Pre-match statsJames Milner and Thiago Alcantara on verge of appearance landmarks

An appearance for Milner at Craven Cottage would bring the vice-captain to the landmark of 200 league outings for the Reds since he joined in 2015.

Thiago, meanwhile, can reach a half-century of league games at Liverpool if he takes to the field in the 12.30pm BST season-opener.

Read on for more pre-match facts and figures…

The Reds will become the first team in Premier League history to face a promoted side on the opening day in four successive seasons, after meeting Norwich City in 2019, Leeds United the following year, and Norwich again last term.

Mohamed Salah goes into this game having previously scored seven opening-day goals. Only Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard (each with eight) have netted more in the Premier League era. Jamie Vardy also has seven.

In the Premier League, Liverpool have won 18, drawn five and lost seven of their 30 previous meetings with the Cottagers.

The Reds have had four players sent off against Fulham in the Premier League era, all at Craven Cottage – Josemi (2004), Philipp Degen and Jamie Carragher (2009), and Jay Spearing (2011).

Jürgen Klopp’s team have won five and drawn one of their last six opening-day fixtures, scoring 22 goals and never in that sequence finding the net fewer than three times.

Fabio Carvalho played four times for Fulham in the Premier League in 2020-21, scoring once. Last season he scored 10 goals in 36 Championship appearances.

Marco Silva’s team finished top of the Championship last season with 90 points, winning 27 of their 46 games and scoring 106 goals. Fourteen of those victories came at Craven Cottage.

Silva’s only previous win over Liverpool came in February 2017 when his Hull City team – including Andy Robertson – won 2-0 at home.