Fulhamvs.Liverpool

Arne Slot's men rectified some recent errors in Wednesday's 1-0 win over Merseyside rivals Everton, but their hosts could not do the Reds a favour against Arsenal, falling to a 2-1 defeat.

Match preview

Little went Liverpool's way just before the first international break of 2025, as their dreams of EFL Cup and Champions League glory crashed and burned within the space of a few days, and little went the Reds' way in the first half of Wednesday's derby also.

However, after Toffees defender James Tarkowski inexplicably avoided taking the walk of shame for a crunching tackle on Alexis Mac Allister - which the PGMOL have now admitted was the incorrect call - Diogo Jota demonstrated his ruthless side to propel the champions-elect to a joyous win.

Slot and co may only end the campaign with the one trophy as opposed to the four that were possible just a couple of months ago, but as the Reds are still 12 points clear of Arsenal with just eight rounds remaining, their status as England's top dogs should not be up for debate.

September's shock home loss to Nottingham Forest remains the only time that the leaders have been bested in the top flight this term, as success over Everton prolonged their Premier League unbeaten run to a fabulous 26 matches, including each of their 15 on the road.

In fact, it has been almost exactly a year since Liverpool were last beaten in a Premier League away game - falling to none other than Everton on April 24, 2024 - and Slot's men have also found the back of the net at least twice in 13 of their 15 top-flight road matches this term.

Had Fulham managed to take a leaf out of Liverpool's attacking book at the Emirates, the Reds could have been just two matches away from clinching the title by now, but Marco Silva's former Gunners could not better the current Gunners in the midweek London derby.

A Fulham side comprising the likes of Bernd Leno, Willian, Emile Smith Rowe and Alex Iwobi put up a decent fight, but Mikel Merino's deflected strike and Bukayo Saka's emotional first goal of 2025 rendered Rodrigo Muniz's last-gasp effort inconsequential.

Silva's outfit could at least reflect on that performance more positively than their FA Cup quarter-final crushing at the hands of Crystal Palace, and the European dream could still become a reality for the ninth-placed hosts, who are only three points off the top seven.

Inconsistency on their own patch has harmed their bid for continental football, though, as Fulham have alternated between winning and losing in each of their last six games at Craven Cottage in all competitions, and they have not managed to secure back-to-back Premier League home victories all season long.

Furthermore, the Cottagers' last top-flight home win over Liverpool came all the way back in December 2011, but they dug deep to leave Anfield with a 2-2 draw in December, their only point from their last 11 Premier League games against the team starting the day at the summit.

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Liverpool Premier League form:

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Team News

Well-stocked in midfield and attack, Liverpool's selection concerns lie solely in defence, as neither Joe Gomez (hamstring) nor Bernabeu-bound Trent Alexander-Arnold (ankle) will be returning any time soon.

Fellow full-back Conor Bradley will also need a late fitness test as he closes in on his return from a thigh injury, as will Alisson Becker, who in Slot's words failed to "tick the last box" in his concussion protocol before the Merseyside derby.

Slot otherwise has a full complement of options to pick from, including Golden Boot chaser Mohamed Salah, who endured an off night in the Merseyside derby but is now capable of breaking yet another Premier League record.

The Egypt international has been directly involved in at least two goals in each of his last four Premier League away matches, and he could become the first player to do so in five straight road games at Craven Cottage.

Meanwhile, it should be as you were for hosts Fulham, who are still missing Kenny Tete (knee), ex-Liverpool man Harry Wilson (foot) and Reiss Nelson (thigh), the latter of whom has returned to parent club Arsenal for treatment.

Silva unsuccessfully set up with a three-man defence at the Emirates and should return to a tried-and-tested 4-2-3-1 here - even if the calibre of opposition is even more fearsome - and both Muniz and Ryan Sessegnon have made their case to start after combining for their side's goal in midweek.

Fulham possible starting lineup:

Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Lukic; Traore, Pereira, Iwobi; Muniz

Liverpool possible starting lineup:

Alisson; Quansah, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Jota

We say: Fulham 1-2 Liverpool

No Liverpool fan should head south brimming with unbridled confidence; hosts Fulham still have plenty to play for, will be working with a day's extra rest and are not short of options for change up front.

Written by

Ben Knapton

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