Liverpool head coach Arne Slot will be hoping he can rely on the availability of returning key players such as Conor Bradley ahead of the upcoming game with Fulham. However he will still need to assess Alisson's concussion.
Liverpool fought back to draw 2-2 with Marco Silva's side at Anfield in December despite going down to 10 men after Andy Robertson’s early red card. Goals from Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota cancelled out strikes from Andreas Pereira and Rodrigo Muniz.
The win against Everton maintained a 12-point advantage over nearest challengers Arsenal at the Premier League summit, making Liverpool overwhelming favorites to clinch the title.
With eight games left of the top flight campaign, the Reds will require 13 points from the 24 available to secure a second crown in five years. However, manager Slot will be hoping to receive a boost to his side with a potential return by Bradley.
The young right-back is training with the team again but didn't make the squad for the Merseyside derby. Curtis Jones was given a surprise start at right-back with both Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold also sidelined through injury. Slot has confirmed that Liverpool are still assessing the Norther Irishman's fitness ahead of Sunday's game.
In his pre-match press conference, the Dutchman said: “Of course, Trent [Alexander-Arnold] and Joe [Gomez] will not be back in the upcoming weeks. Conor, we have to wait and see if he is ready to be with the squad for Sunday.
“Then of course Curtis is an option because he did well, but I think Jarell [Quansah] did well a few times in that position also. Let’s wait and see which decision we make on Sunday."
Slot s still awaiting medical clearance for Alisson, who also missed the Merseyside derby due to a concussion sustained whilst on international duty with Brazil. He explained that the goalkeeper hadn’t met all the requirements of the Premier League’s concussion protocol in order to play.
If Alisson remains unavailable, Caoimhin Kelleher is set to continue in goal for Liverpool’s trip to Craven Cottage. "With Ali it is simple. It is a concussion and we have to tick all the boxes. The moment he does, he will be in goal. But we are following the protocol" said Slot.
Slot is hopeful that Liverpool emerged from the Everton game without picking up any new injury concerns. He added: I hope because Macca [ Alexis Mac Allister ] finished the game that it is all good with him.
“But sometimes adrenaline or just keeping on running can help you, and then when you have a night of sleep you can come back and feel, ‘Hmm, maybe I do feel something now.’ But I hope and expect everybody is ready to play on Sunday again from the ones that were on the pitch yesterday.”
