'Someone has to stop the juggernaut' - Mark Lawrenson and Paul Merson agree on Liverpool vs Fulham
Liverpool head into today's clash with Fulham hoping that a victory will be enough to extend their advantage at the top of the Premier League
Arne Slot will be hoping for an improved performance today as Liverpool host Fulham in the Premier League. The Reds continued their 100 per cent start to the Champions League in midweek thanks to Mohamed Salah's penalty but the manager was not overly impressed by his team's display.
Fortunately, his players have an immediate chance to show their quality this weekend when they host Marco Silva's side in a rare 3pm kick off. Victory for Liverpool will extend their advantage over Chelsea and Manchester City for 24 hours at least with those two clubs not playing until Sunday.
Arsenal take on Everton simultaneously and Liverpool will be hoping their fierce rivals can do them a favour in the capital. Ahead of the game, the ECHO has taken a look at what three pundits think will happen this afternoon.
Paul Merson
Writing for Sportskeeda, Merson predicted: "I don't think Liverpool played particularly well against Girona but they still won and that's all that matters. It's a good sign for any team and it will be a huge boost for them.
"Someone has to stop this Liverpool juggernaut and we expect it to happen at some point this season. For now, they look in good shape.
"Liverpool win for me. I don't think Fulham can trouble them too much here."
Merson's prediction - Liverpool 3-1 Fulham
Mark Lawrenson
Speaking to Paddy Power, the Liverpool legend said: "Liverpool playing at 3pm! I’ve repeatedly spoken about how much I like Fulham, they’ve just got good players and a good manager.
"Liverpool are cruising through every game they play at the moment and you feel they’ll win this, one way or another."
Lawrenson's prediction - Liverpool 2-1 Fulham
Chris Sutton
Explaining his pick for BBC Sport, Premier League winner Sutton wrote: "I am covering this game for BBC Radio 5 Live and it will be interesting to see what Fulham do. They were very well-organised defensively against Arsenal last time out, and were happy to sit in and try to carry a threat on the counter.
"That probably did not work as effectively as they would have liked, other than when Raul Jimenez put them ahead, but I suspect they will go with a similar gameplan at Anfield. So, Adama Traore will start again, along with Alex Iwobi who had a good game against the Gunners, with Sander Berge and Sasa Lukic together in a more defensively minded midfield.
"They didn't keep Arsenal out, though, and I can't see them stopping Liverpool either. Arne Slot's side were quite flat in their midweek win over Girona.
"He was quite critical of their performance but I think a lot of teams are going through a period where they are so stretched by the Premier League and Champions League. The first goal is going to be important here, but I expect Liverpool to get it and then go on to win comfortably."
Sutton's prediction - Liverpool 3-0 Fulham
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