Possible lineups for Liverpool v Fulham Preview
Liverpool is back in Premier League action on Wednesday, and Jurgen Klopp’s side hopes to maintain their recent run of form against a Fulham side that has lost their last two matches.
The Reds have a slight lead over Manchester United in the top four, but they need to keep winning and close the gap to qualify for next season’s Champions League. Here’s how we expect Klopp to set up for this clash.
Alisson
Amid a sensational run of form, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side are back in the top four after five straight wins. The Reds’ goal difference stands at 15-7 in their last ten matches, but they are still seven points behind Manchester United and face a daunting trip to Craven Cottage to a Fulham side that has lost three of their past five games.
The Craven Cottagers, who have not kept a clean sheet in the Premier League since February, sit in 10th position and will be looking to secure their first win against Jurgen Klopp’s men. A victory would put them closer to Crystal Palace and a top-ten finish.
Alisson is one of the best goalkeepers in the world and has been a key part of Klopp’s success. He is renowned for his outstanding concentration and ability to stay alert to save big shots.
A native of Novo Hamburgo, Brazil, Alisson spent the first half of his career at Internacional before joining Roma in 2016. He made several impressive saves in Serie A and was a key figure in Roma’s Champions League campaign, helping them reach the semi-final.
Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold is a Liverpool star who plays as a right-back for the Reds. He is a young man who has made his name on the world stage quickly. He is also considered one of the best full-backs in the world because of his exceptional skills on the ball.
He is a young guy who came to Liverpool in 2016 when he was 18. He started his career with the club as a winger but later switched to the right-defender position. It was a move that worked well for him, as he became one of the most talented players on the team and won the trust of the team’s legends like Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.
As a result, he has become one of the most popular players in Liverpool FC. His behavior outside the field and performances have made him a favorite among the fans.
He is a fan-favorite player at Liverpool because of his great attitude and ability to play with the ball. He is a very good right-back who helps the team win many free kicks. He is also very peaceful and fair, so he never gets into conflicts. Moreover, he is a very hard worker who loves his family.
Robertson
In recent games, Robertson has been a key part of the Liverpool attack and will be recalled to the starting lineup for Wednesday’s meeting with Fulham. The Scotland international is a great ball-playing midfielder and has been integral to the Reds’ recent winning streak.
Klopp has started to revert to the possession-based style of play he introduced in mid-March and will likely start with a similar setup. He will also likely include a new-look front line featuring Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, and Mohamed Salah.
He also might consider bringing in another up-and-coming player, such as Curtis Jones, who has been playing well at the club recently. He could also call on Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, and Thiago Alcantara to round out the midfield.
Marco Silva hopes his side can find a way to overcome the absence of several key players, including suspended striker Aleksandar Mitrovic and captain Tim Ream. The Cottagers have lost six of their last nine league matches and have failed to keep a clean sheet in five. Those losses have dented the club’s European ambitions, and a drop into 10th place is not far away.
Virgil Van Dijk
Virgil Van Dijk is the captain of the Netherlands national team and a key player for Liverpool. He plays in the center of defense and is crucial to Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Despite his success, he has also been through some adversity in his career. He suffered a knee injury in the first five games of 2020/21 and missed several matches.
However, he returned to form in 2021-22 and helped the Reds win their first Premier League title in 30 years. In the process, he became one of the best central defenders in the world.
His strength, leadership and aerial ability make him a formidable center-back. He rarely makes mistakes and has been a huge factor in preventing opponents from dribbling past him. Moreover, he was named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year and UEFA Champions League squads for two seasons.
Thiago Alcantara
Thiago Alcantara is a professional footballer who plays midfielder for Liverpool and the Spain national team. He is renowned for his technical skills and passing ability and is considered one of his generation’s best midfielders.
The 31-year-old has been a key player for Liverpool this season, scoring one goal and providing four assists in 25 Premier League games. He is a vital member of the Liverpool squad and is expected to start against Fulham.
Likely, Jurgen Klopp will once again opt to play an expansive style of football when the Reds head to Craven Cottage on Wednesday night. They have won four straight league matches and remain seven points off the top four with 15 games remaining, and they are still looking to clinch Champions League football next season.
Naby Keita and Stefan Bajcetic are set to miss the game with muscular injuries, meaning Jordan Henderson will come in for a start alongside Ibrahima Konate. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson will also provide defensive cover at full-back. Curtis Jones could also return after his impressive performance against Tottenham, and Jurgen Klopp will have to decide whether to start Luis Diaz or Darwin Nunez on the left wing.
Curtis Jones
Curtis Jones is expected to start for Liverpool on Wednesday against Fulham. The young midfielder has shown that he can score goals for the Reds and will likely be a key player in this match.
His fine form has come at just the right time, as Jurgen Klopp’s team is on a four-match winning streak and could move four points behind Tottenham in fifth place if they win their next match. The midfielder’s recent performance against Spurs was impressive, and he will be looking to continue that trend on Wednesday.
The young midfielder also scored a goal against Tottenham and will be looking to add to that tally when he takes the field at Anfield. He will be joined by Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz, who were both given their first starts at the weekend.
The midfielder is still behind Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, and Thiago Alcantara in the midfield, but he is set to be given his first starting role since April 2. He is expected to play 90 minutes on Wednesday and could see more of a spotlight once fully fit.
Cody Gakpo
Cody Gakpo is the latest young attacker to be signed by Jurgen Klopp. He is an attacking talent that can play in a wide range of roles, including as a number nine or false nine.
He can also play on the left wing, a position he has been deployed in all season for PSV Eindhoven. He has a great goal and assists record in the Netherlands and has been impressive in Europe too.
His versatility means that he could be utilized in various formations this season, and he may even start more games as a number nine than he has in previous campaigns. However, it is unlikely that he will be used that often as Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota still suffer from injuries.
It will be interesting to see how Gakpo fits into Klopp’s Liverpool lineup this season, and he should stay ahead of the returning Roberto Firmino. He has been a good signing, but the Reds need to give him time to settle in and get the right training before he can show his potential.
Luis Diaz
Liverpool are on a four-match winning run and will look to extend that against Fulham. However, the Cottagers defeated them last time and haven’t won at Anfield in three years.
The Hard Tackle expects the Reds to win 2-1. They’ll need to defend with a lot of concentration and play fast to keep the game tight, but they’re a good enough team on paper to see off the Cottagers.
Mohamed Salah is likely to lead the line in attack, but Luis Diaz could have a new threat. The Colombian is proving himself a capable starter, and he’s racked up two assists in his first two games back from injury.
He was also a key contributor in the victory against Tottenham, and he’ll be hoping to add another goal or two against the Cottagers.
Whether he’s a permanent starter or not, Diaz is a valuable addition to Liverpool’s attack. It will be exciting to see how he develops over the coming years. There are still some questions to be answered, but if Liverpool can find a way to get him on the left wing consistently, he’ll have plenty of opportunities to impress in his first season in the league.
