Fulham coach Marco Silva has praised Liverpool’s forward line, but believes his side will “embrace the challenge”. The Cottagers travel to Anfield on Wednesday and Silva explained the differences since the two sides met on opening day in August.
Marco Silva said: “We know they are in a good moment. The past few games they have been achieving good results and scoring goals, with all the players in the attacking line and in better form right now. They can change many players in their attack line and still keep their quality. [Against Tottenham] they could rest Diego Jota, Luis Diaz was coming back from a long-term injury, and Darwin Nunez also on the bench. They have a lot of solutions in attack.”
Liverpool head into the match chasing an unlikely Champions League spot, while Fulham remain an outsider to secure European football next season.
Marco Silva said: “They want to keep the momentum of course, and want to build from that at Anfield. It will always be tough – a challenge in a great stadium – and it will be up to us to embrace the challenge. We are going to go there and be Fulham in the same way.”
Here are the main lines from the news conference: Silva confirmed Andreas Pereira will be out for the remainder of the season after his leg injury against Manchester City. With Tim Ream also injured and unable to play again this campaign,
Marco Silva said: “It’s not a normal scenario. It was a really unlucky afternoon for us. But now it is a chance for the others.”
As for Willian, he will be assessed tomorrow and if not ready, he will be available for Leicester.
He hailed “extraordinary” Brend Leno after the goalkeeper made a string of great saves against Manchester City
Marco Silva said: “He’s a top top goalkeeper. He’s exceptional. It’s been fantastic to have a goalkeeper like him to work with.”
On the contrast between this game and the opening game of the season against Liverpool
Marco Silva said: “It is a different game, but we will be the same Fulham. They are in a good moment, four wins in a row but it is up to us to be ready”.
On Anfield
Marco Silva said: “We know how Liverpool will try to start the game. It’s a chance for us to embrace the challenge and try to do the same.”
