By Sports Desk | April 11, 2026
Liverpool are set for a major shake-up ahead of their Premier League clash against Fulham at Anfield, with Mohamed Salah expected to return to the starting XI as manager Arne Slot prepares a series of bold decisions under mounting pressure.
The Reds head into the fixture on the back of a difficult run, including a 2-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League where they failed to register a single shot on target and managed just 26 percent possession. That performance has intensified scrutiny on Slot, who is now expected to abandon his recent tactical experiment and revert to a more familiar setup.
Salah Return Headlines Key Changes
Mohamed Salah’s expected return is the biggest boost for Liverpool. The forward, who is set to leave the club this summer after a remarkable nine-year spell, was surprisingly left on the bench in Paris and did not feature. His absence was widely questioned, particularly given Liverpool’s lack of attacking threat.
Now, Salah is likely to reclaim his position on the right wing, bringing pace, directness and a consistent goal threat. With Florian Wirtz expected to operate on the opposite flank and Dominik Szoboszlai playing in an advanced role, Liverpool’s attack should look significantly sharper.
Hugo Ekitike is set to lead the line, with Cody Gakpo and Federico Chiesa available as attacking alternatives. Young talents like Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni could also feature later in the game as Liverpool look to inject energy.
Back-Five Experiment Set to Be Scrapped
One of the biggest talking points from the PSG defeat was Slot’s decision to deploy a back five — a move that backfired badly. Liverpool struggled defensively and offensively, appearing disjointed throughout the match.
At Anfield, Slot is expected to revert to a traditional four-man defence. Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté are likely to continue at centre-back, while Milos Kerkez could start at left-back. The right-back position remains uncertain, with Jeremie Frimpong a doubt and Joe Gomez also struggling with fitness.
If neither is available, Szoboszlai could again be asked to fill in defensively, highlighting the ongoing issues in Liverpool’s backline.
Injuries Continue to Disrupt Plans
Liverpool’s squad depth is being tested, particularly in defence and goalkeeping. First-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker remains sidelined, meaning Giorgi Mamardashvili is set to start again after an impressive display against PSG, where he made several key saves.
Long-term absentees Conor Bradley, Wataru Endo and Giovanni Leoni are still unavailable, while Frimpong and Gomez remain late fitness concerns. These issues have forced Slot into constant adjustments, making consistency difficult to achieve.
Andy Robertson is another option at left-back and could come into the side as Liverpool manage player fitness during a crucial phase of the season.
Midfield Stability Crucial in Must-Win Game
Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister are expected to anchor the midfield, with Curtis Jones pushing for inclusion. Their role will be vital in controlling possession and providing a platform for Liverpool’s attacking players.
Liverpool’s midfield struggled badly in Paris, unable to cope with PSG’s intensity. Against Fulham, a more controlled and balanced performance will be required, especially with the team aiming to regain momentum.
Quick transitions and sharper passing will be key if Liverpool are to break down a Fulham side capable of sitting deep and countering effectively.
Pressure Mounts as Top-Five Race Tightens
The stakes could hardly be higher for Liverpool. The team are looking to avoid a fourth consecutive defeat in all competitions, having also lost to Brighton in their last Premier League outing.
A victory would significantly boost their hopes of securing a top-five finish and qualifying for next season’s Champions League. Another setback, however, would deepen the crisis and increase pressure on Slot during a critical period.
Fulham arrive with confidence and will see an opportunity to take advantage of Liverpool’s recent struggles. Their disciplined approach and ability to exploit defensive gaps could pose serious problems if Liverpool fail to improve.
Fans can follow live coverage of the match through platforms like Sky Sports, with kickoff scheduled for 5:30pm BST at Anfield.
With Salah back, tactical changes expected and pressure building, this fixture could prove to be a turning point in Liverpool’s season — one that will test both the manager’s decisions and the squad’s response on the pitch.
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