Liverpool vs Fulham is a clash of two completely contracting moods. Liverpool may be on their highest high right now after knocking out Bayern Munich in the Champions League and advancing to the quarterfinals, while relegation for Fulham is all but done and dusted.
Ahead of Liverpool’s visit to Craven Cottage I spoke to @AdamFarquharson from @FulhamishPod to get his thoughts about the game.
A lot was expected of Fulham after a great promotional season, but the side currently sit 19th in the league, 13 points off safely. Where did it all go so wrong?
I would say that questionable recruitment has played its part in our predicament. But a large part of this is also down to a lack of cohesion and team spirit from the start of the season.
Claudio Ranieri was just recently sacked after he replaced Slavisa Jokanovic, who himself was sacked in November. Were these sackings justified?
Both managers dismissals were in my opinion justified. Slavisa will never be forgotten by Fulham fans after what he achieved with us last season, however this season did not feel like it was part of the same narrative by any stretch. His approach has been described as naïve after persevering with his expansive brand of football, but it wasn’t even great to watch us attacking at times when we were so open on the break.
Claudio Ranieri was recruited as a ‘risk-free’ appointment by our chairman but it quickly became obvious to the fans that he was not the man to keep Fulham in the Premier League. His prehistoric tactics, treatment of key men – Tom Cairney and Ryan Sessegnon and the final nail in the coffin of persisting with a formation completely devoid of attacking threat.
Scott Parker sits in the dugout as caretaker manager. Was he the right appointment for Fulham?
Scott Parker is a ‘fan pleaser’ of an appointment. Given the recent discontent and disconnect between the club’s hierarchy and the fans, it was a necessary choice. The fans had lost patience with Ranieri and it appeared so had the players. If Parker can make it a happier place to be for a few months then maybe it will reduce the chances of a mass player exodus when the inevitable takes place.
How has he managed in the new job so far and do you see a future for him or is this strictly a short term plan?
He’s so far said all of the right things, the performance against Chelsea was good – but Leicester was less positive.
I see Scott as a short-term appointment in order to get us through to the end of the season and hopefully re-group the squad ahead of a busy summer. I don’t believe he is experienced enough to manage us in the Championship and would much prefer a new man to come in.
In the summer big money was spent on the likes of Jean Michael Seri, Andre Zambo Anguissa, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Alfie Mawson and Ryan Babel while bringing in on loan the likes of Sergio Rico, Calum Chambers, Luciano Vietto and Andre Schurrle, spending a total of about £100 million which is insane money for a newly promoted team. What did you expect going into the season from these signings and what are your thoughts on them now?
These summer signings can really be put into two categories: hits and misses. Sadly, there is more of the latter. Clear hits would be Mitrovic – taken the form from the Championship and replicated it to the best of his ability after taking the step up. Alfie Mawson is a difficult one as he’s been injured for the majority of the season, but we certainly looked better with him in the team.
To address the monetary value of £100 million – we needed to spend big in order to have any chance of staying up, but a clearer plan of players for positions that needed strengthening would have been a better plan for this investment. We signed too many central midfielders, without getting an upgrade on Kevin Macdonald in an ‘anchor’ role.
Do you see any way back for Fulham or is relegation a foregone conclusion?
It’s done. We’re all looking towards next season in all honesty.
What are Fulham’s greatest strength and weakness?
Greatest strength – tough question. Probably Tom Cairney on an individual level if he is on his game. The greatest weakness is our defence. A -40 goal difference doesn’t happen by accident, we are disastrous at the back.
Who has been Fulham’s best player so far this season and who has been the worst or most disappointing?
Best player – Alexander Mitrovic. Top goalscorer, part-time captain and most importantly always leaves everything on the pitch. Often isolated, but still plays 90 minutes for the majority of matches.
Most disappointing would have to be Andre Schurrle for me. I was taken aback when a former World Cup winner took the step down from the Champions League to play for Fulham. I was put aside by Dortmund fans reviews of a player that I put down to confidence, but now realise they were right. Cherry on the top – comments R:E relegation clause in contract. Laters Andre.
What do Fulham have to do to get anything from this match?
I can’t say it’s going to be easy but If we can get an early goal or at least keep it tight for the first half, I think that Liverpool might get nervous.
How do you rate this Liverpool side?
One of the best Liverpool sides I have seen to grace the Premier League if it wasn’t for Manchester City’s embarrassment of riches and world-leading players I don’t think there’s much question that the reds would be crowned champions.
Van Dijk is arguably the best central defender in the world right now. Sadio Mane has found a rich vein of form, and if Mo Salah is to rediscover some of last season’s sparkle it is going to be one hell of a title race.
What is your biggest worry going into the match?
Where to start? I spent a lot of time desperately trying to decide whether Mo Salah or Sadio Mane was the correct captain choice for my fantasy football team.
How do you see Parker lining up his side?
Ryan Babel should be in line to start against his former club – whilst out of sorts and out of form Ryan Sessegnon I think is likely to be benched. I’d imagine Scott will stick with a 4-2-3-1 with Tom Cairney playing in the 10 role behind Mitrovic.
Rico;
Odoi, Nordveit, Ream, Bryan;
Macdonald, Chambers;
Ayite, Cairney, Babel;
Mitrovic
How do you see the match playing out?
Anything other than a Liverpool win will be a shock.
