Liverpool face Fulham at Anfield on Saturday afternoon and the big-name pundits have got their predictions in
Pundit and former player Alan Shearer
Pundit and former player Alan Shearer(Image: Nick Potts/PA Wire)
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Andoni Irola's Liverpool team has been backed to do the business against Fulham at Anfield on Saturday as the Spaniard goes in search of his third straight success.
But the pundits predicting a home victory have also called out the importance of the Reds' chief goal source with defensive frailty offered as a caveat to victory.
After two draws, Iraola chalked up his first three points as Liverpool head coach last Friday, beating Ipswich Town 2-0 at Portman Road, where Alexander Isak notched a quick-fire brace. And that was followed up on Wednesday with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League at Anfield.
In stark contrast, Alverao Arbeloa, who represented the Reds from 2007 until 2009, has lost all three of his Premier League matches so far, with a Carabao Cup success over AFC Wimbledon offering the new Fulham boss some much-needed respite.
Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer has shared his prediction for the 3pm kick-off and he is in little doubt over who will come out on top.
Forecasting a Liverpool victory in his weekly Betfair column, he wrote: "I think Liverpool should win this and they will do. They got a good result in Europe on Wednesday, but they do have defensive issues again, but being at Anfield I think they'll have enough to beat them.
"It's really important Isak stays fit for Liverpool. It's really important he keeps up that form he has started in. It's exactly what he needed personally to have a good start after what happened last season for him and for Liverpool.
"I said before a ball was kicked, I was slightly concerned with Crystal Palace, with Fulham, one or two others. So, I'm not really surprised to see Fulham start the season like they have. Arbeloa needs to win and quickly. If he doesn't, then you know what's going to happen.
"And with an international break coming up, I think there's two games left before the international break in the league. So, Fulham need to get something in those two games."
Regular BBC pundit Chris Sutton is also predicting a Liverpool win, although Shearer's former Blackburn Rovers strike partner seems far from convinced that they have turned a corner yet under their new manager, while recognising that all the pressure is on Iraola's opposite number.
Forecasting a scoreline of 2-1 to the Reds, Sutton wrote: "For Fulham, the big talking point is their manager, and whether they will sink any lower under Alvaro Arbeloa. He will be under pressure until he gets his first Premier League win.
"If you don't get off to a good start, you are going to be scrutinised. It is the same for every manager and, while Fulham have got some good attacking players, they are shipping goals at the other end.
"To lead twice against Palace, who had also started the season poorly, and still lose makes this game even bigger for Arbeloa.
"Arbeloa needs a result to kickstart his season, or at least something to grab hold of, and I don't think it's impossible for them to get something at Anfield.
"I certainly don't think Liverpool have cracked it after watching them win at Ipswich, and they will give up some chances with their high defensive line too. Fulham will score, but the problem for Arbeloa is that Liverpool will score more."