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From the Desk

Who will come out on top when Liverpool travel to Craven Cottage? espnstar.com looks at the key match-ups that matter.

Damien Duff vs Glen Johnson

Fulham winger Damien Duff seems to be enjoying a new lease of life since joining the club from Newcastle United earlier this year.

The Republic of Ireland international may not have searing pace but he is extremely skillful and can go past players on either side of the pitch with a repertoire of feints and tricks.

Look for his intelligent running off the ball and his ability to play others through on goal with slide-rule passes.

An excellent engine gives him the ability to make lung-bursting runs into the opposition box towards the end of the game when others may be tiring.

Duff is a confidence player and having scored in his last start against Manchester City will be a real handful for the Reds this weekend.

Liverpool full-back Glen Johnson has taken to life at Anfield with relish - putting in a string of impressive performances that have seen him cement a place with both club and country.

He is blessed with outrageous pace and bombs forward at every opportunity - leaving his opposite number unsure of whether to track back or not.

Like most Liverpool players he is comfortable on the ball and links up well with his midfield through intelligent movement and slick exchanges.

Duff will try to exploit the defensive frailties that exist in Johnson's game, looking to get behind him when he ventures too far forward. In contrast Johnson will be trying to turn Duff around - making him do as much defensive work as possible and thereby limiting his attacking opportunities.

Danny Murphy vs Lucas Leiva

Liverpool are well aware of the danger presented by former player Danny Murphy - who likes to dictate play from the centre of the pitch.

If given time and space he is the type of player who can pass you off the pitch, and is the Cottagers go-to-man when they make the transition from defence into attack.

His composure on the ball brings a calm assurance to the Fulham midfield and allows him to bring others into play.

He also has a keen eye for goal and will be a danger from both loose play and dead-ball situations around the box.

Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva has had his critics this season but the 22-year-old was one of Liverpool's star players last week when they defeated rivals Manchester United.

Full of energy and running the youngster injects much-needed pace and a sense of urgency into the Liverpool midfield - ensuring the team do not get bogged down in the centre of the park.

A neat and tidy passer with good close control he will only get better as he grows in confidence.

Murphy will use his experience to make space for himself and try to pass round his Liverpool rival, whilst Lucas will be looking to over-run the older man as he did with Paul Scholes last weekend.

If Fulham are to have any chance against a resurgent Liverpool this weekend they will need keeper Mark Schwarzer to be on top form.

The Australian is a fantastic shot-stopper and has a wealth of experience in the Premier League which translates into a calm and assured presence on the field.

A good talker - he instills confidence in his defence and is always looking for the opportunity to launch quick attacks from deep.

Agile, confident and with a good grasp of angles he is a difficult man to beat from open play - and also has an exceptional record of saving penalties.

Fernando Torres is a man at the top of his game - and arguably one of the best strikers in the world.

Now in his third season at Anfield his pace, movement and clinical finishing mark him out as THE man to watch whenever he is playing.

Torres gives Liverpool a real cutting edge - able to carve out chances for himself with his strength and superior positioning.

Watch out for his telepathic understanding with Steven Gerrard if the midfielder returns from injury.

Schwarzer will be hoping that his Fulham side can shut down the supply to the Spanish striker, whilst for his part Torres will play on the shoulder of the last defender and use his pace and power to get a run on goal.