Liverpool Team News Ahead of Fulham Test at Craven Cottage
Liverpool head into their first away fixture of 2026 with cautious optimism over returning personnel and a clear awareness of the demands still to come. Sunday’s 3pm GMT meeting with Fulham arrives quickly after a goalless draw with Leeds United, a result that tested patience but preserved momentum during an unforgiving run of fixtures.
Team news, as ever, shapes the narrative. Arne Slot offered a measured update following Thursday night’s stalemate, with one familiar name edging closer to availability while others remain sidelined.
Joe Gomez Boost and Endo Delay
Joe Gomez could yet feature at Craven Cottage after missing Liverpool’s last three matches with a muscle injury. Slot confirmed his hope that the defender would return to training on Friday, a timely development given the physical demands of the Premier League schedule.
After the Leeds match, Slot explained: “I expect Joe to train with us [on Friday] and Wata not yet.”
Wataru Endo continues his recovery from the ankle issue sustained in early December and will not be rushed back. Liverpool’s medical management under Slot has prioritised availability over risk, particularly during periods of relentless football.
Slot also confirmed there were no fresh injury concerns following the draw, offering reassurance after a match that demanded both control and concentration.
Managing Minutes During Relentless Schedule
The head coach expanded on his decision making, particularly the second half substitution of Florian Wirtz, highlighting the wider context behind each call.
“Again, I think to see we had four players on the bench that haven’t played any minutes in the Premier League and these players just keep going with so many games to go.”
Slot addressed concerns around Wirtz directly.
“So, if anyone was like, ‘Why does he take Florian off?’ for example, two days after the [Wolverhampton Wanderers] game he felt his hamstring still too much. That’s why he couldn’t train, he only trained [on Wednesday].”
Experience and depth were central to the decision.
“With all games coming up, for me it was too much of a risk if you don’t have so many players available with Premier League experience – and, of course, Cody [Gakpo] is a good replacement to bring in.”
Slot underlined the cumulative toll of the calendar.
“These are all the things I, we have to take into account to keep players available with at least some Premier League experience for the schedule we are going in – and not only going in, we have already had now two months of non-stop football and most of them [even] six or seven months of non-stop playing football.”
Positives Taken From Leeds Stalemate
Despite frustration at failing to convert dominance into goals, Slot found encouragement in the fundamentals.
“Everyone stayed fit [against Leeds], positive. A clean sheet. If I have to take something positive from the game then [it is] those two things – and Ibou [Konate] didn’t get a yellow so he is not suspended.”
Liverpool will again be without Mohamed Salah, who is away at the Africa Cup of Nations. Alexander Isak and Giovanni Leoni remain long term absentees, further testing squad depth as the season enters its most compressed phase.
Fulham Absences and Marco Silva’s View
Fulham face challenges of their own. Josh King and Kenny Tete are unlikely to feature, with Marco Silva providing a guarded update.
“We keep assessing them but if I have to answer now we have big possibilities for them to be out of the game.”
Ryan Sessegnon remains sidelined, while Rodrigo Muniz is also unavailable due to injury. Fulham will additionally be without Calvin Bassey, Samuel Chukwueze and Alex Iwobi, all away on AFCON duty.
Silva acknowledged the scale of the challenge awaiting his side.
“We recognise the quality they have, that is why they were champions and they started so, so well the season.”
He reflected on Liverpool’s recent form and the demands of the league.
“The reaction, the results, they have been better [recently] and of course they expected to win the last game but the Premier League is very tough and of course Leeds played their part and did it well.”
Looking ahead, Silva added: “Of course now it’s going to be a new game, a new story as well, [and] a short period between both games for both teams.”
Liverpool arrive tested, rotated, and focused, with availability and control once again shaping Slot’s approach.
