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Liverpool starting lineup to face Fulham in the Premier League – predicted

Liverpool starting lineup to face Fulham in the Premier League – predicted

Andy Headspeath 01 Dec 2023, 12:13 Last modified: 01 Dec 2023

It's December and we are now officially into the festive season, where Liverpool face eight games across the month of December.

Beating LASK 4-0 and securing top spot in Europa League Group E with a game to spare will allow Jurgen Klopp to rest key players for the upcoming trip to Union Saint-Gilloise, but the Reds still face a testing few weeks as they aim to – at the very least – end the year without losing ground in the title race.

First up this month is the visit of Fulham to Anfield this Sunday.

On paper, it's one of the kinder fixtures the Reds could have but, with injuries already mounting, Klopp will have to be wary of getting the job done while keeping his squad fresh.

Here's how they could line up.

GOALKEEPER & DEFENCE

A clean sheet and several decent saves against LASK midweek will have done Caoimhin Kelleher's confidence a world of good as he prepares for perhaps his longest run in the team as Liverpool's keeper.

With Alisson predicted out until the Manchester United clash on 17 December, Kelleher could get as many as three consecutive Premier League starts – he has just five in his career to date.

In front of the Irishman, Trent Alexander-Arnold will reprise his role at right back, with captain Virgil van Dijk returning to the centre of defence.

Ibrahima Konate's substitution for 'medical' reasons suggests he is probably unlikely to start this weekend, with Joel Matip set for another start ahead of Joe Gomez and the impressive young Jarell Quansah.

Kostas Tsimikas will continue at left back in Andy Robertson's absence, having earned a ten-minute rest at the end of the win over LASK.

MIDFIELD

Alexis Mac Allister – who has missed just one Premier League game this season – should return to the base of the midfield, despite Wataru Endo's showing in the Europa League.

Dominik Szoboszai, like Mac Allister, was an unused substitute on Thursday. He is likely to be come back into the side, though Harvey Elliott's strong recent performances have added competition for the position.

The left-side of the midfield remains the hardest to predict. While Curtis Jones started against Manchester City, he was hooked for Ryan Gravenberch, who helped set up the late equaliser.

The Dutchman's final-third creativity may help him get the nod for the visit of Marco Silva's side, who are likely to sit deep.

ATTACK

Mohamed Salah is a shoo-in on the right side of the front three. The Egyptian is now on 199 goals for Liverpool in all competitions and has four goals in six appearances against Fulham – including one in each of last season's meetings.

Diogo Jota's injury reduces competition for places, while Luis Diaz's substitution early in the second half on Thursday suggested he is being protected for the weekend.

Up front it is a tough choice for Klopp between Darwin Nuñez and Cody Gakpo. The Dutchman's brace and impressive all-round display make him hard to drop, but having played the full 90 against LASK, he may well be made to settle for an impact sub role once again.

If he features, Nuñez will be looking is to end a five-game run without a goal for Liverpool.

Youngster Kaide Gordon made the bench for the Europa League win 22 months after his last first-team outing. He could well be in the matchday squad once again this Sunday.