Liverpool vs Fulham preview: team news, kick-off, referee & TV

Having just booked their place in the FA Cup fourth round, Liverpool will be aiming to put one foot in the Carabao Cup final this Wednesday when they host Fulham. 

The Reds beat Arsenal 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium thanks to a Luis Diaz strike and Jakub Kiwior own goal on Sunday, with attention swiftly turning to England's other domestic cup competition midweek.

Having beaten Leicester City, Bournemouth and West Ham United en route to the semi-final of the Carabao Cup, Liverpool will now lock horns with Fulham over two legs.

The first comes at Anfield this Wednesday, Jurgen Klopp's side aiming to take a strong lead to Craven Cottage come late January.

Liverpool have already faced Fulham this season on Merseyside, the Reds winning 4-3 in a seven-goal thriller in early December.

Here is everything you need to know ahead of Liverpool vs Fulham on Wednesday.

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DATE, KICK-OFF, STADIUM, REFEREE AND VAR

• Date: Wednesday, 10 January 2024

• Kick-off time: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT

• Stadium: Anfield

• Referee: David Coote

LIVERPOOL VS FULHAM HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD

Following Liverpool's clash with Fulham earlier this season, the two sides have now faced one another on 74 occasions. Unsurprisingly, the Reds boast the better record in this fixture.

Liverpool have won 43 of the clashes, losing on just 13 occasions. Of those defeats, only two have come at Anfield.

The Reds' 4-3 victory over Fulham earlier this season was one of the more dramatic encounters between the clubs. Liverpool were a goal down until the 87th-minute, but quickfire strikes from Wataru Endo and Trent Alexander-Arnold earned them all three points.

However, Liverpool have only won two of their last five meetings with the Cottagers, Klopp needing to be wary of the threat Marco Silva's side pose.

WHERE TO WATCH LIVERPOOL VS FULHAM ON TV

Liverpool vs Fulham will be the Reds' tenth consecutive match on TV in the United Kingdom, fans able to watch the game on Sky Sports.

Those in Canada can watch on DAZN, while the game will be available on ESPN+ in the United States.

Of course, match highlights will be available after the full-time whistle on LFCTV, while you can keep up to date with the action on the Anfield Watch socials.

LIVERPOOL TEAM NEWS

Liverpool do have a significant list of absentees ahead of the Carabao Cup clash with Fulham on Wednesday, the Reds' squad depth being tested by injuries.

Dominik Szoboszlai isn't expected to be out for too long with a hamstring injury sustained on New Year's Day, but will be missing against the Cottagers. Thiago and Stefan Bajcetic are nearing returns, but are still absent in midfield.

Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas remain sidelined through injury at left-back, with young Owen Beck perhaps being handed his first Liverpool start after being recalled from his loan spell with Dundee.

Joel Matip will likely be out for the rest of the season, while young Ben Doak is still recovering from surgery.

Virgil van Dijk missed the Arsenal game through illness, but Klopp hopes he will be well for the midweek clash.

Wataru Endo and Mohamed Salah will be missing with Japan and Egypt at the Asian Cup and Africa Cup of Nations respectively.

FULHAM TEAM NEWS

Fulham also have a few absentees for their trip to Anfield, three players missing due to their international commitments.

Fode Ballo-Toure, Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi are all at AFCON, while young Matt Dibley-Dias is injured.

Tim Ream is likely to miss out on Wednesday's game as he nurses a calf injury and speed merchant Adama Traore is definitely out.

LIVERPOOL PREDICTED LINEUP

With no game for the Reds until the 21 January following Fulham, Klopp will be inclined to go strong on Wednesday. Plus, you can ill-afford to rest players in a semi-final.

However, there may be a sprinkling of fringe players, especially given Liverpool's current injury concerns.

Great-nephew of Ian Rush, young left-back Beck may be given a start, while Caoimhin Kelleher should return between the sticks.

Ryan Gravenberch and Diogo Jota may also come into the starting lineup following impressive cameos from the bench against Arsenal.

(4-3-3): Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Beck; Elliott, Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Diaz, Gakpo, Jota.

SCORE PREDICTION

Liverpool can't allow complacency to creep in midweek, especially given how hard they were pushed by Fulham in the Premier League this season.

However, the Reds have hit their stride in recent weeks, their performances now matching their results. The character and quality shown against Arsenal on Sunday highlights just how far they've come from last season.

While the Cottagers are a strong side capable of springing a surprise, the Reds will be strong favourites on Wednesday.

With a second leg to come, Liverpool will be aiming to take a handsome lead to Craven Cottage.

Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Fulham