Liverpool will play hosts to Fulham at Anfield on Saturday afternoon, looking to continue their impressive run of form.
Liverpool are currently unbeaten in their last six Premier League games, and they are at the top of the table ahead of the visit of Fulham on Saturday. They will look to increase the gap on their title rivals with a victory at home.
The Reds are unbeaten in their last six matches against the Cottagers, and it remains to be seen whether they can grind out all three points. Meanwhile, Fulham are unbeaten in five of their six league games, and they are tenth in the league table. The West London outfit will be hoping to finish in the top half of the table this season, and they will look to get a good result here.
It will be interesting to see if they can pull off an upset. They have managed to grind out draws against Arsenal and Tottenham in recent weeks, and Liverpool will have to be careful here. The home team cannot afford to be complacent if they want to grab a victory here. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Liverpool
Liverpool will be without Conor Bradley due to a hamstring injury, while Ibrahima Konate is recovering from a knee injury. Meanwhile, Alexis Mac Allister is suspended and will miss out this weekend.
Liverpool are likely to shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Fulham, with Alisson Becker in goal. Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Andrew Robertson will start as the full-backs, and they will look to help out at both ends of the pitch. Joe Gomez will start alongside Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch will add composure and control to the side from the double pivot. Dominik Szoboszlai will reprise the no. 10 role, and he will look to create goalscoring opportunities for his teammates. Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz will add creativity and goals from the wide areas, with Cody Gakpo leading the line for Liverpool.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Gakpo
Fulham
Fulham will be without Harrison Reed due to a knee injury. Joachim Andersen has a calf strain, and Reiss Nelson is recovering from a thigh injury. Calvin Bassey and Tom Cairney are suspended. The away side are likely to shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Bernd Leno in goal.
Timothy Castagne and Antonee Robinson will be deployed as the full-backs. They will look to keep things tight at the back and hit Liverpool on the break. Issa Diop will start alongside Jorge Cuenca at the heart of the Fulham defence against Liverpool.
As for the midfield unit, Sasa Lukic and Andreas Pereira will start in the double pivot, and they will add defensive cover and control from the deep. Emile Smith Rowe will start in the no. 10 role, and he will look to create goalscoring chances for his teammates.
Adama Traore will start alongside Alex Iwobi on the flanks, and they will add pace and flair to the side. Finally, Raul Jimenez will lead the line for Fulham against Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Diop, Cuenca, Robinson; Lukic, Pereira; Traore, Smith Rowe, Iwobi; Jimenez
Key Stats
Liverpool have scored at least two goals in their last seven matches in the Premier League.
Liverpool have won six of their last seven home matches against Fulham in all competitions.
Liverpool are undefeated in their last ten matches in the Premier League.
21 goals have been scored in the last six meetings between these two sides.
Fulham have conceded a goal in five of their last six outings in all competitions.
Player to Watch
Mohamed Salah
Embed from Getty Images
The Egyptian International continues to be our key player to watch out for. He has been unplayable this season, and Salah will look to punish a vulnerable Fulham defence here. The 32-year-old has nine goals and five assists in his last ten appearances in all competitions. The veteran is likely to be the game-changer for Liverpool, and he could make a defining impact for them in the final third.
Prediction
Liverpool 2-1 Fulham
Both teams are in good form, and this is likely to be a close contest. Fulham are likely to give the home side a run for their money, and Liverpool will have to work hard to grind out a win. The return of Alisson Becker, Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa is likely to boost the home team, and they should be able to grind out a victory here. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for Arne Slot and his charges.