

Defensively, Liverpool must remain aggressive in duels and alert to Fulham’s transitional threat. A lapse here will not be forgiven.

This is not a match that Slot can manage conservatively and escape criticism. Another flat performance — even with a draw — will deepen the sense that Liverpool are merely treading water.

Predicted Liverpool Lineup (4-3-1-2):

GK – Alisson Becker

RB – Conor Bradley

CB – Ibrahima Konaté

CB – Virgil van Dijk (c)

LB – Milos Kerkez

CM – Dominik Szoboszlai

CM – Alexis Mac Allister

CM – Curtis Jones

CM – Ryan Gravenberch

ACM – Florian Wirtz

CF – Hugo Ekitike

Final Word

Liverpool does not need excuses. They need clarity and decisiveness. They need conviction against a problematic opposition. And they need to show that this system is evolving, not simply suppressing problems until summer.

Fulham will not roll over. Craven Cottage will not soften the task. And Arne Slot will not be granted leniency if another lifeless display unfolds.

Form matters. Performances matter more and this could be the week which decides the fate of Arne Slot.

Steven Smith’s Score Prediction:

Fulham 1 – 2 Liverpool