Reds seeking goals
14 Mar 2006 - 07:44:50
Liverpool have a great chance to rediscover their goalscoring form and return to winning ways when free-falling Fulham travel to Anfield on Wednesday.
Chris Coleman's side have not won a Premiership clash away from Craven Cottage this term, and their last two matches have ended in embarrassing defeats - 4-0 at home to a rampant Arsenal side, and 3-1 at Everton on Saturday.
Fulham are in danger of slipping into relegation trouble although they remain eight points clear of the bottom three despite their recent setbacks.
Liverpool are also off-form at the moment, with the dismal Champions League exit to Benfica followed by a 2-1 defeat at Arsenal that left the Reds only eight points clear of the resurgent Gunners, who currently occupy fifth spot in the Premiership table.
Luis Garcia netted for Rafa Benitez's side before Steven Gerrard's error allowed Thierry Henry to grab a late winner for Arsenal who dominated the game and deserved their victory.
Despite Garcia's goal at Highbury, Liverpool extended their dismal recent scoring sequence - they have not managed more than one goal in a game since the 2-2 draw at Bolton, ten matches and over two months ago.
A record of nine goals in their last 14 matches in all competitions must surely improve against Fulham's leaky defence.
However, Benitez will continue to be without long-term injury victims Bolo Zenden and Momo Sissoko, while John Arne Riise is sidelined for another three weeks with a hip injury. Xabi Alonso is suspended following his controversial late dismissal at Arsenal.
Coleman has a lengthy list to endure going into the game as he looks to complete a notable double against the Reds.
Fulham beat Liverpool 2-0 at Craven Cottage in October thanks to goals by Stern John and Luis Boa Morte as they paid a fitting tribute to Johnny Haynes who had died in a car crash in the week before the game.
Coleman may be able to call on the services of Papa Bouba Diop who is progressing well from a foot injury but Michael Brown (hamstring), Antti Niemi (hamstring), Wayne Bridge (ankle) and Claus Jensen (groin) are all expected to miss out.
Coleman described his side's display at Goodison on Saturday as "unacceptable". He will be expecting a much better performance as he embarks on second trip to Merseyside in five days as Fulham bid to end a depressing sequence of four defeats, and 14 goals conceded, in their last five games.