Liverpool must offer improvement from their lifeless goalless draw with Leeds United when they make the journey to Fulham in the Premier League.
The Reds travel to west London on Sunday afternoon aiming to extend their eight-game unbeaten run and return to winning ways, but they have little chance of securing victory without significantly raising their performance levels against the Cottagers.
Liverpool know a point is enough to keep them in the top four for another round of fixtures, but with an away day at league leaders Arsenal to come on Thursday, they must take full advantage of a slightly simpler battle in the capital.
Here is how Liverpool could line up against Fulham.
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GK: Alisson—Alisson was rarely tested against Leeds but a more eventful evening lies in wait for the Brazilian at Craven Cottage as Fulham seek to extend their four-game undefeated run.
RB: Conor Bradley—The Northern Ireland international returned to the XI last time out and managed to get through the game without picking up an injury or yellow card, which is always a bonus for him. However, he offered surprisingly little going forward.
CB: Ibrahima Konaté—Liverpool were grateful that Konaté avoided a booking against Leeds which would have seen him suspended for Sunday’s game, with the Frenchman readying himself for a tricky battle with Raúl Jiménez.
CB: Virgil van Dijk—There have been slight defensive improvements during Liverpool’s unbeaten run but even Van Dijk hasn’t been immune to worrying lapses in concentration. The fact that he and Konaté are forced to play every match doesn’t help.
LB: Milos Kerkez—Andy Robertson was promoted to the lineup against Leeds but Kerkez is expected to return on Sunday. He faces an intriguing battle with in-form ex-Liverpool winger Harry Wilson.
DM: Ryan Gravenberch—Gravenberch scored his first ever Premier League goal at Craven Cottage but will be more focused on protecting his back four than firing in a fifth goal of the campaign this weekend.
DM: Alexis Mac Allister—Curtis Jones has played a lot of minutes lately and with games coming thick and fast throughout January, Mac Allister, who was benched on New Year’s Day, could replace the local lad in midfield.
RW: Jeremie Frimpong—Frimpong was one of Liverpool’s few bright sparks on Thursday as he replaced the absent Mohamed Salah at right wing, following up his assist against Wolverhampton Wanderers with a lively display.
AM: Dominik Szoboszlai—Returning from suspension against Leeds, Szoboszlai was unable to make any decisive impact in the final third. The Hungarian will hope to have a greater impact on Sunday.
LW: Cody Gakpo—With Arne Slot revealing that Florian Wirtz has been struggling with a slight hamstring complaint, Gakpo could make his first start since the chaotic draw with Leeds a month ago.
ST: Hugo Ekitiké—Liverpool are growing increasingly reliant on moments of magic from Ekitiké, who will be forced to play an awful lot of football in the coming months following Alexander Isak’s injury.
