Here’s my GW3 fantasy premier league analysis for the GW3 games of Liverpool v Man Utd and Arsenal v Spurs.
Liverpool v Man Utd
Lineups and ratings from the Daily Mail
LIVERPOOL: Mignolet 6; Johnson 6 (Wisdom 78, 5), Agger 7, Skrtel 7, Enrique 6; Henderson 7, Lucas 6, Gerrard 7; Aspas 6 (Sterling 60, 6), Sturridge 7, Coutinho 8 (Alberto 84).
Subs not used: Jones, Ibe, Kelly, Flanagan.
Scorer: Sturridge 4 Assist Agger
Booked: Aspas
MAN UNITED: De Gea 6; Jones 5 (Valencia 37, 6), Ferdinand 7, Vidic 6, Evra 6; Carrick 5, Cleverley 7; Young 5 (Nani 62, 6), Welbeck 6, Giggs 6 (Hernandez 75); Van Persie 5.
Subs not used: Anderson, Smalling, Lindegaard, Buttner.
Booked: Cleverley, Van Persie, Carrick, Young
Liverpool: no surprises in the lineup
Man Utd; Rooney injured. Giggs and Young on the flanks. Welbeck behind RVP
The match
A fast paced game where United never looked capable of breaking down Liverpools defence without Rooney in the team. Evidenced by the fact that Welbeck didn’t create a single chance for a team mate and only Evra and Young created more than 1. Liverpool having got the early goal sat deep and pressed Utd every step of the way and United never really had a clear cut chance where they should have scored.
Winners
The Liverpool defence
Haven’t been that solid but they definitely were today conceding very few shots in the box and no real clear cut chances. it will be interesting if this changes Rodgers view of Skrtel
Sturridge
Had pretty good shooting stats and scored for the 3rd game in a row. Fantasy premier league managers who took on Coutinho instead of Sturridge must be gutted as Coutinho continued his 3rd blank
Losers
Coutinho
No returns in 3 games and no underlying stats apart from shooting from distance. Still reasonable fixtures but I would personally be thinking again in the switch from midfield to attack and defence under the bonus returns.
Anyone in the United midfield and attack for Utd apart from RVP
An abysmal attacking performance from Utd. No one did anything in the attacking front and really without Rooney they lacked any creativity
Other comments
RVP
2 games with no returns but I’m keeping the faith. The best shooting stats with Sturridge, The best pen box touches stats and most passes and touches in the final third. considering the total lack of creativity around him it was an ok performance. With Rooney back I think there will be a return to his bests. Anyway no one in their right mind should sell him before a home game to Crystal Palace.
Arsenal 1 Spurs 0
Goal: Giroud Assist: Walcott
Arsenal
01 Szczesny
04 Mertesacker
06 Koscielny
25 Jenkinson
28 Gibbs
07 Rosicky Booked (Monreal – 79′ )
10 Wilshere (Flamini – 43′ Booked )
14 Walcott (Sagna – 90′ )
16 Ramsey
19 Cazorla
12 Giroud
Tottenham Hotspur
25 Lloris
02 Walker
03 Rose
05 Vertonghen
20 Dawson
08 Paulinho Booked
15 Capoue (Sandro – 75′ )
17 Townsend (Lamela – 75′ )
19 Dembele (Defoe – 69′ Booked )
21 Chadli
09 Soldado
Winners
Giroud
Scored the winner on the back of the best shooting stats. 3 goals 3 games. With good fixtures on the horizon he’s looking so much better than the player who struggled to put chances away.
The Arsenal defence
Great defensive stats and this time at home.
