Jürgen Klopp Insists Liverpool Fully Focused on Facing Fulham

The Reds have a headliner against Tottenham next week—but need
to take care of business against Fulham first.

Some fans may be looking ahead to next week’s clash between
current table toppers Tottenham and Liverpool, but for both clubs
there are games on the weekend to worry about first and they will
both need to win to ensure the latter’s headliner status.

For Spurs, a trip to face Crystal Palace on Sunday awaits, while
Liverpool kick off immediately following that match in their game
against Fulham. And for Reds boss Jürgen Klopp, unsurprisingly
there’s only one concern right now: preparing for Fulham.

“I hope nobody will think about Tottenham, to be honest,” Klopp
noted at his pre-match press conference. “We are at Fulham, we know
that—I don’t have to tell the boys constantly. Their performances
are not all rewarded with results, but they are really good
side.

“The fight for staying in the league is tight, so each point
helps them and they will go for everything. If we let them play,
then they will play—and the more we let them play the more we have
to defend and have to run. We have to be really spot on for this
game.”

Fulham are currently just out of the relegation places, sat 17th
and a point clear of Burnley and Fulham. They acquitted themselves
well against Everton
and Manchester City in recent weeks, though—and
recently beat West Brom and, more impressively, Leicester.

The manager further hinted at a possible start for Alisson
Becker, with the goalkeeper returned to training. Alex
Oxlade-Chamberlain could also be fit enough to play a role. On the
flip side, there are new injury concerns for Diogo Jota and Kostas
Tsimikas.