Fulham v Liverpool: Pre-match stats

By Emdad Rahman

Original article - Liverpool have been enjoying their trips to London with this season, securing three wins out of four in the capital. The exception being the clash against Harry Redknapp’s Tottenham, a game where the Reds had two men sent off.

In the last fortnight Kenny Dalglish’s team have twice despatched Chelsea with controlled ease, sending out a stark reminder of what they are capable of doing to their Barclays Premier League rivals.

Liverpool’s second team showed just how good they were when they beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last Tuesday. Jay Spearing was inspiring and Sebastian Coates alongside Jamie Carragher was a giant at the back.

Craig Bellamy was a constant menace and Martin Kelly and Maxi Rodriguez not only scored, but produced assured displays. In a sense of déjà vu, Maxi and Liverpool’s right back scored the goals against Chelsea in the last two clashes.

Back to Fulham and ahead of Monday’s clash at Craven Cottage. GMF has skimmed Opta and some archive material, and made note of some interesting titbits:

- Since Liverpool beat Fulham 2-5 at Craven Cottage last May Martin Jol’s men have won just one home game.

- The Lilywhites have not scored in their last 8 clashes with Liverpool.

- Liverpool have allowed their opponents fewer shots (44) on target against them than any other team.

- Fulham have scored the least amount of headed goals in the Barclays Premier League. (7%).

- The Reds have three league away wins. A win on Monday night will match the four in a row record achieved in May 2009.

- With 12 points, this season’s points tally so far is the joint worst record the Cottagers have collected in the top flight after 13 games. ( 2005/06 and 2007/08).

- On the same note Andy Carroll has had the most headers on goal than any other top league player (18) and also achieved the highest number of headers on target (eight).

- Carroll’s strike partner Luis Suarez has achieved more touches in the opposing penalty area per than any other Premier League player (8.2).

- The Reds have won more corners than any other team in the Barclays Premier League. (104).

- In 1986, 13,498 fans watched Liverpool smash Fulham 10-0 in a second round League Cup tie. Midfield enforcer Steve McMahon scored four, Ian Rush and John Wark netted two, with one each from Stevie Nicol, and Ronnie Whelan. McMahon also missed a penalty.