Liverpool must take the threat of Fulham seriously if they wish to avoid dropping points in the title race like Arsenal did when they faced Marco Silva's side last weekend, Reds expert David Lynch has argued.
The Reds currently have a four point advantage over second-placed Chelsea, six point advantage over third-placed Arsenal and an eight point advantage over fourth-placed Manchester City, while also having a game in hand.
Arne Slot's side are set to take on Fulham at Anfield on Saturday afternoon and while some believe that his team should be strong favourites, the Cottagers managed to hold Arsenal to a 1-1 stalemate on December 8, and Lynch has warned against complacency.
Speaking to Sports Mole, Lynch said: "Defensively Fulham are very, very good and will give Liverpool a real test, and you look at the struggles that [Liverpool] had unlocking that low block that Girona had - Fulham are very, very capable of doing that.
"They restricted Arsenal to 0.3 expected goals from open play in that game, which is a remarkable effort. So that just shows how difficult it's going to be, and they've got so much pace to hurt you on the counter as well - Adamo Traore is absolutely ruthless in terms of getting away. It's a flip of a coin whether he's going to have any end product, but he can get away from your defence.
"[They've] got loads of quality players like Harry Wilson as well. Jimenez is a brilliant player. So it's a really tough one. The upside for Liverpool is it's back to Anfield now and that will be good. The atmosphere, and just playing in familiar conditions, always helps."
Though Arsenal produced over two xG against Silva's side, the vast majority of that total came from set pieces, proving just how difficult Fulham can be to break down.
Diogo Jota: Liverpool's ticket to winning?
Striker Darwin Nunez has been singled out for criticism this season, with the Uruguayan scoring just two goals in 11 Premier League matches this season, and his lack of output will no doubt be a concern when Fulham travel to Anfield.
Luis Diaz has operated as a false nine before this term - to mixed effect - but Liverpool could be boosted by the return of Portuguese forward Diogo Jota.
However, Lynch has urged fans to not necessarily expect Jota to start, telling Sports Mole: "One thing I've got from this new regime is that they are extra careful [when] bringing players back, no matter the injury. We've seen that in the past with muscle injuries, but it seems [to be with] every type of injury [now], and previously even Alisson would have been back earlier than we actually saw.
"With Jota being in and around training - not entirely sure what that means. Obviously he didn't travel to Girona, but hopefully he can be involved in this one, because even if he can do 10 minutes off the bench, Liverpool need him to get back there and be starting games.
"It's not massively happening for Nunez at the moment and he's getting to the point where he's playing at the detriment to the team, and he needs a stint out the side at the moment. If [Slot] can get Jota back, that would be a big boost, so hopefully he's involved for Fulham, but it's very, very hard to say at the moment."
Jota has built a reputation as not only being prolific in and around the box, but also as a capable link player, duties that Nunez has at times struggled with.
© Imago
The impact on the title race
Though Liverpool have played a game less than their main title rivals, dropping points against Fulham and allowing the gap to the chasing pack to shrink could have a psychologically damaging impact.
However, Lynch believes that none of the teams below the Reds have proven themselves as worthy of being champions, and the expert even dismissed the chances of Chelsea winning the league.
When asked about the state of Liverpool's rivals, Lynch told Sports Mole: "I don't want to dismiss anyone, but [I] don't really see Chelsea as title contenders at the moment because defensively, there's too many question marks there. I think they will drop points frequently as a side with their defensive record at the moment.
"Arsenal - six points still with the opportunity to go to nine [clear] at some point. I'd like to think [Liverpool are not] suddenly feeling the pressure of it being nine and then going to four. If they are thinking like that, they're probably not going to win the title because if that feels like pressure, then they're probably in trouble. [The gap] will grow and shrink at times this season. It's just going to happen.
"[Arsenal] dropped points, and they're just nowhere near it. For Liverpool, they don't have to think about expanding the gap or think about where the other teams are. Just keep winning football matches, and if they do that, then the gap will look after itself."
Liverpool will perhaps benefit from the fact that their game against Fulham kicks off at the same time as Arsenal's game against Everton on Saturday, eliminating any chance of the Gunners potentially receiving a confidence boost should the Reds drop points.
Lewis Nolan
