Fulham v Liverpool: Reds to roll over new boys

Back in mid-June when the Premier League fixtures were released, you can imagine Marco Silva groaned when he saw the matchday one list.

Yes, his Fulham team will make their top-flight return at Craven Cottage but Liverpool look nightmare first-day opponents for any newly-promoted side.

Early concerns for Fulham

Any worries from Silva, who likes to play a fairly expansive game, will only have intensified of late.

When he fielded strong XI in pre-season against quality opposition, namely Benfica, Fulham were thrashed 5-1.

Then last weekend, having watched Liverpool click into gear by beating Manchester City to win the Community Shield, he declared his own side were "not ready" for this game following a 1-1 draw with Villarreal. He also bemoaned his small squad size, saying the Cottagers needed "five or six" more players, with additions at centre-back essential.

At least keeper Bernd Leno has arrived since then but it's hard to look beyond Liverpool winning this one.

Strong start by Reds

The Reds impressed with their Community Shield success with Darwin Nunez making an immediate impact and quelling fears that Sadio Mane will be sorely missed in the early weeks of this season.

Nunez may not start here but whoever does (Diogo Jota won't due to injury) looks likely to trouble a Fulham back line which looks way too similar to the one which failed to survive in 2020/21.

Kenny Tete, Tim Ream, Tosin Adarabioyo and Antonee Robinson were all involved back then, three of them playing the majority of games and the other, Ream, losing his place in the early weeks of the season. He's now 32 and improvement seems unlikely.

The new-look midfield, which now includes former Manchester United man Andreas Pereira and Portugal international Joao Palhinha, may need a few weeks to bed in and if that's the case then Thiago Alcantara could have them on strings - he looked great against City.

Up front, the absence of Harry Wilson due to a knee injury will be a big blow. He provided no fewer than 19 Championship assists last season, several to Aleksandar Mitrovic, whose relatively poor record in this division is well known.

Liverpool have absentees of their own with Ibrahima Konate joining Jota on the sidelines, but at least Alisson looks set to return in goal.

The Reds were ruthless against the Premier League's lesser lights last season, winning 22 of their 24 games against the bottom 12. Eleven those came on the road.

It may be a new season but I see little to suggest Fulham won't go the same way.

Side with visitors

I'd expect Liverpool to win this by at least a couple of goals, although even giving up a one-goal start they are odds-on.

To find a way to side with them, I'm therefore going to make use of the Bet Builder option, adding in a Mo Salah goal to the away win.

The man who shared last season's Golden Boot scored three times in pre-season, is on penalties and has a remarkable record on the opening day.

He's found the net in all five games he's played on matchday one for Liverpool and it could well be a tough afternoon for Fulham left-back Robinson.

I'll also add in a goal to be scored in each half to take the price to 11/8.

In those 11 away wins against the 'also-rans' last season, a goal was scored in each half in eight of them. As I've already suggested, Fulham will likely struggle to keep Liverpool out, although they can at least take hope from the fact that several sides did get in front against them last season with Jurgen Klopp's side actually winning more points from losing positions (20) than another other.

Handy to back Andy

There are also a couple of props plays I like the look of.

First up, Andy Robertson looks worth backing at even money for 1+ shot.

He landed this in 23 of 42 club starts last season, including nine of his last 14.

The Scot was again pouring forward down the left against City last week, a game which saw him manage two shots.

I'd expect him to find enough space at some point to get one away here.

New boy looks big at 9/1

Finally, I can't resist the opportunity to back Palhinha in the card markets.

The combative midfielder is a player who caught the eye in terms of discipline during his time at Sporting Lisbon.

Last season he was in the top 10 for both fouls committed and tackles made in the Primeira Liga, while he was the player with the most fouls (27) in the Champions League despite playing only six games.

Across all competitions, he was carded nine times and I certainly see him being one to follow in this market over the course of the coming weeks and months.

The problem here is the referee - Andy Madley was the most lenient in the Premier League in 2021/22.

However, that also opens up a different angle.

Rather than backing Palhinha to be booked at any time, we'll pick him to be the first player shown a card - something which is available at 9/1.

Liverpool have consistently been the league's cleanest team under Jurgen Klopp so the hosts look highly likely to get the first card, with Palhinha being a strong contender to see it.

Opta fact

Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 19 Premier League games (W16 D3) since a 1-0 loss at Leicester in December 2021.

Saturday Championship tips: Read Jack Critchley's preview!