SIMPLY MAGICAL: Luis Suarez (right) is congratulated after scoring with an audacious lob against Norwich. Suarez scored four times as Liverpool won 5-1. AFPpic
IN FORM: Liverpool have scored nine goals in two league games against two of their top four rivals, Arsenal and neighbours Everton.

LIVERPOOL manager Brendan Rodgers has challenged his players to match the intensity they showed against Arsenal when they travel to bottom of the Premier League Fulham Thursday morning.

The Reds are on course to end their five-season exile from the top four and the Champions League and underlined their claim on fourth place with a 5-1 win over then leaders Arsenal at the weekend.

Southampton and Manchester United are the only sides presently in the top-half of the table that Liverpool, now unbeaten in eight matches, still have to visit in the league this season.

“Every game is critical for us whether it’s a top team or a team at the bottom. Fulham showed against Manchester United they’ve got some very good players, they showed great resilience in the game and took the lead.

“There are some brilliant professionals there and Rene (Meulensteen) will look to introduce one or two younger players.

“It will be a difficult game and away from home in the Premier League is difficult but we have a belief and a confidence in our play and hopefully we can take that into the game and get another good three points,” the Northern Irishman added.

Liverpool moved within six points of the top of the Premier League with Saturday’s win but Rodgers maintains finishing in the top four is his priority for a club that has not won the league title since 1990.

“The momentum has been building and building, but I just think it’s unprecedented to go from being where we were last year in seventh position (to first).

“I’m very much full of optimism for this football club and the development of the team, but I also have to be realistic as well and I think it (winning the title) is something that might be too much for us this season.”

Defender Glen Johnson is still out with an ankle injury and Daniel Agger, Mamdou Sakho, Lucas and Jose Enrique are also sidelined.

The fixture however, has been called into doubt by threatened industrial action on the London Underground which Fulham said left them concerned about whether their staff could get to their Craven Cottage ground in west London in time.

Fulham said they would announce at 1500GMT Tuesday whether or not the match would be postponed.

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