Liverpool in for another difficult task
Liverpool's Diogo might need more game time to regain his rhythm. — Reuters

DESPITE defeat to Crystal Palace last week, Liverpool are still very much in the race for the Premier League title.

And after being dumped out of the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals by Atalanta, the Reds will need to pick themselves up again as they travel to Craven Cottage to face Fulham.

Having slipped to third spot on 71 points with an eight-goal differential against second-placed Arsenal, the Reds are just two points behind league leaders Manchester City.

Craven Cottage has not been a good hunting ground for Klopp and things could get a lot more tricky.

Of the four last encounters there in all competitions, the German has only won once, in 2019, and drew three times.

This included the 1-1 draw in the League Cup semi-final second leg match.

On paper, Liverpool are the better team but recent results have proven otherwise.

Even when the Merseyside club were dominating matches, their failure to consistently find the back of the net has cost them.

Mohamad Salah and Darwin Nunez are the two main culprits, along with a few others, who have failed to put their chances away despite so many opportunities being created.

Diogo Jota, who just recently returned from his injury, will also need more game time to regain his rhythm.

His ability to get into the right place in front of goal for scoring opportunities will be crucial.

Another concern for Klopp will be his team’s defence, which have not kept a clean sheet since early March when they defeated Nottingham Forest 1-0.

Against Crystal Palace, it was the brilliance of Alisson Becker who made several fantastic saves to deny them from doing more damage.

Having played in his first match since his injury in February, the Brazilian will be hopeful of getting back into gear and will be expected to keep his place against Fulham.

With Conor Bradley injured, Trent Alexander-Arnold will be recalled into the side, alongside Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Andrew Robertson.

In midfield, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo are expected to start while Salah and Nunez will be joined by Luis Diaz in attack.

As for Fulham, they are good despite a lack of consistency.

Marco Silva will be expected to set up an attack-oriented side to pile on more misery for Liverpool’s porous defence.

Bernd Leno will be in goal, with the defence to consist of Antonee Robinson, Calvin Bassey, Tosin Adarabioyo and Timothy Castagne.

In attack, it will be Rodrigo Muniz up front, supported by Andreas Pereira, Willian and Alex Iwobi, while Joao Palhinha and Sasa Lukic play in a double-pivot in midfield.
Footnotes
DESPITE defeat to Crystal Palace last week, Liverpool are still very much in the race for the Premier League title.