Preview: Late penalties staple of recent Liverpool wins at the Cottage

Forget the media frenzy about 2020/21 Liverpool. Forget manager Jurgen Klopp’s strange obsession with Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder. Liverpool are doing just fine as they strive to retain their league title and recoup the European title they won two years ago.

They’ve lost just one of their last 13 games, and that was within the context of a UEFA Champions League group they eventually won.

Yes, they’ve lost Virgil van Dijk for a lengthy period but other clubs lose players for extended periods of time and just get on with it. True, VAR is being less kind to them than last year but they still seem more than capable, and still favourites, to retain the English league.

In short, the London media’s attempts to award them the title ‘Crisis Club of the Month’ are a little misplaced.

Still their away form is choppy. They have now won three, drawn four and lost four of their last 11 away league games stretching back to last season, having won 17 and drawn one of their last 18. Only four teams in the league this season have picked up fewer away points than Liverpool.

They pull up at Craven Cottage on Sunday and most will expect them to easily score three. After all Arsenal (0-3), Aston Villa (0-3), Everton (2-3) have already quite comfortable poached three goals here.

Crystal Palace also left the Cottage with all three points (1-2). Away from SW6, Brentford (3-0) and Leeds United (4-3) have also scored three (or more) against one of England’s more generous defences.

Sheffield United have lost every game except the one with Fulham (1-1).

But there is considerably less gloom around Fulham than you’d expect. Although they predictably lost at Manchester City, their previous outing was a 2-1 win at Leicester.

Not only did Fulham win, but they even converted a penalty; quite an achievement after a series of high profile and occasionally comical misses.

Fulham manager Scott Parker is under no illusions about the magnitude of this Sunday’s task:

“We understand the challenges that we face. But there’s no denying we’re playing against one of the best teams that has been in England and in Europe for the last 18 months.

“When asked about the long-awaited return of fans, Parker said: “I think it’ll have a massive impact to be fair, it’s been such a long time for the players.

“It’s going to be massive for us it is going to be massive. When you’re scrapping at times you do need that 12th man as cliché as it is.”

Reds coach Klopp wasn’t about to underestimate Fulham publicly either:

The Liverpool Echo however was bolder:

“Jurgen Klopp’s side will be eyeing a comprehensive victory to claw back some of the goal difference on those around them and get their festive fixture period off to a dominating start against a side languishing down at 17th in the table.”

Historically, they may have a point. Liverpool lead the historic series 41-12 with 16 games drawn.

The Merseysiders have won the last six meetings outscoring Fulham by 18-4, but in the 2011/12 season, the Thamesiders did the double over Liverpool with two 1-0 wins. Clint Dempsey and a Martin Škrtel own goal settled the games.

Some of those recent defeats have been closer than others. The last two matches between Fulham and Liverpool at Craven Cottage have both been settled by late Liverpool penalties. James Milner scored from the spot to earn his side a 2-1 victory two seasons ago.

In the 2013/14 season, Steven Gerrard scored as Liverpool twice came from behind before the captain’s injury time penalty won the game.

James Milner, van Dijk, Xherdan Shaqiri, Thiago and Joe Gomez are long term injuries for Liverpool. Goalkeeper Alisson is close to recovery but is unlikely to be risked on Sunday given the form of his recent replacement

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain however may come back from a knee injury. Konstantinos Tsimikas may make a rare start at full back to give the regulars a break. Diogo Jota is still a doubt.

Other than Kenny Tete and Terence Kongolo, Parker has a full squad to select from.

Fulham have  Brighton and Newcastle United in their next two games while Liverpool have a top of the table clash with Tottenham.

But don’t expect either side to be too distracted on Sunday.

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