Liverpool's squad has already been exposed this season as having a lack of quality in depth and in chasing the leading pack after suffering four Premiership defeats already this season cannot afford to drop many more points. On Saturday they return to the capita to face Fulham without several key players.
Gerrard Misses Third Game For Liverpool
Captain Steven Gerrard is set to miss his third consecutive game for the Reds with a groin injury whilst Glen Johnson is also out with a calf tear. After making his debut against Arsenal in midweek, Alberto Aquilani may have had a part to play at the Cottage, but he too is ruled out after picking up a virus in the cpital. Benitez is also sweating on the fitness of Fernando Torres though he is expected to start and Javier Mascherano returns after serving a one at suspension. Fulham will be without former Red, Danny Murphy and the suspended Kagisho Dikgacoi, though are hoping Simon Davies will be fit enough to take part.
Liverpool will look to capitalise on the outstanding display against reigning Champions Manchester United last weekend whereas Fulham will be buoyed having come from 2-0 down to earn a point against the other half of Manchester at Eastlands. The Cottagers have been somewhat revitalised since the arrival of Roy Hodgson though only have three wins from nine games to their credit this season taking eight points from a possible 15 at home.
Though the Cottagers are at home and will have the incentive to attack, Hodgson will settle for a point rather than try for all three. Fulham will therefore be ompact making it difficult for the Reds to break them down and without Gerrard and Johnson in the ide, two major attacking threats are eliminated. After impressing in midweek, Phillip Degen is expected to fill the void left by Glen Johnson and as he showed against Arsenal has the guile an the willingness to carry the ball forward.
Dirk Kuyt is expectd to fulfil the role usually adopted by Gerard just behind Torres though will altrnate with Yossi Benayoun who is much more adept at slotting balls through narrow gaps tha the Dutchman. Andriy Vornonin could also stake a claim for the role after his display against Arsenal in midweek. The Ukranian possess great vision and has the playmaking skills to create something from nothing, but does not feature in Benitez's thinking and barely gets a chance to cement a more prominent role in the team.
In the corresponding fixture last season, it was a tight hard fought contest, settled late on by a Yossi Benayoun goal, and it's difficult to see anything other than a repeat performance of last season's outing. Whether Liverpool can conjure any goals is another matter, though if Torres plays and Benayoun is on form, they may just nick the one they need.
