Liverpool welcome relegation-threatened Fulham to Anfield this afternoon as the hosts look to end their worst ever run of home results.
The home team would leapfrog West Ham and rivals Everton with three points against Fulham, though both of those clubs will then have two games in hand over Liverpool in the race for a Champions League spot – the new target for Klopp’s players given their wretched defence of the title they won with ease last season. Follow live updates from Liverpool vs Fulham in the Premier League below, plus all the post-match reaction.
Callum Rice-Coates7 March 2021 13:49
JURGEN KLOPP SPEAKS TO SKY SPORTS
“Two changes we had to make because of little injuries and the others we thought it made absolute sense. We are in an intense period and we have the opportunity to change some players. That’s the plan: getting fresh legs back. [On Jota return] It’s good, we miss Diogo a lot, having him back is cool. [On centre-back changes] Everybody can imagine it’s not easy but it’s our situation. We deal with it, we try to make things happen in the game.”
Callum Rice-Coates7 March 2021 13:44
LAST MEETING
Fulham have already proved themselves capable of competing with this Liverpool team, earning a point against the champions at Craven Cottage back in December.
Bobby Decordova-Reid, who starts today, scored the opening goal, before Mo Salah equalised from the spot late in the second half.
Callum Rice-Coates7 March 2021 13:39
Callum Rice-Coates7 March 2021 13:24
SCOTT PARKER SPEAKS TO SKY SPORTS
“Of course it gives you a bit of confidence, it’s fair to say Liverpool are in a sticky patch. In saying that, you’re playing against a team with talent, a bit of a wounded animal. We have to be wary of that, but we come here with confidence and with a bit of luck we can get a result today. The first thing I want is my team to have confidence about us. There’s elements to Liverpool’s game we’re going to look to exploit, whilst understanding we’re going to suffer a little bit. Liverpool are a football club that have an array of talent and a big squad. I heard Jurgen’s press conference and he alluded to freshening things up and that’s what he’s done.”
Callum Rice-Coates7 March 2021 13:18
Surely Liverpool can’t fall to a SIXTH successive defeat at Anfield? Fulham will hope otherwise…
Callum Rice-Coates7 March 2021 13:10
CHANGES
Jurgen Klopp has made no fewer than seven changes to the team that lost against Chelsea last week, perhaps with one eye on Wednesday’s Champions League meeting with RB Leipzig. In come Diogo Jota, James Milner, Neco Williams, Xherdan Shaqiri, Rhys Williams, Nat Phillips and Naby Keita. Roberto Firmino is injured, while Sadio Mane, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones, Thiago and Fabinho all drop to the bench. There are more injury concerns in defence, too, with Ozan Kabak absent.
Fulham are more settled: they make two changes, bringing in Kenny Tete and Bobby Decordova-Reid for Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Antonee Robinson.
Callum Rice-Coates7 March 2021 13:07
Callum Rice-Coates7 March 2021 13:01