So here’s the immediate reaction to a game which is not of much interest for fantasy premier league managers. Neither side particularly has a good run of fixtures coming and the highest owned players. No Sunderland players has double figure ownership %, the highest being Larsson at 7% . Liverpool only have 2 in Allen at 16% and Suarez at 12%.
Lineups
Sunderland play 4-4-1-1 with Fletcher up top and Sessegnon behind. Cuellar and Oshea started at CB with Gardner starting at RB and Rose at LB. Midfielders McClean and Larsson played on the left and right respectively. Larsson returning to the right with Rose taking over from Colback at LB allowing Colback to play CM with card magnet Cattermole.
Liverpool played some bizzare 4-2-3-1 formation with seemingly Borini up top with the the 3 behind being Suarez left, Shelvey of all people central, and cheapie Sterling on the right. Allen and Gerrard screened the back 4 which saw Enrique on the bench and Johnson left and Kelly right with Agger and Skrtel at CB. If you add on the £35m of Carroll on loan there was £70 odd million of wasted players not on the field. Its hardly surprising that John Henry doesn’t seem to be in the best of moods with the whole venture but then why hire a manager who was never going to want to accommodate your most expensive player.
The match
The game started at a pedestrian pace with Liverpool seemingly trying to set new records for passing in their own half. This was compounded by Sunderland being willing to sit and wait for them and not really press the ball at all.
Liverpool had a real problem down the left side which is hardly surprising given Suarezs lack of interest in any defensive work and the Sunderland goal came from that. Sunderland then, especially in the 2nd half, looked to just sit back and invite Liverpool on them in the hope of protecting the lead. Liverpool also massively improved when Suarez went central. It was no surprise that Liverpool equalised. It was also no surprise that he scored from something that no one could miss. Liverpool should have gone on to win it but the game ended 1-1.
The fantasy premier league player lessons
Liverpool
Its hard to have much faith in the defence at the moment, they seem a little error prone. Enrique really looks to be struggling for his spot and despite being Spanish just seems to hit too many long diagonal balls to ever be of interest to Brendon Rodgers. Kelly really isnt the value you would hope for at £5.5m so nothing really in it here.
I really cant pick anyone in the midfield I would want in my team. Gerrard is far too deep for fantasy premier league interest. Sterling is an absolute bargain at £4.5m and was excellent today. I just can’t help but think that as soon as I put him in Assaidi or Cole will suddenly start. Upfront Suarez does nothing to disprove my theory that if he could shoot he would be world class. you cant deny everything he does up to that point is fantastic, but it all just goes to nothing when he shoots. Borini looks a mile off being ready.
In sort if I felt Sterling was secure then he would be in my team no problem. Otherwise only a fantastic run would tempt me for any Liverpool player and then maybe only Suarez.
Sunderland
The defence last year was a great deliverer of home points. It remains to be seen if this will still happen and at the moment I’m staying clear. In midfield I personally would only have Larsson for his set pieces. I’m not a McClean fan as being too assist based and Sessegnon is overpriced and over rated for me. Fletcher is interesting. I have had him in my team in the past. I’m just a little wary as he doesnt shoot enough and you’re relying on a high chance conversion ratio which is not something I’m particularly comfortable with.
Ill be back for a summary of the other games later so stay tuned in what was a momentous day but just not for points!
