Liverpool continued in the path of victory going into the weekend’s clash with Fulham at Anfield on Sunday.
The Reds recorded a memorable win against Austrian side LASK to top their Europa League group, and in the process avoided having to play in the extra play-off round, which would’ve added two further games to Jürgen Klopp’s schedule.
Attention will now shift to the game against Fulham and keeping the pressure on Arsenal and Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.
The three sides are separated by just two points, and with City hosting Tottenham and Arsenal welcoming Wolves to North London, there is the chance Liverpool could sit atop the Premier League mountain should results go its way over the weekend.
Jürgen Klopp has a relatively full-strength squad to pick from, barring the usual long-term injuries. Only Alisson and Diogo Jota are short-term casualties, and the pair will miss the game against Fulham and likely the away trip to Sheffield United.
We’re entering the period in the English football calendar where the games come thick and fast. With Liverpool playing in three competitions across the month of December, squad rotation is vital in keeping the squad fresh, with a game every three days on average.
Jürgen Klopp has spoken on the issue, citing Newcastle as an example of the challenges of juggling multiple competitions.
Anfield has always been regarded as one of the game’s special venues. How often have we heard about players, at home and abroad, stating their desire to play in front of the Kop?
Alan Shearer is the latest legend of English football to reveal his admiration for playing at Anfield, with the former England striker playing at the iconic ground some 31 times in his career with Southampton, Blackburn and Newcastle.
“I always used to love going to Anfield. I loved the ground. I loved the atmosphere,” he told the Rest is Football podcast.
“I don’t know, maybe I’m wrong but I always felt that you got a bit more respect as a player. If you were a half-decent player you got a little bit more respect at Anfield than you did in a lot of grounds.”
