Liverpool face one other awkward Premier League conflict at Fulham on Sunday, however solely a win will do for the Reds within the title race.
Fulham vs. Liverpool
Premier League (33) | Craven CottageApril 21, 2024 | 4.30pm (BST)
Jurgen Klopp‘s facet have had an actual wobble of late, not least at dwelling to Crystal Palace final weekend, however extra slip-ups can’t be afforded now.
On Sunday, Liverpool head to a Fulham facet with little to play for this season, however that’s to not say it received’t be a tricky task.
Right here’s all you could know forward of the sport.
1. The primary of six possible must-wins
With Liverpool’s Europa League dream over, it’s now sole give attention to the league and these six mammoth remaining fixtures this season.
The chances are high that the Reds must win each recreation to have any likelihood of glory, given Man Metropolis‘s relentlessness and sort run-in.
That begins at Fulham on Sunday, however big enhancements are required if Liverpool are to get near ending with a one hundred pc document.
With out being too destructive, present proof means that factors will likely be dropped in additional video games than not.
Klopp’s reign can’t exit in a whimper, although, so right here’s hoping the German and his gamers have a legendary final hurrah in them.
2. Fulham Premier League also-rans this season
There are battles occurring on the prime and backside of the Premier League, in addition to the highest 4 race, however Fulham aren’t concerned in any of them.
Marco Silva’s facet have been one of many extra forgettable groups within the division this season, however that’s a praise if something.
Fulham sit twelfth within the desk heading into the weekend motion, with Silva turning them into a longtime top-flight outfit.
The Cottagers have already received at dwelling to Arsenal this season, which ought to act as an actual warning signal to Liverpool.
Type – Final 5 in all competitions
Fulham (most up-to-date L-R): W, L, L, D, WLiverpool: W, L, L, D, W
3. Who’s injured for Liverpool?
There are once more no new health considerations for Liverpool, which is among the foremost positives on present at present.
Conor Bradley remains to be lacking after struggling an ankle harm at dwelling to Palace final Sunday, and his return to coaching is pencilled in for the beginning of Could.
Nothing has modified concerning Joel Matip, Thiago and Ben Doak, all of whom probably received’t play once more this season, whereas Stefan Bajcetic is working his approach again to health after a run out with the under-21s.
In any other case, Klopp has a totally match squad to select from.
4. Time to rotate the XI?
Klopp made three adjustments within the 1-0 win away to Atalanta on Thursday and you wouldn’t be shocked to see extra rotation at Fulham.
Ibrahima Konate struggles to play matches in quickfire time and this could be a fourth in a row, so Jarell Quansah is prone to be most well-liked on the again.
Wataru Endo ought to come back again in on the base of the midfield, permitting Alexis Mac Allister to push additional up the pitch.
Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones are each struggling for prime kind, so it’s straightforward to see both making approach for Harvey Elliott.
Darwin Nunez might return to the assault, however in equity to Cody Gakpo, he has been one among Liverpool’s higher gamers of late and Diogo Jota should be within the working.
Predicted Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson; Endo, Elliot, Mac Allister; Salah, Diaz, Jota
5. How will Fulham line up?
Fulham picked up a powerful 2-0 win away to West Ham final weekend and have had all week to organize for Liverpool.
There isn’t a purpose for Silva to make adjustments to his crew, particularly given the outcome final time round, so the Cottagers could possibly be unchanged.
Tosin Adarabioyo will once more be a key man at centre-back, having loved a robust season, whereas Liverpool-linked midfielder Joao Palhinha is a colossal tackling machine.
No participant within the Premier League has made extra tackles (130) this season.
In the meantime, Alex Iwobi and Willian could possibly be on both flank, with the spectacular Rodrigo Muniz main the road, scoring eight targets in 14 Premier League begins in 2023/24.
Attainable Fulham XI: Leno; Castagne, Adarabioyo, Bassey, Robinson; Lukic, Palhinha; Iwobi, Pereira, Willian; Muniz
6. “We now have to start out turning it round”
When previewing the conflict and run forward, Klopp is aware of near perfection is required to remain within the title race:
“The factor is evident: if you wish to be champion within the Premier League, you need to be near perfection.
“And if we aren’t good, you need to take care of the setbacks in the absolute best approach or within the good approach – and that’s what we are actually doing.
“So we had a setback week, if you need, with three video games we didn’t like an excessive amount of, the outcomes particularly, and now we have now to start out turning it round.”
7. Previous Craven Cottage thrillers
There’s one thing about Liverpool and late drama at Fulham, with two Premier League classics standing out.
Yossi Benayoun’s last-gasp strike again in 2008/09 felt prefer it had put the Reds answerable for the title race, in what was a second for the ages.
Admittedly, Liverpool didn’t win the league that season, but it surely was nonetheless a objective that will likely be ceaselessly cherished.
Equally, Steven Gerrard‘s stoppage-time penalty at Fulham in February 2014 felt like an enormous objective, however Man Metropolis ultimately prevailed within the title battle.
The Reds haven’t misplaced at Craven Cottage since December 2011, when Clint Dempsey scored the one objective, however they have been held to a irritating 2-2 draw there on the opening day of final season.
A pleasant serene win this time round can be a lot appreciated!
8. Do you know?
Liverpool’s profligacy in entrance of objective has been well-documented of late and as soon as grim statistic sums up their struggles.
The Reds have now failed to attain a objective from open play of their final 337 minutes of motion, going again to Luis Diaz‘s opener at Man United within the league.
Since then, solely two Mohamed Salah penalties have been scored, which is a damning indictment of how wasteful Liverpool have been.
It’s not like they haven’t created a ton of possibilities in that point!
9. Pawson takes cost at Craven Cottage
Craig Pawson has been confirmed because the referee for Sunday’s recreation, in what’s his third Liverpool match of 2023/24 so far.
The primary was the 2-0 win at dwelling to Everton within the Premier League, which noticed him ship off Ashley Younger, and the second was the 3-0 victory over Southampton within the FA Cup fifth spherical.
Pawson was additionally the fourth official within the dramatic 2-1 win away to Newcastle earlier within the marketing campaign, when Virgil van Dijk was proven an prolonged ban for his therapy of the officers.
In the meantime, Tony Harrington is on VAR, Richard West is his assistant at Stockley Park, and Sam Allison is on fourth official obligation.
Marc Perry and Wade Smith are Pawson’s assistant referees.
10. Observe the sport with TIA
Fulham vs. Liverpool is dwell on Sky Sports activities Most important Occasion from 4pm (BST), with kickoff at 4.30pm.
Harry McMullen is readily available to give you minute-by-minute updates on TIA’s matchday dwell weblog, holding you firm from 3.45pm.
Come on you Reds!
