The Liverpool Offside - Premier League Coverage: Liverpool vs. FulhamZeppeline, Trinken, & Pink Badeshortshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51345/ltos-fav.png2018-11-13T03:00:04+00:00http://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/rss/stream/178475372018-11-13T03:00:04+00:002018-11-13T03:00:04+00:00Virgil Van Dijk: “The Challenge Is to Try to Win Every Game That Is Ahead of Us”
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<img alt="Liverpool FC v Fulham FC - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8WmQ1vviI34Ylh1F6qCb3ByhN9Y=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62295491/1060172150.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><em>Virgil van Dijk is adamant that Liverpool should only focus on their own bid to win the Premier League title this season.</em></p> <p id="jXqJKy">The man who revitalized <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a>’s defence since the start of 2018 insists that the club cannot lose their focus in their challenge for the Premier League title this season and therefore should not be concerned with <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/">Manchester City</a>’s form. </p>
<p id="DPBUeI">Manchester City sit atop of the Premier League table on the eve of the international break and are currently two points clear of Liverpool who are in second place. The Reds tasted first place on the table for a mere number of hours after beating Fulham F.C. in a surprisingly tight match at Anfield on Sunday afternoon, but dropped to second after City stamped their authority in the Manchester derby and wiped the pitch with <a href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/">Manchester United</a> at the Etihad, beating them 3 - 1. </p>
<p id="wyTxjh">Van Dijk echoed the majority of the Liverpool support base’s view of the Fulham match which was that the Reds were definitely not at their stellar best against a Cottagers side who are in 20th place on the PL table, saying, “It was tight, but that’s football. It was an important win before the international break and especially after the defeat we had in the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a>. It was a scrappy game but we kept a clean sheet and won, so it’s a good feeling.” </p>
<p id="YIKvJj">Liverpool have made their best defensive start in the Premier League era and have conceded only five goals after 12 matches in the league this season. Van Dijk, who captained the side against Fulham said, “We can be very positive about that. It was very important, especially in the second half to keep it tight at the back and I’m glad we did.” </p>
<p id="T0LcNu">Virgil was also on free kick duty during the second half on Sunday and while he scored a stunner of a goal on his debut in Liverpool’s F.A. Cup match against <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> to give the Reds the win at Anfield in January this year, he has yet to score his first Premier League goal for the club. Regarding his free kick, he said, “All the free-kicks we took today were not good enough. If I look at myself I need a little bit of practice so I’ll keep trying and we’ll see how that goes.”</p>
<p id="TElqDX">The Dutch captain is adamant that Liverpool needs to focus on their own title challenge and cannot lose sight of the games that lie ahead. He does believe that Liverpool are a team who have yet to peak and that the best is still to come from the Reds side and that Manchester City’s tough run will surely come too, saying:</p>
<blockquote><p id="TqrGYi"><em>For us the challenge is to win or try to win every game that is ahead of us. The season is very long. City are not going to win every game 5-0 and are going to have tough games like everyone else. </em><br><em>We need to look at what we have ahead of us and that is more important than looking at someone else. We are winning games so we are doing pretty well and have made a better start than last season. We have to keep building on it, improve things. </em><br><em>It’s a good sign that we are still improving but still doing well. City are the champions and the best team in the league but we will try everything to be as good as we can. </em></p></blockquote>
<p id="0MutFc">Here’s to the Reds being as mighty as ever and giving their all to be as good, if not better than they can be when the Premier League returns on Saturday, 24 November 2018. Liverpool will travel to Vicarage Road to take on seventh placed Watford who are above Manchester United on goal difference. Kickoff is at 3 PM GMT/10 AM EST.</p>
<p id="0HmIhX">It’s going to be a long two weeks... May our players doing international duty return to Anfield sans any niggles or injuries. That is all we ask. Well, that and that these two weeks fly by as quickly and painlessly as possible!</p>
<h5 id="HpJwCp"><em><strong>Up the Mighty Reds!</strong></em></h5>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2018/11/13/18089984/virgil-van-dijk-talks-liverpool-challenge-win-premier-league-title-over-manchester-city-two-pointsBloodsugarNatz2018-11-12T14:00:09+00:002018-11-12T14:00:09+00:00Andy Robertson on Liverpool’s Winning Goal and Fulham “Switching Off”
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<img alt="Huddersfield Town v Liverpool FC - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Dd4ZVbykWox9R2RD3FsdjvWjx1Q=/629x146:3005x1730/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62275987/1057634578.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Mark Robinson/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Fulham thought they had scored. Seconds later, the ball was in their net and Liverpool were up.</p> <p id="gohasr"><a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> have struggled at times this season to match the explosive, deadly pace they so often relied on for their success during the 2017-18 campaign. On Sunday against Fulham, though, there was at least one such moment.</p>
<p id="lg7F4Q">With a Fulham goal from a set-piece waved off due to offside—a correct but controversial decision—the Reds broke forward at pace, two passes to send <span>Mohamed Salah</span> racing free from the halfway line and put Liverpool up by a goal.</p>
<p id="Q4xtYW">“We caught them off guard,” left back Andy Robertson said of the first goal in Sunday’s 2-0 victory at Anfield. “They are all sprinting back and the ball is in the back of the net before they can even do anything about it.</p>
<p id="rGl1ud">“It’s harsh on them but that’s what all the top teams do and luckily we managed to do that. The first half was a bit of a struggle but Mo popped up at the right time and the second half was a really professional performance.”</p>
<p id="AQxKHV">Replays showed Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrović was indeed offside when the ball was played in to Liverpool’s penalty area, but it was a matter of inches and it was only the player stood behind Mitrović clearly in an offside position.</p>
<p id="FnjFVb">In real time, judging Mitrović to have been conclusively offside would have been nearly impossible for the linesman, and in such situations the rules say the benefit of the doubt is meant to be given to the attacking player.</p>
<p id="Olpsjq">It was the correct call, but also one that Fulham and their fans can rightly feel aggrieved to be on the wrong end of. And Liverpool didn’t hesitate. While Fulham paused, stuck between celebration and disappointment, the Reds struck.</p>
<p id="aRNk93">“I’ve been there with Hull,” Robertson noted of Fulham’s failure to react. “You can’t put your finger on it but sometimes when you play against these big teams and you get a corner, it’s a relief and then you switch off.”</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2018/11/12/18087124/andy-robertson-liverpool-winning-goal-fulham-offside-celebration-switch-offNoel Chomyn2018-11-11T14:21:10+00:002018-11-11T14:21:10+00:00Alexander-Arnold and Robertson “Happy to Get Three Points”
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<img alt="SSC Napoli v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League Group C" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/mDMGG4pr8khf_XQ2wevj6tLxHIs=/0x0:4299x2866/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62268119/1045185184.jpg.0.jpg" />
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<p>All positive as Liverpool return to winning ways.</p> <p id="8MeuzG">Not a vintage performance, but it’s hard to find too much at fault with <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a>’s 2-0 win over Fulham. While some argued Fulham’s offside goal should have stood, the tide turned heavily in favour of Liverpool as things went on, with the visitors failing to achieve much of note in the second half.</p>
<p id="LGnfih">Unsurprisingly, Trent Alexander-Arnold was pleased with the day’s work.</p>
<p id="8pPKPD">“Fulham are a good side and we knew it was going to be tough”, the right back told BT Sport, as <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/45115726">reported</a> by BBC Sport. “They came here with a game plan and they tried to execute it.</p>
<p id="TkXeLb">“We are happy with three points. We’re quite a possession based team and we try to get the opposition on the back-foot. For any team coming to Anfield, it’s going to be hard for them to dominate the ball.”</p>
<p id="HxN6NX">Left back and man of the match <span>Andrew Robertson</span> was similarly upbeat, adding further positive vibes.</p>
<p id="cBlMvt">“We scored a lot of goals last season but this season we have been solid at the back as well”, Robertson told BT Sport. “It was a difficult first half but in the second half I thought we controlled it”.</p>
<p id="fjrRiV">Robertson especially should be very pleased with his day’s work. The Scotsman provided a terrific assist to <span>Xherdan Shaqiri</span> and proved a consistent threat down the left hand side, without ever seeming exposed defensively. Alexander-Arnold didn’t quite have the same impact of the game, with Fulham’s left winger Ryan Sessegnon sometimes managing to get in behind the Liverpool player and cause problems. This has been a problem for Alexander-Arnold at times against particularly fast wide players who want the ball over the top, with Marcus Rashford memorably giving him a torrid time. Still, this is a relatively minor issue, and the 20 year old is still proving himself a very good right back.</p>
<p id="0npAu8">Solid day’s work, all in all. No complaints from us.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2018/11/11/18084364/alexander-arnold-and-robertson-happy-to-get-three-points-liverpool-premier-league-eplGraceOnFootball2018-11-11T13:51:36+00:002018-11-11T13:51:36+00:00Liverpool 2, Fulham 0: First Thoughts
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<img alt="Liverpool FC v Fulham FC - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/m8OPzOz8T3Kjx81GCmKYhLQmO2w=/99x0:4863x3176/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62267997/1060162286.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Liverpool took control early and often when Fulham came to town. </p> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="PXJLoj">
<h1 id="v1qBUX">
<a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> 2 - 0 <a href="https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/">Fulham</a>
</h1>
<h5 id="15w4EF">Liverpool: Salah 41’, Shaqiri 53’</h5>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="zfMFsz">
<ul>
<li id="h1OqIb">
<strong>Pre-Match Thought: Fuck this early kick off. </strong>Klopp went in with four changes today, including one we expected (<span>Roberto Firmino</span> for Sturridge up top) and one we didn’t (Shaqiri for Milner??) and Naby Keita, <span>Daniel Sturridge</span>, and <span>Jordan Henderson</span> on the bench. Mostly attack so here’s to some goals. </li>
<li id="noJP58">Here we go and we start with a deep moment of silence for Remembrance Day. </li>
<li id="1yZWon">Five and a half minutes in and we’ve had two shots already so I don’t know what that means but I’m hoping it’s good. </li>
<li id="raZRzB">Update: Seven minutes later, nothing has happened since then. </li>
<li id="BFDuEu">Some incredible build up play has seen two more shots denied but this Fulham side has been definitely aggressive in pushing and fighting us for the ball. We’re definitely going to score first at this rate. Maybe. </li>
<li id="r0zoxY">Did someone move the goals? How do we keep missing? </li>
<li id="CJGIXH">So when is the Fulham keeper going to get carded for time wasting because he’s held onto it every single goal kick he’s had. </li>
<li id="9JxfMk">Liverpool win a free kick just outside the box and it’s <span>Xherdan Shaqiri</span>’s time to shine... by kicking it right into the wall. </li>
<li id="gIQkw5">How do we keep losing the ball so easily? I dislike this VEHEMENTLY. </li>
<li id="BV4qyW">
<strong>GOAL! </strong>In a ruthless display, Alisson and Trent Alexander-Arnold start a wicked counterattack after Fulham’s goal is called offside, giving <span>Mohamed Salah</span> time to do what we all sing about and send it home to put the Reds FINALLY ahead. </li>
<li id="r0WfqF">
<strong>Halftime: So many missed chances. </strong>If we could actually stop shooting AROUND the goal, we would be ahead by like four at this point, but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯</li>
<li id="8QRSYB">Back at it for Liverpool. Back to nerves at the idea of holding onto a lead like this. </li>
<li id="5nWuCM">
<strong>GOAL! SHAQIRI FINALLY GETS HIS! </strong>Andrew Robertson SWINGS it in and our XS (get it because his initials are XS and he’s extra small????) was in the best place to smash it in! </li>
<li id="uX6gw9">This game has turned into a comedy and maybe because it’s so early where I am or because hilarious things are happening but it’s okay because we’re 2-0 up. </li>
<li id="ODTV2F">Virgil taking a free kick is probably up there with Alisson wearing a cap on the pitch in unexpectedly delightful. And by unexpectedly delightful I mean what the actual fuck is going on. </li>
<li id="tz2UZR">It’s my favorite time of the game, when Jordan Henderson comes off the bench to replace <span>Georginio Wijnaldum</span> - a surprisingly early change at 65 minutes for Klopp but I’M HERE FOR IT. </li>
<li id="qVmbf1">Baby faced Hendo is reminiscent of the last time we played Fulham, he just needs that cast from his broken wrist. </li>
<li id="WB8Nhx">Oh my god there’s still like fifteen minutes left? It feels like we’ve dug our heels in and are just gonna ride this out which is fine because we’re up 2-0 but oh my god at least make it more exciting. </li>
<li id="N3sN1o">
<span>James Milner</span> comes in for Shaqiri in Klopp’s second change. </li>
<li id="7WUZj4">CAPWATCH: ALISSON HAS TAKEN OFF THE CAP. THERE’S 8ISH MINUTES LEFT IN THE MATCH. </li>
<li id="vq95Lg">Could you finally call this a convincing win? Maybe? (Knock on wood, Jordan, jesus). </li>
<li id="hbuPFj">ALMOST! Salah almost gets a second from his side when it bounces off the face of a Fulham defender. </li>
<li id="5O0rSh">Three minutes of additional time here at the end with Liverpool clearly looking for a third, which sure I guess let’s go for it. </li>
<li id="CT3gLS">Sure, let’s put Naby on with less than two minutes to go, that’s a great idea. </li>
<li id="jr8I3N">
<strong>Final Whistle: </strong>I guess this is a convincing win, and there could’ve been more than just two goals but 2-0 at home is nothing to scoff at, so I’ll take it. </li>
</ul>
<p id="mhcVWw">We’ll be back shortly to take an in-depth look at everything that happened in today’s game with the full recap. Until then, let us know your take on the ups and downs of the match in the comments, and if you haven’t already, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/account/setup?community_id=373"><strong>join the community on the Liverpool Offside</strong></a>, where we’ll have full coverage and lively in-game discussion for every match this season.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2018/11/11/18084010/liverpool-2-fulham-0-match-recap-report-epl-2018Jordan J. Keeble2018-11-10T17:30:02+00:002018-11-10T17:30:02+00:00Liverpool vs Fulham: Preview, Team News, and Ways to Watch
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<img alt="Fulham v Liverpool - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/0PF2G9sfkjf-A4FT9ks1PLPuNxw=/0x62:2374x1645/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62258237/469003075.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>After a disappointing Champions League loss, Liverpool face off against Fulham at Anfield.</p> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="tTll1B">
<h2 id="AXEFNn">
<a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> vs Fulham</h2>
<h5 id="5rYyh2">| Sunday, November 11th |<br>Premier League | Anfield<br>12PM GMT/7AM EST</h5>
<p id="2YsGW8">Liverpool look to rebound from a terrible performance in Belgrade midweek when they host Fulham at Anfield. The biggest team news is that both <span>Jordan Henderson</span> and Naby Keïta are available for Jürgen Klopp to use on this weekend after both have spent several weeks on the trainer’s table. This is excellent news for those who felt that Liverpool’s midfield has been lackluster without Henderson’s leadership and Keïta’s attacking instincts guiding them.</p>
<p id="R02AG7">Despite this recent ebb in their performances, Liverpool are still unbeaten in the league while newly promoted Fulham are strong contenders for getting the drop this season. Slavisa Jokanovic’s men are propping up the table, having only earned five points and scored 11 goals in the first 11 games of the season. Liverpool, meanwhile, have only conceded one goal at Anfield in the league this season. </p>
<p id="ZHhuw1">It’s likely that <span>Roberto Firmino</span> will return to the starting line-up after being replaced by <span>Daniel Sturridge</span> in Belgrade. With <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/">Manchester City</a> running away with the goal difference, this would hopefully be a good game to try and cut into that lead a bit. </p>
<p id="OFw9DN">But that’s a bit of putting the cart before the horse. Let’s first make sure that Liverpool wins that game. With the defense solid, the creativity and link up between the midfield and attack is the Reds’ biggest concern. A stagnant midfield has failed to help ignite the considerable talent in Liverpool’s attack, and a fix is needed — the sooner, the better.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="fCR739">
<h5 id="XE3hmm"><strong>Projected Liverpool Lineup (4-2-3-1)</strong></h5>
<p id="E4RXz7">Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Keïta; Mané, Shaqiri, Salah; Firmino</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="91sB5m">
<p id="e5CEvN">It won’t be surprising to see Keïta start on the bench after being carried off the pitch on a stretcher while playing for Senegal less than a month ago. If he is relegated to the bench, we can hopefully expect to see him earn some minutes in the second half. This could also be a good match for Henderson to stamp his mark on alongside Gini. Then, of course, there’s Fabinho and Milner to choose from as well. Klopp is spoiled for choice, but the trick is finding the right combination to get the best results.</p>
<p id="ACopC4"><span>Dejan Lovren</span> is also available for Klopp, while Gomez was a doubt after dealing with an Achilles issue. The English international is available, but Klopp will likely see this one as a good chance for him to rest. On the other hand, if Gomez really is 100% fit, then it may be him in Lovren’s place, or the boss may choose to play Gomez at right back again instead of Alexander-Arnold.</p>
<p id="UyQ7ic">With Shaqiri fresh after remaining on Merseyside instead of traveling to Serbia, it’s likely that he finds his way into the starting XI for this one.</p>
<p id="iUw0R7">Klopp has a full strength squad, aside from some who may not yet be at match fitness. Though, of course, <span>Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain</span> remains sadly unavailable.</p>
<p id="pm0xMg">Fulham, on the other hand, will be without Kevin McDonald and Joe Bryan.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="VwpEl8">
<h5 id="o9U0k4">What the Managers Had to Say</h5>
<p id="HIxzJ4"><strong>Jürgen Klopp</strong>: “The season so far-wise, points-wise in the Premier League, has been really successful.</p>
<p id="tW0oxH">“But it doesn’t really feel like that because there are two reasons in comparison with last year: free-flowing football in a few games and Man City and maybe <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> and a few others play a very good season as well.</p>
<p id="gwwPyl">”It feels a bit like this season can only be a success if we become champions this year. In a year our competitors are the champions of last year, the champions of two years ago, a more refreshed <a href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/">Arsenal</a> and a more experienced Tottenham and <a href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/">Manchester United</a>.</p>
<p id="7HHikm"><strong>Slavisa Jokanovic</strong>: “My mentality is always the same. I want to find brave people around me. We must move out of our comfort zone, push harder and be more competitive.</p>
<p id="nYJSU0">”After a tough two-and-a-half years in the Championship, we cannot give up now. We must show ambition and pride.”</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="FTXsLD">
<h5 id="1t1ZJV">The Officials</h5>
<p id="kgcqmN"><strong>Referee:</strong> Paul Tierney <strong>Assistants:</strong> Adrian Holmes, Mick McDonough <strong>Fourth official:</strong> Chris Kavanagh</p>
<p id="FqNm9q">Kickoff is set for 12PM GMT/7AM EST tomorrow, and television listings for the match can be found on <a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/2502841/liverpool-vs-southampton/">LiveSoccerTV</a>. In the meantime, we’ll be keeping you updated with all the buildup to the game, including team news as it’s released, our live matchday thread, and post-match recaps from The Liverpool Offside staff. If you want to join the discussion, sign up for an SB Nation account to have your say on the action as it happens.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2018/11/10/18080730/liverpool-vs-fulham-epl-2018-preview-team-news-injuries-projected-lineups-how-to-watchepicskyline2018-11-10T15:00:03+00:002018-11-10T15:00:03+00:00Shaqiri Only Cares About Liverpool’s Results
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<img alt="Liverpool FC v Cardiff City - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/h6se2h4ZtCW9k1-A8QICsrWWN1Y=/801x10:2187x934/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62261081/1054275026.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>With a fierce battle at the top waging, the midfielder keeps his focus inward as the Reds prepare to take on Fulham.</p> <p id="oKGlMz">Is there anything more annoying than <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> having the best team and getting their best league results in a generation, only to have to other teams <em>also</em> playing as well, or better, than them? It’s just our luck that in this golden year, <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/">Manchester City</a> and <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> also have creative, visionary managers and the players to bring that vision to life on the pitch.</p>
<p id="HNnMc9">Imagine this team in 2015-16 when <a href="https://fosseposse.sbnation.com/">Leicester City</a> won the league trophy because every other team refused to take it. This Liverpool side would have been crowned victors that season before Christmas.</p>
<p id="5QasTf">But that’s not the reality we face. Instead, Liverpool, despite not losing any of their first 11 games in the league, are in third place at the moment. And while fans and pundits have scored over the fixture lists and speculated wildly about fatigue or lose of form or injuries, <span>Xherdan Shaqiri</span> says that the only results he’s worried about right now are Liverpool’s.</p>
<p id="QILG09">“I think we have to ignore that [other teams’ results]. We have to look at ourselves and make performances week to week, try to stay on our highest level and to try to win games so at the end of the season we can say we are proud of the season we played because we gave everything,” <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.liverpoolfc.com%2Fnews%2Ffirst-team%2F324694-xherdan-shaqiri-liverpool-fulham-interview&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fliverpooloffside.sbnation.com%2Fliverpool-fc-news-coverage%2F2018%2F11%2F10%2F18081888%2Fxherdan-shaqiri-only-cares-about-liverpool-results-title-race-manchester-city-chelsea" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">he told</a> the official site.</p>
<p id="yUYT3h">I hope he is better at following his advice than I am, because so far it feels like each game played by another top six club is a matter of life and death. Every goal scored by Manchester City chisels away a little more of my soul. Every come-from-behind victory by Chelsea feels like a stab in the back. Every incorrect call that goes in favor of one of our rivals feels like a direct insult to me and my family. So I’m glad Shaqiri has some perspective. That makes one of us.</p>
<p id="DlfdAQ">“We will see what happens, but the process the club had for a few years is going very well I think and that’s also the most important thing. Everybody sees that and of course in the near future for everybody it’s important to try to challenge for titles, that’s clear, but at the moment we just have to look to ourselves and to try to stay on the highest level.</p>
<p id="m9rZ74">“We will see what happens, but if we keep going like this it’s going to be an interesting year for everybody I think. For us, it’s amazing how we are doing in the league at the moment. We are in very good shape and everybody is positive in this club so we are looking forward to the next games, to many games to come.</p>
<p id="kxhUoK">“We just have to keep going like this on the highest level and to work every day hard to compete against the good teams.”</p>
<p id="hmIyIN">Shaqiri is favored to start against Fulham when Liverpool go into their next fight to the death on Sunday. After their game, it’s the Manchester derby — for anyone who, you know, cares about that kind of thing. </p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2018/11/10/18081888/xherdan-shaqiri-only-cares-about-liverpool-results-title-race-manchester-city-chelseaepicskyline2018-11-10T12:30:05+00:002018-11-10T12:30:05+00:00Liverpool Expect Four Players to Return to Action Against Fulham
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<img alt="SSC Napoli v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League Group C" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_HviAgsihTW0Be57v9902SWltBI=/0x0:4064x2709/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62260729/1045655870.jpg.0.jpg" />
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<p>Henderson, Keita, Shaqiri, and Lovren are all expected back and available for Klopp’s Sunday selection. </p> <p id="uCka1h"><a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> are looking to bounce back from a couple of disappointing away results in front of the Anfield faithful tomorrow. In addition to being home and playing bottom-dwelling recently promoted Fulham, the Reds should also be expecting reinforcements to the matchday squad. </p>
<p id="R0kEOF">Both captain <span>Jordan Henderson</span> and Naby Keita are back in full time training, and should be available for action tomorrow. While Keita made the trip to Red Star midweek, he did not feature for Liverpool (though, in retrospect, he probably should have). </p>
<p id="svyj1K"><span>Dejan Lovren</span> will also be coming back into the fold after recovering from an unspecified illness. </p>
<p id="gvGK3b">And finally, <span>Xherdan Shaqiri</span> is available after missing out in midweek because of (justifiable) fears of politically-fuelled violence against him and/or Liverpool supporters. </p>
<p id="Yxuk13">This can only be good news, especially in midfield, where Tuesday night’s trio of <span>Adam Lallana</span>, <span>Georginio Wijnaldum</span>, and <span>James Milner</span> failed to impressed (to put it mildly). In both of the last two matches, the midfield screamed out for the kind of control and tempo-setting that Henderson is capable of, and for the dynamism and creativity that Keita can bring to the party. </p>
<p id="VHoOzl">In attack, Shaqiri has often provided a spark when the front three are bereft of ideas. </p>
<p id="hJFvWB">And Lovren is decidedly a better option than Joel Matip. Plus, it gives Jurgen Klopp the option of moving <span>Joe Gomez</span> over to fullback to give the struggling Trent Alexander-Arnold a break. </p>
<p id="Nhr9KD">It would be a surprise to see all four of the retuning players come directly into the starting line-up, though it seems likely that they all make the matchday squad. </p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2018/11/10/18081814/liverpool-expect-four-players-return-action-against-fulham-henderson-keita-shaqiri-lovren-injuriesZachary Marx2018-11-09T16:30:05+00:002018-11-09T16:30:05+00:00Jürgen Klopp Tempers Expectations Ahead of Fulham Match
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<img alt="Arsenal FC v Liverpool FC - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/baDZH3Pb_TZLQhVqeFmC1JBGfJA=/0x0:2336x1557/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62247253/1056911014.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Liverpool manager is wary of looking at rock-bottom Fulham as an easy get. But come on.</p> <p id="K3E9Va">It’s never a good plan to go into a match expecting a win. The Premier League is a strange and unpredictable place. <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> should take all three points from Fulham on Sunday. Any one of <span>Mohamed Salah</span>, <span>Roberto Firmino</span>, or Sadio Mané could score a boatload of goals against the mostly-hapless Fulham defense. Or Liverpool could lose at home to the team sitting rock bottom in the league.</p>
<p id="RuA32p">Jürgen Klopp isn’t eyeing Fulham’s -18 goal differential as an indicator of success for the Reds at Anfield on Sunday. The manager knows all too well the pitfalls of overconfidence in football. When Klopp looks at Fulham he doesn’t see a side ready to open up channels for his Liverpool players to run through. He sees an attacking team that only needs a moment in order to cause Liverpool problems.</p>
<p id="NtlBXw">“I’m not sure how many Fulham games you’ve watched over 90 minutes - not only <em>Match of the Day</em> or a summary of stuff like that - but this is a really strange situation for Fulham,” Klopp said.</p>
<p id="jjztms">“I can really imagine how they feel in the moment – the football is good, a lot of things are really good. They caused [Manchester] City problems in the Carabao Cup. It’s been really good football in a lot of moments.</p>
<p id="ghg8zE">“We have to defend them. They are a skilled team offensively and tuned in, doing a lot of things. The end product, the finishing was maybe not so good often enough but they’ve scored goals. </p>
<p id="p5HHT4">“On the other hand, they’ve conceded, but you will never score a goal against a team like Fulham with their quality only because you go into the game with the wrong attitude and think about scoring, scoring, scoring.</p>
<p id="EZr95n">“This game is a big challenge, really, for all of us. We have to make sure we really don’t forget what kind of a good situation we are in.</p>
<p id="jHByg8">“Atmosphere-wise, again another challenge, 12 o’clock [kick-off], so for all the people coming into the stadium, go to bed early on Saturday night, be in your best shape on lunchtime on Sunday and help.</p>
<p id="Y70Bbt">“If someone goes there and expects an easy game then please stay at home because it will not be, it will be a really tough job to do. It’s good we want to show a reaction, yes it makes sense, but the right reaction.”</p>
<p id="pUr2os">While there are no easy contests in the league, there are silver-platter opportunities. And a match at Anfield against a team who lets in goals for breakfast is the perfect time for Klopp’s squad to bounce back after a difficult week. But Liverpool have got to bring their mojo.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2018/11/9/18078666/jurgen-klopp-tempers-expectations-ahead-of-fulham-match-mohamed-salah-roberto-firmino-sadio-maneMatt Wood