Liverpool v Fulham – Match Preview

Fulham might just be the most ideal opposition we could be facing today.  After their heroic efforts on Thursday night, not only is there the possibility that Roy Hodgson may rest some of their key men, but it’s also not unreasonable to assume that those who do play may have their minds elsewhere.  Of course, we are in the same position, but there’s one big difference between our situation and Fulham’s. We still have something to play for.

We’re very much an outside bet for fourth spot, but we’re not out of it and a win against Fulham would be one step closer to achieving it.  With Spurs and Villa both in FA Cup action this weekend, there is a chance for us to take advantage of that by collecting another three points.  And it’s much better for us to be facing a mid table side with nothing to play for, who are coming off the back of a tough away fixture in Europe just three days earlier, than it would be to face a side battling for Europe or against relegation.

We have some fresh legs we can bring in too, in the shape of Maxi and possibly Ryan Babel should Rafa opt to bring him back.  Insua is back from suspension too, although I’m not sure we should break up the back four that did so well against Benfica.  Damien Duff has been in great form this season and could run rings around Insua, I’d much prefer Agger there to be honest.

If selected, Duff is possibly the biggest threat Fulham possess.  Zamora has had a great season too, and can be a handful when he’s on form.  But there’s no guarantee either of them will even play, and if I were Hodgson I’d certainly be looking at wrapping some of my stars up in cotton wool ahead of the biggest game in Fulham’s history when they face Hamburg in the semi finals.

With just five games left, we can’t afford any slip ups now.  The Chelsea game could go either way, but the rest of our fixtures all look like games we should win.  We have to be positive, there’s no room for playing it safe and controlling the game anymore, it has to be a case of taking games by the scruff of the neck from the first whistle and going on the offensive.

With Torres in the supreme form he’s in, all we have to do is provide him with a decent level of service and he’ll win the games for us.  I’d like to see Gerrard back in midfield for this game, in place of either Mascherano or Lucas (not bothered which one), and ideally I’d like Aquilani in behind Torres.  It’s more likely that we’ll see Kuyt playing off Torres, with Maxi on the right and either Yossi or Babel on the left.  I just think fresh legs might give us the edge in this game though, so I’d like to see Maxi, Aquilani and Babel all come into the side behind Torres.

We’re not playing anywhere near the level we were this time last season, but we are definitely playing better than we have at any other point this season.  I can’t see us not beating Fulham, and I expect it will be fairly comfortable, with Torres extending his record of scoring at least two goals to a fifth consecutive home game.

Line up prediction:  Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Insua; Mascherano, Gerrard; Maxi, Kuyt, Babel; Torres:

Score prediction:  3-0 (Torres 2, Maxi)

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