Fulham v Liverpool – Wednesday 12th February 2014
Liverpool head to London on Wednesday to play Fulham FC at Craven Cottage by (and hopefully not IN) the River Thames.
Fulham have struggled this season and are currently rock-bottom of the Premier League. They were, however, active in the January transfer window (whilst other clubs were not!!) and have signed Johnny Heitinga from Everton, Lewis Holtby from Spurs, Clint Dempsey from Sounders FC (USA) and Konstantinos Mitroglou from Olympiakos to bolster their squad. Dimitar Berbatov strolled out of the exit door to a life in Monaco.
Mitroglou has yet to make his debut for his new club, and could be unleashed on Liverpool on Wednesday evening.
On Sunday, Fulham secured a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford to lift their spirits ahead of the game against a Liverpool side who will be buoyant following their thrashing of Arsenal at Anfield.
Hopefully, the point they took from Old Trafford on Sunday will act as a warning to Liverpool to treat the game with respect and not turn up expecting Fulham to roll over.
Fulham’s form (prior to the point at Old Trafford) has been dismal, they suffered humiliating defeat in front of their own fans against Sheffield United in the FA Cup last week, and have won just 2 of their last 12 league games, but they will battle and scrap in every game they play between now and the end of the season.
Martin Jol was sacked as manager by new owner Shahid Khan in December and the Michael Jackson statue was finally removed from the banks of the Thames, however, it didn’t bring a change of fortune for the “Cottagers” as they slipped to the foot of the table.
The game is expected to come too soon for Glen Johnson and Daniel Agger to return to the Reds starting XI, whilst Mamadou Sakho has not yet returned to training. Lucas is on the long-term sick list.
Last season, Liverpool won 3-1 at Craven Cottage. Berbatov opened the scoring for the home side, before Daniel Sturridge notched his first (and hopefully not last) Liverpool hat-trick.
A reminder to all Reds heading to London for the game, there is a tube strike planned for Wednesday, so ensure you allow enough time and plan your route to the ground.
