Liverpool are set to lock horns with Fulham in a mouthwatering Premier League clash at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.
The Reds’ position at the summit looks stronger heading into the weekend, despite not taking to the pitch last Saturday after the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park was called off because of Storm Darragh. They watched from the sidelines as Manchester City and Arsenal dropped points.
The Cottagers, meanwhile, held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage. Marco Silva’s side are now unbeaten in their last three in the league and could give Liverpool a tough fight.
Without further ado, let us take a look at the key battles on the pitch.
#1 Mohamed Salah vs Antonee Robinson
Mohamed Salah once again proved his worth to Liverpool against Girona in the Champions League, scoring a penalty to win the contest 1-0 at the Estadi Montilivi on Tuesday. He is the Reds’ best player and has a staggering 13 goals and eight assists in 14 Premier League outings this season.
Arne Slot will once again look to the Egyptian to fire his team past Fulham. Salah is expected to come up against Antonee Robinson, who did a job on Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka last weekend. The American is decent going forward, but showed his defensive prowess too by locking up Saka, which should give him a lot of confidence heading into the game at Anfield.
An incredible month from the Egyptian King 👑
Mo Salah is your @premierleague Player of the Month for November 👏 pic.twitter.com/GQjqWEHiAw
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 13, 2024
With Salah being the most in-form player in the Premier League, Robinson stopping him would certainly raise Fulham’s chances of getting a positive result in Merseyside.
#2 Dominik Szoboszlai vs Sander Berge
Alexis Mac Allister is suspended for the game after picking up five yellow cards, so we are expected to see Curtis Jones form the double pivot with Ryan Gravenberch, and Dominik Szoboszlai operating as a No.10.
Szoboszlai has blown hot and cold this season, yet his bundles of energy, pressing and physicality make him a key player for Arne Slot. With his eye for pass and dynamism, the Hungarian can unlock the Fulham backline. Therefore, Sander Berge will have his task cut out.
Expected to operate in the No. 6 role again, Berge cannot afford to give Szoboszlai space and time on the ball. If the Norwegian can disrupt his rhythm, Liverpool might struggle to create chances in the final third.
#3 Alex Iwobi vs Trent Alexander-Arnold
Alex Iwobi has been Fulham’s standout performer this season. He has five goals and three assists in 15 league appearances.
Lining up on the left flank, the Nigerian will try to make inroads against a rigid Liverpool backline. The league leaders will have to ensure that they don’t give Iwobi time and space to run at them, which should be Trent Alexander-Arnold’s job.
Alex Iwobi @alexiwobi not only scored two goals, he also covered every blade of grass while contributing on both sides of the field. Could have easily had another goal and multiple assists.
A joy to watch when he’s playing like this. pic.twitter.com/h2YcV0Ijjf
— Home of Nigerian Football (@EaglesTrackerNG) December 6, 2024
Arguably the best right-back in the division, Alexander-Arnold likes to venture forward and take up promising positions to create opportunities for his teammates. With his fantastic passing range, vision, and incisive through balls, the England international can carve open the Fulham defence with one pass depending on what style the Londoners employ. They went with a compact mid-block against Arsenal and it remains to be seen if they will once again do so against Liverpool.
However, Alexander-Arnold’s positioning defensively means Iwobi might see some open space on his flank. The former Arsenal man will hope to take advantage of such situations.
