An emphatic 5-1 victory over former league leaders Arsenal on Saturday, Liverpool must now travel to face another London club, but this time down in the capital; rather than up on Merseyside.
Saturday’s encounter was over after 19 minutes. Twice Skrtel struck to become the fastest defender in Premier League history to score twice, Raheem Sterling also managed to strike twice with his goals coming either side of half-time and Daniel Sturridge also found himself on the score-sheet after a superb Coutinho ball had split open the Arsenal defence.
Manchester United found it difficult to split open the Fulham defence in their encounter in the same gameweek. Although they managed to find the back of the net twice, a one-dimensional crossing approach allowed Fulham to defend with relative ease and a Darren Bent header in injury time secured a draw to intensify the pressure on David Moyes.
What Fulham will face on Wednesday night is a completely different approach from a completely different team. Fluid in possession and lethal on the counter attack, forget the SAS, Suarez, Sturridge and Sterling – The SASAS – are a real handful for any defence and the attacking trio are likely to retain their places in the starting side at Craven Cottage.
Despite Raheem Sterling taking the majority of plaudits and receiving a Man of the Match award in Liverpool’s aforementioned demolition of Arsenal, Philippe Coutinho ran the show from a slightly withdrawn role from the one he has been used to thus far in his Liverpool career.
With Lucas still out and Allen not yet match-fit, Philippe Coutinho is likely to be turned to again to not only help Henderson and Gerrard in the centre of the pitch off the ball, but also to carve open a stubborn Fulham defence when in possession and provide SASAS with the ammunition they need to fire Liverpool to an important three points.
Fulham will once again be without record signing Konstantinos Mitroglou, who before moving from Olympiakos to London for £12m, was linked with a move to Anfield, as he is currently struggling with a knee problem.
Furthermore, defender Fernando Amorebieta will also miss the match through injury and Fulham are likely to name a similar side which managed to claim a draw against Manchester United, but Darren Bent will be hoping to replace teenager Tankovic upfront as after all, it was his goal that gained Fulham that crucial point.
Liverpool have no fresh injury concerns of their own with Enrique, Sakho, Lucas and Coates all out and although both Daniel Agger and Glen Johnson returned to first-team training earlier this week, the game will come too soon for the pair to have any involvement.
Although Fulham have the worst home record in the league, taking just 10 points from 12 matches, Liverpool have only managed one clean sheet on the road this season.
Yet another player who has formerly been linked with Liverpool, Lewis Holtby is Fulham’s new danger man after arriving on-loan from Spurs in the January transfer window and after providing an assist for Fulham’s first on Sunday, he will be looking to inflict similar, if not more damage on a side rivalling his parent club for a Champions League place.
Luis Suarez is Liverpool’s obvious danger man despite not scoring as free-flowing as he was in December, however Daniel Sturridge has managed 7 goals in his 6 matches since returning from injury and he will once again be looking to add goals to his tally on a ground which he managed his first Premier League hattrick in last season’s corresponding fixture.
Both sides need the points for very different reasons – Fulham to try and lift themselves from the bottom of the Premier League table and Liverpool to put pressure on the three sides above them as well as putting some distance between the chasing Champions League pack.
However, Liverpool should be too strong for Fulham and although it is unlikely they will put five past what will be two stubborn banks of four, they should outscore their opponents to take all three points.
Fulham XI: Stekelenburg; Riether, Heitinga, Burn, Riise; Kacaniklic, Sidwell, Parker, Tunnicliffe; Holtby; Bent.
Liverpool XI: Mignolet; Flanagan, Skrtel, Toure, Cissokho; Henderson, Gerrard, Coutinho; Sterling, Sturridge, Suarez.
Betting tips:
- Sturridge and Suarez both to score.
- Raheem Sterling to score and Liverpool to win.
- Both teams to score and Liverpool to win.
- Liverpool to win both halves.
- Steve Sidwell and Martin Skrtel to get booked.
