The Premier League's Super Sunday continues as Liverpool travels to West London to face Fulham today, January 4, 2026. Kick-off at Craven Cottage is fast approaching, with both sides looking to bounce back from New Year’s Day frustrations and solidify their positions in a congested table.
While Liverpool is fighting to stay within touching distance of the top three, Fulham has emerged as one of the league's most resilient mid-table sides under Marco Silva.
Match Details: Kick-off & How to Watch
Competition: Premier League (Matchday 20)
Date: Sunday, January 4, 2026
Kick-off: 15:00 GMT / 10:00 ET / 18:00 EAT
Venue: Craven Cottage, London
Referee: Craig Pawson (VAR: Andy Madley)
Broadcast: Sky Sports Main Event (UK), USA Network/Telemundo (US), fuboTV (Canada)
Form Guide: Seeking a Clinical Edge
Liverpool: Unbeaten but Blunt
Arne Slot’s side is currently 4th in the Premier League (33 points). While they are on an impressive 8-game unbeaten run, their momentum was halted by a toothless 0–0 draw against Leeds United on New Year's Day. The "Reds" dominated possession but lacked the clinical finishing usually provided by the absent Mohamed Salah. With a massive clash against Arsenal looming next week, Liverpool cannot afford to drop points in London if they want to keep their faint title hopes alive.
Fulham: The Silva Lining
Fulham sits in 11th place and has been one of the most improved teams over the winter period. Before their 1–1 draw with Crystal Palace on January 1st, they had secured three consecutive wins against Burnley, Nottingham Forest, and West Ham. Marco Silva has turned the Cottage into a difficult hunting ground, where they have won five of their last eight home league matches.
Team News & AFCON Absentees
Fulham Team News
AFCON Duty: Fulham is heavily depleted by the tournament in Morocco, missing the Nigerian trio of Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, and Samuel Chukwueze.
Out: Rodrigo Muniz and Ryan Sessegnon are sidelined with hamstring injuries.
Doubtful: Kenny Tete and Josh King face late fitness tests and are unlikely to start.
Key Return: Tom Cairney is pushing for a start after his heroics against Palace.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Cuenca, Robinson; Lukic, Berge; Smith Rowe, Cairney, Wilson; Jimenez.
Liverpool Team News
AFCON Duty: Mohamed Salah (Egypt) is the most notable absentee.
Out: Alexander Isak (Leg), Wataru Endo (Ankle), and Giovanni Leoni (ACL) are long-term losses.
Injury Update: Florian Wirtz is fit to start despite hamstring tightness earlier in the week. Joe Gomez has returned to the squad but will likely start on the bench.
Tactical Rotation: Cody Gakpo and Alexis Mac Allister are expected to return to the starting lineup after limited minutes against Leeds.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Chiesa, Ekitike, Gakpo.
Head-to-Head (H2H) & Key Stats
Goal Fest: This fixture is a guaranteed entertainer; the last four league meetings between these two have produced 20 goals (5 per game).
Recent History: Fulham stunned Liverpool with a 3–2 victory at Craven Cottage in April 2025.
Van Dijk Factor: Virgil van Dijk is the only Liverpool player to have played every single minute of the Premier League season so far.
Away Record: Liverpool has failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 10 league visits to Craven Cottage.
Tactical Analysis: Midfield Control vs. Wide Threat
Fulham will look to utilize Antonee Robinson and Harry Wilson (facing his former club) to stretch Liverpool's high line. Marco Silva’s side excels at absorbing pressure and hitting teams on the break, a strategy that worked perfectly in their 3–2 win last season.
For Liverpool, the focus will be on midfield recycling. With Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister back together, Slot will aim to pin Fulham back and find Hugo Ekitike or Federico Chiesa in the pockets of space. Without Salah’s directness, Liverpool needs Florian Wirtz to be the creative hub to unlock a stubborn Fulham defense.
Match Prediction
Craven Cottage is a notorious "bogey ground" for the Reds, and with so many key players missing on both sides due to AFCON and injuries, this could be a scrappy affair. However, Liverpool’s superior bench depth and the return of Mac Allister should give them the edge in the second half.
Final Score Prediction: Fulham 1–2 Liverpool
