Liverpool will shift their focus back to their Premier League campaign, as they head to Craven Cottage to face Marco Silva’s Fulham. The Reds will be looking to bounce back from their Europa League defeat against Crystal Palace at Anfield last week.
Despite dominating the game, Fulham failed to create clear-cut chances, and Crystal Palace secured a 1-0 win. This result highlighted Liverpool’s struggles against well-organized teams with strong defensive tactics.
Fulham would be hoping to take advantage of the difficult form of the visitors as they play host to Liverpool. Craven Cottage could play a significant role in causing an upset in the title race, potentially impacting Jurgen Klopp’s future at Liverpool.
Liverpool have been dealing with several injuries in recent weeks, although they have managed to resolve most of them. However, there are still a few players unavailable for tomorrow’s game.
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Conor Bradley has joined Thiago, Matip, and Ben Doak on the sidelines due to an ankle injury.
With their sights set on securing three points, Liverpool will face Fulham after just a three-day break following their Europa League match against Atalanta.
Here’s how Liverpool should lineup against Fulham
Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker
The Brazilian goalkeeper returned from the hamstring injury he sustained in mid-February in the Reds’s loss last weekend. However, his consistent quality would be needed for Liverpool if they were to go deep into the title race. While Caoimhin Kelleher played an excellent deputy, Alisson is back, and he will need to be at his A game going into the conclusion of the season.
He would take up the gloves against Fulham, barring any late injury concerns.
Defense: Trent Alexander Arnold, Jarell Quansah, Virgil van Dijk, and Andy Robertson
Conor Bradley had been an ever-present player on the right back; the biggest compliment to the Reds’s youngster would be that he didn’t let Trent’s absence feel along the season. However, the backup has now pulled his hands up, and luckily for Liverpool, Trent is just about fit and should take the right-back position for tomorrow’s game. Alternatively, Jurgen Klopp can also opt for Joe Gomez if there are still fitness concerns surrounding Trent.
Virgil van Dijk is expected to take up the spot at the heart of the defense alongside Jarell Quansah. Quansah has started Liverpool’s last three games on the bench with Konate taking his place. While the Frenchman was impressive in the midweek, he is expected to make way for the 21-year-old, eyeing Konate’s injury record and fatigue after being involved in three successive games and a very low turnover period for the game against Fulham.
Andy Robertson continues on the left back.
Midfield: Endo, Mac Allister, and Jones
While this means Liverpool will drop Dominik Szoboszlai, a midfield of these three gives more balance, with Endo sitting at the base, Mac Allister operating in a dynamic 6/8 role depending on the situation, and Jones in a more advanced role. While Liverpool list to Palace with this midfield, I would expect Jurgen Klopp to continue with the same one against Fulham.
The West Londoners have a set of midfielders that can cause Liverpool trouble in transitions and beyond. Having a midfielder that can balance with a pivot if Fulham catch a wave or two in the game would be useful against a Marco Silva team that likes to use possession in different ways. They have Iwobi, who can carry the ball down the middle, while João Palhinha is magnifique in everything he does.
Forward: Mo Salah, Darwin Nunez, and Luis Diaz
Mohamed Salah has to be the first name on the team sheet when Liverpool are backed into a corner and need to come out all guns blazing. He should play in a more wide role if TAA comes in the right-inverted-back position, something we witnessed from the pair when they featured together. Darwin Nunez is chaos, and putting him in the middle of a defense that stays tight can help open spaces while Luis Diaz keeps his place at the left-back.
Jota could replace Luis Diaz; though the latter has been a force to be reckoned with lately, it’s difficult to see him get dropped.
Liverpool predicted lineup vs Fulham
Alisson Becker; Trent Alexander Arnold; Quansah; Virgil van Dijk; Andy Robertson; Endo; Mac Allister; Jones; Mo Salah; Darwin Nunez; Luis Diaz.
