Scots’ Euros pledge

Handersen’s vision allied to range of passing can exploit Liverpool’s high line and boost Fulham survival chances

Scotland first Minister Nicola Sturgeon has insisted Hampden Park will co-host Euro 2020. The Scots are due to welcome Croatia and the Czech Republic in June among four Hampden matches in the delayed tournament, but Glasgow is understood to be one of three cities in danger of losing hosting rights amid uncertainty over when restrictions on crowds will be eased.

It was not that long ago that Fulham seemed doomed to relegation, with Scott Parker’s side conceding nine goals in their first three matches and failing to win a league game before the November international break.

But afforded time to work with the players on the training ground and for recent signings to adjust to their surroundings, Fulham began swimming back to shore and survival now seems entirely possible. Next up are Liverpool tomorrow, and it may be the defending champions who are more worried going into the game.

The key to Fulham’s resurgence has been Joachim Andersen, a Danish centre-back on loan from Lyon. As well as helping solidify the back line alongside Tosin Adarabioyo, Andersen’s distribution is superb. Andersen is a big part of how Fulham construct their attacks and has provided one assist this season for Ademola Lookman against Sheffield United with a stunning long ball over the top.

Andersen sprung beautiful diagonal passes out from the back against Tottenham on Thursday and even dribbled his way through the Spurs press a few times.

His “successful passes” map from that game clearly shows a mixture of short passes with these searching balls over the top. His attempted longer passes are easier to see in his “unsuccessful passes” map, but if quick forwards such as Lookman and Josh Maja make the right runs tomorrow, Fulham can easily exploit Liverpool’s high line in the same way Chelsea did in their 1-0 win at Anfield.