After being held by Leeds United, Liverpool will be looking to return to winning ways in the Premier League when they take on Fulham tomorrow
Virgil van Dijk and Arne Slot following Liverpool's 0-0 draw with Leeds United
Virgil van Dijk and Arne Slot following Liverpool's 0-0 draw with Leeds United
View 2 Images
Liverpool return to Premier League action tomorrow when they take on Fulham at Craven Cottage. The Reds saw their four-game winning run across all competitions halted after Leeds United battled to a 0-0 draw at Anfield on New Year’s Day.
Arne Slot’s side, though, remain unbeaten since the end of November and have climbed back into the Premier League’s top four. But despite Liverpool’s upturn in form in recent weeks, both Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton believe the game in the capital will end in a draw.
Writing in the Metro, Shearer said: "Liverpool are on a good run and Fulham are on a decent run as well, getting a great point at Crystal Palace. But Liverpool were not convincing against Leeds at all and didn’t look a goal threat. I’m going to go for a draw."
While Sutton, who believes the game will finish 1-1, told BBC Sport: “Fulham did really well over Christmas, especially when you consider they have lost key players to the African Cup of Nations.
“Liverpool must be massively disappointed with their display and result against Leeds, after the upturn in their performances in the past couple of weeks.
“Like a lot of teams, Arne Slot’s side are maybe short of energy at such a busy time of year, and are lacking the spark they need.
“They lost here last season, and Fulham will fancy a repeat result. I’m not sure about that, but I do think Marco Silva’s side will get something from the game.”
Speaking ahead of the game, Fulham boss Silva warned his side: “They (Liverpool) had a bad run that made a massive impact on their season so far.
Marco Silva and Arne Slot during a Premier League game between Liverpool and Fulham
Marco Silva and Arne Slot during a Premier League game between Liverpool and Fulham
View 2 Images
“Because if you go back for the beginning of the season, after the way they were champions last season, they started with five wins in a row.
“And everybody was talking – okay, they are the same, with some changes, but they are the same, they kept the same winning mentality, they kept the same quality, and they kept winning football matches.
“And [then] comes a bad run, and a bad run that is not normal for them, and it made a massive impact in the points, position on the table and all that stuff. We all agree that is not a normal run for them, not usual for them.
“And, of course, with a different run in that period, we are going to see probably them fighting and to be the contenders that we expect they can be for the title.
“After, they reacted. Yesterday, not the best result or the result they wanted. Credit to Leeds as well because in both games they did very well against them. And they want to react again, they want to be on the right track again.”