Liverpool Vs Fulham

December 22, 5.30 PM (UK)

Anfield

Just when they thought to be getting back to business, the Reds hit a huge road block as relegation battlers Aston Villa secured all 3 points with a commanding 1-3 win at Anfield. A dent which has to be removed soon in the sinking Brendan Rodgers and Liverpool ship. From 10th place, the Reds were pushed back to 12th last week and are just 2 points ahead their opponents who are in 13th. A win would bring them back to the top half of the table and more importantly, it should please the Anfield faithful who witnessed a dreadful performance last week.

Mean while Fulham are in a greater slump of their own. Fulham won their first game in eight against Newcastle United last Monday before falling to defeat to give Queens Park Rangers their first win of the season on Saturday. Newly recruited striker Berbatov has gone quiet in front of goal and Fulham are finding it difficult to turn things around.

Can the Reds turn it around this week ?

 Last week was one of the promising week for the Reds in sometime. With the team back in the top half, only 4 points adrift of 4th place, Suarez back in the team after suspension, there was a buzz around Anfield only to see their side go down 3 goals within 60 minutes. However the fans can take some positives (or try to find some) from the game. Liverpool had some 29 shots on goal and had huge spells of possesion, almost 70 % attimes and they restricted Villa to just 8 shots. It’s almost impossible to get a handle on how good or bad Liverpool are but things have to change quickly if they dare dream about European places.

Talking ahead of the game, Liverpool Midfielder Lucas said,

“We owe our fans a good performance against Fulham and hopefully the three points,” Lucas told Liverpool’s official website. They deserve a good performance and the win because they have seen some difficult moments but they have always been there supporting us. It’s up to the team now to reward them with a good win.”

 

Team News:

Liverpool have no fresh injuries. Jose Enrique is declared fit to play and it remains a doubt whether the manager will start him and rest youngster Sterling. Long term absenties Kelly and Borini are still out.

Fulham will be without the suspended Steve Sidwell and Sascha Riether, who picked up an injury against QPR. Bryan Ruiz remains out until the new year and Mahamadou Diarra remains a doubt. 

Possible Starting Line-ups:

Liverpool: Reina; Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique; Gerrard, Lucas, Allen; Shelvey, Suarez, Downing

Fulham: Schwarzer; Kelly, Hughes, Hangeland, Riise; Duff, Karagounis, Baird, Kacaniklic; Berbatov, Petric

Recent form:

Liverpool: DLWWWL

Fulham: LLDLWL

 

Match Facts:

  • Martin Jol is unbeaten in his last three encounters with Liverpool as a Premier League manager (W2 D1), including two 1-0 wins over them with Fulham last season.
  • Fulham have won only one of their 11 Premier League trips to Anfield (L6 D4), but this victory came in their last visit there in May.
  • The Whites have scored just three goals in their 11 Premier League trips to Anfield.
  • Of the 24 goalkeepers to have made at least 20 saves in the Premier League this season, Liverpool ‘keeper Pepe Reina has the lowest saves to shots ratio (59.6%).
  • Luis Suarez has averaged a shot at goal every 20 minutes in the Premier League this season; more frequently than any other player.
  • Mark Clattenburg has handed out more cards per game on average than any other Premier League referee this season (4.6).
  • Clattenburg also have the lowest fouls per card average in the PL this term (5.5).
  • Fulham have hit the target with 53% of their shots this season in the Premier League; a higher proportion than any other side.
  • Liverpool have the lowest shooting accuracy in the Premier League this term (38%).
  • 14 of the 17 games involving Fulham this season have gone over 2.5 goals.

Courtesy: Yahoo Sport

Prediction: A 2-1 win for the home side.