"We might be more clinical today", "Deserve not to be starting" - Liverpool fans react as superstar duo benched for clash against Fulham
A section of Liverpool fans was pleased on X after Jurgen Klopp opted to drop Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez from the starting XI to face Fulham. The two sides are set to face each other in the Premier League at Craven Cottage on Sunday, April 21.
The Reds will be looking to bounce back after being knocked out of the UEFA Europa League in the quarter-finals by Atalanta. They are currently third in the league standings with 71 points from 32 games, three points behind leaders Arsenal.
Jurgen Klopp has made a host of changes in the team to face 13th-placed Fulham, dropping the likes of Salah, Nunez, Mac Allister, and Szoboszlai to the bench. Salah and Nunez have struggled in front of goal in recent weeks, leading to the German tactician giving Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo a chance to impress.
Alisson Becker starts in goal for Liverpool. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jarell Quansah, Virgil van Dijk, and Andy Robertson make up the defense. The midfield consists of Wataru Endo, Ryan Gravenberch, and Harvey Elliott, while Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz, and Diogo Jota start up front to complete the starting XI.
One fan reacted to the starting XI by posting:
"Thank God for no Nunez and Salah. We might be more clinical today."
Another fan wrote:
"Macallister needs a rest, Szoboszlai deserves to be on the bench, Salah and Nunez missing easy chances deserve not to be starting."
Other fan reactions can be viewed below:
"salah and nunez dropped", one fan posted.
"Nunez and Salah dropped for Liverpool! Ballsy from Klopp, time for Fulham to send Liverpool out of the title race!" one fan boldy predicted.
"Salah and Nunez cant score a goal from open play based on recent form", one fan pointed out.
"Klopps finally figured it out", another fan wrote.
"This is why klopp is such a great manager. He isn’t afraid to bench a world class player who isn’t performing", one fan chimed in.
What happened the last time Liverpool faced Fulham in the Premier League?
Liverpool face Fulham on Sunday knowing their title hopes remain in the balance. Let's take a look at what transpired the last time these two sides faced off in the league.
The Reds hosted Fulham at Anfield on December 3, 2023, where the hosts secured a thrilling 4-3 win in a game-of-the-season contender. A Bernd Leno own goal (20') gave Jurgen Klopp and Co. the lead but Harry Wilson levelled the scores four minutes later.
Alexis Mac Allister scored a screamer in the 38th minute, before Kenny Tete made it 2-2 in the third minute of stoppage time in the first half. Bobby De Cordova-Reid thought he had won the game for the Cottagers in the 80th minute but Liverpool displayed great perseverance to win the game late on through two stunning goals by Wataru Endo (87') and Alexander-Arnold (88').