Anfield no longer bears the ‘fortress’ tag for Jurgen Klopp’s under-fire Liverpool FC outfit and come Sunday the Merseysiders would step out once again on their own patch with the hopes of a much-elusive victory when Fulham come calling.
Five defeats on the trot were ensured courtesy of fellow top-four rivals Chelsea walking away with all three points last Thursday on Merseyside and Klopp’s men were unable to withstand a confident showing from Thomas Tuchel’s side as already faltering hopes of securing a top-four finish worsened for the Reds.
10 – Liverpool have earned just 10 points from 11 Premier League games in 2021, with only West Brom (nine), Newcastle (seven) and Southampton (four) picking up fewer points since the turn of the year. Struggle. pic.twitter.com/6Zr36uOnJ8
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 4, 2021
Misfiring on all fronts, Liverpool FC have witnessed an incredible slump in form, one which sees the defending champions of England picking up just a sole point from their home outings since the turn of the year.
Going up against relegation favourites Fulham, Klopp’s task would be a bit easier when compared to the opponents that have come across his side in recent weeks but it has to be noted that the likes of Burnley and Brighton have walked away from Anfield with narrow one-goal victories, the former being the team that had shocked viewers by putting an end to Liverpool FC’s 68-game-long unbeaten run at home.
Sitting in the seventh spot in the standings and the risk of falling down further should Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa win their respective games in hand, Klopp and Co. need to change their dire form for the best and that too very urgently.
With just 11 games left to play for over the course of this season, Liverpool FC would hope to finish their miserable title-defence campaign on a high note, one which could be achieved only if Champions League football is secured for the Merseyside Reds.
A revival in results is much awaited by the Liverpool FC fanbase and with patience running thin in light of recent performances recorded by their team, Sunday’s clash against Scott Parker’s Fulham could prove to be a decisive affair as to how things pan out for an under-fire Reds outfit across the remainder of this campaign.
WHEN & WHERE?
Attention turns to @FulhamFC on Sunday 👊🔴 #LIVFUL pic.twitter.com/fgTW2SPQrw
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 5, 2021
Date: Sunday 7 March
Time: 3 PM GMT
Venue: Anfield
TEAM NEWS
Fresh trouble was in store on the injury front for the Reds during the midweek clash against Chelsea as Jurgen Klopp confirmed in his pre-game interview that Ozan Kabak was doubtful for Sunday’s affair against the Cottagers.
The Turkish international centre-back, who has grabbed a starting spot in the Reds XI since his arrival in the January window, picked up a knock in the defeat to the Blues and looks increasingly uncertain to be fielded by Klopp come Sunday on Merseyside.
Kabak’s layoff could mean that the returning Nat Phillips would be right in the mix to grab the centre-back spot alongside Fabinho, with the former having missed out on the previous outing owing to a lower back issue.
A reshuffle in the Liverpool FC is expected to be on the cards for Sunday’s game after Diogo Jota made his much-anticipated return to the pitch in the Reds shirt during the final thirty minutes of the loss to Chelsea and Jota could be in the reckoning to replace the out-of-sorts Roberto Firmino in the XI.
KEY BATTLE
Diogo Jota vs Alphonse Areola
Jota’s inclusion in the Liverpool FC teamsheet provides the under-fire Jurgen Klopp with a major attacking option who had displayed a stupendous run of form prior to an injury curtailing his game-time in the backend of last year.
The Portugal international, if deemed fit to start the game over the weekend against Fulham, could prove to be a real asset for the hosts up top amid the Reds enduring a barren run of goals in recent weeks.
Fulham No.1 Areola will shoulder a difficult task of helping his side salvage something from their visit to Anfield and the Frenchman’s impressive run of form of late could make for an exciting battle between the shot-stopper and Jota.
MATCH PREDICTION
Liverpool 3-1 Fulham
In spite of a woeful run of form endured by the Reds heading into Sunday’s match, a relegation-threatened Fulham is unlikely to cause much trouble to even as misfiring a Liverpool FC side that have stepped out on the pitch lately.
Scott Parker’s men have punched above their weight in recent times so a defiant prediction in Liverpool FC’s favour would be tough to call upon but Klopp and Co. would be aware of the pressure that surrounds them at the moment and could
