Burkina Faso
Chinese Taipei
Friendly Games
Nigeria

Preview: Liverpool vs. Fulham - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 1 May 2023, 08:52
Looking to extend their Premier League winning streak to five matches, Liverpool welcome Fulham to Anfield for a midweek encounter on Wednesday.

The Reds came up trumps 4-3 in a chaotic affair with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, a couple of hours after Marco Silva's side were defeated 2-1 by Manchester City.

Match preview

A second round of refunds in the space of two weeks could have been in the pipeline for Tottenham fans amid yet another disastrous start on the road, as Liverpool surged into a three-goal lead through Curtis Jones, Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah within the first 15 minutes of Sunday's Anfield contest.

However, few fans, neutrals or pundits alike could have envisaged the spectacular comeback from those in white, as Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Richarlison levelled the scores before Lucas Moura cancelled out all of his side's hard work - laying the ball on a plate for Diogo Jota to score a last-gasp winner for Liverpool.

More officiating controversy came to the fore too, as Jurgen Klopp's personal rivalry with Paul Tierney kicked up a notch when the German accused the referee of having something "against" his side, who have jumped up to fifth in the Premier League table thanks to their fourth win on the bounce.

The Reds still have a seven-point gap to make up to Manchester United having played a game more, so Klopp was unsurprisingly still pessimistic about his side's fleeting hopes of Champions League qualification, especially with his side now conceding at least once in each of their last five matches.

On the flip side, Liverpool have now found the back of the net at least twice in each of those contests - racking up 17 across their last 450 minutes of top-flight football - while their domestic unbeaten run at Anfield now stands at nine matches ahead of the visit of a dejected Fulham crop.

A goal from a former Tottenham Hotspur player was celebrated across the red half of North London on Sunday afternoon, as Carlos Vinicius fired home a half-volley to draw Fulham level against Man City, who had broken the deadlock through Erling Braut Haaland's 50th goal of the season from the spot.

The Cottagers' efforts were ultimately in vain, though, as Julian Alvarez - stepping in for the stricken Kevin De Bruyne - scored a wonderful second for City before the half-time whistle blew, and the champions escaped two penalty shouts en route to a nervy win.

The Fulham faithful had every reason to feel proud of their side's efforts on the day, but back-to-back defeats have dented the Cottagers' European dreams as they occupy 10th place in the table, five points better off than Crystal Palace and five below Brentford, both of whom have played a game more.

Aside from a pair of wins over Everton and Leeds United, Silva's men have now fallen to defeat in seven of their last nine contests across all tournaments and have failed to keep a single clean sheet since February - not a reassuring statistic before a taxing journey to Anfield.

However, Fulham have impressively managed to avoid defeat in each of their last three meetings with Liverpool across all tournaments - drawing 2-2 at Craven Cottage in August following a 1-0 Anfield success last term - but it has been 56 years since the Cottagers last went four games unbeaten versus their Merseyside counterparts.

Liverpool Premier League form:

D

D

W

W

W

W

Fulham Premier League form:

L

L

W

W

L

L

Team News

The latest occupant of the Liverpool treatment room is, rather incredibly, Jurgen Klopp, who visibly tweaked a muscle when running to celebrate in the face of fourth official John Brooks at the weekend - a dose of karmic retribution, perhaps.

While the 55-year-old waits to learn the extent of his diagnosis, Liverpool continue to cope without Calvin Ramsay (knee) and Stefan Bajcetic (adductor), while Roberto Firmino and Naby Keita's muscular problems will both need assessing.

Thiago Alcantara was a notable absentee from the matchday squad on Sunday and was seen limping towards the benches, so the Spaniard's availability is also up in the air, and Klopp is facing an age-old dilemma with his attackers.

Diaz may not be considered for two starts in such quick succession, which could open the door for an immediate recall for Jota, who recovered from a back problem in time for the weekend and controversially escaped a sending off for a high boot on Oliver Skipp.

Fulham also ended the weekend with two fresh fitness concerns, and serious ones at that, as captain Tim Ream and midfielder Andreas Pereira were both taken off with worrying injuries against Man City.

Silva has confirmed that Ream has broken his arm and will sit out the remainder of the season, while Pereira was also admitted to hospital after leaving the field on a stretcher with an apparent ankle problem, but the Fulham boss is still holding out hope that the Brazilian has avoided anything serious.

The suspended Aleksandar Mitrovic and Layvin Kurzawa (knee) will keep Ream and Pereira company in the stands, while Willian is still a doubt with a thigh injury, so all of Tom Cairney, Sasa Lukic, Manor Solomon and Daniel James could battle to take Pereira's place. Tosin Adarabioyo will be a straight swap for Ream at the back.

Liverpool possible starting lineup:

Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Henderson, Fabinho, Jones; Salah, Gakpo, Jota

Fulham possible starting lineup:

Leno; Tete, Diop, Adarabioyo, Robinson; Reed, Palhinha, Cairney; Wilson, Vinicius, Solomon

We say: Liverpool 3-1 Fulham

Despite the absence of creator-in-chief Pereira, Fulham can still trouble a leaky and fatigued Liverpool backline, but their own deficiencies at the other end of the field should contribute to their downfall here.

Previews by email

Top News

13 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk DC United will be looking to continue their solid run of form in the MLS when they welcome the New York Red Bulls to Audi Field for a gamweek 13 clash in midweek. 13 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly cooled their interest in England manager Gareth Southgate. 13 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly earmarked four key positions that need to be strengthened ahead of the 2024-25 season. 13 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk In-form FC Cincinnati will be looking to extend their winning streak when they host Atlanta United at TQL Stadium on Thursday for matchday 13 of the 2023-24 Major League Soccer season. 13 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Celta Vigo will continue their survival fight when they face Athletic Bilbao in Wednesday's La Liga clash at Balaidos. 13 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Now back in control of the race for second place, Barcelona head to already-relegated Almeria for Thursday's La Liga encounter. 13 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea Women will have the chance to move to the top of the Women's Super League table when they face Tottenham Hotspur Ladies at Brisbane Road. 13 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Jhon Duran scored an astonishing late brace as Aston Villa fought back from 3-1 down to salvage a point against Liverpool in an engrossing 3-3 Premier League draw at Villa Park. 13 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will be looking to make it nine straight wins in La Liga when they welcome Alaves to Bernabeu on Tuesday night. 13 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Requiring all three points to remain in control of the Premier League title race until the final day, Manchester City trek to Tottenham Hotspur for Tuesday's crunch clash. 13 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Victory would ensure a top-four finish in La Liga and Champions League qualification for Atletico Madrid, as they visit nearby Getafe on Wednesday evening. 13 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Rayo Vallecano could secure safety when they welcome relegated Granada to Estadio de Vallecas for Wednesday's La Liga clash with Granada. 13 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aston Villa are reportedly planning a sensational bid to bring back Jack Grealish from Manchester City in the upcoming summer transfer window. 13 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aston Villa and Liverpool have each made one change apiece for Monday's Premier League fixture in the West Midlands. 13 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal are leading the race to secure the signing of Bologna forward Joshua Zirkzee in the upcoming summer transfer window, according to a report. 13 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Reims having nothing to play for this season could play to Marseille's advantage in Wednesday's rescheduled gameweek 32 Ligue 1 match at Stade Auguste Delaune. 13 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Contesting the Coppa Italia final for the second time in four years, Atalanta BC and Juventus meet at Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday. 13 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Mikel Arteta has provided an injury update regarding Bukayo Saka following the Arsenal winger's injury scare during the match against Manchester United last weekend. 13 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk On the brink of securing their third straight league title, leaders Celtic will make the trip to Rugby Park on Wednesday night to face Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership. 13 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Cadiz will continue their La Liga survival bid when they travel to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan for Wednesday's clash with Sevilla. 13 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nice host Paris Saint-Germain in a rescheduled gameweek 32 Ligue 1 fixture at Allianz Riviera on Wednesday, keen to boost Champions League qualification prospects. 13 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brighton & Hove Albion have announced that Adam Lallana will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season. 13 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are reportedly eager to make amendments to the contract of Robert Lewandowski, providing that he stays at Camp Nou. 13 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Coaching friends will become foes on Wednesday when CF Montreal host the Columbus Crew at Saputo Stadium in the first of a series of MLS midweek affairs. 13 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Xavi has reportedly instructed the Barcelona hierarchy to press ahead with the signing of an experienced midfielder this summer. 13 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are reportedly interested in bringing Manchester City's Joao Cancelo back to the club next season on a loan deal. 13 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk A state rivalry in Florida will be renewed on Wednesday when Orlando City welcome Inter Miami to Inter and Co Stadium in MLS action. 13 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City and Chelsea have reportedly joined Liverpool in the race for Brest defender Bradley Locko this summer. 13 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly learnt Crystal Palace's asking price for Eberechi Eze ahead of the summer transfer window. 13 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea are reportedly open to allowing one of their players to remain out on loan for the 2024-25 campaign.
Tomorrow at 17:30
PD
Sevilla Sevilla
-
sch
Cadiz Cadiz
Fri 17 May, 18:45
L2
Bordeaux Bordeaux
-
sch
Pau Pau