BREAKING Fulham vs Liverpool kick off delayed after medical emergency as statement drops

Liverpool saw their clash with Fulham in the Premier League delayed due to a medical emergency at Craven Cottage

Fulham vs Liverpool has been delayed due to a medical emergency in the crowd at Craven Cottage. As a result, the Premier League showdown in West London was rescheduled for a 3:15pm kick-off following the incident.

The Premier League confirmed in a statement that a medical emergency had taken place within the crowd. Sky Sports' coverage was impacted with the encounter featuring on their Main Event channel, following the delay Liverpool went out first for the second time in their warm-ups before the hosts followed.

Both teams made their way to the pitch at 3.09pm. The delay came just 11 minutes before proceedings were scheduled due to begin. In a tweet, the Cottagers wrote: "Due to a medical emergency at the ground, kick-off has been delayed by 15 minutes."

Sky Sports' reporter Jonny Phillips said: "A medical emergency here involving medical staff. They've had to allow an ambulance into the ground.

"The road is closed to traffic before the match. They've had to reopen the road. For now all the players are back inside the dressing room."

It was a crucial game for both Marco Silva and Arne Slot as they look to kick-on for the second-half of the season.

The hosts knew that a win over the Premier League champions would see them move to within touching distance of the Champions League places.

Before kick-off, Fulham sat six points off the top four after a mixed run but went into the showdown with Liverpool unbeaten in three.

Liverpool saw their lead in the Champions League places reduced to just two points after Manchester United's 1-1 draw with Leeds United.

The pressure is on head coach Arne Slot after the Dutchman's side have endured a poor defence of their Premier League title.

Former defender Jamie Carragher accused the Reds of playing with the handbrake on following a sluggish display during their goalless draw against Leeds United.

Liverpool need to find their form to continue setting the pace in the push for Champions League qualification.

The Reds have back-to-back games in the capital with a trip to Premier League leaders Arsenal on the horizon.

They were handed a setback for the clash with top goalscorer Hugo Ekitike left out of the squad for the clash at Craven Cottage.

The Liverpool head coach hopes to have him fit for the showdown against the Gunners. He told Sky Sports: "Isak has been out for a few weeks now and that's meant Ekitike had to play more minutes than the previous part of the season.

"That's led to him picking up a slight hamstring injury, and for a player of his age, not completely used to the Premier League, that's been a bit too much.

“That's why he will be out for today - and hopefully back for the Arsenal game."