Liverpool return to Premier League action on Saturday afternoon as they aim to extend their lead at the top of the table against Fulham.
The Reds had a rare weekend off following the postponement of the Merseyside derby but have seen their seven-point lead slashed to four as a result. With Chelsea and Arsenal in hot pursuit of Arne Slot’s side, victory at home to Fulham is of paramount importance as the games continue to come and thick and fast in the festive period.
Liverpool enjoyed some fierce duels with the Cottagers during four meetings last season and they will be wary of the threat the west London side pose. Alexis Mac Allister, who scored a stunner in this fixture last term, is suspended this Saturday, while the likes of of Conor Bradley, Kostas Tsimikas and Ibrahima Konate are all absent as Slot looks to manage his squad effectively.
Here is how Liverpool could line up at the weekend.
GK: Alisson – Alisson showed his worth on his return from the treatment room midweek. The Brazilian, who has been covered by the impressive Caoimhin Kelleher over the past two months, started against Girona in the Champions League and dazzled with a typically excellent display.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – Slot learned the dangers of resting Alexander-Arnold against Newcastle United around ten days ago. Liverpool struggled without one of their chief creators and the No.66 supplied two assists in a 23-minute cameo from the bench.
CB: Joe Gomez – Gomez doesn’t always cut a commanding figure at the back, even with Virgil van Dijk acting as chaperone. He struggled against Arnaut Danjuma midweek and will be tested by the in-form Raul Jimenez on Saturday.
CB: Virgil van Dijk – You know what you will get from Liverpool’s skipper, who is a beacon of consistency. The towering Dutchman has been integral in the Premier League‘s sternest defence this season.
LB: Andy Robertson – Having endured a shaky and unpredictable start to the campaign, Robertson was much improved against Girona. He may well endure a tougher time against the baby-oiled Adama Traore at the weekend.
CM: Dominik Szoboszlai – The suspension of Mac Allister for five Premier League yellow cards means Slot may utilise the same midfield that faced Girona. Unlike his teammate Van Dijk, it’s often difficult to predict which Szoboszlai you will witness on any given matchday.
CM: Ryan Gravenberch – Gravenberch offered up another commanding defensive midfield performance in Spain without his usual partner Mac Allister – who was suspended again on Tuesday night. He’s been ever so consistent this season.
CM: Curtis Jones – Jones has shown his ability to be the difference maker for Liverpool in recent weeks and Slot will want some magic from the local lad this weekend after a flat performance against Girona.
RW: Mohamed Salah – Incredibly, Salah has scored in each of his last seven Premier League matches. He’s closing in on Jamie Vardy’s record of 11 games in a row and you would be foolish to bet against the Egyptian netting at the weekend.
ST: Luis Diaz – Darwin Nunez continues to frustrate those on Merseyside and his midweek performance wasn’t enough to earn a start against a weakened Fulham backline. Diogo Jota could be in Saturday’s matchday squad after a long injury layoff but it will likely be Diaz who leads the line.
LW: Cody Gakpo – Having scored in successive games against Real Madrid and Manchester City, Gakpo returned blanks against Newcastle and Girona. He scored and assisted against the Cottagers last term.
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