Fulham vs Liverpool: No More Excuses – Reds Must Respond at Craven Cottage

Liverpool head to Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon knowing that the margin for error is shrinking fast. The New Year’s Day stalemate with Leeds at Anfield was supposed to be a platform; instead, it reopened uncomfortable questions about urgency, incision and whether Arne Slot’s side can still impose themselves when expectation is at its highest.

Now comes Fulham away — a fixture that has quietly become one of Liverpool’s most awkward tests in recent seasons.

Liverpool remain fourth, unbeaten in eight league matches, but Thursday’s 0-0 draw felt like a setback disguised as progress. Nearly two expected goals, 68% possession, and a glaring Hugo Ekitiké miss added up to a performance that satisfied nobody inside Anfield. The boos at full-time were not about results — they were about direction.

Fulham, meanwhile, arrive with belief. Marco Silva’s side have won five of their last eight home league games, keeping four clean sheets at Craven Cottage already — twice as many as they managed there all of last season. They are 12th, but just six points off Liverpool, and have already taken four points from the champions across the last two league meetings.

Last season’s 3-2 Fulham win here still stings.

Liverpool’s recent away form is quietly encouraging. Seven points from the last three league trips (W2 D1) represents real progress compared to the chaos of early autumn, and the Reds have scored in 20 consecutive league games in London.

But the Leeds draw underlined a recurring flaw: dominance without damage. Liverpool have won just three of their last 11 opening league games of a calendar year, though they have not lost their first Anfield or away New Year fixture in nine attempts.

Fulham, by contrast, are awkward rather than explosive. They’ve lost just once in their last eight home league games, and Silva’s sides are organised, physical — the sort of opponent that thrives if Liverpool play at walking pace.

Hugo Ekitiké arrives in strong away form, having scored three goals in his last two league matches on the road. With Mohamed Salah still at AFCON and Alexander Isak sidelined, Liverpool’s attacking burden rests heavily on the Frenchman’s shoulders.

Florian Wirtz is another subplot. After failing to register a goal involvement in his first 15 league games, he had now scored or assisted in each of his last two before Leeds. Slot admitted post-Leeds that the German requires careful physical management — but Liverpool may need his invention more than ever here.

For Fulham, Harry Wilson is the obvious threat. The former Red has been involved in four goals in his last seven home league appearances and tends to rise when the atmosphere sharpens.

Calling this “must-win” in January may sound dramatic — but context matters. Liverpool missed a chance to create separation from Chelsea and Manchester United on Thursday. Another flat draw, particularly away from home, risks turning an unbeaten run into a holding pattern.

Fulham have shown they can hurt Liverpool. They are comfortable in low blocks, confident at home, and dangerous if allowed to grow into games. If Liverpool drift again — recycling possession without purpose — the crowd at Craven Cottage will sense vulnerability.

Slot’s project is still taking shape. But after the Leeds debacle, Liverpool don’t need control. They need conviction.

This isn’t about pretty patterns or tidy statistics. It’s about proving that when rhythm stalls, Liverpool can still force the issue — and force the result.

Sunday will tell us whether that belief still exists.

Likely line-ups

Fulham (possible XI):
Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Cuenca, Robinson; Lukic, Berge; Wilson, Smith Rowe, Kevin; Jimenez

Silva’s side will likely sit compact, absorb pressure, and target transitions through Wilson and Robinson down the flanks.

Liverpool (possible XI):
Alisson; Frimpong, Konaté, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Jones; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Gakpo; Ekitiké

Expect Slot to reintroduce Mac Allister’s control and Gakpo’s movement after rotation against Leeds. Whether Wirtz starts or is preserved could define the game’s tempo.