Liverpool face a potentially tricky match against Fulham this weekend, but they are still expected to come out on top. Fulham may have little to play for in the remaining games of the season, but they have shown that they can be a threat, having already beaten Arsenal at home. However, Liverpool cannot afford anything other than a win if they want to maintain their morale.
Speaking to Fulham fan and journalist Kyle Bonn, it is clear that things have remained relatively stable for the club since December. While there are still issues in midfield that need addressing, the emergence of Rodrigo Muniz as a striker has been sensational. The decision to replace Aleksandar Mitrovic with an academy product has not only surprised many but has also saved the club money. Despite some great results, there have also been some poor performances, which is to be expected in today’s Premier League. Overall, it is a positive end to the season for Fulham, even though they may have switched off a bit early.
When asked about the best and worst players of the season, Bonn highlights the contributions of Willian and Bobby Reid, who have performed admirably despite being over 30 years old. Bernd Leno has also done well in goal, although he hasn’t quite matched his heroics from last year. The emergence of Muniz has been a wonderful bonus for the team. On the other hand, the midfield has been a mess, with few players inspiring confidence for next season.
Bonn believes that Marco Silva is still the right man for the job at Fulham. He praises Silva’s ability to get the most out of his players and adapt tactically throughout the season. There will be no coaching search at Craven Cottage this summer, as Silva is seen as the right person to lead the team forward.
Assessing Liverpool’s title hopes, Bonn admits that it feels like Manchester City winning another title would be boring. However, injuries and other squad constraints have made it difficult for Liverpool to challenge City this season. Despite their remarkable efforts, it seems unlikely that Liverpool will be able to overcome the roadblocks in their path. If they are eliminated from the Europa League, it may relieve some pressure on them in the title race.
When asked who he would like to see win the league, Bonn simply states that anyone but City would be preferable. He believes that having the same club winning every year is not good for the sport. From a neutral perspective, he thinks that either Arsenal or Liverpool winning would provide interesting storylines.
Looking ahead to the match against Liverpool, Bonn identifies key battles that Fulham will need to win. Pahlinha will be crucial in the midfield, as Liverpool’s transitional play is exceptional. The full-backs will also need to limit one-on-one situations, while Iwobi will be relied upon to create danger in the attacking third. The reverse fixture ended in a 4-3 victory for Liverpool, and Fulham will need to be sturdier this time to avoid another slip in the title chase.
Bonn is asked which Liverpool player he would choose to have at Fulham, and he picks Alexis Mac Allister. He believes that Mac Allister has been underrated as a signing of the season candidate and has had a significant impact on Liverpool’s midfield. While Mohamed Salah is a star, Bonn sees Mac Allister as the player who has made the biggest difference in Liverpool’s midfield from last season.
In terms of a prediction for the match, Bonn acknowledges Fulham’s inconsistency in recent months and their tendency to be mentally soft towards the end of the season. If Liverpool can score early, they could run away with the game. Bonn predicts a 3-1 or 4-1 win for Liverpool, although he acknowledges that anything can happen in football.