Liverpool Starting XI vs Fulham: Confirmed Team News and Predicted Lineup | OneFootball

Starting XI Prediction: Liverpool Looking to Move One Step Closer to the Premier League Title

There’s just eight Premier League games remaining for Liverpool, with 12 points needed to secure their second league title in five years.

Coming off the back of the crucial 1-0 victory over Everton in the Merseyside Derby, Arne Slot’s side now turn their attention to an away trip to face Fulham at Craven Cottage.

In terms of team news, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez both remain sidelined for this one, as Slot confirmed in his pre-match press conference.

Alisson Becker missed the clash with Everton during the week through concussion protocols, but is expected to be available for this one. Full-back Conor Bradley faces a race against time to be fit for Sunday, but is certainly nearing a return.

Photo: IMAGO

Two Changes at the Back

As mentioned above, Alisson is expected to return to the starting lineup in place of Caoimhin Kelleher. Wednesday’s victory over Everton might’ve been Kelleher’s last game for Liverpool, but what a way to end his time on Merseyside with a clean sheet and a win over the Toffees.

The other change could see Jarell Quansah come back into the side at right-back, in place of Curtis Jones who put in a brilliant performance during the week. Virgil Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate will keep their place at the heart of the defence.

Photo: IMAGO

At left-back, Andy Robertson will keep his place in the side ahead of Kostas Tsimikas.

Verdict: Alisson, Quansah, Konate, Van Dijk (C), Robertson

Unchanged Midfield

Slot faces a fairly easy decision when selecting his midfield trio, where I’d expect an unchanged midfield.

Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister will likely partner each other at the base of the midfield, with Wataru Endo likely providing some minutes from the bench.

Ahead of them, Dominik Szoboszlai will remain as the most advanced midfielder and provide support to the central striker. Both Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott will be hoping to get some minutes later in the game.

Verdict: Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai

Big Decisions Up-Front

In terms of the front-three, Slot has plenty of options to choose from with all six forwards currently fit and available for selection. Mohamed Salah will certainly start on the right-wing and will be looking to end his run of three games without a goal involvement.

The key decisions lie in the central striker role and the left-wing. Diogo Jota started down the middle against Everton and put in a much-improved performance, as well as scoring the crucial winner. I think the Portuguese striker will get the nod for this one again, whilst Darwin Nunez will be limited to impact from the bench.

Photo: IMAGO

On the left-wing, it’s so tough to choose between Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo. The plan was likely for the Dutch forward to come into the starting lineup for this one, but Diaz’s performance against Everton may have thrown a spanner in the works for Slot.

Therefore, Diaz could get the nod to go again for this one as he looks to carry on his impressive form from the international break.

Verdict: Salah, Jota, Diaz

Starting XI: Alisson, Quansah, Konate, Van Dijk (C), Robertson, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Salah, Jota, Diaz

Bench: Kelleher, Bradley, Tsimikas, Endo, Jones, Elliott, Chiesa, Gakpo, Nunez