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Liverpool Have Benefited From Not Being In Europe This Season, Says Fulham Boss Martin Jol
The Cottagers boss believes a lack of involvement in the Europa League has helped the Anfield giants concentrate on domestic affairs ahead of Monday night’s clash
05-Dec-2011 3:37:00 PM
By Liam Twomey
Getty Images
Fulham manager Martin Jol believes Monday night’s opponents Liverpool are benefiting from a season free of the distractions of European competition.
Kenny Dalglish’s men travel to Craven Cottage knowing a convincing win will lift them up to fifth in the Premier League table, while Fulham are currently poised precariously two points above the relegation zone.
The west Londoners have occasionally looked jaded from their Europa League exertions this term, and Jol believes Liverpool have profited from being able to concentrate solely on domestic affairs.
"That's what they say in England,” the Dutchman told reporters. “They are quite clear about it, especially the big clubs and Liverpool are a big club.
"Although they have big squads, it's a problem for other teams like Stoke, who play an away game in Europe and then an away game in the league.
"But we can't complain about it because we are in Europe.
"I think Liverpool are quite happy not to play in it, and maybe Spurs as well. I think Harry [Redknapp] said it could be quite a challenge."
Jol also revealed he is looking for his side to end their struggles in front of goal against the Anfield giants.
"Sometimes we have showed in Europe and sometimes in the league that we can score goals," he said.
"We have scored two goals away from home against Wigan and six against QPR, but it is not the consistent thing that I would like it to be.
"Even against Arsenal we scored a goal and it is always a nice cushion when you are looking for a result."
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Kenny Dalglish’s men travel to Craven Cottage knowing a convincing win will lift them up to fifth in the Premier League table, while Fulham are currently poised precariously two points above the relegation zone.
The west Londoners have occasionally looked jaded from their Europa League exertions this term, and Jol believes Liverpool have profited from being able to concentrate solely on domestic affairs.
"That's what they say in England,” the Dutchman told reporters. “They are quite clear about it, especially the big clubs and Liverpool are a big club.
"Although they have big squads, it's a problem for other teams like Stoke, who play an away game in Europe and then an away game in the league.
"But we can't complain about it because we are in Europe.
"I think Liverpool are quite happy not to play in it, and maybe Spurs as well. I think Harry [Redknapp] said it could be quite a challenge."
Jol also revealed he is looking for his side to end their struggles in front of goal against the Anfield giants.
"Sometimes we have showed in Europe and sometimes in the league that we can score goals," he said.
"We have scored two goals away from home against Wigan and six against QPR, but it is not the consistent thing that I would like it to be.
"Even against Arsenal we scored a goal and it is always a nice cushion when you are looking for a result."
How do you stay up to date with football when on the move? With http://m.goal.com – your best source for mobile coverage of the beautiful game.
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