Venue: Craven Cottage
Date: 12/05/13
Kick-Off: 15:00
Liverpool will be without Steven Gerrard for the rest of the season after the 32 year old midfielder had surgery on his shoulder earlier this week. As a result of Gerrard’s absence, Jamie Carragher will get to captain the side in his final two games for the club before retiring.
In his pre-match press conference, Brendan Rodgers admitted that Jonjo Shelvey is in contention to replace Gerrard for Sunday’s game at Fulham, and Rodgers called on the 21 year old to make the most of the opportunity. Shelvey has made 31 first-team appearances for Liverpool this season, but has not started a game since early February.
Fulham go into the weekend in 12th place, on 40 points but not yet mathematically safe. Martin Jol’s side have hit a poor run of form and have not won since they beat QPR on April 1st, drawing one game and losing five. In comparison, Liverpool are unbeaten in their last six fixtures, but last weekend’s 0-0 draw with Everton means that the Reds are almost certain to finish the season in seventh place.
The only way Liverpool can still finish about their local rivals is if they win both of their remaining games and Everton pick up one point or less; but with David Moyes confirming that he will leave the club in the summer to replace Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, it is possible that the loss of their long-serving manager could cause the Toffees to lose their momentum.
With Gerrard and the suspended Luis Suarez both missing from the team, Liverpool will be relying on Philippe Coutinho’s creativity and Daniel Sturridge’s eye for goal as they strive for victory. Given Fulham’s current run of form, the Reds are favourites to pick up three points, but they will need to show more than they did against Everton if they are to leave Craven Cottage victorious.
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