Topic: MATCH PREVIEW - Fulham v Liverpool, 21st April 2024, 16:30

[Zlen]

Fulham v Liverpool
21st April 2024, 16:30h
Craven Cottage

Referee: Craig Pawson
Assistants: Marc Perry, Wade Smith, Fourth official: Sam Allison
VAR: Tony Harrington, Assistant VAR: Richard West

Hope was the Atalanta game will deliver a response to the game against United.
Then the hope was the Palace game will bring that reply to the loss against Atalanta.
After that we hoped Atalanta game last night will be the reply to the loss against Palace.

It wasn't. None of them. Not in terms of results at least. Against Palace we played the best game - but were desperately unlucky not to score. Which seems to have further dented our confidence. There are some positives to pick from what looks like a desperate mess, but I think we can safely say now there will be no instant turnaround of form. Cavalry is back, but they rode for weeks and are in no state to fully join the charge just yet. The rest of the team looks appropriately tired and things are about to get harder. Lot harder.

We continue this week from hell with a trip to Craven Cottage. First in a quickfire series of three away PL games. Forget about United and Palace. This was always going to be the week to determine where we end up. If we were playing out of our skin and scoring for fun - this would still be the week where we could lose points, lot of them. The fact we aren't scoring at all makes it much harder, but really, it was always going to be hard. Weeks like these are all about building up steam. Find a way to win the first and you get that bit of confidence for the second, and so on. But it all starts with Fulham and it can all be over there too.

Safely in the middle of the table, Fulham are now mostly playing to impress the manager. They are very much in the 'on the beach' part of the season, only for us this beach will probably feel more like shores of Normandy in 1940's, than the soft sands of exotic islands. They are rested, unburdened by expectations or table pressure and will look to entertain the home crowd. Marco Silva has demonstrated this season that he is no mug. He will have a plan to both frustrate us and exploit our weaknesses. And yes, we have better players who should be able to match anything they do, but boy-oh-boy does that not count for much right now. Our biggest enemy at the moment is living in our heads. It's the burden of expectation not to let this slip, not to let Klopp's time fizzle out, not to lose it all in such ordinary way. We're playing all upcoming games at once every time we step out on to the pitch.

So for this game, if we could maybe just reduce the scope of our ambition, that would be nice. I don't want Liverpool to go out there and mount a rousing defence of Klopp's legacy, or look to right all the wrongs from previous games. Just play a simple game of football, play only for each other, look after your teammates, support them and try to have some fun. Leave the burden of expectation in the dressing room. It isn't going anywhere because you play for Liverpool. Yo might as well ignore it for now, take a rest from carrying it all the time.

It's just one game, against Fulham.
Play this game, minute by minute.
Be in it, not in it's aftermath. 

[AndyMuller]

Just put the ball in the onion bag in open play and I will take that as a small victory.

[Kloppage Time]

They will try to adopt Atalanta tactics, worked for Palace, hopefully we will find an answer

[Caligula?]

If we win it'll be something along the lines of 1-0 or 2-1 where one or more of the goals is a penalty or a Fulham fuck up. I just can't see us rocking up there and putting in a great performance with lots of goals. It's going to be a real slog but hopefully we can somehow grind out a win.

[Nick110581]

They are a good side at home as work hard.

Think there were shots of positivity last night so hopefully we turn up.

[Zlen]

If we win it'll be something along the lines of 1-0 or 2-1 where one or more of the goals is a penalty or a Fulham fuck up. I just can't see us rocking up there and putting in a great performance with lots of goals. It's going to be a real slog but hopefully we can somehow grind out a win.

Agree, and that is all we need to do.
We'll have to rebuild the form slowly, it's not just coming back.
Start by making each game better than the last.

[deano2727]

Last chance saloon, as is every game from now until the end of the season. There will be no more room for replies in the next game. Simply must win, however we do it.

Another early goal would settle the nerves for everyone, and might be crucial I feel.

[Red_Mist]

Just put the ball in the onion bag in open play and I will take that as a small victory.

Preferably not after Fulham already have.

[disgraced cake]

Alisson
Trent   Quansah   VVD   Robertson
Endo   Mac Allister   Szoboszlai
Salah   Jota   Gakpo

Very possibly the day the title challenge/season comes to its end. I personally feel as if it was over last night sadly. The effort shown in the past week hasn't been fitting of Klopp's time here, hopefully we can make amends here and keep the last five somewhat interesting even though I see City dropping no points (again).

[CHOPPER]

Get in. Can’t wait.

[Keith Lard]

Alisson
Trent   Quansah   VVD   Robertson
Endo   Mac Allister   Szoboszlai
Salah   Jota   Gakpo

Very possibly the day the title challenge/season comes to its end. I personally feel as if it was over last night sadly. The effort shown in the past week hasn't been fitting of Klopp's time here, hopefully we can make amends here and keep the last five somewhat interesting even though I see City dropping no points (again).

I reckon Gomez, Tsimikas and Quansah are all going to start.

Also think Mac is going to get a rest and be in the bench. That tackle by one of the Atalanta players on him towards the end of the game was horrible.

Up front, I defo think Gakpo, Jota and Nunez will start to bring some fresh legs. In summary, I see a lot of changes.

[skipper757]

Big test.  Craven Cottage is tricky and invokes memories of our title races in 08/09, 13/14, and 18/19 with late winners.  They challenged us immensely at Anfield.  Well-coached side.

If we can get all 3 points here, it bodes well for the run in.

[RogerTheRed]

Come on Redmen!!
Great op thanks Zlen. Not sure what to take from yesterday for this. They are in decent form. Our players are getting more rhythm. Hoping for a narrow win.

[kop306]

this is the team i would pick

alison

trent virg quansah gomez

elliot endo sobo

diaz jota nunez

grav has to get game time as sub

macca needs a rest before the everton game

[Fromola]

Even PGMOL have give up on us. No Mancs.

[Fruity]

Like their left back. Only seen him when they play us but he seems pretty pacy/swift/fast. The sort of player we should be looking at as a back up to Robertson.

Regarding the game, hope we win. I think we will be fucked by the 60th minute though and they will be at it from the start. Same shit as before but we need to be clinical. Get a win and a boost of confidence.

[Wingman]

We’ll win in the 88th minute when Nunez strikes a thunderbastard volley from a corner right into Joe Gomez’s arse which wrong foots the keeper. Everyone will laugh for days, the gloom will lift and we’ll win all our remaining games … and the league title

[...]

Like their left back. Only seen him when they play us but he seems pretty pacy/swift/fast. The sort of player we should be looking at as a back up to Robertson.

Regarding the game, hope we win. I think we will be fucked by the 60th minute though and they will be at it from the start. Same shit as before but we need to be clinical. Get a win and a boost of confidence.

?

Tsimikas isn't exactly slow.

[Oh Jimmy Jimmy]

Big test.  Craven Cottage is tricky and invokes memories of our title races in 08/09, 13/14, and 18/19 with late winners.  They challenged us immensely at Anfield.  Well-coached side.

If we can get all 3 points here, it bodes well for the run in.

Loved that 09 game - Yossi’s winner and the moment when we really believed we would win the League. Not missed placed - United just won every game.

Also loved the October 04 2-4 game , the early days of Rafa and Xabi.  We were in the home end and my mate complained  it was like being at the Opera. He celebrated Alonso’s free kick and got a nuggy for his troubles. The disturbance lasted 30 seconds and we decided  that the culprit should leave. After the match, we went to that big pub at the end of the  park. .. Carra’s Dad was there and that was when “ Ring of Fire” first kicked off I believe.

[UntouchableLuis]

Even PGMOL have give up on us. No Mancs.

But arguably one of the top 3 worst refs in the league.

[CS111]

No Idea whats going to happen, could be anything. One thing we all know, a draw or loss and its over.

[4pool]

The winning streak continues.

[G Richards]

It feels like must win to stay in the hunt for the title. Hopefully we see some sort of response, and a bit of tempo in how we pass it about, too.

You never say never, but if we win the next two, Man City will be playing catch up, albeit with games in hand, and it might add a little pressure.

First things first. Beat Fulham.

[stjohns]

Was at the cup game here. They had us on the rack for 10 in the second half and we were flying at the time. Early chances need to be put away or we will struggle.

[Asam]

the leaders in this group have to show some personality, if we don’t win this game there is no chance of the title

[BarryCrocker]

Just put the ball in the onion bag in open play and I will take that as a small victory.

It's something like 5hrs since we've scored a goal in open play.

[latortuga]

Think we win this and win this well.

High confidence of a victory.

3-1.

[latortuga]

They will try to adopt Atalanta tactics, worked for Palace, hopefully we will find an answer

They won't, why would they?

They are buzzing after their win away to West Ham, will see us as an opportunity to really go at us early given our poor run of form and that overconfidence will lead to open, free flowing football that will suit us down to the ground.  Nunez and Co to feast.

[Rosario]

Just put the ball in the onion bag in open play and I will take that as a small victory.

This would be a great start, our attack has failed to fire at the worst possible time.

[meady1981]

Cricket score

[Andy @ Allerton!]

1-0 Fulham

Honestly can't wait for this season to fuck off now. Bring on the summer.

[thejbs]

Just fucking score a few goals. Don’t care if it’s penos and corners.

[killer-heels]

Surely there is going to be a fair bit of rotation for this? Cant see Trent, Konate, Mac Allister starting this one.

[kaesarsosei]

Konate can't play 4 games in 11 days and I think he is much more important for Everton and West Ham, so I would 100% rest him for this Fulham game and give Gomez a game at RCB. I'd be thinking of starting TAA and Robbo in all 3 games this week but for sure trying to get them off well before the 90. You could argue if we were going to rest Robbo at all, then Fulham is the best chance to do it.

In a similar vein, its difficult to imagine Macca (or anyone other than VVD to be honest) coping with 4 in 11, but actually I think the game against Everton is the one I'd rest him so for Fulham I would go Endo, Macca, Szoboslai. On Wed I'd go Endo, Szoboslai, Jones.

Up front is a mess but I'd probably go Salah, Gakpo, Nunez to change it up a bit. Maybe shifting Nunez out wide-left might give him a bit of a reset. Its not saying much but Gakpo has just about looked the best of our forwards in the last week so I think he deserves a chance centrally.

[Andy @ Allerton!]

Konate can't play 4 games in 11 days and I think he is much more important for Everton and West Ham, so I would 100% rest him for this Fulham game and give Gomez a game at RCB. I'd be thinking of starting TAA and Robbo in all 3 games this week but for sure trying to get them off well before the 90. You could argue if we were going to rest Robbo at all, then Fulham is the best chance to do it.

In a similar vein, its difficult to imagine Macca (or anyone other than VVD to be honest) coping with 4 in 11, but actually I think the game against Everton is the one I'd rest him so for Fulham I would go Endo, Macca, Szoboslai. On Wed I'd go Endo, Szoboslai, Jones.

Up front is a mess but I'd probably go Salah, Gakpo, Nunez to change it up a bit. Maybe shifting Nunez out wide-left might give him a bit of a reset. Its not saying much but Gakpo has just about looked the best of our forwards in the last week so I think he deserves a chance centrally.

I'd drop Salah and put the young lads in - we need a bit of youthful energy.

[MonsLibpool]

Alisson

Trent Quansah Virg Robbo

Mac Endo Jones

Diaz Gakpo Darwin

1. The team doesn't really matter per say because confidence and momentum are even more important than availability. We eliminated the same Fulham team from the League cup semis with a weaker side.

2. Mo and Ibou can't play 3 games a week. For Mo, I think we managed his minutes better in tge first half of the season but in the business, he has to play more. Ibou is just too injury prone.

3. They are really physical in the middle of the park so I'd star Endo here.

4. We still have a chance of winning the league but the way we've been playing lately hasn't been good enough. The last game was a decent performance (European aways are very difficult and our record this season reflects that) and a clean sheet so we can take that into this one.

5. If we play well and win then it's on again. If we play crap again, for me it'd just be a case of securing CL qualification and playing the kids.

6. How does Szobo keep getting starts despite being in poor form? If a player isn't playing well then he should sit out a few and work his way back into the team. We were actually better when our star players were injured because team selections were at least based on merit.

[Chris~]

I'd be shocked if Mac Allister starts after what Klopp said post match. Sounds like he needs a rest. Would guess it's Endo and 2 from Szoboszlai/Jones/Gravenberch to start

[killer-heels]

I'd be shocked if Mac Allister starts after what Klopp said post match. Sounds like he needs a rest. Would guess it's Endo and 2 from Szoboszlai/Jones/Gravenberch to start

Yep. Plus we have 3 away games this week, no chance he plays three.

[Nick110581]

1-0 Fulham

Honestly can't wait for this season to fuck off now. Bring on the summer.

That’s the spirit.

[MonsLibpool]

I'd be shocked if Mac Allister starts after what Klopp said post match. Sounds like he needs a rest. Would guess it's Endo and 2 from Szoboszlai/Jones/Gravenberch to start

Missed that.

Cheers.