Liverpool XI against Fulham and team news

Liverpool are hoping for a smoother path to victory after testing fans’ emotions in Sunday’s victory over Tottenham Hotspur.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp reflects on Spurs’ win

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will need to silence the noise following his controversial falling out with referee Paul Tierney last weekend as he prepares his players for an important Premier League match against Fulham. With the Reds looking to continue their great form and clinch a Europa League place, Express Sport tells you how they are likely to line up against the Cottagers, who could face veteran duo Jordan Henderson and Diogo Jota…

(4-3-3) Goalkeeper: Alisson

With 42 goals conceded in 33 Premier League games so far this season, Liverpool have the worst defensive record of any team in the top eight. Fortunately for Alisson, the fault lies mainly with the defensive line, which has often left him exposed between the posts. The Reds have now played five league games without a clean sheet and after three games against Spurs, the Brazilian stopper will be hoping he doesn’t let the ball go out of goal as often this time around.

Defense: Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson

Virtually every Liverpool defender has opened up to criticism this season. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s defensive ability, or lack thereof, is still a hot topic of debate, while Andrew Robertson has been held up because he was held up by the attackers and allowed room to exploit.

However, the pair remain Klopp’s starting full-backs and there are early signs that Alexander-Arnold’s move to a makeshift central midfield role will revitalize him. Van Dijk continues to look a shadow of his former self after Tottenham Hotspur’s Ivan Perisic left him flat on his back before setting up Harry Kane in the first half of the weekend, although the Dutchman is likely to remain in centre-back alongside to Ibrahima Konate. Midfield: Henderson, Fabinho, Jones

Klopp has options in midfield, albeit not as many as he would have liked, with Naby Keita and Stefan Bajcetic out through injuries. Also in the air is the physical form of Thiago Alcantara, who stumbled on the bench against Spurs after being excluded from the squad.

Despite falling short of his high standards, Fabinho remains a dependable midfielder who, if he does his job right, should see those on either side of him wandering forward. Anfield veteran Henderson is set to return after starting on the bench against Spurs, while Klopp could give Curtis Jones a chance to score in the game. 

Diogo Jota and Jordan Henderson could return for Liverpool against Fulham (Image: Getty)

Attack: Salah, Gakpo, Jota

The Liverpool manager faces a tough decision up front. Luis Diaz was quick to score again against Tottenham after a long spell with injury, but Jota has scored five goals in his last four games following a 94th-minute win against the Lilywhites.

For that reason, the former Wolves star could almost nod, with starting scorer Mohamed Salah on the right and Cody Gakpo, who has shown flashes of brilliance since his January arrival, in the centre.

Also.. 

Full Liverpool players available to play Fulham as Jürgen Klopp has four injured amid Thiago blow

Liverpool face Fulham in the Premier League, with another injury problem added to Jürgen Klopp’s list following his dramatic win over Tottenham.

As the end of Liverpool’s season approaches, every passing game becomes more important.

The run for the top four in the Premier League looks like a pretty slim chance for the Reds with just five games to play. This is despite Liverpool winning their last four games in a spin.

Jurgen Klopp’s team are in fifth place and seven points outside the top four. Next for Liverpool is a home collision against Fulham Wednesday, but the Reds will have to win without any of their most important players.

Liverpool had already excluded three players due to an injury. Stefan Bajčetić and Calvin Ramsay are long -term absences, while Roberto Firmino is not yet recovered from a muscle injury to return to time.

Unfortunately, not all in terms of fitness problems. Thiago Alcântara’s season now seems to have ended, where the midfielder wants to undergo surgery to treat an hip problem (through the times). Klopp also told a press conference on Tuesday that Diogo Jota was in doubt with a relapse.

Should Jota be unavailable to face Fulham, that would be a major blow to Liverpool’s chances of getting a win. The Portugal international had begun to find his best form after returning from a calf injury in February, having scored five goals in his last four appearances.

It’s a similar story for Naby Keita, who is yet to feature for Liverpool since the end of February. Having only made 13 appearances this season, and looking increasingly likely to leave as a free agent in the summer, it seems his career at Anfield is nearing its conclusion.

Fulham has been one of the Premier League’s surprise packages this season, having only got promoted from the Championship last term. But they will also be without some of their key players, with Tim Ream (broken arm), Andreas Pereira (broken leg), Willian (hamstring) and Aleksandar Mitrović (suspended) all unavailable.

Here Liverpool.com brings you the full list of players available to the manager, as Liverpool looks to make it five league wins on the bounce on Wednesday.

Goalkeepers: Alisson Becker, Adrián, Caoimhín Kelleher.

Defenders: Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, Kostas Tsimikas, Andy Robertson, Joël Matip, Nat Phillips, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Rhys Williams.

Midfielders: Fabinho, James Milner, Jordan Henderson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Fábio Carvalho, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Arthur Melo.