Liverpool gear up for another Premier League showdown today as they welcome Fulham to Anfield for a 3:00 PM kick-off. Arne Slot’s team aims to solidify their position at the league summit, maintaining their four-point lead over second-placed Chelsea.
Fulham, however, are no pushovers. Marco Silva’s side recently held title contenders Arsenal to a draw at Craven Cottage, highlighting their resilience. The Reds will need to bring their A-game to secure all three points against the Cottagers.
On a brighter note, Liverpool’s injury woes have started to ease. The squad has been plagued by absences in recent weeks, but things are looking up with the return of key players.
First-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker made his comeback earlier this week in a friendly against Girona after being sidelined for two months. The team received another boost with the return of Diogo Jota, who has been out for a similar duration due to an upper-body injury sustained in October during Liverpool’s narrow victory over Fulham.
Although Federico Chiesa is nearing a return to action, manager Slot revealed that the Italian forward might need more time to regain full match fitness. Since joining from Juventus in a £10 million summer deal, Chiesa has only featured in three matches. While both Jota and Chiesa participated in full training this week, they are likely to start on the bench against Fulham.
There’s also positive news regarding Kostas Tsimikas, who was seen training individually on Thursday. Although not yet match-ready, the Greek full-back is edging closer to rejoining the squad. Meanwhile, Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley are still in the recovery phase following injuries picked up in the Real Madrid clash.
However, Liverpool will be without Alexis Mac Allister due to suspension. The midfielder’s ban, originally for accumulating five yellow cards, was extended after the Merseyside derby was postponed. Tyler Morton remains unavailable as well, nursing a knock sustained before the Girona game.
As Liverpool continue their push for Premier League glory, overcoming Fulham with a depleted squad will be another test of their depth and resilience.
