Liverpool-Fulham Preview

Oct 29, 2009 - 5:50 PM JAMES PIERCY STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Fulham manager Roy Hodgson is backing striker Bobby Zamora to silence his critics, starting with the visit of Liverpool to Craven Cottage this Saturday.

Zamora cost Fulham 4.8 million pounds more than 16 months ago but the former West Ham and Tottenham player has struggled to make a scoring impact.

His goal against Hull two weeks ago was only his fourth in the Premier League in 39 starts and his televised miss against Manchester City in midweek will go down as one of the howlers of the season.

But Hodgson appreciates Zamora's value to the side as a foil for Diomansy Kamara and, when fit, Andy Johnson.

Hodgson said: "Bobby is not always given the credit he deserves. Against Manchester City, he played so well.

"The trouble is people will have watched the game on television and see him miss an open goal from six yards and be talking about that rather than what else he did for the team.

"Overall I thought he was magnificent. It could have been the crowning moment to a very good performance. Make no mistake, his was a very good performance."

Fulham will go into the match in 13th place with eleven points from nine matches, a mid-table position complicated by the club's involvement in the Europa Cup. After Liverpool comes Roma away.

With Johnson still missing, Zamora will again partner revitalised Kamara in attack to test a Liverpool side which has experienced incredible highs and lows in recent weeks.

The Merseysiders' 2-1 League Cup defeat by Arsenal was their fifth in six matches and yet only a few days after a euphoric win over champions Manchester United.

Manager Rafa Benitez admits it has been a difficult emotional experience over the last few weeks.

Benitez hopes Fernando Torres, who scored against United, will be fit to start against Fulham but the inspirational Steven Gerrard is still struggling with a groin injury.

All eyes instead will be on the choice of Gerrard's midfield replacement with 20 million pounds Italy international Alberto Aquilani set for a possible full debut.

Aquilani was signed from Roma to replace Xavier Alonso who quit Anfield for Real Madrid in the summer. But a broken ankle kept the talented Aquilani out of contention until this week when he played in the last 14 minutes of the defeat at Arsenal.

Benitez said: "At Arsenal a lot of players showed passion, character and quality. Aquilani was one of them.

"Alberto has the quality, everybody knows that, but he needs to show match fitness.

"You can see he can pass the ball in the final third of the pitch and in time he can make a big difference.

"He gets closer every day but still has to improve his fitness but is only a question of time before he can hold down a permanent place in the team.

"In time he will be able to give us an extra dimension. Whether that will be against Fulham, you will find out in time."