Friday Fulham Stuff - 13/12/24...

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12 players who could miss Liverpool's clash against Fulham - as Arne Slot braced for potential new blow
Liverpool vs Fulham team news ahead of the Premier League fixture.

Liverpool are back in action in the Premier League when they face Fulham at Anfield on Saturday (3pm GMT).

The Reds were without a top-flight fixture last weekend after the Merseyside derby against Everton was postponed amid Storm Darragh. Arne Slot's leaders would have been pleased to see Manchester City and Arsenal drop points, although Chelsea's 4-3 win over Tottenham saw them close the gap to four points.

What's more, the Liverpool head coach will demand much more from his troops despite a 1-0 win over Girona in the Champions League. Slot was not pleased with the intensity that his troops showed despite earning a sixth successive win in Europe's elite club competition to move into the knockout stage.

The Reds now face a Fulham side who have impressed this season. The Cottagers are 10th in the table but just two points behind fifth spot and held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw last weekend. Ahead of the clash, here is the early team news for both sides.

Liverpool team news

Alexis Mac Allister - out
The Argentina international served a UEFA suspension and must now serve a one-match Premier League ban for picking up five yellow cards.

Ibrahima Konate - out
The defender is on the comeback trail from a knee injury suffered in a 2-0 win over Real Madrid two weeks ago. Konate recently posted a photo of himself in the gym wearing a compression sleeve, which suggests he is improving.

Conor Bradley - out
The right-back is battling back from a hamstring issue sustained against Real.

Kostas Tsimikas - major doubt
The left-back sustained an ankle problem in training that has kept him out of past five games.

Diogo Jota - doubt
The striker is approaching two months since playing for Liverpool because of a rib injury. Jota did train before the Girona game and he's likely to again be assessed.

Federico Chiesa - doubt
The winger has not played for Liverpool for more than two months. He has been back in training but was ill earlier this week so did not travel to Girona.

Tyler Morton - doubt
The 22-year-old midfield was absent against Girona because of a knock. Morton may miss out again if not recovered in time.

Ryan Gravenberch - close to suspension
The midfielder has been given four cautions in the Premier League and if he picks up one more then he will have to serve a one-match ban. Slot is aware that Gravenberch is walking a disciplinary tightrope.

Fulham team news

Tom Cairney - out
The Cottagers captain has to serve the final game of a three-match suspension.

Calvin Bassey - out
The defender picked up his fifth booking of the campaign against Arsenal and has to serve a one-match ban.

Harrison Reed - out
The midfielder appears as if he won't play again this season because of a knee injury.

Joachim Andersen - doubt
The defender has missed the past three games with a calf strain.

Reiss Nelson - doubt
The Arsenal loanee has a hamstring injury and is not likely to be available.

Antonee Robinson - close to suspension
The left-back has been cautioned four times in the top flight so far so is another walking a disciplinary tightrope.



https://www.liverpoolworld.uk/sport/football/liverpool/12-players-who-could-miss-liverpools-clash-against-fulham-4905340

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Liverpool XI vs Fulham: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news and injury latest for Premier League game
The Reds are aiming to maintain their four point lead at the top of the table

Liverpool could be boosted by the return of Diogo Jota for this weekend's Premier League clash against Fulham.

The Portugal international has been sidelined with a rib injury sustained during the 2-1 win over Chelsea back in October, missing the last 11 games in a row across all competitions as a result.

However, he is nearing a comeback. Speaking last week prior to the Merseyside derby clash against Everton getting postponed because of Storm Darragh, Arne Slot confirmed Jota would soon be available for selection.

"[The midfield line] is not our main worry at the moment, our main worry is if you look at how close they are all back of [having] playing time, there's only three injuries left and that's in our last line," the Dutchman said in the pre-match press conference.

"With Diogo being close to being back, Federico being close to being back, and the same for Alisson."

Now, both Jota and Alisson Becker were in the final training session Monday before the 1-0 Champions League win at Girona but only the latter was subsequently named in the 19-man travelling squad.

Perhaps Slot was holding the 28-year-old back for the visit of Fulham. If that is the case, it would be a surprise if Liverpool's No.20 is immediately restored to the starting lineup therefore settling for a place on the bench.

Elsewhere, Alisson was superb on his return to action so is likely to keep his place in between the posts. There is a decision to make in attack as Darwin Nunez struggled in midweek so could make way for Cody Gakpo.

It may also be the same midfield trio that started in Girona as Alexis Mac Allister must serve his one-game Premier League suspension on Saturday due to the Merseyside derby being called off.

Summer signing Federico Chiesa is a doubt, while the Reds are likely to be without defensive trio Ibrahima Konate, Conor Bradley and Konstantinos Tsimikas.

Predicted Liverpool XI: Allison; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Diaz, Gakpo

Doubts: Jota, Chiesa

Injured: Konate, Bradley, Tsimikas

Suspended: Mac Allister

Time and date: 3pm GMT on Saturday 14 December 2024

Venue: Anfield, Liverpool

TV channel and live stream: Not available in UK



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/liverpool-fc-xi-vs-fulham-predicted-lineup-confirmed-team-news-injury-latest-premier-league-2024-b1199491.html

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Man United urged to give Ruben Amorim transfer green light on two deals to take club to 'next level'
The January transfer window is just weeks away and it remains to be seen whether Amorim will strengthen his United squad

Manchester United should target the signings of Fulham left-back Antonee Robinson and Wolves forward Matheus Cunha to 'transform' Ruben Amorim's side.

That is the view of former United forward Louis Saha, who believes Robinson would help United solve a problem position at left-wing-back.

Since Amorim arrived at the club last month, he has introduced the 3-4-3 system which gave him huge success while manager of Portuguese side Sporting CP.

However, with Luke Shaw still out injured and Tyrell Malacia on a playing time limit after a lengthy spell on the sidelines, United are short of natural left-wing-backs.

Therefore, it wasn't a surprise to learn they are in talks with Cerro Porteno over the signing of 17-year-old Paraguayan left-wing-back Diego Leon.

That being said, Amorim could still do with someone with a bit more experience in that role and after starring in Fulham's impressive start to the season, Saha is convinced Robinson would be the perfect fit.

"Antonee Robinson could help transform Manchester United's team because he is not just great at creating chances and getting forward but he is also a leader," Saha told Complete Sports.

"Usually captains are in the middle of the pitch but he has captained Fulham from left-back this season and he brings so much enthusiasm.

"At United, Diogo Dalot likes to get forward but it's not as balanced on the other side, Robinson could bring that consistency and potentially solve a problem that Amorim has.

"I left United because I was always injured so I do feel for Luke Shaw, he is a top player who wants to help his team-mates on the pitch, he has love for the club.

"But Robinson is the type of player that can bring balance to a team and be such a threat, it would be interesting to see him in the wing-back position."

Meanwhile, Cunha has been tipped for a move away from struggling Wolves, as despite them languishing in the relegation zone this term, he has continued to impress in the Premier League.

The Brazilian international, who joined Wolves from Atletico Madrid last summer, has seven goals and three assists to his name this season and it is expected the 25-year-old will move on from Molineux sooner rather than later.

And Saha feels United should be in the mix to sign Cunha, suggesting the former RB Leipzig star would help take the club to the 'next level'.

"Matheus Cunha could help take Manchester United to the next level, he is a great player and is so powerful for his size. There are not many players like him in the league," Saha added.

"I think he'd be very complementary alongside Bruno Fernandes in front of United's midfield, the club already has stamina with Manuel Ugarte but Cunha has the legs and the power that might not be there already.

"Cunha can dribble the ball through midfield and press the opposition, he is an unpredictable player and that's what Ruben Amorim needs in his system, someone who can exploit the weaknesses of the opposition.

"United have too many predictable players at the moment, which is why they should look at bringing in a player who has qualities like Cunha."



https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/man-united-urged-give-ruben-30565808

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Preview: Liverpool vs. Fulham - prediction, team news, lineups
Liverpool return to Premier League action after the postponement of the Merseyside derby when Fulham travel to Anfield on Saturday.

Arne Slot's men saw their fixture be the only one in the top flight to fall victim to Storm Darragh, but even without playing, it was still a positive weekend for the Premier League leaders.

Match preview
Not being in action means Liverpool will have a game in hand over their title rivals for the next two months at least, and that will be a great opportunity for the Reds given that both Arsenal and Manchester City dropped points last week.

With City in complete crisis, their race almost looks run already, meaning Chelsea are now the closest challengers, four points behind Liverpool after their 4-3 win at Tottenham Hotspur.

Arsenal and City failing to win mitigated the impact of Liverpool dropping two points in the final minute away to Newcastle United last midweek - just the third time in 21 games that they had failed to win under Slot.

The Dutch manager's dream start continued in midweek though, with Mohamed Salah's penalty sealing a 1-0 win at Girona, meaning they still have a 100% record in the Champions League after six games.

Returning to home soil will be an even bigger confidence boost, considering the defeat to Nottingham Forest in September remains the only time they have not won across their last 13 at Anfield.

Defensive frailty has raised some questions in recent weeks, but they are making up for that by being clinical in attack, having now scored two or more goals in seven straight Premier League games - their best streak in over three years.

They could still break their Premier League goalscoring record for a calendar year with four games left in 2024, sitting 12 short of the record 88 they put up across 2019.

Fulham are a team they enjoyed great success against in front of goal last season too, scoring seven in doing the league double over the Cottagers, extending their run against them to nine wins in 12 in the Premier League.

Marco Silva's men did give them plenty of frights across their four meetings last season though, leading 3-2 with 10 minutes to play at Anfield before a 4-3 loss, while also taking the lead in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final.

Fulham were also one of the six clubs who beat Liverpool at Anfield during their bizarre run of form at the start of 2021, but they are still yet to beat the Reds here in front of a crowd.

That win was also before Silva joined the club, and he has only ever won one of his 11 meetings with Liverpool as a manager, and losing 5-2 at Anfield as Everton manager in 2019 ultimately saw him sacked.

It was his Fulham team that handed Liverpool a big helping hand in the title race last Sunday though, holding Arsenal to a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage, avoiding defeat late on thanks to a VAR offside call which ruled out Bukayo Saka's goal.

That took Fulham to 23 points after 15 games, the second-best tally in their Premier League history, only behind the 25 they collected at this point of the 2003-04 season, where they ultimately finished ninth.

Despite that fine points tally, and losing just one of their last seven games, Fulham are still down in 10th, but the congested nature of the Premier League top half means they are just four points behind Man City in the top four.

Liverpool Premier League form:

    D    W    W    W    W    D

Liverpool form (all competitions):

    W    W    W    W    D    W

Fulham Premier League form:

    W    W    L    D    W    D


Team News
Liverpool are now starting to welcome back many of their important first-team players, with Alisson returning after 11 games out in midweek, making five saves on the way to a clean sheet at Girona.

Diogo Jota is also back in training and in contention to feature, while Federico Chiesa is not far away from a return either.

Alexis Mac Allister was set to be suspended for the derby against Everton, but will now serve his ban here instead, after also missing the Champions League win due to yellow card accumulation.

Dominik Szoboszlai is set to deputise for him again, but Slot has a decision to make in attack between Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo, if Jota can not make a full instant return.

Fulham are without Calvin Bassey due to suspension and Joachim Andersen's calf injury has seen him miss the last three games, so Jorge Cuenca could make his full PL debut here, having made just three injury-time sub appearances so far.

Harrison Reed will not play until 2025 after knee surgery, while wide man Reiss Nelson was unable to feature against his former club Arsenal last weekend due to a hamstring issue, with Adama Traore coming in.

Tom Cairney will serve the final game of his three-match ban for the straight red card picked up at Spurs, after missing the home fixtures against Brighton and Arsenal.

Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones, Szoboszlai; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz

Fulham possible starting lineup:
Leno; Tete, Cuenca, Diop, Robinson; Berge, Lukic; Iwobi, Smith Rowe, Adama; Jimenez



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/liverpool/title-race/preview/preview-liverpool-vs-fulham-prediction-team-news-lineups_560364.html

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Liverpool vs. Fulham: Head-to-head record and past meetings
Fresh from a rare weekend of no Premier League football, table-toppers Liverpool endeavour to pick up where they left off when Fulham stop over at Craven Cottage on Saturday afternoon.

Arne Slot's side were due to arrive at Goodison Park for the final Premier League Merseyside derby with Everton last weekend, only for Storm Darragh to force the postponement of the encounter.

Nevertheless, the Reds retain an unassailable lead at the summit of the top-flight standings, sitting four better off than closest challengers Chelsea, six clear of Arsenal and eight above faltering champions Manchester City.

Liverpool returned to competitive action in midweek, taking on Girona in the Champions League and emerging victorious via a 1-0 scoreline, while the Cottagers impressively held Arsenal to a 1-1 stalemate last weekend.

Ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash between the Reds and Fulham, strong>Sports Mole looks at the head-to-head record and previous meetings between the two clubs.

Head-to-head record

Previous meetings: 77
Liverpool wins: 45
Draws: 19
Fulham wins: 13

From 77 previous clashes between Liverpool and Fulham in all tournaments, it comes as no surprise to learn that the Reds dominate the head-to-head column, defeating their capital counterparts on 45 occasions compared to a paltry 13 wins for the Cottagers.

Each of the first four showdowns between 1912 and 1934 was fought in the FA Cup, while nine successive League Cup ties took place between 1983 and 2000, but the two clubs have met almost exclusively in the Premier League since the 2001-02 season.

The one - or two - aberrations in that sequence came in the 2023-24 EFL Cup, where Liverpool dug in for a 2-1 success on home soil before holding out for a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage, before winning their final trophy under Jurgen Klopp's tutelage.

Before that 3-2 aggregate success, a seven-goal Premier League spectacular in December 2023 went Liverpool's way by four strikes to three, and the Reds also made light work of the Cottagers in a 3-1 Craven Cottage triumph in April 2024, their fourth win from five against the capital giants.

A new club record was set by Liverpool in their 4-3 triumph, where Fulham went 3-2 up in the 80th minute before throwing it all away, the latest that Liverpool had fallen behind in a Premier League game that they went on to win.

In both 2023-24 Premier League fixtures, Trent Alexander-Arnold came up with some heroics for Liverpool, and his stellar set-piece at Craven Cottage marked the right-back's sixth goal direct from a free kick in the English top flight.

Prior to a 1-0 win in May 2023, though, Liverpool had endured a three-game Premier League run without beating Marco Silva's side, playing out 2-2 and 1-1 draws in Craven Cottage clashes in August 2022 and December 2020 respectively.

A 1-0 loss at Anfield in March 2021 was sandwiched in between those two stalemates, where Mario Lemina's effort on the stroke of half time prolonged Liverpool's home hoodoo behind closed doors, and Fulham also won by the same scoreline on Liverpool's turf in 2012 owing to a Martin Skrtel own goal.

Last 20 meetings
Apr 21, 2024: Fulham 1-3 Liverpool (Premier League)
Jan 24, 2024: Fulham 1-1 Liverpool (EFL Cup Semi-Finals)
Jan 10, 2024: Liverpool 2-1 Fulham (EFL Cup Semi-Finals)
Dec 3, 2023: Liverpool 4-3 Fulham (Premier League)
May 03, 2023: Liverpool 1-0 Fulham (Premier League)
Aug 06, 2022: Fulham 2-2 Liverpool (Premier League)
Mar 07, 2021: Liverpool 0-1 Fulham (Premier League)
Dec 13, 2020: Fulham 1-1 Liverpool (Premier League)
Mar 17, 2019: Fulham 1-2 Liverpool (Premier League)
Nov 11, 2018: Liverpool 2-0 Fulham (Premier League)
Feb 12, 2014: Fulham 2-3 Liverpool (Premier League)
Nov 09, 2013: Liverpool 4-0 Fulham (Premier League)
May 12, 2013: Fulham 1-3 Liverpool (Premier League)
Dec 22, 2012: Liverpool 4-0 Fulham (Premier League)
Apr 14, 2012: Liverpool 0-1 Fulham (Premier League)
Dec 05, 2011: Fulham 1-0 Liverpool (Premier League)
May 09, 2011: Fulham 2-5 Liverpool (Premier League)
Jan 26, 2011: Liverpool 1-0 Fulham (Premier League)
Apr 11, 2010: Liverpool 0-0 Fulham (Premier League)
Oct 31, 2009: Fulham 3-1 Liverpool (Premier League)

Last 10 Premier League meetings
Apr 21, 2024: Fulham 1-3 Liverpool (Premier League)
Dec 3, 2023: Liverpool 4-3 Fulham (Premier League)
May 03, 2023: Liverpool 1-0 Fulham (Premier League)
Aug 06, 2022: Fulham 2-2 Liverpool (Premier League)
Mar 07, 2021: Liverpool 0-1 Fulham (Premier League)
Dec 13, 2020: Fulham 1-1 Liverpool (Premier League)
Mar 17, 2019: Fulham 1-2 Liverpool (Premier League)
Nov 11, 2018: Liverpool 2-0 Fulham (Premier League)
Feb 12, 2014: Fulham 2-3 Liverpool (Premier League)
Nov 09, 2013: Liverpool 4-0 Fulham (Premier League)



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/liverpool/head-to-head/liverpool-vs-fulham-head-to-head-record-and-past-meetings_530261.html?newsnow

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Liverpool vs. Fulham: Mohamed Salah's career record against the Cottagers
Like against every club he has ever faced in the Premier League, Mohamed Salah has also had a big say when coming up against Fulham, despite the Cottagers spending a fair number of years in the Championship during the Egyptian's time at Liverpool.

While being one of the more competitive opponents for Liverpool in recent years, Salah has still often had the last laugh and come out on top against the club from the capital.

Here, Sports Mole goes back through the archives to look at Salah's record against the Cottagers.

Mohamed Salah's record vs. Fulham

Played: 8
Won: 5
Drawn: 2
Lost: 1
Goals: 4
Assists: 1

Salah was not part of the Chelsea squad that lost to Fulham in the 2013-14 season, and he was also injured for both legs of the EFL Cup semi-final in 2023-24, meaning all of his appearances against the Cottagers have come in the Premier League for Liverpool.

After not getting a chance in the side in 2014, he would have to wait another four years before making his first appearance against the club after his move back to English football for Liverpool, and unsurprisingly it was Salah who opened the scoring in a routine 2-0 win at Anfield.

That was during the 2018-19 season when Liverpool amassed 97 points and still missed out on the title, but it was the reverse clash at Craven Cottage that almost turned out costly, with Fulham keeping a red-hot Salah quiet only to fall to a late defeat via James Milner's penalty in mid-March.

Fulham were relegated that season, but made an instant return for the behind-closed-doors season in 2020-21, and feasted on a Liverpool side that were reigning champions, but conceded points at an alarming rate midway through the season.

Salah converted a late penalty to earn a 1-1 draw at the Cottage in December, shortly before the Reds went on a six-game losing run at home, which was bookended by a 1-0 defeat to Fulham in March, where the Egyptian was left frustrated in a wasteful display as a central striker.

Once again, Fulham suffered relegation that season, and once more, they made an instant return, and on the opening day of the 2022-23, they looked a side much more capable of competing at the top level, as Salah was required to save Liverpool from a defeat at the Cottage, scoring an equaliser 10 minutes from time in a 2-2 draw.

Another Salah penalty ended a three-game winless run over Fulham later that in the reverse in a late-season 1-0 home win, but he struggled to impact either of the meetings the following season.

A 4-3 classic at Anfield failed to see Salah get on the scoresheet, but he did tee up Wataru Endo's excellent strike to level the game at 3-3, and Jurgen Klopp then left the forward on the bench for the return fixture, with one eye on the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park that was on the horizon three days later, but his absence was not felt, as the Reds cruised to a 3-1 win, with Salah coming on in the final few minutes once the win was secured.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/liverpool/feature/mohamed-salahs-record-vs-fulham_560365.html?newsnow

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Preview: Can Fulham Upset Liverpool's Top Spot Hopes?
Liverpool vs Fulham: Premier League Showdown at Anfield

Liverpool return to Premier League action this Saturday, hosting a resilient Fulham side at Anfield. Arne Slot's team are eager to build on their strong domestic form and maintain their lead at the top of the table.

Reds Aim to Dominate After Champions League Grind
After their Merseyside derby clash was postponed due to Storm Darragh, Liverpool had an unconvincing 1-0 win against Girona midweek in the Champions League. While Slot expressed dissatisfaction with his side's performance in Spain, they remain firm favourites at home. The return of Alisson Becker in goal has bolstered their defence, though injuries to key players, including Ibrahima Konaté and Kostas Tsimikas, present challenges. Alexis Mac Allister's suspension following his fifth booking adds to Liverpool's lineup woes.

Fulham Seek to Extend Impressive Away Form
Fulham arrive at Anfield buoyed by a spirited 1-1 draw with Arsenal. Marco Silva's side are unbeaten in their last three away games, proving they are no pushovers. However, the Cottagers face a few selection headaches of their own. Joachim Andersen's fitness remains uncertain, while Harrison Reed's injury and suspensions for Tom Cairney and Calvin Bassey limit Silva's options.

Reiss Nelson, a doubt for this fixture, could be a key absentee for Fulham. Nevertheless, Fulham's disciplined defence and counter-attacking prowess could trouble Liverpool, especially if the Reds show signs of midweek fatigue.

Prediction and Key Stats
Fulham's recent resilience on the road suggests this won't be straightforward for Liverpool. Yet, with their potent attack and home advantage, the Reds should edge this encounter.

Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Fulham.
Head-to-Head Record: Liverpool 45 wins, Fulham 13 wins, 19 draws.

Where to Catch the Action
Due to the 3pm UK blackout, the match won't be televised live in the UK. Highlights will air on Match of the Day at 10.30pm Saturday on BBC One.



https://eplindex.com/124364/preview-can-fulham-upset-liverpools-top-spot-hopes.html

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Alex Iwobi says how he actually feels about Arsenal as a football club now he's playing for Fulham
Players who leave Arsenal can often live to regret their decision to leave the north London club.

Jack Wilshere regretted his decision to leave Arsenal for West Ham, while Emmanuel Petit says he never should've left Arsenal for Barcelona.

Even this summer just gone, Emile Smith Rowe said he was sad to leave Arsenal to join Fulham.

However, one player who doesn't regret leaving the Gunners is Alex Iwobi.

Indeed, speaking to Sky Sports, Iwobi has been discussing his time at Arsenal, and while he says he has a lot of gratitude towards Arsenal as a club, he doesn't regret his decision to leave for Everton.

Alex Iwobi doesn't regret leaving Arsenal
Iwobi spoke about his time at Arsenal and how he feels towards the Gunners now.

Iwobi says that he loved his time at Arsenal and it shaped him as a person. However, he doesn't regret his decision to leave and join Everton.

"Yeah, of course, like Arsenal were going through a difficult time. Arsenal used to be the team that were competing for titles. And when I was there, I was a bit of a break-through,' Iwobi said.

I was a bit like trying to make sure we maintained being in Champions League and Europa League. So it was a bit of a phase where like they were fizzling out. But now obviously they're back on track.

So my time there, like I enjoyed my time. It made me who I am today. I understood the game because of Arsenal.

So I owe them my career. So I have no regrets in leaving. And of course, Arsenal is always going to be my heart.

"But I have no regrets in leaving."

Alex Iwobi stats this season
The Nigerian left Arsenal to join Everton in 2019, and since then, he's made a £22m move to Fulham to reunite with Marco Silva.

Iwobi has previously hailed Silva as a brilliant manager.

Silva is certainly getting the best out of Iwobi at Fulham, and his stats this season reflect just how good he's been.

	Alex Iwobi stats this season
Games	15
Goals	5
Assists	3

Iwobi is playing perhaps the best football of his career right now, and Arsenal could genuinely do with a player of his calibre in the squad.

Indeed, Arsenal are lacking depth in those attacking roles right now. Bukayo Saka doesn't have a natural deputy, while Gabriel Martinelli has been criticised for his performances as of late.

Iwobi has really kicked on and found another gear this season, and he's not the only former Arsenal player to rediscover their groove at Fulham.

Willian was brilliant for Fulham in the last two seasons, while Bernd Leno, Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe are enjoying something of a renaissance in west London.

Fulham have done a brilliant job of helping Arsenal's unwanted players rediscover their best form, and that may be something the Whites want to look at again next summer.



https://tbrfootball.com/alex-iwobi-says-how-he-actually-feels-about-arsenal-as-a-football-club-now-hes-playing-for-fulham/

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Fulham lineup vs. Liverpool: Predicted XI for Premier League away day
Fulham manager Marco Silva may have to hand a full Premier League debut to Jorge Cuenca at centre-back when they travel to Anfield to face leaders Liverpool on Saturday.

The summer signing has made just three late sub appearances in the league since his move from Villarreal, as well as two starts in the EFL Cup.

Calvin Bassey's suspension for accumulating five yellow cards, and a calf strain to Joachim Andersen means Silva is likely going to be without his first-choice pairing in the centre of defence, with Cuenca set to partner Issa Diop ahead of Bernd Leno.

Diop has performed well in Andersen's absence, helping Fulham to draws with Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as a win over Brighton, but now playing with an inexperienced Premier League player could be slightly more difficult.

Tom Cairney is also suspended for the visitors, with this being the last of his three-game ban for the sending off he received against Spurs, and fellow midfielder Harrison Reed will be absent too following knee surgery that will rule him out until the new year.

The Fulham midfield has been strong in recent weeks though, with combative pair Sander Berge and Sasa Lukic providing good protection to the defence against some very offensive outfits, since the former replaced Andreas Pereira in the side after the 4-1 loss to Wolves.

Lukic was one of the three regulars brought back into the side for the clash with Arsenal, returning the fold alongside Kenny Tete and Raul Jimenez, who were both rested and then linked up for their opener against the Gunners.

While having a bit of a quiet afternoon against his former club, Alex Iwobi remains the man in form for Silva's men, with three goals and an assist in his last four games, and the Nigerian will be keen to impress again on his return to Merseyside.

Another fellow former Everton player is set to play a key role at left-back too when he returns to his hometown, with Antonee Robinson the man who will be tasked with stopping Premier League top scorer Mohamed Salah, but he can also offer a threat going forward, considering he has four assists to his name already this season.

Fulham possible starting lineup:
Leno; Tete, Cuenca, Diop, Robinson; Berge, Lukic; Iwobi, Smith Rowe, Adama; Jimenez



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/liverpool/predicted-lineups/silva-to-hand-out-premier-league-debut-in-defence-fulham-predicted-xi-vs-liverpool_560362.html?newsnow

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Marco's Liverpool Preview

Marco Silva says the squad are confident in themselves and will take that into Saturday's game at Anfield.

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Pre-Liverpool Press Conference
Marco Silva is aware that Saturday's trip to Liverpool is arguably our toughest game of the season, but he's taking optimism from our battling performances at Anfield in both the Premier League and Carabao Cup last season.

"Firstly, the most consistent team in this league so far," was Silva's description of Liverpool right now. "Really, really strong in any moment of the game, making life really difficult for any team that they play against.

"Great, in terms of the collective quality of the team, the impact of the manager, and, of course, the individual quality they have. I think everything together is the reason why they are on the top of the league.

"In the Champions League, they won six out of six, and because of that, they deserve all the credit for the way they have been playing.

"It's going to be the next one for us, a really tough game, but we have been responding well for these type of games so far this season.

"Even against them last season, the games at Anfield were really tight games, and the team responded really well, and let's hope we can have the same type of performance, but with a different result for us, if we can."

Any concerns about Liverpool's future following the summer departure of Jürgen Klopp have quickly evaporated, with new boss Arne Slot winning 19 of his 22 matches in charge.

Asked if he's been surprised by Slot's fast start, and if the Reds are the best team in Europe right now, Silva said: "It's the team in best form, definitely. They're achieving the best results, and the impact from Arne Slot has been top.

"Okay, the expectations were there, all the eyes were there on him and on the team, how they were going to react after a big personality, a big character left the club, and was so important for the club the last nine years.

"He showed his quality so far, the impact that he's had in that football club, on the players as well. You can feel that they are all on the same page as a football club.

"When you are doing so well, achieving such good results and playing such good football in the Premier League, Champions League, of course credits for everybody.

"And, on the top, has to be the manager, and Arne Slot has been great for them, definitely."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2024/december/12/pre-liverpool-press-conference/

[WhiteJC]

QPR and Fulham FC stars inspire pupils at White City showcase
Upstream London connecting young people with jobs of the future on their doorstep – on and off the playing field.

Students from across Hammersmith & Fulham got a glimpse into their potential future careers at Scale Space in White City's booming Innovation District.

At a 'speed networking' event on Monday 9 December, 85 pupils from Hammersmith Academy (W6), Phoenix Academy (W12) and Fulham Cross Academy (SW6) met local employers from eight leading sports organisations.

The showcase forms part of our 'Reveal' series, designed to connect local students with the jobs and industries of tomorrow. It's a key initiative of Upstream London, H&F Council's pioneering strategy which has helped attract £6billion of investment and created more than 13,000 new jobs since 2017.

Through initiatives like Made in Fulham – a 13-week programme that helps aspiring coaches aged 16+ take their first steps into football coaching careers – local clubs are creating tangible pathways to employment.

"We offer young people a chance to gain practical work experience and work towards up to six coaching qualifications," explained Richard Morris, Secondary Education Manager at Fulham FC Foundation.

"They go from watching our experienced coaches to delivering sessions themselves – that way, they can build a CV."

Among the success stories shared was Macauley Rogers who, starting off at the foundation as a nine-year-old, has now secured a coaching role with the club through the programme.

"Beyond the Athlete"
Students heard from a range of organisations offering local opportunities.

Charley Habell from Hammersmith Academy said he "enjoyed speaking with the inventor of 'Switch' the most" – a crossover sport that combines football, basketball, handball, volleyball and netball.

Founder of Community Switch Sports, Danny Hibbert, has been running after-school clubs and holiday programmes in and around White City since 2013, with most services free or low cost. He opened the students' eyes to the breadth of sports careers: "There's so many different avenues. In football alone, you could become a ball manufacturer, journalist, manager or sport's fashion designer."

Coach David from 'Basketball Nxtion' shared how sports skills transfer into careers: "Maybe you won't be a star footballer or basketballer, but if you love the sport, you can still work in the field. Skills like discipline, perseverance, and teamwork are valuable in any career."

The organisation runs weekly basketball sessions across London and Manchester, including at Ark Burlington Danes Academy in Wood Lane. They're also helping young people explore pathways into the sport through American high school partnerships, funded coaching qualifications, and 'Beyond the Athlete' – a podcast exploring careers in sport.

Building tomorrow's workforce
Other organisations at the event included QPR in the Community Trust, London Sports Trust, West London College, Emerging Media Ventures (the sport's arm of Blenheim Chalcot) and Better (GLL), who are all offering opportunities for local young people.

Better, which operates three leisure centres in the borough, provides funded training for qualifications in swim teaching and lifeguarding, while QPR offers apprenticeships where young people can earn while they learn.

Our 'Reveal' event series helps ensure local people benefit from these growing opportunities. Through initiatives like the Pathway Bond scheme, young people can now access clear routes into exciting careers right on their doorstep.



https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/news/2024/12/qpr-and-fulham-fc-stars-inspire-pupils-white-city-showcase

[WhiteJC]

Team News: Fulham without 5 at Anfield

A combination of injury and suspension means five players will miss Fulham's match against league leaders Liverpool on Saturday.

Tom Cairney and Calvin Bassey each serve a ban, but will both be back in contention next week, while Reiss Nelson is set for an extended period on the sidelines after hurting his hamstring in the Brighton win.

Joachim Andersen and Harrison Reed are continuing their respective rehabilitations from injury.

When asked for an update on squad availability in his pre-match press conference, Silva said: "No fresh news, really, just Joachim and Harrison Reed, plus Reiss Nelson from the game we played against Brighton.

"They are going to be out for the game, and of course, the third game of Tom Cairney, plus the fifth yellow card from Calvin Bassey."

In terms of timeframes for our injured boys, Andersen is not too far away now that he's back out on the grass, but it will unfortunately be months before we see Nelson again.

"Difficult to have a really precise time in this situation," Silva explained. "I believe that Joa probably is going to be the closest one to come [back].

"Harrison Reed, we have to see, step by step. Reiss Nelson is going to be longer. Difficult to say when he's going to be back, but probably around 10 weeks he's going to be out, for sure."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2024/december/12/team-news-fulham-without-5-at-anfield/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham dealt major blow as Reiss Nelson ruled out for 10 weeks with hamstring injury
Midfielder has been key factor in Fulham's recent good run but faces extended spell on sidelines

Fulham have been dealt a major blow after Arsenal loanee Reiss Nelson was ruled out for 10 weeks with a hamstring injury.

Nelson was forced off in last week's 3-1 win over Brighton and Marco Silva has confirmed he faces an extended spell on the sidelines.

The midfielder has been a key factor for Fulham in their recent good run and had started five successive games before his injury.

Silva has also said he expects Joachim Andersen to return to action before the end of the year.

Andersen has missed the last three games with an Achilles tendon problem and will again be absent when Fulham face Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday.

Harrison Reed is out until next year with a meniscus injury.

Speaking ahead of the Liverpool game, Silva said: "Joachim and Harrison Reed, plus Reiss Nelson, are out.

"It is difficult to have precise timings on this situation. Joa is the closest one to coming [back]. 100 per cent not this week. Harrison Reed we have to see, step by step. Reiss Nelson is going to be longer. Probably around 10 weeks he'll be out."

Silva is unsure whether Andersen will be back in time to face Southampton on December 22.

"Let's see," he said. "He's already on the pitch working - not with the team yet. I said that he's going to be the closest one.

"I don't know if it will be for Southampton or the other games, but I really believe that before the end of the month he's going to be able to play."

Silva hailed Premier League leaders Liverpool "the team in the best form, achieving the best results" in Europe, but said he believes his side can cause a shock at Anfield.

During their visit there last season, Fulham were leading 3-2 until the 87th minute when Liverpool promptly scored twice to earn a last-gasp win.

"They deserve all the credit for the way they have been playing," said Silva. "For us, it's going to be a really tough game. But we have been responding well to these types of games this season. We like this type of challenge."



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-reiss-nelson-injury-latest-b1199691.html

[WhiteJC]

I watched £15m Ernest Nuamah to work out whether Everton, Fulham or Crystal Palace should sign him
Fulham, Everton and Crystal Palace have all been linked with Lyon's Ernest Nuamah - but would he be a sensible signing?

Right at the end of the summer transfer window, Lyon winger Ernest Nuamah - regarded as one of the brightest prospects in African football - was on the verge of signing for Fulham. The medical had been done, and an agreement was in place. Then Nuamah disappeared.

Shortly after he turned up again in France, Lyon owner John Textor apologised for putting the 21-year-old Ghanaian into a position in which he felt forced out of the club. Plainly, he didn't want to leave just yet. It was a strange deal, anyway – he was reportedly signing with Fulham for €19m (£15.7m) having only just been permanently bought by the French side for a fee of more than £20m, having previously been on loan from a Belgian club, also owned by Textor, who supposedly signed him for roughly the same amount as the entire club turns over in a year.

Regardless, bridges were rebuilt and Nuamah returned to Lyon, where he has been in and out of the side all season. The club, meanwhile, has seen its debts mount to the point where it has been announced that they will be forcibly relegated to Ligue 2 unless they pay some of their creditors – which may explain the bizarre horse-trading that led to Nuamah coming close to a move to Craven Cottage, and which certainly explains why he's up for sale again now.

Nuamah may well not want to move, but he might not have a choice. Lyon and Textor need to find money fast, and a fire sale of their assets is one way to raise the required funds. Nuamah, who would be expected to cost around £15m once more, is one of the players who would fetch a higher fee.

As such, several clubs have been linked with a bid for the youngster, who was a product of the impressive Right To Dream academy (alongside West Ham's Mohammed Kudus) and has 12 caps for his country already – according to French outlet Foot Mercato, for instance, Fulham could come back with another bid having seemingly forgiven his last-minute cold feet, while Everton and Crystal Palace are lurking as well. But does he make sense as a signing for all three sides?

Whether or not he was affected by the situation at the end of the summer, Nuamah has not had a great start to the season. He's only made three league starts and hasn't scored or set up a goal yet, having managed five goal contributions in 29 league matches since signing for Lyon at the start of the 2023/24 season. In other words, while he has a long road ahead of him and shows plenty of signs of promise, he isn't likely to score a vast volume of goals in the Premier League from the get-go.

A left-footed inside forward, what Nuamah does offer is a knack for finding space going forward, excellent dribbling, good technique and indefatigable running, with a willingness to track back and capacity for defensive work which exceeds most wingers. His decision-making and finesse in the final third needs work and he can't be expected to lead an attack in need of extra goals, but if a team needs a player who will work hard down the wing to support the defence as well as providing a direct threat up front, then he looks like a sensible option for the near future who also has plenty of room for growth.

That could well be Fulham, if they don't feel like their fingers have been burned after the summer. Nuamah could easily offer much of the same energy and off-ball work that Alex Iwobi has done in a similar role on either flank, and they are somewhat light on options out wide. Everton, similarly, aren't blessed with depth down the right and Sean Dyche wants his wingers to be ready to track back and defend when required. Their direct counter-attacking style should also suit Nuamah, whose pace and ball-carrying skills allow him to get the ball or just himself upfield quickly.

Crystal Palace, the third team linked with him, are a slightly harder sell simply because of Oliver Glasner's system. With a back three and two wing-backs, Palace's inside forwards typically play a narrower role than Nuamah is used to. He could adapt, of course, but based on his playing style at Lyon, he may not be such a clean fit, and the learning curve may be higher – and because tracking back would play a lesser role, Palace fans may not immediately see his best current qualities.

Nuamah could easily prove to be a fine investment for the future for any of these clubs of course, and he has the technical qualities to become a first-rate wide forward – he just needs the experience to find the right option around the area more frequently, and perhaps to become a little less reliant on cutting inside at speed and to find other routes to goal. There is, however, no doubting his work ethic or his effectiveness in teams that want wingers working all the way up and down the field.

If money isn't too much of an object, both Everton and Fulham look like very solid landing places for a talented player who has endured too much uncertainty in recent months. Whether he would be an immediate high-level contributor is unclear, but a fee in the region of £15m could look like a bargain in the not-so-distant future.

The question for either club is how much they can afford, under current circumstances, to take a shot on a player who probably doesn't have the all-round game to be an immediate hit in the Premier League. That may not suit an embattled Everton side whose financial future isn't entirely clear and who need goals and results now. Fulham, on the other hand, can probably afford to be that little bit more patient and back Nuamah's talent in the long term. Let's just hope that his last-minute rejection back in the summer was nothing personal...



https://www.3addedminutes.com/sport/football/fulham/ernest-nuamah-everton-fulham-crystal-palace-4906965

[WhiteJC]

Silva expects Nelson to be out for around 10 weeks
Fulham boss Marco Silva expects to be without Reiss Nelson for around 10 weeks.

Nelson, on loan from Arsenal, has been sidelined by a hamstring problem and will be out until well into the new year.

He is among several players Silva will be without for this weekend's game against Premier League leaders Liverpool at Anfield.

Joachim Andersen and Harrison Reed are also injured, while Tom Cairney and Calvin Bassey are both suspended.

Andersen should be back soon but the ongoing absence of Nelson is a blow for the Whites, who have enjoyed an excellent season so far.

Silva explained: "I believe that Joa probably is going to be the closest one to come [back], but 100% not this week. Harrison Reed, we have to see, step by step.

"Reiss Nelson is going to be longer. Difficult to say when he's going to be back. Probably around 10 weeks."

Fulham will be underdogs but can head to Merseyside with some confidence, having shown this season that they are a force to be reckoned with.

Silva insists their success is mainly down to hard work.

"I don't see success in football without hard work – that is the reason why we have done so well the last few seasons," he said.

"Everyone works so hard and the demands from ourselves in the football club are so high. If the standards and demands are high, then you are more able to respond in this league that is so tough.

"I know it is only the beginning of December. but up until now it has been really good to see how the team has responded."



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/silva-expects-nelson-to-be-out-for-around-10-weeks

[WhiteJC]

Backroom staff update
The Club can confirm the appointment of Fernando Ferreira as Men's First Team Goalkeeping Coach, following Hugo Oliveira's request to return to Portugal to take up a management opportunity there.

Having worked together at Hull City, Watford and Everton, Marco Silva also brought Oliveira with him to Fulham when he was appointed as our Head Coach in the summer of 2021.
Hugo Oliveira with Steven Benda and Bernd Leno

Popular with the players, Oliveira was part of the backroom team who have helped the squad enjoy tremendous success over the past three-and-a-half years, and we wish him the best of luck in his new challenge.

Ferreira arrives having held similar goalkeeper coaching roles at Sporting Clube de Portugal, Real Sport Clube and, most recently, Benfica.

Welcome to Fulham, Fernando!



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2024/december/12/backroom-staff-update/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham appoint Ferreira as new goalkeeping coach
Fulham have confirmed the appointment of Fernando Ferreira as the club's new men's first team goalkeeping coach.

The 46 year-old has been recruited by Marco Silva as a replacement for Fulham's former goalkeeping coach Hugo Oliveira, who was appointed yesterday as the new manager of Portuguese top flight side Famalicão. Ferreira started his coaching career as a youth coach with Charneca Caparica before joining the Sporting Club de Lisbon academy, working with the club's under-15, under-17 goalkeepers and under-19 goalkeepers.

Ferreira has also served as goalkeeping coach with  Real Sport Clube and Benfica, where he worked under Roger Schmidt, Bruno Lage and Nelson Verissimo.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/12/fulham-appoint-ferreira-as-new-goalkeeping-coach/

[WhiteJC]

Andersen to miss Anfield trip
Joachim Andersen is one of five Fulham first-team squad members to be missing for Saturday's trip to take on league leaders Liverpool at Anfield.

Speculative press reports earlier this week suggested that the Danish defender might be available earlier than expected after injuring his calf in the home defeat by Wolverhampton Wanderers last month, but head coach Marco Silva has confirmed that Andersen still has some way to go in his rehabilitation. Harrison Reed, who has torn his meniscus, and Reiss Nelson is expected to out for months after injuring his hamstring in the win over Brighton and Hove Albion earlier this month.

Club captain Tom Cairney serves the final game of his three-match suspension following his sending off at Tottenham Hotspur, whilst Calvin Bassey is suspended having received his fifth yellow card of the campaign during Sunday's 1-1 draw with Arsenal.

Silva told his pre-match press conference earlier this afternoon:

"No fresh news, really, just Joachim and Harrison Reed [are out injured], plus Reiss Nelson from the game we played against Brighton. They are going to be out for the game, and of course, the third game of Tom Cairney, plus the fifth yellow card from Calvin Bassey.

[It is] difficult to have a really precise time in this situation. I believe that Joa probably is going to be the closest one to come [back]. Harrison Reed, we have to see, step by step. Reiss Nelson is going to be longer. Difficult to say when he's going to be back, but probably around ten weeks he's going to be out, for sure."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/12/andersen-to-miss-anfield-trip/

[WhiteJC]

Silva lauds 'consistent' Liverpool
Marco Silva is taking confidence from seeing his side run Liverpool close over the past couple of seasons as he prepares to take Fulham to the league leaders on Saturday afternoon.

The Portuguese head coach readily accepts that this weekend's trip to Anfield will be the toughest assignment of the season so far. He told his pre-match press conference at Motspur Park this afternoon:

"It's the team in best form, definitely. They're achieving the best results, and the impact from Arne Slot has been top. The most consistent team in this league so far. Really, really strong in any moment of the game, making life really difficult for any team that they play against. Great, in terms of the collective quality of the team, the impact of the manager, and, of course, the individual quality they have. I think everything together is the reason why they are on the top of the league.

In the Champions League, they won six out of six, and because of that, they deserve all the credit for the way they have been playing. It's going to be the next one for us, a really tough game, but we have been responding well for these type of games so far this season.

Even against them last season, the games at Anfield were really tight games, and the team responded really well, and let's hope we can have the same type of performance, but with a different result for us, if we can."

Silva spoke highly of the outstanding job that Arne Slot has done since taking over from Jurgen Klopp at Melwood this summer.

"Okay, the expectations were there, all the eyes were there on him and on the team, how they were going to react after a big personality, a big character left the club, and was so important for the club the last nine years. He showed his quality so far, the impact that he's had in that football club, on the players as well. You can feel that they are all on the same page as a football club.

When you are doing so well, achieving such good results and playing such good football in the Premier League, Champions League, of course credits for everybody. And, on the top, has to be the manager, and Arne Slot has been great for them, definitely."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/12/silva-lauds-consistent-liverpool/