Liverpool travel to London this weekend as they look to kickstart their 2022/23 Premier League campaign with victory against newly-promoted Fulham.
The Reds are looking to shake off their 2021/22 hangover after seeing the Premier League and Champions League titles snatched from their grasp, and Jürgen Klopp has an ideal opening day encounter on the cards this weekend.
RealSport101's Harry Smith is on hand to preview this much-anticipated opening day clash.
Fulham vs Liverpool Team News
Marco Silva will be without creative force Harry Wilson for the visit of Liverpool, meaning versatile midfielder Bobby DeCordova-Reid will step into the starting XI on the left.
Debuts are on the cards for right-back Kevin Mbabu, defensive midfielder Joao Palhinha and playmaker Andreas Pereira. Aleksandar Mitrovic will lead the line after smashing the EFL goalscoring records last term.
The away side has four confirmed absentees for the trip to Craven Cottage with Diogo Jota and Ibrahima Konate among those unavailable. Liverpool's main areas of contention regard the front three with Jürgen Klopp expected to name a familiar backline and midfield.
Mohamed Salah will definitely take up his place on the right and Luis Diaz is expected to start on the left, but summer signing Darwin Nuñez will likely have to settle for a place on the bench.
Confirmed absentees
Fulham
Confirmed: Harry Wilson, Joe Bryan
Doubtful: Nathaniel Chalobah
Liverpool
Confirmed: Diogo Jota, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Curtis Jones, Caoimhin Kelleher
Doubtful: Ibrahima Konate, Kostas Tsimikas
Predicted Lineups
Fulham (4-2-3-1): Rodak; Mbabu, Tosin, Ream, Robinson; Palhinha, Reed; Kebano, Pereira, DeCordova-Reid; Mitrovic
Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Matip, Robertson; Fabinho, Thiago, Henderson; Salah, Darwin; Diaz
Match Preview
This could prove a sobering encounter for a Fulham side who are still riding the high of their Championship title win. There is evidence to suggest that Fulham's recent success will not be another flash in the pan though.
Marco Silva adds prestige in the dugout, while the signings of Kevin Mbabu, Andreas Pereira and particularly Joao Palhinha look like upgrades on Fulham's post-promotion business of the past. Finally, in Aleksandar Mitrovic, they have a striker who has matured into a major attacking force. He'll be key for the Cottagers this season.
Liverpool should have no problems when they travel to Craven Cottage this weekend. The Reds narrowly missed out on a potential quadruple last season and, in Darwin Nuñez, have added even more attacking flair to a department that lost Sadio Mane earlier in the summer.
Fabio Carvalho forged a name for himself as a teenager at Fulham last season and could return to haunt his former employers, having signed for Saturday's visitors in a cut-price deal. Harvey Elliott made his senior debut for Fulham and could also feature.
Score Prediction: Fulham 0-4 Liverpool
Harry Smith's Tip: Away team over 3.5 goals
Explore new topics and discover content that's right for you!
Sports