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Scott Parker has told his new defense that he awaits his “toughest test of the year” when Fulham host Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday.
Parker beefed up his bottom line with a string of new signings ahead of the October transfer deadline as the club focused on ensuring the survival of the top flight.
Fulham have conceded eight fewer goals than at the same point in their last season in the top flight in 2018-19.
But Parker warned players like Antonee Robinson, Joachim Andersen, Tosin Adarabioyo and Ola Aina, all newcomers to Craven Cottage and regulars in the starting eleven, that they expect a tough test against the defending Premier League champions.
“I think it’s a tough test, possibly the toughest test of the year for defenders,” he said.
“The three or four players – (Diogo) Jota, (Mohamed) Salah, (Sadio) Mane and (Roberto) Firmino – are first class that bring a different dynamic to most teams in the sense that (they) They seek to run the space, to enter behind you, to enter the counter, the speed, the rhythm.
“So it’s going to have to be a great game for our defense this weekend and they will face a very tough test.
“There are always events in this division that they have faced before and run, so it’s a huge challenge that I’m looking forward to seeing.”
Liverpool have had their own defensive woes, with first-choice center-back pair Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez injured, but Parker isn’t sure if his team will attack the Reds.
“I’m not sure. Of course, it’s well publicized that they have big injuries in defensive positions, but saying that the players who have been put in that position seem to be doing very well,” said the 40-year-old.
“So, as always, we will try to find out where we think we can try to harm Liverpool, but the team they are, the team they have, they are a very good team.
“Whoever comes for the injured players, the ones they are replaced by are equally good players.”
