Virgil van Dijk out to continue incredible 2025/26 record vs. Fulham

Liverpool FC captain Virgil van Dijk is set to extend his remarkable defensive streak when the Reds face Fulham at Craven Cottage this Sunday, January 4, 2026, at 3pm GMT. The Dutch center-back has been pivotal in Liverpool's 2025/26 season, anchoring a backline that's "due a clean sheet" ahead of this Premier League clash.[1]

Coming off a hard-fought home draw against Leeds United on Thursday evening—which saw Liverpool secure a clean sheet despite the result—head coach Arne Slot anticipates a more open encounter at Fulham. In his pre-match press conference, Slot highlighted Fulham's attacking intent under their manager, noting, "They will try to attack a lot and want to have the ball a lot... it probably will be a much more open game and so then we have to show in games like that we don't concede a lot as well."[2]

Van Dijk's "incredible run" in the 2025/26 campaign has seen him maintain an unbreached record against Fulham, with Liverpool eyeing continued defensive solidity. Slot praised the squad's fitness post-Leeds, confirming Joe Gomez is expected to train Friday while Wataru Endo lags slightly. He emphasized rotation amid a grueling schedule: "We have already had now two months of non-stop football," underscoring the need to manage minutes for players like Florian Wirtz and Ibrahima Konate, who avoided suspension.[2]

The match represents a key test for Liverpool's title aspirations, with Van Dijk's leadership central to shutting down Fulham's home threat. Fans anticipate another shutout, building on recent positives like the Leeds clean sheet.[1][2]

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