Liverpool look to avoid Man Utd´s Fulham failure

Liverpool could complete a remarkable turnaround in the Premier League title race if they beat Fulham to go back to the top of the table after three months of chasing Manchester United.

Rafael Benitez’s side pulled off a shock 4-1 victory over United last month at Old Trafford and followed that up with a 5-0 defeat of Aston Villa after Sir Alex Ferguson’s side had been beaten 2-0 by Fulham at Craven Cottage.

It marked another twist in an exciting Premier League that saw United claw back an eight-point advantage enjoyed by Liverpool in December.

Now it is Benitez’s turn to take a team to Craven Cottage, hoping to avoid the same fate as United, who had Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney both sent off in their last trip to London.

With the champions having to wait until Sunday to host Aston Villa at Old Trafford, Liverpool have the chance to move two points clear at the top although United will have two games in hand by the time they kick-off.

Just eight matches remain for Liverpool to stand a chance of winning their first league title since 1990.

But their manager is sure that his side have the right attitude to push Ferguson’s team all the way.

“The mentality of the team is good and the players are well organised and know what to do,” Benitez said.

“This helps our discipline and the players know the most important thing is to stay focused on the game and that is all, especially when it is coming to this time of the season.

“It is always important in difficult situations to keep your head and remain cool,” the Spaniard added.

The Reds are hoping Sami Hyypia will overcome a knee injury suffered on international duty with Finland to feature at Craven Cottage and Yossi Benayoun is also expected to be passed fit after suffering illness while he was away with Israel.

With their title hopes re-kindled, Benitez is unlikely to rest players at Fulham even though Liverpool face a Champions League quarter-final first leg with Chelsea at Anfield on Wednesday.

That means fielding the same front six players that so successfully overcame Real Madrid 4-0 before hammering United and Villa, with Steven Gerrard playing behind Fernando Torres and Dirk Kuyt and Albert Riera on the flanks.

But Jamie Carragher believes the Reds have to be wary of his former Anfield team-mate Danny Murphy.

The defender said: “Danny has probably been Fulham’s best player this season along with Brede Hangeland at the back.

“I think with Danny being captain and playing more of a holding role now, he’s organising the people around him but it’s up to us to try to stop him playing because I think he makes Fulham tick.”

Carragher added that Fulham, who’ve punched above their weight under the astute guidance of manager Roy Hodgson, would be difficult opponents.

“Chelsea only drew at Craven Cottage, they (Fulham) defeated Arsenal there earlier on in the season and we couldn’t beat them at Anfield.

“So we’re talking about a very tough game for us, but we’ve got to make sure we’re not another big team to drop points there.”