Liverpool host Fulham FC this weekend looking to bounce back from an inexplicable and inexcusable loss at Red Star Belgrade in UEFA Champions League group stage play. Maybe they would have been better off facing the Chicago Red Stars of the NWSL, well, maybe. Now that we’ve done that joke both on social media and in a post we can now move on to seeing how the Reds recover from this devastating setback.
And maybe Sunday’s Premier League fixture could be the ideal match-up for trying to get their groove back. The Reds have made Anfield somewhat of a fortress, as they have conceded just one goal in their last 10 league contests at home.
They will have to contend with some real injury issues in the back line however.
Trent Alexander-Arnold lasted only the first half against Red Star. The details on his injury have been left vague, but the party line says it’s not serious. Joe Gomez replaced TAA at half time in Belgrade, but he’s nursing an Achilles injury. Gomez will be monitored throughout the week, and faces a late fitness test for Sunday. He has not been ruled out though and might still even be in the first team.
Dejan Lovren was also ruled out in midweek with a similar problem, adding to the injury woes in the back line. He could be ready in time for this one though.
Just as the midfield strengthens, with Naby Keita and Jordan Henderson coming back into the mix, the defender group is now ailing and possibly provides a selection headache for manager Jurgen Klopp. On the plus side, midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri is back in the mix after having to miss the Serbian trip due to political reasons.
On the other side, Joe Bryan is the only injury absentee, with his having been ruled out due to an ongoing hamstring issue.
Liverpool FC vs Fulham FC FYIs
LFC Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Kickoff: Sunday, November 10, 12 pm local, Anfield
Odds via William Hill: Fulham 22/1 Draw 10/1 Liverpool 1/10
Prediction: Liverpool 2, Fulham 0
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Lineups.com and Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.