Fulham head to Anfield to face Liverpool with manager Álvaro Arbeloa's attacking style firmly established but the team still searching for a first league win. The Cottagers are 18th in the Premier League table with a single point from their opening four fixtures, having scored four goals but conceded seven.
Arbeloa has named his starting eleven, with Bernd Leno in goal behind a back four of Timothy Castagne, Moritz Affengruber, Calvin Bassey and Antonee Robinson. The midfield trio consists of Sander Berge, Charles De Ketelaere and Josh King, supporting an attacking line of Oscar Bobb, Gonzalo Ramos and Alex Iwobi.
"These high-scoring matches can be attributed in large part to his open, attacking style of play," Arbeloa said of the team's approach.
The recent 3-2 victory over West Ham, secured by a late Oscar Bobb goal, provided a vital boost. Josh King, who has two goals this season, was involved in that winner and remains a key figure. That result followed a goalless draw at home to Liverpool and a 3-2 defeat to Crystal Palace, illustrating the team's capacity for goals at both ends.
Fulham's standings position is precarious, sitting 11 points adrift of leaders Arsenal. The immediate focus is on handling a difficult run of games, with a home match against 13th-placed Manchester United next on the fixtures list this Sunday. Tom Cairney is the only confirmed absentee from the squad for the trip to Merseyside.
Arbeloa's commitment to an expansive game will be tested against a Liverpool side fresh from a European win. The manager's selection shows faith in the players who delivered last weekend's three points, aiming to build momentum from that performance.
More detail at sports.yahoo.com
