A postponed Merseyside derby last weekend means the lead Liverpool have at the top of the league table look smaller than it should be. They have a four-point lead over Chelsea but it should be seven as the Reds were expected to beat the Toffees. A 3-3 draw at Newcastle United last week cut down Liverpool’s lead at the top and they need a win this weekend to ensure they maintain the momentum in their season.
Fulham come to town on Saturday and they have produced some solid performances against top opponents in recent weeks. They held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw at home and picked up a point from their trip to Tottenham.
Marco Silva’s side have shown they can be defensively resolute and are good enough to take points off some of the top sides in the Premier League this season.
A 3-3 draw at Newcastle means Liverpool need to get back to winning ways and restore a healthy lead at the top of the table ahead of the busiest period of the campaign. They are looking for some home comforts and three points when they host Fulham.
However, getting a result won’t be straightforward as Fulham have already shown they can be more than tricky and have the defensive nous to hold back top teams.
The Reds need to be patient against Fulham
Fulham will come to Anfield and look to frustrate the home team. Darwin Nunez is not in form, Diogo Jota is only expected to be fit to be on the bench, and the attack is too dependent on Mohamed Salah at times.
One can expect Antonee Robinson, who has been on Liverpool’s radar, to remain tight on Salah and look to give him no space to work his magic at Anfield on Saturday.
Shutting down the Egyptian could go a long way towards Fulham getting something from the game as Liverpool needed his goals to get points in recent games.
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Nunez has happy memories against Fulham as he scored on his debut against the Cottagers at Anfield a few years back. However, a run of one goal in ten means that the erratic striker is under pressure ahead of the game this weekend.
Fulham will definitely sit back and hope to hit Liverpool on the counter and Ibrahima Konate’s injury means, the Reds defence look shakier than it has ever been this season.
However, Liverpool need to trust their process and show more patience to break down a resolute Fulham team. It could be a tight game and the fans are unlikely to see a goalfest.
The Reds would take a 1-0 win on Saturday and get back to winning ways as these are the kind of games champions should win.
