Liverpool must win against Fulham this Sunday afternoon if they want to remain in the Premier League title race. 

The Reds were beaten at home to Crystal Palace last weekend and another defeat could end up seeing them fall further behind top spot. 

Liverpool were left devastated by the shock defeat to Palace

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Liverpool were left devastated by the shock defeat to PalaceCredit: Getty

Jurgen Klopp’s side play before Manchester City, meaning if they lose and City win their game in hand the gap will widen to five points. 

A win though, would keep their hopes alive and give a major morale boost to the squad ahead of the final few games of the season.

Klopp and co also exited the Europa League on Thursday night, meaning the German’s exit celebrations have taken a huge hit.

The Cottagers stand in their way this weekend and they come into this game off the back of an impressive 2-0 win away at West Ham. 

Fulham vs Liverpool: Klopp’s ‘strange’ decision 

Klopp’s decision to announce his upcoming departure from Liverpool during the season has damaged his team’s hopes of silverware.

That is the view of former Premier League manager Alan Pardew, who feels that Klopp’s public announcement in January has been ‘unsettling’ for the players.

Speaking after the Reds’ loss to Palace, Pardew said: “In terms of Klopp’s decision, I just want to touch on that because, as a manager I felt that was a strange move that he did, to announce it at that time.

“I think in hindsight, whether he thinks that was the right thing when he gets to the end of the season, only he will be able to tell.

“Personally, I think he should have waited until the end of the year and maybe told the upstairs and left it at that.”

Klopp has been criticised for his decision to announce his exit

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Klopp has been criticised for his decision to announce his exitCredit: Getty

Fulham vs Liverpool: Team news 

Fulham are lucky enough to have a clean bill of health heading into this game. 

Rodrigo Muniz is expected to keep his place up front, meaning Chelsea loanee Armando Broja and Raul Jimenez will remain on the bench.

As for Liverpool, Conor Bradley is a doubt after not travelling with the Reds squad for their Europa League clash with Atalanta on Thursday night. 

It means Trent Alexander-Arnold will start if he is fully fit, while Diogo Jota and Alisson are back in action and should feature. 

Thiago, Joel Matip and Ben Doak all remain sidelined with long-term issues. 

Liverpool have fallen off the pace in the title race

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Liverpool have fallen off the pace in the title race
Jurgen Klopp addresses the Premier League title race following his sides 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace at Anfield

Fulham vs Liverpool: What has been said? 

Andy Robertson has spoken of his frustration at the fact Liverpool now have to rely on the results of their title rivals.

He said: “It’s just frustrating, and now we’re relying on other people. You could say it was in our hands but there was still a long way to go. 

“[It’s a] hugely frustrating position to be in. But this club, we don’t stop fighting – we have to fight in the stands, fight on the pitch for the last six games of the Premier League. 

“Let’s see where it takes us. We have to stay positive. We have to pick everyone up in the changing room because there’s a lot of people who are down, whether they missed a chance, gave the ball away or whatever it is. 

“We pick up, we go again and we give everything we’ve got.”

Robertson believes in his side to bounce back

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Robertson believes in his side to bounce backCredit: AFP

Fulham vs Liverpool: How to follow 

This Premier League clash will take place on Sunday, April 21. 

Kick-off at Craven Cottage is scheduled for 4:30pm. 

The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.

talkSPORT will also keep you up to date with all the latest. 


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