v
Liverpool v Fulham
22 Dec 2012, 1730
Anfield
Official: Mark Clattenburg
Both the Reds and Cottagers come into this one looking for three points following a defeat last weekend. Liverpool slumped to a shocking 1-3 defeat at Anfield to Aston Villa, while Fulham gave QPR their first victory of the season at Loftus Road.
The two teams have an interesting history over the past few seasons, with Fulham pulling the double over the Reds in the last campaign.
Clint Dempsey, now at Tottenham after Liverpool failed in their pursuit of the American, scored the 1-0 winner at Craven Cottage in December when he capitalized on a rebound given up by
Pepe Reina. Reina himself was suspended for the return fixture at Anfield in May, while
Jay Spearing was given a straight red in the match. Manager
Kenny Dalglish played a weakened side in the return fixture in order to rest his stars ahead of the FA Cup final vs Chelsea four days later. Liverpool would again end up on the wrong side of a 1-0 scoreline when
Martin Skrtel's own goal gave the Cottagers the victory. In that match, backup keeper
Doni slotted in for the suspended Reina.
The last five meetings between Liverpool and Fulham at Anfield have been fairly even, with Liverpool having a record of 2-2-1 against the London club.
This season, both teams sit mid-table through 17 fixtures.
Brendan Rodgers' men currently lie in 12th place on 22 points, while
Martin Jol's team are just two points back of the Reds on 20 points.
Rodgers has hinted that both
Joe Allen and
Raheem Sterling could be rested in the coming weeks. In his pre-match presser, Rodgers indicated that
Jose Enrique is fit for Saturday, while
Oussama Assaidi is doubtful with a knee injury.
Nuri Sahin could return depending on his comfort level after being fitted with a protective mask following surgery from a broken nose.
Fulham have been boosted by the arrival of
Dimitar Berbatov, with the Bulgarian having netted 5 times for the Cottagers since moving from Manchester United in the summer.
Mladen Petric shares the scoring tally with the Bulgarian on 5 goals in league play.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have relied on
Luis Suarez's 10 league goals, however the Uruguayan hasn't netted since a two-goal showing vs Wigan in November. Captain
Steven Gerrard found the back of the net last week vs Aston Villa to put him second behind Suarez with just 2 goals in the league.
Both teams will be looking for a win, with more pressure being put on the Reds to rebound after a poor performance vs Villa. A win for either side could give them a boost heading into the Boxing Day fixtures before the January window opens up.
Kick Off
http://www.lfcreds.com/reds/index.php/topic,44118.msg1401437.html#msg1401437Full Time
http://www.lfcreds.com/reds/index.php/topic,44118.msg1401739.html#msg1401739