"The first goal is going to be important here" - Chris Sutton predicts scoreline for Liverpool vs Fulham

BBC Sport columnist Chris Sutton has backed Liverpool to cruise to a comfortable win over Fulham in their upcoming Premier League clash. The two sides are set to face each other at Anfield on Saturday, December 14.

The Reds will aim to return to winning ways in the Premier League after they were held to a thrilling 3-3 draw against Newcastle United at St. James' Park. They remain at the top of the table with 35 points from 14 games, four points above second-placed Chelsea with a game in hand.

Meanwhile, Fulham defended brilliantly to hold Arsenal to a 1-1 draw in their last league fixture. They are in 10th position with 23 points, having won two out of their previous five games. Liverpool will be the heavy favorites to claim all three points, having won nine out of their last 12 league games against the Cottagers, drawing two, and losing one.

Sutton wrote (via BBC Sport):

"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."

He added:

"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: 3-0

---

"Might be a good moment for him" - Arne Slot reveals when Federico Chiesa could next feature for Liverpool

Liverpool boss Arne Slot reckons Federico Chiesa could feature against Southampton in the EFL Cup quarter-final at St. Mary's Stadium on Wednesday, December 18.

Chiesa joined Liverpool for a reported fee of £10 million in the summer from Juventus. However, the 27-year-old has struggled to stay fit, missing 15 games due to a muscle injury. Fortunately for Arne Slot and Co., the Italy international and Diogo Jota recently returned to full team training, giving the Reds a massive boost.

During the Fulham pre-match press conference, Slot said (via Rousing the Kop):

“What he needs is playing time, and the problem is if you haven’t played for five or six months it’s sometimes difficult for a manager to give him his first minutes, because you don’t exactly know what to expect. Yes, I see him on the training ground but ideally you see him in a friendly during the week or an under 21 game, but that is not the situation we have, we play so many games."

He added:

“Maybe the Southampton game might be a good moment for him to get some playing minutes and then we know a bit better what we can expect from him. Of course we see and know his qualities but he needs to get his fitness level you need to have playing time to reach certain fitness levels. If you are competing for the league and Champions League it’s not always easy to find these minutes.”

Chiesa has made just three appearances across competitions (78 minutes) this season for Liverpool, providing one assist.