The Premier League returns this week as Liverpool head to Craven Cottage to take on Fulham. The Reds will come into the contest on a high after their 3-1 success over Manchester City last weekend in the Community Shield.
Goals from Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and new signing Darwin Nunez sealed the victory and laid down a psychological marker against Pep Guardiola and his side.
Throughout the contest, Liverpool looked much sharper than their Manchester rivals, no doubt benefiting from having a more rounded pre-season schedule.
Jurgen Klopp’s side played four friendly fixtures before their clash with City, while Guardiola’s men played only twice.
Based on their showing last Saturday, there is perhaps a fair case to say City are coming into the new campaign a little undercooked, which could prove significant in May.
The difference between both sides at the top was just a single point last year, meaning even at this early stage, dropped points could prove crucial. And City don’t have it easy with a tricky start away to West Ham.
Liverpool will be out to make their own fast start against Fulham, and possibly, simultaneously capitalise on any early slip-up from Guardiola’s men. With the likes of Nunez and Luis Diaz now in their ranks, there are a number of ways Liverpool can hurt their London hosts. However, recent history suggests that Salah could again be the one to watch out for.
The Egyptian grabbed a goal in Liverpool’s 3-0 victory in last season’s opener against Norwich City and, in doing so, became the first player to score in five successive opening-weekend matches the Premier League era. That’s a good omen, as is the fact for the fourth year in a row, Klopp's men will open a campaign against a promoted side.
Another goal against Fulham on Saturday would see Salah jointly secure the record for the most goals scored on the opening weekend of a Premier League season, joining former greats like Alan Shearer, Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney who are all tied on eight.
You wouldn’t put it past Liverpool’s No.11 achieving this aim too. Despite netting 23 Premier League goals last season, and scooping his third Premier League golden boot, there was no denying the 30-year-old looked off-form compared to his usual lofty standards.
Perhaps jaded by a gruelling fixture schedule and his participation all the way to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations, Salah went 12 games between February and April managing to score just one goal.
He has been given a proper break over pre-season though, while his ongoing contract dispute was finally resolved in that time too, signing a new multi-year lucrative deal with the Reds.
Well-rested and without this distraction, the Egyptian has looked back to his best, bagging three goals plus an assist across his last four appearances heading into the new campaign. As is often the case on an opening weekend, expect him to play a significant role in Saturday’s clash at Craven Cottage.
