Fulham vs. Liverpool | Premier League | Pre Match
Fulham vs. Liverpool
Potentially just three games away from hoisting the Premier League trophy aloft, Liverpool can clear another title hurdle when they pit their wits against Fulham on Sunday afternoon at Craven Cottage. The Reds, under the astute leadership of Arne Slot, have been a force to be reckoned with throughout the 2024-25 season, and their march towards the title has been nothing short of remarkable. With only eight rounds remaining in the campaign, Liverpool's position at the summit of the Premier League table looks increasingly unassailable, a testament to the consistency and quality they have displayed over the course of the season. Their recent 1-0 victory over Merseyside rivals Everton on Wednesday was a crucial step in rectifying some of the minor stumbles they encountered earlier in the year, and it has kept their momentum firmly intact as they head into the final stretch. Fulham, their upcoming opponents, will pose a challenge, but Liverpool’s form suggests they are more than capable of overcoming it. The Cottagers, managed by Marco Silva, are a team with aspirations of their own, but they face a daunting task against a side that has lost just once in the league all season. For Liverpool, this match represents another opportunity to edge closer to the ultimate prize, and their fans will be dreaming of seeing the Premier League trophy lifted at Anfield in the coming weeks.
Arne Slot's men rectified some recent errors in Wednesday's 1-0 win over Merseyside rivals Everton, but their hosts could not do the Reds a favour against Arsenal, falling to a 2-1 defeat. The victory over Everton was far from straightforward, with Liverpool enduring a frustrating first half where little seemed to go their way. However, the turning point came in the second period when Diogo Jota seized his moment, displaying the clinical finishing that has become a hallmark of this Liverpool side. The win was made all the more significant by a controversial incident involving Everton’s James Tarkowski, who escaped a red card for a heavy challenge on Alexis Mac Allister—a decision the PGMOL later admitted was incorrect. This slice of fortune, combined with Jota’s ruthlessness, ensured Liverpool emerged victorious in a match that could have easily slipped away. Meanwhile, Fulham’s defeat to Arsenal in midweek dashed any hopes of the Gunners dropping points to indirectly aid Liverpool’s title charge. Marco Silva’s side put up a valiant effort at the Emirates, with players like Bernd Leno, Willian, and Emile Smith Rowe showing their quality, but goals from Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka ultimately proved decisive. Rodrigo Muniz’s late consolation strike offered a glimmer of hope, but it was too little, too late. For Liverpool, the focus now shifts solely to their own performance, as they can no longer rely on others to falter. Slot will be keen to ensure his team maintains the intensity and focus that has carried them this far, especially against a Fulham side that, while inconsistent, has the potential to cause an upset on their day.
Little went Liverpool's way just before the first international break of 2025, as their dreams of EFL Cup and Champions League glory crashed and burned within the space of a few days, and little went the Reds' way in the first half of Wednesday's derby also. The early months of 2025 were a testing period for Slot’s squad, with their ambitions of a quadruple—Premier League, EFL Cup, Champions League, and FA Cup—taking a significant hit. The EFL Cup exit was particularly galling, as it ended their hopes of retaining the trophy they had won the previous season, while the Champions League campaign unraveled in a series of disappointing results that saw them eliminated from European contention. These setbacks left Liverpool with just the Premier League and FA Cup to play for, and while the FA Cup remains a possibility, it is the league title that has become their overriding obsession. The first half against Everton encapsulated the frustrations of that earlier period, with the Reds struggling to break down a resolute Toffees defense and squandering the few chances that came their way. However, the second half showcased their resilience, a quality that has defined their season. Jota’s goal not only secured the three points but also served as a reminder of Liverpool’s ability to grind out results even when not at their fluent best. As they prepare to face Fulham, Slot will be acutely aware that such resilience could be the difference between success and failure in the tight run-in, particularly against a side that has shown flashes of brilliance at Craven Cottage this term.
However, after Toffees defender James Tarkowski inexplicably avoided taking the walk of shame for a crunching tackle on Alexis Mac Allister - which the PGMOL have now admitted was the incorrect call - Diogo Jota demonstrated his ruthless side to propel the champions-elect to a joyous win. The Tarkowski incident has since become a talking point, with the PGMOL’s admission of error only fueling the sense that Liverpool were fortunate to avoid a potential turning point in the match. Had Tarkowski been sent off, Everton would have been down to ten men for much of the second half, potentially altering the complexion of the game entirely. As it was, Liverpool had to rely on their own quality to secure the victory, and Jota’s intervention proved decisive. The Portuguese forward, who has enjoyed a stellar season, pounced on a rare opportunity to fire home the only goal of the game, sending the travelling Liverpool fans into raptures. His ability to deliver in clutch moments has been a key factor in the Reds’ title charge, and his predatory instincts will be vital once again at Craven Cottage. For Slot, the win over Everton was a statement of intent, proving that his team can overcome adversity—whether from opponents or officiating decisions—and still come out on top. With the Premier League trophy now tantalizingly close, every match becomes a must-win, and Jota’s form suggests he will continue to play a pivotal role in ensuring Liverpool maintain their grip on the top spot.
Slot and co may only end the campaign with the one trophy as opposed to the four that were possible just a couple of months ago, but as the Reds are still 12 points clear of Arsenal with just eight rounds remaining, their status as England's top dogs should not be up for debate. The narrowing of their trophy haul from a potential quadruple to a single piece of silverware might disappoint some fans, but the Premier League title remains the most coveted prize in English football, and Liverpool’s dominance this season has been undeniable. Their 12-point lead over Arsenal, who have been their closest challengers, is a reflection of the consistency that has eluded their rivals. September’s shock home loss to Nottingham Forest stands as the sole blemish on an otherwise impeccable league record, and their unbeaten run of 26 matches—15 of which have come away from home—underlines their credentials as champions-in-waiting. Slot has masterminded a campaign that has seen Liverpool combine attacking flair with defensive solidity, and their record on the road is particularly impressive. Scoring at least twice in 13 of their 15 away games, the Reds have turned opposition stadiums into their playground, and Fulham will need to produce something extraordinary to halt their juggernaut. As the season enters its decisive phase, Liverpool’s focus is unwavering, and while the dream of multiple trophies has faded, the prospect of lifting the Premier League aloft keeps their spirits high and their determination unshaken.
September's shock home loss to Nottingham Forest remains the only time that the leaders have been bested in the top flight this term, as success over Everton prolonged their Premier League unbeaten run to a fabulous 26 matches, including each of their 15 on the road. That defeat to Forest, way back in the early stages of the season, feels like a distant memory now, overshadowed by the relentless form Liverpool have shown since. Their unbeaten streak is a club record, surpassing even some of the great teams of the past, and it speaks to the tactical acumen of Slot and the hunger of his players. The fact that all 15 of their away matches have yielded at least a point—and often all three—demonstrates their ability to adapt and thrive in hostile environments. It has been almost a year since their last Premier League away defeat, a 2-1 loss to Everton on April 24, 2024, and the symmetry of facing Fulham so close to that anniversary adds an extra layer of intrigue to Sunday’s clash. Fulham, for their part, have struggled for consistency at home, alternating between wins and losses in their last six matches at Craven Cottage across all competitions. Their inability to string together back-to-back Premier League home victories this season is a concern for Silva, especially against a Liverpool side that has made a habit of punishing any lapses. With Mohamed Salah chasing a Golden Boot and a potential record as the first player to be involved in multiple goals in five consecutive away games, Fulham’s defense will need to be at its sharpest to stand any chance of derailing the Reds’ title procession.
