Liverpool v Fulham.. Sunday 03 December 14:00 BST
The Reds return to Premier League action as we welcome Londoners Fulham to Anfield after the excellent result against LASK midweek in the Europa League. In what was a quality team performance.
It's hard to judge where we are at from the City result as a 12.30 kick off after the players had journeyed from all four corners of the globe didn't really do either side any justice. Surely a game of this magnitude should be better planned out as its one of the biggest on the fixture list..
Still a draw we would have taken before the match I'm sure. After it.. Well.. Not so much.. They were there for the taking. This is not a top quality City side and it was a good chance to gain an advantage over a team who will once again be rivals for the title. Time will tell..
On a plus note we came flying out the traps Thursday night against LASK in what felt like the most Klopp like performance we have seen for some time. We were on the front foot. Pressing without the ball and pushing high up the pitch with it. Looking to attack from wide and get in behind.
Quick Stat Check.. Liverpool have won 3 & Drawn 3 of their last 6.. Fulham have Won 2, Drawn 1 & Lost 3 in that time..
Liverpool Team News
Five players remain sidelined for this one. Long term injuries to Thiago, Bajcetic & Andy Robbo. Who are all still looking unlikely to return until the new year. Jota may be back a little sooner after he pulled up against City. Ali could be back in a couple of weeks after hurting himself in the same game.
Liverpool Line Up
Kelleher, Trent, Matip, Virg, Tsimikas, Endo, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Diaz, Nunez, Mo
Fulham Team News
The Cottagers come to L4 minus Issa Diop, Carvalho & Adama Traore.
Fulham Line Up
Leno, Robinson, Ream, Bassey, Castagne, Palhinha, Iwobi, Willian, Pereira, Wilson, Jimenez
When you look at the starting line up for the Londoners they look pretty strong. Many have played together for some time now and the additions of Castagne, Iwobi, Jimenez and the injured Traore mean they can cause teams problems. Probably more so at home as they proved last time out against Wolves.
They have a fairly solid back line. Palhinha is quality in midfield and their front 3 or 4 can all score goals. Willian will get at you while we all know the power in Harry Wilson's left foot. So stop Willian's attacks and don't let Harry get a shot away.
The Game
Like we said at the start of this preview. Let's get back to the Klopp style of play and come out the traps fast. Not that we need to be crazy with it and leave spaces in behind. Just get that ball moving quicker. Keep the tempo high with quick one touch passing. Switching play and getting at them.
Once again this midfield is not like the midfield of last season it is solid and full of energy, skill and flare. So if there is anything to learn from the City game it is how they play. Quick passes into their midfielders who dominate possession as do their wingers.
We pass it around the back line too much. Slow 3, 4, or 5 touches. There is no need. Get it to the players who can cause damage and let them do their thing. Which is what Klopps teams do and we did so well against LASK.
Sure possession at the back is cool and sucks teams out but not so much at home. Fulham will sit in and counter. So a quick start and an early goal or two changes everything in a game like this.
PREDICTION.. 3-0 To Them Mighty Reds..
We have played some good teams at Anfield already this season. Arguably better than Fulham. Not that we take anyone for granted of course.. Yet you feel we will be too strong here. A run out in midweek for a few or the lads adds to performance levels. While others rested after their travels.
Fulham have kept things tight at Anfield of late but this is a new Liverpool side in the making and we should click nicely here. Ali will of course be a huge miss but we will set up strong and Kelleher played well keeping a clean sheet against LASK.
Diaz, Nunez & Mo will be flying in this one and you would expect that early goal that should set us up nicely. Set pieces will be important for both teams. Fulham play for them so we need to be cute in defence. While Matip & Virg could cause problems themselves. Its that sort of game..
If we get the lead and improve on it. It will be a long afternoon for the Londoners..
OurLFC DangerMan..
Trent.. Now the great Trent debate rumbles on. He is the best attacking player in this team and quite possibly in world football.. Is he being used right.. No.. We have been saying for years he has to play in midfield and every man and his dog is saying it now.
Sure this inverted thing has taken him in there but he still has to cover right back.. and more importantly has restricted his attacking play as he spends all his time holding mid and not attacking the right hand side where he was so lethal..
He makes the odd break forward but nowhere near enough. Compared to De Bruyne which is glaringly obvious he can be far better than him. Just play him in midfield and let him attack wherever he likes. Focus on that right hand side where he is naturally suited but cut to the left. Come through the middle.. You get it..
Unleash the beast.. Expect an assist or two in this game even in that inverted role. Expect an assist or seven if he makes the change.. Goals like that one against City.. Assists like the one against LASK.. All operating in an advanced position with freedom..
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