Fulham set to be without 7 players vs Liverpool after defensive injury setback

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Marco Silva confirmed ahead of the clash with the Premier League champions that his squad has been struck by two new defensive issues, while three players remain at AFCON

Kenny Tete is expected to miss Fulham's clash against Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

Fulham is expecting seven players to be unavailable for Sunday’s Premier League clash against Liverpool.

The London club has enjoyed a strong run of form in recent weeks, taking 10 points from the last 12 available. Tom Cairney’s late equalizer secured a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace in midweek to extend that run.

The experienced midfielder was called upon in the second half when he replaced the injured Kenny Tete at Selhurst Park, a substitution that added another name to Marco Silva’s mounting list of absentees. “Kenny Tete, he felt something in his hamstring,” the Fulham boss said ahead of this weekend’s clash against Liverpool.

“First reaction is it’s not so serious, but we probably have to wait some hours, probably one or two days after a scan to see what is going to happen.

“I can say now it’s probably going to be difficult to be in condition for the Liverpool game.”

The Portuguese head coach also confirmed that youngster Josh King is likely to miss a second game in a row through injury.

“Josh, he felt something two days ago in his knee. He trained yesterday, but if you’re not feeling very confident and well in the knee and feeling a bit of pain and the word from the medical staff was it was going to be a big risk for him to be involved in the game.

Kenny Tete picked up a fresh injury in the draw against Crystal Palace(Image: Getty Images)

“Let’s see how it’s going to react and if he’s going to be involved in the next one or not.”

Fulham is also set to be without the injured Rodrigo Muniz and Ryan Sessegnon, while Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, and Samuel Chukwueze are currently at the Africa Cup of Nations.

As for Liverpool, it is set to be without Giovanni Leoni, Wataru Endo, Mohamed Salah, and Alexander Isak, but Joe Gomez could be in line to return after missing the last three matches.

Arne Slot suffered just his second-ever Premier League defeat against Fulham(Image: Getty Images)

Arne Slot suffered his first away Premier League defeat at Craven Cottage in April, but Silva said he is expecting a tough assignment against the reigning champions.

“We are going to see probably them fighting and to be the contenders that we expect they can be for the title,” said the former Everton boss.

“Yesterday, not the best result they wanted. Credit to Leeds as well because in both games they did very well against them. And they want to react again, they want to be on the right track again.”