Fulham vs Liverpool Prediction: Quick start for Cottagers?

After Liverpool's Europa League exit at the hands of Atalanta on Thursday night, it is now official - Jurgen Klopp has six games remaining as Reds manager before he sails off into the sunset. The first of those comes against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon (KO, 16:30), with all the action shown on Sky Sports Main Event.

Below you can find all the latest team news and match odds heading into this Premier League contest, and find out my Fulham vs Liverpool prediction as the visitors go in search of a vital victory.

A 2-0 win over West Ham United at the London Stadium last Sunday lifted Fulham to 12th and they are now just two points behind 10th-placed Brighton & Hove Albion as they eye a top-half finish.

The Cottagers have won three of their last five games on home soil, though Newcastle United did come away with a 1-0 win there last time out in SW6.

Sunday's visitors, Liverpool, did break out of a three-game winless run to beat Atalanta 1-0 in Bergamo in midweek, but it was a futile effort as a 3-0 defeat on Merseyside a week prior ensured they exited the Europa League 3-1 on aggregate.

In the Premier League, a 2-2 draw at Manchester United and a 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at Anfield has seen them drop down to third, level on points with Arsenal but behind on goal difference, and two points off leaders Manchester City.

With City off league duty this weekend on account of their involvement in the FA Cup semi-finals, the Reds have the chance to climb above Pep Guardiola's side with a win in west London.

Team News

Fulham are at full strength with Marco Silva confirming on Friday that everyone is still available for selection on Sunday.

After last week's win at the London Stadium, where former Manchester United midfielder Andreas Pereira struck both goals, the ex-Everton boss could name an unchanged XI, meaning the likes of Adama Traore and Liverpool trainee Harry Wilson have to settle for a place on the bench.

The visitors have the bulk of their squad back fit now, with only Thiago Alcantara, Joel Matip, Conor Bradley and Ben Doak out injured.

Trent Alexander-Arnold made his first start in over two months on Thursday and lasted until the 72nd minute before being withdrawn. Whether he is handed another start in quick succession remains to be seen, with Joe Gomez ready to slot in at right-back if Liverpool's vice-captain isn't risked from the off.

Ibrahima Konate has played three full games in the space of eight days - a pretty rare feat for the injury-prone Frenchman - so it wouldn't be a surprise to see Jarell Quansah get the nod at centre-back alongside Virgil van Dijk, particularly with a Merseyside derby at Goodison Park to come on Wednesday.

Wataru Endo wasn't utilised in Bergamo so looks a likely option to start at the base of midfield at Craven Cottage, and the Japan international should be partnered by Alexis Mac Allister.

It's a guessing game as to the identity of the third midfielder, with Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott and Ryan Gravenberch all vying for a start. Could Klopp even switch things up and play four forwards?

Cody Gakpo is one player that has shown a bit of courage in recent games, so the Dutchman will hope he has done enough to earn back-to-back starts, and he could be joined from the beginning by Diogo Jota, who has now made three substitute appearances since returning from 11 games out injured.

Mohamed Salah has been Liverpool's talisman for so long, but his performances of late have raised eyebrows among Reds. The Egyptian might have to settle for a place on the bench this weekend, with Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez also looking to get the nod from Klopp.

Match Odds

Fulham are 9/2 - or an 18.2% chance - to beat Liverpool at the fourth time of asking this season, following a 4-3 win for the Reds in the reverse Premier League fixture at Anfield in December, a 2-1 win at the same venue in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final on January 10, and a 1-1 draw in the second leg at Craven Cottage two weeks later.

Liverpool are winless in their last three visits to Craven Cottage, but you wouldn't guess it from their odds of 8/15, which give them an implied win probability of 65.2% this weekend. The draw, meanwhile, can be found at 7/2.

Both teams have found the net in four of the last six Premier League games between these sides and in all three of their league and cup meetings this season; it's 1/2 for BTTS - Yes on Sunday.

Fulham 5+ shots on target @ 5/4

Liverpool largely kept Atalanta at bay on Thursday, keeping a clean sheet - a first in 10 games - and restricting them to just two shots on target. But the damage was already done in the first leg at Anfield, where La Dea scored three times, meaning that they could afford to be more passive this week.

As such, I'm disregarding that match in Bergamo and concentrating on previous encounters to paint a more accurate description of the Reds' defensive debacle in recent weeks.

Prior to Thursday, Liverpool had allowed at least five shots on target in their last three outings - home to both Palace (five) and Atalanta (seven), and away to Man United (five). The Red Devils also managed 11 shots on target (eight in regulation time) in their 4-3 extra time victory over Liverpool at Old Trafford on March 17, while a trip to the Czech Republic three days prior had seen Sparta Prague fire seven on target.

Klopp's side are extremely vulnerable at the back, and Fulham will fancy their chances of testing Alisson Becker on multiple occasions this weekend.

The Cottagers registered 10 shots on target against West Ham last time out, the ninth occasion in their last 12 games that they have had at least five go on target.

First team to score - Fulham @ 7/4

Slow starts have been the scourge of Liverpool's 2023/24 campaign, particularly in recent weeks.

The Reds have conceded first in five of their last nine matches, including two of their last three.

With Fulham's tails up, and the visitors dishevelled of late, expect Silva's side to put their opponents under pressure from the first whistle on Sunday.

Check out the rest of our Football Betting Tips here.