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Premier League: Liverpool v Fulham match preview

A look ahead to Saturday’s Premier League fixture at Anfield

Josh Bell
Friday 21 December 2012 16:51 GMT
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Luis Suarez
Luis Suarez

Just when Brendan Rodgers had supporters whispering about the prospects of Champions League football next season, they were brought back to earth by Paul Lambert’s daring and exciting young Aston Villa side.

A humbling 1-3 defeat will ensure short term ambitions are kept well in check, even if they are still only seven points off the top four.

Fulham meanwhile became the first side to be defeated by QPR this season and have only won two out of their last 12 despite creditable draws at Arsenal and Chelsea.

They will be buoyed by the fact they did the league double over Liverpool last season, their victory at Anfield was their first win there.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 5.30pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Liverpool 0 Fulham 1 (Skrtel OG), Premier League, May 2012

Fulham 1 (Dempsey) Liverpool 0, Premier League, December 2011

Fulham 2 (Dembele, Sidwell) Liverpool 5 (Maxi Rodriguez 3, Kuyt, Suarez) Premier League, May 2011

STATS…

Fulham have hit the target with 53% of their shots this season in the Premier League; a higher proportion than any other side

Fulham have scored just three goals in 11 meetings at Anfield.

Luis Suarez has averaged a shot at goal every 20 minutes in the Premier League this season; the most of any player in the division

Martin Jol is unbeaten in his last three matches with Liverpool as a Premier League manager (W2 D1), including two 1-0 wins over them with Fulham last season.

ODDS…

Liverpool to win: 1.57

Fulham to win: 7.2

Draw: 4.3

CLASSIC MATCH

Liverpool came back from 2-0 half time to seal a dramatic 4-2 victory in October 2004.

Goals in the first half Luis Boa Morte and Brian McBride pot the Cottagers in a comfortable position at the break before a freak own goal from Zat Knight narrowed the deficit.

Milan Baros equalised for Liverpool with 20 minutes to go but it seemed all Rafa Benitez’s side’s hard work would be in vein was Josemi was sent off for two bookable offences.

Yet remarkably Liverpool went in front two minutes later when Xabi Alonso’s free kick came of Papa Bouba Diop and past Fulham keeper Edwin van der Sar before Igor Biscan, butt of the Liverpool fans, sealed the points with a minute to go.

TV: Live on ESPN at 5.30pm, highlights at 10.25pm on MOTD

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