01 December 2023 , 20:59
490
0
Liverpool will take on Fulham on Sunday - with Jurgen Klopp aiming to stop "one of the greatest Premier League players ever".
The Reds are enjoying a revival under Klopp after finishing a disappointing fifth in the league last season. They are currently third in the table, just two points behind leaders Arsenal. They are also going strong in the Europa League and the Carabao Cup.
Although Liverpool are in good form, they must keep on winning to challenge for the Premier League title. Klopp's side can't afford to slip up against Fulham at Anfield, but there's one star who will be desperate to once again have a say in the title race.
That player is Willian. While playing for Chelsea, the Brazilian scored the goal that handed Liverpool their first league title in 30 years back in June 2020. Klopp has never forgotten that goal, which he described as his favourite Premier League moment last year.
Manchester City needed to win at Stamford Bridge in June 2020 to ensure they remained in the title race with the Reds. Yet City's hopes were dashed when Willian scored from the spot to hand Chelsea a 2-1 win and Liverpool the Premier League title.
Chelsea complete record-breaking Enzo Fernandez transfer after deadline day rush
Klopp remembers that moment fondly and is fully aware of danger Willian poses. The 35-year-old winger has scored three times in the Premier League this term, including a brace in Fulham's 3-2 win against Wolves at Craven Cottage last time out.
Klopp spoke about Willian and his Fulham team-mates at his pre-match press conference. The Reds boss said: "It is a really good football team... you have one of the greatest players the Premier League ever saw still going and going and going (Willian)."
Willian's penalty handed Liverpool the Premier League title back in June 2020 (Getty Images)Do you think Willian will score against Liverpool? Let us know in the comments below!
As Klopp argues, Willian has enjoyed a stellar career in English football. Chelsea signed the player from Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala in August 2013 after beating off competition from Tottenham and Liverpool - when Brendan Rodgers was in charge of the Reds.
Willian went on to play more than 300 games for Chelsea during a seven-year spell, helping them win two Premier League titles, the FA Cup, the Carabao Cup and the Europa League. He was twice named as Chelsea's Players' Player of the Year for his efforts.
Willian joined Arsenal on a free transfer in August 2020 but the move didn't go to plan, as he scored just once in 37 games before joining Corinthians. He also struggled in Brazil and returned to London when Fulham came calling in September 2022.
Although Willian turned down Liverpool a decade ago, Klopp will forever remember his goal against City. Speaking at a press conference, he was asked to name his favourite ever Premier League moment in August 2022 to mark the division's 30th birthday.
Klopp replied: "That’s easy - we didn’t even play. "It was the penalty for Chelsea, when Willian scored a penalty. It was against Manchester City, and we became champions in that moment. Definitely that one, yeah."