TEAM NEWS: Allen & Sterling drop to bench as Suso returns for Liverpool against Fulham

Dec 22, 2012 7:35:00 PM

The 18-year-old winger signed a new long-term deal with the Anfield club on Friday but has been rested, while Damien Duff, Hugo Rodallega and Steve Sidwell are out for the visitors

Raheem Sterling has dropped to the bench for Liverpool after signing a new long-term contract yesterday, with Joe Allen also dropping out of the starting XI for the visit of Fulham.

Luis Suarez is supported up front by Stewart Downing, with Suso replacing Sterling. Jonjo Shelvey and Lucas are in the centre of the pitch with Steven Gerrard.

In defence, it is as expected for the hosts, with Glen Johnson, Daniel Agger, Martin Skrtel and Jose Enrique in front of goalkeeper Jose Reina.

The visitors have made three changes from their defeat against QPR at Loftus Road. Damien Duff, Steve Sidwell and Hugo Rodallega have been replaced by Alex Kacaniklic, Giorgios Karagounis and Ashkan Dejagah respectively.

Liverpool starting XI: Reina; Johnson, Agger, Skrtel, Enrique; Lucas, Gerrard, Shelvey; Suso, Downing, Suarez.
Subs: Jones, Carragher, Wisdom, Henderson, Sahin, Sterling, Allen.

Fulham starting XI: Schwarzer; Riether, Hughes, Hangeland, Riise; Kacaniklic, Baird, Karagounis, Richardson; Dejagah, Berbatov.
Subs: Stockdale, Senderos, Kasami, Briggs, Rodallega, Frei, Tavares.

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