Game Week 16 Predictions: Liverpool to beat Fulham

Liverpool vs. Fulham: Liverpool aims to extend dominance at Anfield despite key absences, and Fulham eyes an upset to climb the Premier League table.

Liverpool's moving train continues to rove around, can Fulham stop them at Anfield? (Photo credit: GOAL)

 Liverpool vs. Fulham

Anfield

4:00 pm

Liverpool didn’t play last weekend in the league due to a fierce wind; they saw Arsenal and Manchester City drop points in their respective games, but Chelsea closed the gap on the log leaders to just four points.

Liverpool remains the favorite to win this encounter, despite the good form of the Lilywhites.  Marco Silva’s side forced Arsenal to a 1-1 draw last weekend, but they must be grateful to the VAR that disallowed Arsenal’s potential winner late on.

Fulham, with a win, could surge up to fifth on the log, and that would be only one point behind Manchester City. That’s a huge motivation, but can they do it against high-flying Liverpool at a difficult ground like Anfield?

Liverpool has only dropped points once at Anfield in all competitions. They currently lead the Champions League table, having won every single game they have played in the competition, and are now almost guaranteed a place in the knockout phase without playing playoffs next year.

Liverpool will be without Alexis Mac Allister, who has already received five yellow cards, but they could welcome him back. Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa are also nearing full fitness. Arne Slot confirms that Ibrahim Konate is the only player who is currently unavailable.

In the same vein, Marco Silva’s side will be without Calvin Bassey, who also got his fifth yellow card of the season against the Gunners; Jorge Cuenca is expected to fill in for him with Joachim Andersen still out injured.

Reis Nelson and Harrison Reed are unavailable while Tom Cairney continues to serve his ban. Fulham will set up to counter Liverpool; they will be expressive, but they must keep an eye on the Liverpool wingers, who will punish them every time they can.

Mohammed Salah is in the form of his life; word on the street is that he has been offered a new deal, but nothing is advanced as of now. Virgil Van Dijk is another player at the tail end of his contract; Liverpool must see to the two as they’re not prepared to lose out on their prized assets.

Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez are both competing for one spot, and Slot has said he believes the Uruguayan striker will come good; however, he is likely to be behind Jota when the Portuguese does return to full fitness. The question at hand is whether Fulham can effectively contain Liverpool.

Verdict: Liverpool is to win.