Fulham v Liverpool V
Venue: Craven CottageCurrent League Form:
Liverpool: WWDWDW
Fulham: WLLLLDLiverpool Manager: Brendan Rodgers
Fulham Manager: Rene Meulensteen
220 miles, 30 points, and goal difference of 64 it the gulf between Anfield and Craven Cottage's lads respectively. The build up to today's match was been interesting to say the least. At the weekend, Liverpool dismantled, destroyed, decimated, drew and quartered (dare I go on!?) Arsenal at Anfield. That 5-1 mauling was a wonderful thing to behold if you were a Red, with the Liverpool lads scoring their first from a crossed in free-kick with less then a minute gone on the clock. Fulham also had a good performance on Sunday, pulling back a goal against Moyes' Boys and earning a draw despite having to fight off 81 crosses. Their draw saved them from what would have been their 5th consecutive defeat in the league. Since these matches there has been quite a bit of ruckus regarding today's tie... Thoughts of rescheduling due to the impending strikes of public transit workers in London, massive flooding around the Thames, and today, there seems to be many drops of water falling from the sky with a blustery 40mph wind. However, despite the strikes (which have since been called off) three other matches in London were scheduled to kick off without a hitch: Arsenal, West Ham, and Leyton Orient (JWH weighed in on this and my respect for the man increased because of it). Thus making Fulham's claims a bit small time... as their stewards could just take the bus to the match, after all with Meulenteen reportedly saying they are going to play this one "compact" again, the aforementioned bus could just be moved onto the pitch between the sticks. Liverpool could see the return of Glen Johnson and Danny Agger today, if only for a cameo appearance. While Fulham are still awaiting the debut of their January acquisition, Kostas Mitroglou. After Saturday's result against Arsenal, there can be little debate that Liverpool are a one or even a two man team, as Sturridge only got one goal and Suarez did not increase his already impressive haul this season. Thus he, Suarez, should be well made up for this match. Look to Brendan having the lads play an aggressive pressing style, just like we did last match, for the first bit or until we have what could be a comfortable lead. Then I expect we will cool off a bit and may even see some fringe players making appearances after half-time, as we keep one eye on the FA Cup tie this weekend with Arsenal.
Lineups: Forthcoming
Liverpool: Mignolet, Flanagan, Skrtel, Toure, Cissokho, Henderson, Gerrard, Coutinho, Suarez, Sturridge, Sterling. Subs: Brad Jones, Agger, Aspas, Moses, Allen, Kelly, Teixeira.
Fulham: Stekelenburg, Riether, Burn, Heitinga, Riise, Tunnicliffe, Sidwell, Kvist Jorgensen, Richardson, Holtby, Bent. Subs: Hangeland, Kasami, Kacaniklic, Stockdale, Duff, Cole, Parker.
Match Officials: Referee: Phil Dowd; Assistants: D Bryan, A Halliday; Fourth Official: A D'Urso.