Fernando Torres is expected to start for Liverpool when Fulham arrive at Anfield in the Premier League on Saturday.
The Reds welcome the Cottagers to Merseyside hoping to continue to match Chelsea stride for stride at the top of the table, with the two rivals separated only by goal difference.
And as he bids to maintain a pursuit of league honours, Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is expected to name star striker Torres in his starting XI for the first time since 1st November following the Spaniard's recovery from a hamstring injury.
Fulham, though, will have other ideas as they bid to end their host's nine-month unbeaten home record and Roy Hodgson's side will have sneakily high hopes of an upset as they sit in the top half having ended Tottenham's resurgence last weekend.
After narrowly avoiding relegation in 2007/08, Fulham were again expected to struggle, but a summer overhaul of the Craven Cottage squad is, at present, proving beneficial as Hodgson enjoys a run of one defeat in six outings.
But Liverpool will expect Torres to add the firepower to inflict a first loss on Fulham since the West London outfit were downed on their last trip to Merseyside, losing 1-0 to Everton at the beginning of the month.
Liverpool's record signing Torres is likely to partner Robbie Keane in the frontline as Benitez looks for attacking cunning to break down what is expected to be a resolute opponent.
However, Steven Gerrard is sidelined after the midfielder withdrew from the England squad which defeated Germany on Wednesday with a groin muscle tear.
Defender Martin Skrtel is making a speedy recovery from his knee ligament injury, but Daniel Agger will partner Jamie Carragher at the heart of a back four, while Alvaro Arbeloa has served his one-match suspension.
Fulham are unlikely to tinker with a rock solid defensive line of Aaron Hughes, Paul Konchesky, Brede Hangeland and John Pantsil, who have conceded only 11 goals in the league this term.
Former Everton player Andy Johnson will hope to continue an impressive run of recent form, which has seen the striker net four goals in four games since opening his account against Wigan in October.
Seol Ki-Hyeon missed the victory over Tottenham due to a knee injury and Hodgson will hope the forward has progressed, while Dickson Etuhu (knee) was also absent, however the midfielder could make his debut at Anfield.
Possible starting XIs
The Reds welcome the Cottagers to Merseyside hoping to continue to match Chelsea stride for stride at the top of the table, with the two rivals separated only by goal difference.
And as he bids to maintain a pursuit of league honours, Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is expected to name star striker Torres in his starting XI for the first time since 1st November following the Spaniard's recovery from a hamstring injury.
Fulham, though, will have other ideas as they bid to end their host's nine-month unbeaten home record and Roy Hodgson's side will have sneakily high hopes of an upset as they sit in the top half having ended Tottenham's resurgence last weekend.
After narrowly avoiding relegation in 2007/08, Fulham were again expected to struggle, but a summer overhaul of the Craven Cottage squad is, at present, proving beneficial as Hodgson enjoys a run of one defeat in six outings.
But Liverpool will expect Torres to add the firepower to inflict a first loss on Fulham since the West London outfit were downed on their last trip to Merseyside, losing 1-0 to Everton at the beginning of the month.
Liverpool's record signing Torres is likely to partner Robbie Keane in the frontline as Benitez looks for attacking cunning to break down what is expected to be a resolute opponent.
However, Steven Gerrard is sidelined after the midfielder withdrew from the England squad which defeated Germany on Wednesday with a groin muscle tear.
Defender Martin Skrtel is making a speedy recovery from his knee ligament injury, but Daniel Agger will partner Jamie Carragher at the heart of a back four, while Alvaro Arbeloa has served his one-match suspension.
Fulham are unlikely to tinker with a rock solid defensive line of Aaron Hughes, Paul Konchesky, Brede Hangeland and John Pantsil, who have conceded only 11 goals in the league this term.
Former Everton player Andy Johnson will hope to continue an impressive run of recent form, which has seen the striker net four goals in four games since opening his account against Wigan in October.
Seol Ki-Hyeon missed the victory over Tottenham due to a knee injury and Hodgson will hope the forward has progressed, while Dickson Etuhu (knee) was also absent, however the midfielder could make his debut at Anfield.
Possible starting XIs
Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio, Kuyt, Alonso, Mascherano, Reira, Keane, Torres.
Fulham: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Gera, Bullard, Murphy, Davies, Johnson, Zamora.
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