Stat Pack: Everything you need to know about Fulham ahead of Liverpool clash

Liverpool welcome Fulham to Anfield this Sunday as the Reds return to action in the Premier League.

Liverpool have played twice since the international break, a 1-1 draw against Manchester City at the Etihad and a 4-0 demolition of LASK in the Europa League on Thursday.

Next up are the Cottagers, with Liverpool looking to extend their impressive run of ten consecutive home victories this season - all of which have been by two or more goals.

Fulham will not be overly optimistic travelling to Merseyside, but they did enjoy a controversial and fortuitous 3-2 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers last time out. Willian's late penalty sent Marco Silva's side up to 14th in the Premier League table.

However, despite this Sunday's encounter looking like a fairly simple Liverpool win on paper, Jurgen Klopp's side only beat Fulham 1-0 at Anfield last season courtesy of a Mohamed Salah penalty.

Complacency could prove costly, so here are the statistics behind Fulham's Premier League season so far.

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HEADLINE FIGURES

Fulham have played 13 matches in the league this season, but they have found consistency hard to come by. They have won four, drawn three and lost six of their games, accumulating just 15 points as a result.

The Cottagers haven't managed consecutive victories all season, which bodes well for Liverpool on Sunday. In fact, only once have Silva's side avoided defeat straight after a victory - back in September.

Fulham have only kept two clean sheets, the last of which came back in September too, more good news for Liverpool's razor sharp attacking line.

Silva's side have just six points from seven games on the road this season, although they have already won on Merseyside having beaten Everton 1-0 on the opening day.

Fulham have scored just six goals away from home but have still picked up points at Arsenal and Brighton this term.

EXPECTED GOALS

If table position was based on expected goals, Fulham would find themselves in the relegation zone. They have an xG of just 15.37, although they have actually scored just 13 times this campaign. Only Burnley and Sheffield United have a worse xG.

Fulham have scored in over half their games but have also drawn blanks on six occasions, meaning that Liverpool shouldn't be too concerned by their opponents' attacking numbers, especially given their lack of an out-and-out goalscorer.

When it comes to xGC (expected goals conceded), Fulham find themselves a little further up the table. The Cottagers have an xGC of 23.45 and have conceded just 22 times, suggesting they are slightly overperforming defensively.

That could be down to the impressive work of Bernd Leno who has faced the second most shots (51) - as many as Manchester United's Andre Onana - in the Premier League this season after Sheffield United's Wes Foderingham.

Considering Liverpool have the second strongest xG and fourth strongest xGC in the league, it should be a comfortable win for the Reds this weekend.

POSSESSION

Despite having struggled this season, Fulham have generally enjoyed a fair amount of the ball. Silva's men average 49.5% possession (8.2% less than Liverpool), higher than nine other teams in the division.

Fulham are also tenth for most completed passes and ninth for progressive passing distance. Sunday's visitors will certainly look to get the ball on the ground and play, although whether Liverpool will let them is another question.

For example, Fulham could only manage 32% possession in their 5-1 defeat to Man City in early September, while that number was only 29% in their 2-2 draw with Arsenal at the Emirates in August - although Calvin Bassey did get sent off with over ten minutes remaining in north London.

Liverpool should enjoy the majority of the ball on Sunday but Fulham are more than capable of playing their way through the Reds if gaps appear.

FUN FACT

Mohamed Salah has scored as many Premier League goals as Willian, Raul Jimenez, Carlos Vinicius, Harry Wilson, Andreas Pereira and Alex Iwobi combined this season.