Liverpool head to Craven Cottage this afternoon with a clear mission: to rediscover their attacking spark after a toothless New Year's Day performance. The reigning champions were held to a drab 0-0 draw by a resilient Leeds United at Anfield, a result that saw them miss a chance to cement their position in the Premier League's top four.
Anfield Frustration Fuels Craven Cottage Challenge
The 0-0 stalemate against Leeds on 1 January 2026 proved a significant frustration for manager Arne Slot. His side struggled to break down a disciplined opponent, with striker Hugo Ekitike missing a glaring opportunity to secure all three points. Slot openly bemoaned his team's lack of potency in the final third, an issue they will be desperate to rectify against Marco Silva's Fulham.
This fixture presents its own psychological hurdle for the Reds, as they return to the ground where they suffered a defeat last season. The task is to transform the frustration from the Leeds game into a focused and clinical performance in West London.
Fulham's Form and Team News
The Cottagers head into the match in decent form, having secured a late 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace on New Year's Day thanks to Tom Cairney's equaliser. Like their opponents, Fulham had won three consecutive games prior to that draw, suggesting a team full of confidence.
However, Marco Silva faces several selection headaches. The club is without Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, and Samuel Chukwueze due to the Africa Cup of Nations. Furthermore, Josh King and Kenny Tete are considered doubts for the clash, potentially weakening Fulham's options.
Liverpool's Line-Up Questions
For Liverpool, the major absentee remains Mohamed Salah, who is still competing at the Africa Cup of Nations. Beyond that, there are no fresh major injury concerns reported from the Leeds match. All eyes will be on whether defender Joe Gomez returns to the matchday squad to provide additional defensive solidity for the trip.
The central narrative for Arne Slot's side is whether they can find the creativity and cutting edge that was so conspicuously absent against Leeds. The visit to Craven Cottage represents a critical test of their championship mentality and their ability to immediately respond to adversity.
