Fulham v Liverpool Premier League live stream Preview 12 May 2013
Midfielder Steve Sidwell is again absent through suspension.
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is out for the season after having surgery this week on his persistent shoulder injury.
Top scorer Luis Suarez is still suspended, while defensive stalwart Jamie Carragher plays his penultimate match for the club.
Fulham's name has never been mentioned as speculation has mounted in recent weeks about which clubs might be dragged into the relegation issue but if the season had another four games to go rather than two, there would be a few thousand fingernails being bitten and chewed down at the Cottage.
Fulham hit the magic 40-point mark four weeks ago and have been stuck there ever since. Mathematically, they still need another two points to be safe, but realistically their current points tally coupled with a healthy goal difference will be enough.
So motivation needs to come from a desire not to finish another steady season this badly. Four straight defeats culminating in last week's 4-2 humiliation at home to already relegated Reading is their worst run in over three years.
The rot needs to stop now otherwise Fulham will record their lowest Premier League finish and their lowest points tally since their last day survival in 2008.
On the face of it Liverpool have nothing to play for, unlikely to move up or down from seventh place.
They arrive in confident mood, unbeaten in their last six games and looking to rip apart another defence on foreign soil. Newcastle were lucky to escape at 6-0 at St James' Park a fortnight ago and only champions Manchester United have scored more away goals than Liverpool.
I'll be thrilled if Philippe Coutinho can pull the strings again. Equally I'd be chuffed if Dimitar Berbatov hits the heights. As long as somebody, somewhere scores. After three successive goalless draws for Match of the Day at Swansea, Reading and West Ham I'm beginning to fear I'll never commentate on a goal again!
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