Arne Slot believes his Liverpool aspect shouldn’t be taking a look at Arsenal and Manchester Metropolis within the Premier League standings, regardless of their latest unbeaten run.
The Reds are unbeaten of their final eight matches in all competitions and 7 within the league, although three of these matches have been attracts (W3).
Liverpool started 2026 with a goalless draw in opposition to Leeds United at Anfield, leaving them in fourth and 12 factors behind league leaders Arsenal.
Forward of their journey to Fulham on Sunday, Slot doesn’t see a lot use in wanting up on the title challengers within the league desk.
“Realistically, I feel there are two groups – by the way in which, with [Aston] Villa being actually near them however as a result of Arsenal received in opposition to Villa they created a little bit of a spot in the direction of Villa as properly,” stated Slot.
“Realistically these two groups are fairly far-off from us and we must always not take a look at these two at this second in time.
“We’ve had our struggles all through. We began rather well by way of outcomes, [the] video games have been actually shut. Then we had a part of the season the place the video games have been nonetheless actually shut however we have been consistently unfortunate.
“Now I feel we’re seven or eight video games in a row unbeaten, however in the event you say this you are feeling like, ‘They’re flying by the league’ however that isn’t what we’re doing.”
Subsequent up, a visit to West London #FULLIV pic.twitter.com/D7Y2ofS65h
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 2, 2026
Fulham, in the meantime, are unbeaten of their final 4 Premier League video games (W3 D1) after a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on New 12 months’s Day.
The Cottagers are eleventh within the desk, however simply six factors behind Liverpool heading into their assembly at Craven Cottage.
Regardless of a shaky first half of the season for Liverpool, Fulham boss Marco Silva refused to underestimate their opponents.
“They’d a nasty run that made an enormous affect of their season to date,” Silva stated.
“As a result of in the event you return for the start of the season, after the way in which they have been champions final season, they began with 5 wins in a row.
“And all people was speaking – okay, they’re the identical, with some modifications, however they’re the identical, they stored the identical successful mentality, they stored the identical high quality, they usually stored successful soccer matches.
“And [then] comes a nasty run, and a nasty run that isn’t regular for them, and it made an enormous affect within the factors, place on the desk and all that stuff. All of us agree that isn’t a standard run for them, not common for them.”
Marco Silva is aware of that on Sunday Fulham might be going through a Liverpool aspect which is greater than able to reacting to disappointment.
— Fulham Soccer Membership (@FulhamFC) January 2, 2026
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Fulham – Harry Wilson
Wilson has been concerned in 4 targets in his final seven dwelling league appearances (three targets, one help), greater than he had in his earlier 20 at Craven Cottage (three targets).
The previous Liverpool winger might be hoping to get one over on his former aspect, beforehand scoring in opposition to the Reds in a 4-3 defeat in December 2023.
Liverpool – Hugo Ekitike
Ekitike has scored three targets in his final two Premier League away video games, having scored simply as soon as in his first six on the highway for Liverpool.
He final scored in additional consecutive away league video games in December 2021 (4 with Reims).
MATCH PREDICTION – LIVERPOOL WIN
Liverpool have earned seven factors from their final three Premier League away video games (W2 D1), greater than that they had of their earlier eight on the highway (six – W2 D0 L6).
Fulham have received simply one among their final 19 Premier League video games in opposition to the reigning champions (D3 L15), although that victory did come in opposition to Liverpool in March 2021 (1-0 at Anfield).
After dropping 5 consecutive Premier League away video games in opposition to London sides, Liverpool have now received their final two. In the meantime, the Reds have additionally scored of their final 20 league video games within the capital since a 0-0 draw at Chelsea in April 2023.
Nevertheless, Fulham have been one among simply three groups Liverpool didn’t beat of their Premier League title-winning marketing campaign final season (D1 L1), together with Nottingham Forest (D1 L1) and Arsenal (D2).
And Fulham have received 5 of their final eight Premier League dwelling video games (L3), maintaining a clear sheet in 4 of these. These 4 clear sheets are already twice as many as they stored at Craven Cottage final season.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Fulham – 29.2%
Draw – 24.6%
Liverpool – 46.2%
