Predicting the XI: How should Liverpool approach Fulham?

With Manchester City yet to falter in their bid to retain the Premier League title, Liverpool will be desperate to retain their momentum and keep up the pressure at the top of the table.

On paper, this weekend should be a great chance to do just that; Manchester City face a Manchester United side that will be buoyed by their recent win against Juventus while Liverpool should (on paper at least) breeze past Fulham at home.

However, nothing is ever that simple within the game of football. Jurgen Klopp’s side have faltered in recent weeks, earning just three wins from nine games in all competitions due to continuous issues in midfield and must ensure they don’t approach the game in a complacent manner to gain a valuable three points and attempt to regain some form ahead of tougher challenges.

But just how should the boss line up on Sunday?

The goalkeeping situation speaks for itself really. Alisson has been relatively untroubled since moving to Merseyside and continues to display the confidence to work the ball out of the back as Klopp demands. It’s doubtful the Brazilian will be displaced any time soon with Mignolet’s career at the club all but over. Another afternoon with little to do awaits.

In defence, Joel Matip earned a rare start in the Champions League against Red Star on Tuesday but his failure to impress will likely see him drop to the bench at best. The Cameroonian was once considered one of the best centre-backs at the club but his performance reiterated the stark improvements that have been made to Liverpool’s defensive foundations in the last year under Klopp.

Dejan Lovren now lies as the ‘backup’ option, with Joe Gomez and Virgil Van Dijk forging a strong relationship in front of Alisson. The Dutchman’s leadership and communication has been paramount to a strong defensive record since the turn of the year while Gomez deserves immense credit for his development so far this season; far from a case of being carried by his experienced partner, the former-Charlton man has gone from strength to strength, coming into his own and showing plenty of signs he could well be the future of the club’s defence.

Both will be expected to start on Sunday and keep out any attacking impetus shown from Fulham, which will likely emerge in the form of crosses into the box.

The only potential wriggle room could stem from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s poor form. Often a useful outlet down the right-hand side, the youngster has struggled to find his rhythm of late, isolated and exposed at The Emirates before delivering another tentative display in Europe.

His attacking traits are likely to be useful on Sunday, particularly if Fulham set up in a low-block defence and attempt to restrict Klopp’s side. However, another option would be to utilise Gomez at right-back and bring Lovren into the side. On the other side, Andy Robertson is probably one of the first names on the teamsheet, marauding down the left and firing threatening balls into the area.

Much of the talk prior to the game will stem from the midfield. Creativity and energy from deep has been a problem for the Reds as Klopp continues to search for a winning formula. The boss has plenty of options to choose from after Keita and Henderson returned from their respective injuries in midweek which could see a major switch up in a bid to inject some life into the department.

I’d opt to start both at the weekend, giving Keita the perfect opportunity to make his mark and silence the critics. The former-Leipzig star has yet to display the scintillating footwork that saw him breeze past opponents before nestling the ball into the bottom corner – traits that would help fill the current hole. Xherdan Shaqiri deserves a start having missed out against Red Star and so could fill the other role in midfield.

In the front three, it seems the perfect opportunity to rest Roberto Firmino who has looked out of sorts in the last few weeks. Salah, Mane and Sturridge possess enough quality to get the job done, while Divock Origi could get some more minutes under his belt provided Liverpool don’t run into any problems.

It’ll be interesting to see how Klopp sets up his midfield at the weekend in a bid to try and find the necessary combination to get things up and running but whatever the starting eleven is, Liverpool have plenty of ammunition to get the three points against lowly Fulham.

 

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