Prediction: Liverpool vs Fulham

Verdict: Liverpool to Win to Nil

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: bet365

The Premier League title challengers Liverpool are looking for a swift comeback from a frustrating night in the Champions League as they prepare to lock horns with league’s strugglers Fulham. The Cottagers are sitting at rock-bottom and their trip to Liverpool could ultimately prove costly for manager Slavisa Jokanovic.

Liverpool

A night of shock in the Champions League might just be the timely wake-up call Liverpool needed. Premier League title chasers have been struggling with form for a while now and a surprising 2-0 defeat at the hands of Crvena Zvezda in Belgrade will have left Jurgen Klopp scratching his head.

Impotent in attack and without a solution to Crvena Zvezda’s midfield enigma, Liverpool fell victim to inspired hosts who were carried by the incredible home support to what has been a historic win for the Serbian side. The Reds returned home with plenty of questions left unanswered and it’s back to the drawing board for Jurgen Klopp who will need to find a way to get his team’s mojo back – and as quickly as possible. As far as the Premier League is concerned, Liverpool are coming off from a 1-1 stalemate at Arsenal. The forthcoming game against Fulham is a great chance for Reds to get back on winning ways, knowing they’ll face the worst defence line in the league. The hosts need three points to boost their confidence and to keep track behind Chelsea and Manchester City as the only remaining two sides without a defeat in the league.

Team News

Swiss international Xherdan Shaqiri returns to the fold after being left out of the squad for the trip to Belgrade due to political tension.

Nathaniel Clyne is nearing full fitness as well as Jordan Henderson, whereas midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remains the long-term injury.

Fulham

The Cottagers were widely praised for their attack-oriented football last season in the Championship but such an approach brought little to no results early in the Premier League. Slavisa Jokanovic is stubbornly refusing to change his system and remains adamant in his desire to throw a punch or two regardless of the opponent.

From being one of the most exciting sides to watch in the Championship to becoming a Premier League team with most conceded goals in mere months, Fulham are facing a reality check sitting rock-bottom with only five points after 11 rounds. Numbers are not exactly Fulham’s friends this season and it’s worth noting that Cottagers have been behind at half-time in half of their away matches thus far. Fulham have managed only a single point out of a possible 18 on the road and they will have little to hope for heading to Liverpool. Slavisa Jokanovic has managed to keep his job thus far but the growing reports claim he could be sacked if Fulham lose at Anfield. It would be a heartbreaking end of a love story that brought plenty of joy to the supporters during the past year.

Team News

Joe Bryan and Kevin McDonald are both unavailable due to a thing and muscle injury, respectively.

All eyes will be on Aleksandar Mitrovic, Fulham’s top scorer with five league goals, who failed to get his name on the scoresheet in his last five appearances.

Key Factors to Consider

• Liverpool have yet to suffer a Premier League defeat this season
• Fulham lost 6 of their 7 away matches in the league thus far
• Cottagers were behind at half-time in all games on the road this campaign
• Liverpool scored 8 goals in last 2 encounters with Fulham
• Reds conceded just 5 league goals this season, Fulham shipped in 29

Conclusion

The forthcoming clash at Anfield is likely to be a game of cat and mouse as Liverpool are widely expected to dominate proceedings and ease to victory against the Premier League’s weakest side at the moment. Fulham are still trying to maintain the entertainment factor despite their defence line is falling apart and the forthcoming game could be the last one in charge for their manager Slavisa Jokanovic.

Verdict: Liverpool to Win to Nil

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: bet365