Ozan Kabak is the latest injury concern for Jurgen Klopp; follow Liverpool vs Fulham live on Sky Sports PL and Main Event from 2.00pm; kick-off 2.30pm; watch free highlights shortly after full time on Sky Sports website and app
Sunday 7 March 2021 13:17, UK
Team news, stats and prediction ahead of Liverpool vs Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday (kick-off 2.30pm).
Liverpool's centre-back problems show no sign of easing with on-loan Ozan Kabak the latest to sustain an injury.
The Schalke defender played 90 minutes of the 1-0 defeat at home to Chelsea but reported an issue afterwards which now makes him a doubt for the weekend. Nathaniel Phillips missed Thursday's fixture with a knock, but is set to be fit to face Fulham, while Klopp confirmed Ben Davies is also available.
Diogo Jota is pushing for a first start in three months after fully recovering from a knee problem.
Jordan Henderson (groin), Joel Matip (ankle), Joe Gomez (knee), Virgil van Dijk (knee) and Caoimhin Kelleher (knock) all remain out.
Forward Aleksandar Mitrovic could come back into contention for a start for Fulham, having been a substitute against Crystal Palace and Tottenham after recovering from Covid-19, but captain Tom Cairney (knee) continues his rehabilitation along with defender Terence Kongolo (calf).
Liverpool vs Fulham is a game Sky Sports customers can watch in-game clips in the live match blog on the Sky Sports website and app. Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after the final whistle.
A positive Fulham result here is a tempting proposition. You can get 8/1 for an away win or 9/4 for a draw or Fulham win in the double chance market.
After going 68 games without a league defeat at Anfield, the second-longest such run in English top-flight history, Liverpool have lost each of their last five at Anfield and looked a shadow of their former selves in the defeat to Chelsea.
A metric I use to gauge a true form-line of a team is calculating shots minus shots faced over a certain period. Since January 30, Fulham, who have won only twice in that period, have a very healthy figure of +49 putting them fourth highest in that particular table of all Premier League teams. Liverpool posted a figure of +18, backing up their stagnating form.
Can Fulham be trusted though to back up strong metrics with a result?
They are the masters of creating chances, looking dangerous in the final third and getting shots away but not actually scoring any goals. It's no surprise to see their 6.54 per cent conversion rate is the lowest in the Premier League - it's going to get them relegated. To showcase their attacking brute, only four teams have fired more shots on goal this calendar year than Fulham (149).
This makes their shots line much more interesting than their outright price for victory. We're getting 9/2 with Sky Bet on Fulham having 13 or more shots in the game. I'd rather play that than their match result chances, although the 4/1 on a draw looks a runner with Fulham drawing 11 times already this season.
JONES KNOWS PREDICTS: 1-1
BETTING ANGLE: Fulham to have 13 or more shots (9/2 with Sky Bet)
In this week's Pitch to Post preview podcast Alice Piper is joined by Sky Sports News reporters Ben Ransom and James Cooper to look ahead to the Manchester derby. Can City end United's 21-game unbeaten away run to stretch their Premier League lead to 17 points?
We also hear from Rob Dorsett ahead of the Midlands derby between Aston Villa and Wolves, with both sides looking to return to winning ways.
And Michael Bridge gives us his verdict on Tottenham's recent resurgence, as they prepare to welcome Crystal Palace.
Listen to the Sky Sports Pitch to Post Podcast on: Spotify | Apple | Castbox
