We’re predicting three big changes from Liverpool in our early predicted lineup vs Fulham. The Reds will kick-off their Premier League season.
Liverpool travel to take on Fulham in just four days. It’ll start their Premier League season, of course, and comes within a week of the Community Shield win over Manchester City.
Momentum is there for Liverpool to gather, then. The Reds will treat this season as ‘two sprints’ either side of the World Cup, says Pep Lijnders, so they’ll want to get off to a quick start.
And for that reason, we don’t think Jurgen Klopp will make too many changes from the team that beat Fulham. We do see three that we’re predicting, though, in our early guess at the lineup.
Early predicted Liverpool lineup vs Fulham
Defence
Change number one is the most obvious one – Alisson Becker for Adrián. Klopp has essentially confirmed this already, saying that the Brazilian will be fit to face Fulham.
Other than that, we think Ibrahima Konaté might get a game here over Joel Matip. Our thinking there really just comes down to the amount of possession Liverpool will want. We seem them pressing very, very high even away from home and that could mean opting for the quicker centre-back.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson are certainties, of course.
Midfield
Fabinho and Thiago feel like certainties for this one, too. We’re predicting two starts there, then, and the only question is whether Jordan Henderson keeps his place.
We think he will as Klopp will likely want the Liverpool captain starting the opener. There is a chance, however, that the boss puts a more attacking midfielder like Harvey Elliott into the fray here – maybe even Fabio Carvalho, given how well he knows the opponents.
It’s worth noting that Klopp praised Naby Keita’s cameo on Sunday, too. We still think he’ll go with Henderson but this one feels a little up in the air just now.
Attack
Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz will be in there, especially as Diogo Jota remains out. That just leaves the middle and we’re predicting our third change there.
Darwin Nunez brought so much when he came on against City that we think Klopp will ride that momentum. Throw him in from the start, see what he can do, and maybe he can use the confidence to integrate rapidly into this Liverpool side.
Of course, no one should be surprised if Roberto Firmino retains his place but Nunez’s 30-minute display at the King Power may just earn him a place.
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