Matchday Preview: LIVERPOOL v Fulham (Premier League)
Venue: Anfield
Date: 22/12/12
Kick-Off: 17:30
JOSE Enrique should return for Liverpool on Saturday after missing last weekend’s shock 3-1 defeat at home to Aston Villa.
Oussama Assaidi is struggling for full fitness due to a knee problem and long-term absentees Fabio Borini and Martin Kelly remain unavailable.
That trio aside Brendan Rodgers should have a full squad to choose from as the Reds look to bounce back from a disappointing defeat last Saturday.
Sascha Riether and Mahamdou Diarra are doubts for Fulham, while Bryan Ruiz and Simon Davies remain out until January. The Cottagers earned their first victory at Anfield in 31 attempts last season, but Martin Jol’s side have won just once on the road this campaign and have only won one of their last nine league fixtures.
Their main threat is striker Dimitar Berbatov, who has five league goals to his name and scored both of Fulham’s goals in their 2-1 win over Newcastle earlier this month. Croatian striker Mladen Petric has also scored five league goals this season and between them, Berbatov and Petric have scored 36% of Fulham’s goals. By comparison, Luis Suarez has scored 43% of Liverpool’s league goals.
Liverpool go into the game as favourites but after Aston Villa handed them a reality check last weekend, the Reds will have to be wary of complacency as they look to secure only their fourth home league win of the season. Depending on results elsewhere, a victory on Saturday could move Liverpool up to 8th in the table, while defeat would see the Reds drop down to 13th.
Fulham did the double over Liverpool last season, achieving 1-0 victories both at home and at Anfield. Liverpool’s last win over the Cottagers came in May 2011, when a Maxi Rodriguez hattrick helped the Reds to a 5-2 victory at Craven Cottage.
The two sides have met 22 times in the Premier League era, with Liverpool scoring three goals or more on five occasions. Fulham have failed to score in 11 Premier League meetings with the Reds and never in their history have the Cottagers managed three consecutive wins over Liverpool. Brendan Rodgers will hope to keep that record intact as the Reds begin a run of four games in twelve days.
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December 21st, 2012
said it last week too , but it should be very easy home win , fulham are awful away
what id like to see more than anything is allen dropped ( permanently ) and morgan given a go from the bench
December 21st, 2012
Agreed would love to see Allen rested and even sterling and give Shelvey and Suso a run.
December 21st, 2012
Home v Fulham . Even Rodgers cant balls this up . …. or can he ?
December 21st, 2012
3 easy points
December 22nd, 2012
There are no 3 easy poinrs this season! Come on you Reds!
December 22nd, 2012
Fulham at home is a gimme . Playin any team in bottom half at home should be 3 points
December 23rd, 2012
Taking 3 points from bottom teams has been our problem for 20 years.
December 22nd, 2012
Hallelejuiah FINALLY – bloody Joe Allen is dropped
BRs first good decision
December 22nd, 2012
1st time this season in the league that we have played with 11 men
Sooooooo much better without Allen