Arne Slot believes his Liverpool facet shouldn’t be Arsenal and Manchester Metropolis within the Premier League standings, regardless of their current unbeaten run.
The Reds are unbeaten of their final eight matches in all competitions and 7 within the league, although three of these matches have been attracts (W3).
Liverpool started 2026 with a goalless draw in opposition to Leeds United at Anfield, leaving them in fourth and 12 factors behind league leaders Arsenal.
Forward of their journey to Fulham on Sunday, Slot doesn’t see a lot use in wanting up on the title challengers within the league desk.
“Realistically, I believe there are two groups – by the best way, with [Aston] Villa being actually near them however as a result of Arsenal gained in opposition to Villa they created a little bit of a spot in the direction of Villa as nicely,” mentioned Slot.
“Realistically these two groups are fairly distant from us and we must always not have a look at these two at this second in time.
“We’ve had our struggles all through. We began very well by way of outcomes, [the] video games had been actually shut. Then we had a part of the season the place the video games had been nonetheless actually shut however we had been consistently unfortunate.
“Now I believe we’re seven or eight video games in a row unbeaten, however if you happen to say this you’re feeling like, ‘They’re flying by way of the league’ however that isn’t what we’re doing.”
Subsequent up, a visit to West London #FULLIV pic.twitter.com/D7Y2ofS65h
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 2, 2026
Fulham, in the meantime, are unbeaten of their final 4 Premier League video games (W3 D1) after a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on New Yr’s Day.
The Cottagers are eleventh within the desk, however simply six factors behind Liverpool heading into their assembly at Craven Cottage.
Regardless of a shaky first half of the season for Liverpool, Fulham boss Marco Silva refused to underestimate their opponents.
“They’d a foul run that made a large impression of their season to this point,” Silva mentioned.
“As a result of if you happen to return for the start of the season, after the best way they had been champions final season, they began with 5 wins in a row.
“And everyone was speaking – okay, they’re the identical, with some adjustments, however they’re the identical, they saved the identical successful mentality, they saved the identical high quality, they usually saved successful soccer matches.
“And [then] comes a foul run, and a foul run that isn’t regular for them, and it made a large impression within the factors, place on the desk and all that stuff. All of us agree that isn’t a standard run for them, not ordinary for them.”
Marco Silva is aware of that on Sunday Fulham might be dealing with a Liverpool facet which is greater than able to reacting to disappointment.
— Fulham Soccer Membership (@FulhamFC) January 2, 2026
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Fulham – Harry Wilson
Wilson has been concerned in 4 targets in his final seven dwelling league appearances (three targets, one help), greater than he had in his earlier 20 at Craven Cottage (three targets).
The previous Liverpool winger might be hoping to get one over on his former facet, beforehand scoring in opposition to the Reds in a 4-3 defeat in December 2023.
Liverpool – Hugo Ekitike
Ekitike has scored three targets in his final two Premier League away video games, having scored simply as soon as in his first six on the highway for Liverpool.
He final scored in additional consecutive away league video games in December 2021 (4 with Reims).
MATCH PREDICTION – LIVERPOOL WIN
Liverpool have earned seven factors from their final three Premier League away video games (W2 D1), greater than they’d of their earlier eight on the highway (six – W2 D0 L6).
Fulham have gained simply one in all their final 19 Premier League video games in opposition to the reigning champions (D3 L15), although that victory did come in opposition to Liverpool in March 2021 (1-0 at Anfield).
After shedding 5 consecutive Premier League away video games in opposition to London sides, Liverpool have now gained their final two. In the meantime, the Reds have additionally scored of their final 20 league video games within the capital since a 0-0 draw at Chelsea in April 2023.
Nevertheless, Fulham had been one in all simply three groups Liverpool did not beat of their Premier League title-winning marketing campaign final season (D1 L1), together with Nottingham Forest (D1 L1) and Arsenal (D2).
And Fulham have gained 5 of their final eight Premier League dwelling video games (L3), retaining a clear sheet in 4 of these. These 4 clear sheets are already twice as many as they saved at Craven Cottage final season.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Fulham – 29.2%
Draw – 24.6%
Liverpool – 46.2%