Who: Fulham

When: Saturday 6th August, 12:30 BST

Where: Craven Cottage, London

The Season Ahead:

Before we get to the business of this first game of the new season let's take a look at what are some expectations, and hard targets for Klopp and OurREDMEN in this coming season.

Coming on the heels of an all consuming and illustrious campaign last term. Which saw the Reds win both domestic cups (to include a third piece of domestic silverware in the Community Shield), these Reds were in the hunt right down to the wire in the Premier League title race. 

Indeed.. With 15 minutes remaining in the season, the Reds were ahead in the live table. Before rivals City pulled back two to defeat a plucky Villa side nipping LFC to the title by a single point yet again. Stevie G did his very best to hold off City to give Liverpool the crown.

Likewise the Reds finished a disappointing runner-up in the Champions League final. Losing 1-0 to Real Madrid in a nightmare final in Paris (the debacle with UEFA organization and the French authorities and gendarme was utterly pathetic! Dangerously so…) And left a taint over proceedings on the pitch.

​Now.. Here we are at the start of the new season and it has been the chatter and scuttlebutt in the media and on social platforms of what a successful campaign might look like for these new look Reds after the departure of Sadio Mane over summer. 

Following on from the stellar campaign last season what would Klopp and company be satisfied with this term? Hard to top the drive to glory to win all four competitions in English football to include CL.

Obviously, they will want to win the EPL and or Champions League, this is a given, but if they finish second behind City again and only get to quarters or semi's of CL is that a successful campaign?

Realistically what are expectations for this side? This is a unique year with a WC being slated to take place in November and December. Forcing a compressed schedule over the autumn. All domestic cup ties and Champions League group stages as well as league matches have been squeezed and compressed into a timeframe to conclude the first part of November before the unprecedented international break. 

Sixteen league ties are slated before the November international break. Keeping fit and finding and maintaining form over this period is a must for Klopp if they have any serious designs on a Premier League or CL title.

Which brings us to the matter at hand; an away game with Fulham at Craven Cottage.

The Game:

Not for the first time in recent years of Jurgen's tenure, the Reds begin a campaign against a newly promoted side.

Typically promoted sides can be tricky affairs, as the newly promoted tend to want to get off and running with a solid beginning. With something to prove, displaying the sort of football that got them promoted. And that they belong in the top flight of English football.

Fulham, in this regard will be no different here. Klopp and company will need to keep this in mind during preparations this coming week. The Cottagers will be looking to nick points off the big dogs to send a message to the league that they are for real.

Liverpool Team News:

Liverpool are coming off a much deserved Community Shield victory over rivals, Man City, at King Power stadium on Saturday last. Setting down a marker for the new campaign.. 

The Reds.. Underdogs in the media and with pundits played 3rd choice keeper Adrian and still managed to beat Pep's side in dominant fashion. All the hype pregame had City's new signing Erling Haaland all but scoring and winning the tie before kick-off. But after the dust settled in Leicester, the loyal traveling fans of the Reds saw new signing Darwin Nunez come out on top in the dual of #9s. Aye..

Darwin did not start, coming on in the 59th minute, taking the game by the horns, and sending City defenses scrambling. Earning a penalty and putting pressure on Ederson on multiple occasions, before he settled the score late on in extra time with his first competitive goal for Kkopp and Liverpool. Expect good things from the young Uruguayan striker. Luis Diaz also shined as did the regular crew for Klopp.

Alisson is expected to return between the posts for the Fulham tie. Jota remains a question due to injury, and Ox is out long term with a hamstring injury (word is 3 months out so it is another serious blow for him). Kostas Tsimikas is also a question mark but his recovery is coming along nicely and he should be available soon according to club official press release at the time of this writing.

The only other question mark is whether Ibou Konate is fit after takin a knock to the knee in the Strasbourg friendly.. The rest of the squad though seem fit and ready to fire on all cylinders come Saturday at Craven Cottage, after a competent a decisive run out against City.

Fulham:

One player who knows Fulham really well is Fabio Carvalho after his recent transfer from the Londoners.. He will no doubt be informing the boys on what to expect from his old side..

The Cottagers will most likely sit deep and count on the counter. With speed on the outside and a strong forward line with Mitrovic and Solomon. Periera in midfield. 

Ex-Red Harry Wilson particularly will want to come good against his old boyhood club here in front of home fans. Manager Marco Silva will want his squad to play fearless against Klopp's Liverpool but this will be a tall ask for his newly promoted side.

Teamsheet & Prediction:

Expect Alli in goal with Robbo and Trent in fullback.. VVD and Matip at CB. Midfield should start with Fabinho and Hendeson with Thiago roaming much as he did against City where he was all over the pitch defending and orchestrating the forward attack. 

The front line probably will see the same set-up as was Klopp's choice for the Community Shield, of Diaz Bobby Dazzler and Mo. Expect Darwin and Carvalo to come on in the second frame and perhaps Elliott and Keita if the Reds are in a strong winning position come 60-70 min.

Prediction:

I see the Reds winning this one going away and keeping a clean sheet.. Scoring 3 or 4. Get psyched for the new campaign Reds, and stand tall with the lads as they begin the long march to another champions season. 

Striking fear in the heart of opponents who find themselves facing this squad early on in the term. Aye, we go again; Up these mighty Reds…Never say die.. Our mentality monsters are on the rise!! Ya gotta believe!! Here we go!!!! YNWA 

My prediction here is a 0-3 Liverpool win.

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