Here we go as a Liverpool XI play Fulham.

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool have gone nine hours without scoring from open play at Anfield in 2021, with their only home goal this year a penalty converted by Mohamed Salah against Manchester City.

The Merseysiders have also failed to score a first-half goal in 11 of their past 12 league matches.

Fulham

Fulham defender Joachim Andersen, speaking to Sky Sports: "Liverpool are not in the best shape so it's a good chance for us to get three points. The further we have come in the season we have got to know each other better. If everyone knows what to do then it's easier to play football. Hopefully the points will come."

Pat Nevin
Former Everton and Scotland winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

I saw the game against Chelsea and that defensive display by Liverpool is the worst I have ever seen in the time that I've been watching Liverpool - it was almost embarrassingly bad. Tactically it was a shambles, they were pressing high up against a team that just wanted to go long, they weren't closing the midfield no one seemed to want to mark.

It's the shock of sitting here at this cathedral of great football and seeing something as weak as that it's actually really hard to take in. So I expected him to make some changes but the changes he's made at the back are not the ones I expected. I think Neco Williams, Rhys Williams and Nat Phillips have got 29 Premier League games between them so that's a big call. The question is whether Jurgen Klopp is doing it to win the game or trying to rest players for the Champions League.

Liverpool

Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, speaking to Sky Sports: "It's been a very hard and frustrating time. You just wish you could be there to help your team-mates. Now I can try and do something to try and help the team. It's going to be a very hard game. Fulham are fighting for their lives and not conceding a lot. The first goal could be really important. Hopefully we can score first."

Stephen Warnock
Ex-Aston Villa and Liverpool defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

I think Trent Alexander-Arnold looks tired, he doesn't look the same player he was at the start of the season and last season. Confidence and a lack of that is very difficult to get out of. It's finding the right balance and the manager has to find that balance.

Sometimes players like to play through it and some players need that break and time to step aside and they've tried to play Trent through it but for me he needed to take a step out of the team and step away and watch from the side-lines for a bit.

Nedum Onuoha
Former Manchester City defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

Would Liverpool have made these same changes if they were playing a team higher up in the table? But the irony of that is that if I was Fulham and I saw this Liverpool line up coming in I would be so encouraged because as poor as Liverpool have been these past few games they still have the names that can do a job on paper but when you start taking some of those names away - I don't think Fulham have anything to fear there today.

Liverpool have lost their last five games at home and for me I don't think it's a million miles away to think of them losing a sixth.

Rangers have just wrapped up the Scottish Premiership title.

Celtic - who had won the past nine titles - drew 0-0 with Dundee United.

Get reaction here.

Liverpool

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, speaking to Sky Sports: "Two of the changes had to be made because of little injuries to Ozan Kabak and Roberto Firmino. The other changes we thought made absolute sense. We are in an intense period and we've got fresh legs back to try and give Fulham a proper fight."

On yet another centre-back partnership: "Everyone can imagine it's not easy but that's our situation. That's how it is. We deal with it and try to make things happen."

On the challenge Fulham pose: "Fulham are a good side. It's a strange league. Brighton played a super game against Leicester and lost. Fulham's start to the season was not that good but I know how much this game means to them. It's a massive one for them. We have to work a lot and defend a lot, and be ready for making mistakes and getting over it."

Fulham

Fulham boss Scott Parker, speaking to Sky Sports: "We've freshened things up a little bit to try and get a result. That's the main reason behind the changes.

"I'm hoping we can cause Liverpool some problems. It's fair to say Liverpool are in a bit of a sticky patch but they are a team with an array of talent. They are a wounded animal and we have to be wary of that."

Right let's just smash through some pre-match content.

Thanks Gary, who would have thought West Brom v Newcastle being streamed on the website of a company set up to sell books would be terrible?

No time to relax today as Liverpool versus Fulham is up next. That game kicks off at 14:00 GMT and Emlyn Begley will be your man to guide you through it.

All over and it is a goalless draw that isn't really ideal for either side.

Newcastle will be slightly happier though because - as their boss Steve Bruce sagely points out - it is all about the accumulation of points.

A late, late change by Newcastle as Andy Carroll comes on for Ryan Fraser.

... Matheus Pereira's delivery from the corner is far too deep and the chance is gone.

Three minutes of time added on.

Conor Townsend is slipped in on the left by Karlan Grant but his low ball across the face of goal is cut out by Ciaran Clark.

A bit of late pressure from the hosts as they win a corner...