Fulham vs Liverpool: Match Preview and Team Updates

Fulham and Liverpool are set to clash at Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon, looking to bounce back after disappointing results on New Year’s Day.

Fulham’s recent winning streak of three games ended with a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace. Liverpool also faced setbacks, managing only a goalless draw against Leeds United after winning four in a row. With both teams closely positioned in the standings, a win for either could significantly impact their chances for European qualification.

Liverpool is currently fourth in the table, trailing Arsenal by 12 points, which puts pressure on them to avoid further mistakes in the title race. Fulham, sitting in 11th place, is part of a tightly packed mid-table. They’ve shown strength at home, securing five wins in their last eight matches at Craven Cottage. The historical trend of this matchup indicates a high likelihood of goals; the last four encounters have seen a total of 20 goals, suggesting another exciting game in West London.

Match Details

• Date: Sunday, January 4, 2026
• Kick-off: 15:00 GMT
• Venue: Craven Cottage, London
• Referee: Craig Pawson
• VAR: Andy Madley
• Last Meeting: Fulham 3–2 Liverpool, April 6, 2025, Premier League

Team Updates

Fulham

Marco Silva will be without several key players for this match. Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, and Samuel Chukwueze are away participating in the Africa Cup of Nations. Additionally, Rodrigo Muniz and Ryan Sessegnon are out due to hamstring injuries. Josh King and Kenny Tete will be assessed before the match, although Silva expects them to be unavailable. On a positive note, Tom Cairney is in contention to start after scoring an equalizer against Crystal Palace.

Liverpool

The Reds welcome back Joe Gomez, who missed three matches due to injury. However, Wataru Endo will not play because of an ankle issue. Mohamed Salah is also away for the Africa Cup of Nations. Florian Wirtz was substituted against Leeds for precautionary reasons, and he will be monitored carefully. Meanwhile, Cody Gakpo will likely return to the squad, while long-term absentees Alexander Isak and Giovanni Leoni remain sidelined.

Recent Performances

Fulham

Fulham has turned Craven Cottage into a tough place for opponents, winning five of their last eight home league games and keeping four clean sheets in that stretch. However, Marco Silva has struggled against top teams, losing all 11 of his Premier League matches against reigning champions, the worst record in the league’s history.

Liverpool

Liverpool’s unbeaten streak of eight matches was interrupted by the draw with Leeds, but they have found success in London. The team has scored in every one of their last 20 Premier League matches in the capital, dating back to April 2023. Hugo Ekitiké has been particularly effective away, netting three goals in his last two away fixtures.

Expected Lineups

Fulham predicted XI: Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Cuenca, Robinson; Lukić, Berge; Wilson, Smith Rowe, Kevin; Jiménez

Liverpool predicted XI: Alisson; Frimpong, Konaté, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Jones; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Gakpo; Ekitiké

How to Watch Fulham vs Liverpool

The match will be live-streamed in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League. Coverage starts at 14:00 GMT before the 15:00 kick-off.