Here’s our review of the 2 games on Sunday those being Liverpool v Southampton and Newcastle v Man City. We’ll look at the key issues and players for each game
fantasy premier league gameweek 1 review – Sundays games
Liverpool 2 Southampton 1
Liverpool: Mignolet, Manquillo, Skrtel, Lovren, Johnson, Gerrard, Lucas (Allen 62), Henderson, Coutinho (Lambert 76), Sterling, Sturridge
Subs not used: Jones, Toure, Sakho, Ibe, Can
Southampton: Forster, Clyne, Fonte, Yoshida, Bertrand, Wanyama, Schneiderlin, S. Davis (Long 74), Ward-Prowse, Tadic (Isgrove 82), Pellè
Lineups:
Liverpool lined up in 4-3-3 with Sterling and Coutinho flanking Sturridge. Lucas was a surprise starter instead of Emre Can. Cheapie Manquillo started as RB with Johnson LB but that will surely only be temporary until new LB signing Moreno coming into the team.
No real surprises in the Southampton lineup apart from maybe Forster who started ahead of Boruc and JWP starting.
Match comment:
Rodgers may like to say that Liverpool will be better without Suarez but there was little evidence of it here. They lacked his inventiveness and energey upfront and Southampton had long spells of dominance and didn’t deserve to lose.
Player comment:
Sturridge
Struggled in this game except for his finish when given his only real chance which was excellent. Too often came back and had his back to goal and distinct lack of touches in the box. The high conversion rate isn’t inconsistent with last year though but this certainly wasn’t the Liverpool last season of Suarez.
Sterling
Man of the match undoubtedly and always looked threatening. A good sign for the future but 2 hard games now away to Man City and Spurs so a tricky time to add any Liverpool players
Henderson
Apart from the excellent assist for Sterling there was very little evidence of him becoming a box to box Ramsey type player. Little shooting or penalty box touches to show positives
The Liverpool defence
Nothing in the match showed why Liverpool have the highest % owned defender In Lovren. They defended poorly and Southampton should have scored more.
Pelle
No returns but a promising start for the £7.5m forward.
Newcastle 0 Man City 2
Newcastle: – Krul; Janmaat, Williamson, Coloccini (c), Dummett; Anita (Obertan), Colback; Sissoko, Cabella, Gouffran (Aarons); Riviere (Perez).
Subs: Elliot, Haidara, S.Taylor, Abeid, Obertan, Aarons, Perez.
Manchester City: Newcastle: Hart, Clichy, Kompany (C), Demichelis, Kolarov, Fernando, Toure, Nasri (Milner), Silva, Jovetic (Fernandinho), Dzeko (Aguero)
Subs: Caballero, Boyata, Zabaleta, Milner, Fernandinho, Navas, Aguero
Lineup comment:
After being 2nd in the friendlies £4.0m Dummett got the nod over Haidara. Gouffran and Cabella flanked Riverie. Nothing surprising from Man City except Demichelis being fit enough to start
Match comment:
An excellent match and both teams were very good in this game whch was played at a good pace. In the end City’s finishing was the difference.
Player comment:
Riverie
A good start from the £7.5m forward with a reasonable amount of chances. With Villa away and Palace at home the games could be worse
Cabella
Another player with a lively debut that showed promoise for the future.
Jovetic and Dzeko
Both were excellent and had a number of chances. Jovetic interestingly had the most advanced average position
Silva
Only had the one chance and here he showed a good finish which is not always the case. Got into the box and consistently in an advanced position. A good sign.
The City defence
Despite the clean sheet it wasn’t a vintage City defensive performance. Newcastle constantly threatened.
Aguero
You’re reminded just how good he is on days like today. A goal despite playing barely 10 minutes.
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fantasy premier league gameweek 1
Fantasy premier league gameweek 1
