Liverpool predicted line-ups and teams for the Premier League match against Fulham
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Liverpool forwards Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota.
Liverpool forwards Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota.(Image: Liverpool FC/YouTube)
Liverpool are back in action against Fulham today (3pm) as Arne Slot's side look to press their advantage at the top of the Premier League table. The Reds are four points clear of Chelsea but face a side who took a point from fellow challengers Arsenal last weekend.
And Slot will have some selection dilemmas for the upcoming match, as well as the boost of having Diogo Jota available for selection once again and perhaps even Federico Chiesa on the bench.
There's also been plenty of debate around Darwin Nunez as the Uruguayan continues to struggle for goals, with Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo both pressing for starts. Here's how our writers would see Liverpool line-up at Anfield against Fulham:
One more time for almost everyone
Ian Doyle: Fulham and not a very easy task for Liverpool given recent home games against the Cottagers. What, then, is the Reds boss Arne Slot to do?
There isn't really much scope for change so it's one more time for almost everyone, starting with Alisson Becker in goal. Trent Alexander-Arnold is right-back, with Joe Gomez continuing alongside Virgil van Dijk at centre-back. Andy Robertson is the left-back.
In midfield, Curtis Jones remains alongside Ryan Gravenberch at the base with Dominik Szoboszlai ahead of them as the number 10.
And up top, Cody Gakpo can come in on the left for Luis Diaz. Darwin Nunez continues down the centre with Mohamed Salah on the right. A lot of these players can have a bit of a rest at Southampton in the League Cup quarter-final on Wednesday.
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Nunez.
Nunez is running out of lives
Theo Squires: Arne Slot might have defended Darwin Nunez after his poor showings against Newcastle United and Girona, but the Uruguayan is running out of lives. With Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa poised to return, his starting berth is about to come under great threat.
A start against Fulham will almost certainly come too soon for either the Portuguese or the Italian, but I would still take Nunez out of the firing line for this one. Jota can be utilised as a substitute alongside him, with Luis Diaz leading the attack instead.
The rest of the team pretty much picks itself given Liverpool's defensive injuries, Alexis Mac Allister's suspension and a League Cup trip to Southampton on the horizon. St. Mary's can be the venue for the likes of Harvey Elliott, Jarell Quansah and Wataru Endo to start.
Consequently, it's an unchanged back five as Alisson Becker makes his first Premier League appearance since September, while Curtis Jones continues in a deeper midfield role with Dominik Szoboszlai at number 10.
Back Nunez and get a reaction
Joe Rimmer: There's an end in sight to Liverpool's injury issues and with that will come some selection dilemmas for Arne Slot. But that isn't today.
The postponement of the Merseyside derby gave Slot the chance to play a strong side in Girona and while the performance wasn't exactly what he expected, the team shouldn't change much from the one that started that game.
That means the same back five and midfield - chances for Harvey Elliott and Jarell Quansah will come at Southampton - with the main topic of debate being the attack.
And after so much was said about Darwin Nunez this week, as well as a very public backing from his manager, I'd be inclined to keep him in the side to see if Liverpool get a response. I wouldn't put it past him.
Alongside him will be Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz.
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones; Szoboszlai, Salah, Diaz; Nunez.