Liverpool vs Fulham Prediction: Relentless Reds to recover from slow start

Fresh from knocking Arsenal out of the FA Cup third round on Sunday, Liverpool are back in cup action on Wednesday night (KO, 20:00), as they host Fulham at Anfield in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals.

Jurgen Klopp's side are seemingly sweeping all before them as they remain in the hunt for a historic quadruple, with the Reds currently top of the Premier League and through to the Europa League knockout round.

Fulham, meanwhile, are well on course to assuring their status in England's top-tier, and their comfortability in the league should see them attack the cup competitions with vigour.

Team News

Liverpool's late 2-0 victory over Arsenal on the weekend was celebrated by Klopp for more than just progression in the cup; winning the game at the Emirates Stadium also ensured that no replay would be required, with the Merseyside outfit set to enjoy an extended break after their cup clash with the Cottagers (Liverpool's next match is away to Bournemouth on January 21).

Consequently, Klopp can afford to name a strong starting XI on Wednesday, safe in the knowledge that his players can put their feet up, for the rest of the week at least.

One senior star set to drop out of the starting XI, though, is Alisson. The Brazilian goalkeeper starred once again on Sunday, shutting out the Arsenal attackers, but he is yet to play in the Carabao Cup this season. Instead, Republic of Ireland international Caoimhin Kelleher - the hero of their 2022 success in the competition - is expected to line up in goal, as he has done in the three previous Carabao Cup games.

In front of him, Virgil van Dijk is poised to return at the heart of the Reds defence, as long as he recovers from the illness that kept him out of the clash against the Gunners. Jarrell Quansah and Ibrahima Konate are in a two-way fight to partner the Dutchman but there's a big blow at right-back, with Trent Alexander-Arnold ruled out for three weeks.

Northern Ireland international Conor Bradley, who drew praise for his cameo at the Emirates on Sunday, is likely to replace the Reds vice-captain.

Liverpool have minimal options in midfield but Ryan Gravenberch should earn a start after an impressive substitute appearance in North London, while fellow substitute Diogo Jota is line to begin the game in the Reds attack with Mohamed Salah at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The visitors are also in the fourth round of the FA Cup after beating Rotherham United last Friday in a game where several key stars enjoyed a rest. Joao Palhinha and Raul Jimenez both stayed rooted to the bench against the Millers, while Antonee Robinson, Tom Cairney and Willian only appeared as late substitutes.

The quintet are all set to return to the starting XI on Wednesday, with Adama Traore and Tim Ream their only major absentees.

Match Odds

Liverpool are 3/10 to win on Wednesday and take a lead heading into the second-leg at Craven Cottage later this month, while Fulham are priced at 13/2 to pull off a shock victory on Merseyside. The draw, meanwhile, is available at 4/1.

Both teams to score has landed in four of the last six meetings between these sides and it's 8/11 for both teams to find the net again in midweek. Over 2.5 goals, which occurred inside the first 38 minutes of December's Premier League clash at Anfield, is 4/9.

Draw/Liverpool half-time/full-time @ 10/3

Fulham went a goal down on two occasions in the first half of their Premier League encounter at Anfield last month, but Marco Silva's side battled back twice to go in level at half-time.

The Cottagers even went on to take the lead in the 80th minute before a rousing comeback from the Reds left them empty-handed.

Despite Liverpool's impressive form at home - Klopp's side are yet to lose there this season - it's not been easy-going for them there of late. Liverpool have only been leading at half-time in one of their last five games at Anfield, though they did go on to win three of those.

With the Reds without key stars like Alexander-Arnold, Salah and Wataru Endo - all of whom played key roles against Fulham last month - the Cottagers will be hopeful of going in level at the interval on Wednesday.

The home side should show their superiority in the second period, though, and take the advantage heading into the second-leg.

Diogo Jota to score anytime @ 5/4

The Portuguese forward was somewhat surprisingly left out of the team that started at Arsenal on Sunday, but the 26-year-old was one of the main difference-makers off the bench as Liverpool ran out 2-0 winners, with his run and pass setting up Luis Diaz to score the clinching goal in added time.

With an 11-day wait until their next game, the Reds will surely want to hand Jota a first start since November 25, which preceded an eight-game injury lay-off.

Jota already has nine goals for his club this season, including one in the Carabao Cup third round against Leicester City, and he should relish the added responsibility foisted on his shoulders in the absence of talisman Salah.

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