Premier League Picks Of The Week 31

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 31

The 31st week of the Premier League action saw:

13 goals - most by Liverpool = 5
94 shots - most by Crystal Palace = 18
43 on target - most by Liverpool = 10
33 corners - most by Everton = 9
72 fouls - most by Stoke City = 13
11 yellow cards - most by Huddersfield = 3
1 red card - Charlie Adam for Everton
1 penalty- 1 scored (Milivojevic for Crystal Palace)

What a game! There were only four Premier League games on this weekend thanks to the FA Cup quarter finals. But there were still plenty of goals and controversies, as detailed below:

What a team! Crystal Palace are escaping the relegation battle, climbing out of the drop zone after their 0-2 win at Huddersfield thanks to former Hammer James Tomkins' opener from close range and Luka Milivojević's spot kick. Their first win in eight games took Roy Hodgson's men up to 16th thanks to the other sides' FA Cup commitments as mentioned above, whilst David Wagner sees his Terriers stay in 15th but just three points above the relegation zone after drawing a blank in eight of their last 11 league games. Man of the match Wilfried Zaha made a big difference and must have been so glad to be back for the Eagles - especially under these lovely, snowy, windy conditions! In the nine games without the winger, the London side failed to claim even a single point!

What a man! Liverpool's star and once again man of the match Mohamed Salah underlined his quality with a quadruple seeing the Reds thrash Watford 5-0 at Anfield without much effort. The Egyptian danced and pranced through, in, around and all over Javi Gracia's men, into the record books and to the top of the league scoreboard with 28 goals, and 36 in 41 games in all competitions. Roberto Firmino's remarkable back footer has to be mentioned as well! And Loris Karius kept another clean sheet. I am sure Jürgen Klopp could not have been happier - despite the weather! The Kop kept echoing and bouncing throughout. The Reds have averaged 2.2 goals per game under their German boss, their highest ratio at home in the Premier League under any manager. Just awesome. The win took the Scousers up to third and opened a seven-point gap over Chelsea in fifth. Geht doch!

What a goal! Bournemouth's Junior Stanislas' late free-kick winner condemned West Brom to their seventh consecutive league defeat, keeping them stuck rock bottom 10 points from safety with seven games to go. Jay Rodriguez hooked in Salomón Rondón's header to give the visitors the lead shortly after the break at Dean Court. But with under 15 minutes to go, man of the match Jordon Ibe bounced the equaliser past keeper Ben Foster and broke the Baggies down before the Cherries went on to win and break the visitors' hearts. Alan Pardew is surely in a dead-end job as I've been blogging nearly every week, his side having lost 24 points from leading positions in the Premier League this season, more than any other team. Eddie Howe meanwhile, is a much happier man, having watched his team pick up 16 points from losing positions in the league, more than any other side, and moving up to 10th with this win.

What the hell?! Stoke's Charlie Adam's red card was super harsh, especially under the difficult weather conditions and certainly helped Everton to their win. His team mate Xherdan Shaqiri wasn't happy and confused the French commentators with his protests, making them think he was sent off. The snow and the lines made the game unforgettable that's for sure! And despite the sad attempt by the Potters to make it even harder for their opponents by not clearing the snow out of the keeper's box like theirs, the Toffees ended on top thanks to Cenk Tosun's brace (69' & 84'), the win keeping Big Sam's men comfy on 40 points in ninth. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting's leveller (77') was spoilt by his injury and ended up being to no avail, Paul Lambert's men having recorded just one win in their last 12 Premier League games, keeping them stuck in 19th, three points away from safety.

My Predictions - Actual Results
Bournemouth 1:1 West Brom - 2:1
Huddersfield 2:1 Crystal Palace - 0:2
Stoke City 2:1 Everton - 1:2
Liverpool 3:0 Watford - 5:0

Games postponed due to FA Cup quarter finals:
Burnley v Chelsea
Leicester v Arsenal
Man City v Brighton
Swansea v Southampton
Tottenham v Newcastle
West Ham v Man United

Click here for last week's Premier League Picks.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match reports, MOTD, Twitter and SFR coverage.

Saints Outplay Liverpool In Semi First Leg

Sports - Football - EFL Cup - SFC 1:0 LFC

Southampton outshone and -played record winners Liverpool in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final, beating the Reds 1-0 at St Mary's.

It could and should have been a much worse score for the Reds, under-fire and second-choice keeper Loris Karius making some crucial saves, especially in the first half.

The Saints had taken the lead thanks to Nathan Redmond's fine finish off Jay Rodriguez just 20 minutes into the clash.

The English midfielder could have had a hat-trick if it weren't for the 23-year-old German stopper denying him again and again, keeping the visitors in the tie.

Jürgen Klopp conceded defeat after the match and that it should have been 3-0, leaving Saints boss Claude Puel happy with the display but a bit disappointed with the result.

It was by far the worst performance under the German boss, the Reds dominating possession but recording less shots and only two on target, leaving Fraser Forster with not much to do.

Man of the match  Virgil van Dijk bossed the show from the back, frustrating the visitors, Roberto Firmino the only Red to get an attempt on target.

Southampton will be desperate to keep hold of the popular centre-half throughout and beyond the January transfer window.

Liverpool will be desperate to come back from this dire defeat, lucky to have just one goal between the two when they meet again at Anfield in just over two weeks.

(The game was so bad, there is not more to write about. No discrediting Southampton, it was a great win for them!)

Southampton Goal: Redmond (20').

Southampton Team: 1 Forster; 2 Soares, 3 Yoshida, 17 van Dijk (c), 21 Bertrand; 14 Romeu, 4 Clasie (23 Hojbjerg 73'), 8 Davis (16 Ward-Prowse 82'); 9 Rodriguez (booked 81') (7 Long 82'), 22 Redmond, 11 Tadic (booked 65'). 4-3-3
Subs not used: 24 Stephens, 38 McQueen, 39 Sims, 41 Lewis.

Liverpool Team: 1 Karius; 2 Clyne, 6 Lovren, 17 Klavan, 7 Milner (c); 21 Lucas, 5 Wijnaldum (10 Coutinho 61'), 23 Can; 15 Sturridge, 20 Lallana, 11 Firmino (27 Origi 83'). 4-3-3
Subs not used: 12 Gomez, 18 Moreno, 22 Mignolet, 35 Stewart, 58 Woodburn.

Match Stats: SFC-LFC
Attempts: 11-9
On target: 5-2
Corners: 2-5
Fouls: 11-5
Bookings: 2-0

Referee: Neil Swarbrick
Ground: St Mary's Stadium
Attendance: 31,480

Pictures and stats taken from the BBC match report.

Click here for my previous LFC match report.

Liverpool come back to thrash Stoke 4-1

Sports - Football - Premier League - LFC 4:1 SCFC

Liverpool broke down a stubborn Stoke side coming back from a goal down to beat Potters, comfortably in the end, 4-1 at Anfield.

Jon Walters had headed the visitors ahead from close range, beating keeper Simon Mignolet all too easily, exposing the hosts' vulnerability at the back once again.

Former Reds Peter Crouch and Joe Allen caused the home side's back line all sorts of problems, adding to the defensive headache.

But after a too familiar iffy and shaky start, Jürgen Klopp's side got into gear, with Adam Lallana and Roberto Firmino scoring, turning the game around and giving the hosts the lead before the break.

That turned both side's half-time team talk on its head. And things went from bad to worse for Mark Hughes' men after the break.

First Giannelli Imbula turned the ball into his own net off Divock Origi's cross, before Ryan Shawcross inexplicably put the ball back, intended for keeper Lee Grant, but straight to Daniel Sturridge instead, who netted the gift gratefully to make it 4-1.

It was the striker's first Premier League goal of the season, Liverpool's 100th under Klopp, just seconds after he had replaced Origi.

That makes it 86 league goals for the Reds in 2016, their most in a calendar year since 1985. And the year isn't over yet, Manchester City being the next visitors to come to Anfield on New Year's Eve.

Liverpool Goals: Lallana 34', Firmino 44', Imbula OG 59' & Sturridge 70'.

Stoke City Goal: Walters 12.

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 2 Clyne, 6 Lovren, 17 Klavan, 7 Milner; 14 Henderson (c), 20 Lallana (23 Can 69'), 5 Wijnaldum; 27 Origi (15 Sturridge 70'), 19 Mané, 11 Firmino (18 Moreno 79'). 4-3-3
Subs not used: 1 Karius, 21 Lucas, 53 Ejaria & 58 Woodburn.

Stoke City Team: 33 Grant; 8 Johnson, 17 Shawcross, 15 Martins Indi; 18 Diouf (14 Afellay 75'), 21 Imbula, 6 Whelan (32 Sobhi 66'), 4 Allen (booked 36'), 3 Pieters; 25 Crouch (12 Bony 84'), Walters. 3-5-2
Subs not used: 16 Adam, 22 Shaqiri, 24 Given, 27 Krkic.

Match Stats: Liverpool-Stoke City
Possession: 64%-36%
Attempts: 20-6
On target; 6-2
Corners: 8-2
Fouls: 9-6
Bookings: 0-1

Referee: Michael Oliver
Ground: Anfield
Attendance: 53,094

Pictures and stats taken from the BBC match report.

Click here for my previous LFC match report.

Liverpool TOP after thrashing Watford

Sports - Football - Premier League - LFC 1:6 WFC

The Reds went top of the Premier League for the first time under manager Jürgen Klopp after destroying Watford 6-1 at Anfield. And it could have been more.

Hornets keeper Heurelho Gomes had already made some fine stops against Lucas Leiva, Roberto Firmino hit the bar and missed a sitter and Philippe Coutinho had sent another chance wide.

With 25 minutes gone, it looked like it wasn't going to be Liverpool's day, Walter Mazzarri's men sticking to their job and frustrating the home side.

Sadio Mané broke the dead lock, finally, in the 27th minute, with an acrobatic header off a corner.

Three minutes later, his Brazilian team mate Coutinho doubled the lead, drilling in his fifth league goal of the season from 20 yards out, beating/ignoring/defying four defenders in front of him.

To make things worse for the visitors, at 2-0 down, just over half an hour gone, Gomes had to be replaced due to injury, Costel Pantilimon forced to take over the challenge.

Emre Can made it 3-0 before the break, heading in Adam Lallana's cross after a great run and ball in from the right, with all the space in the world, no chance for the sub-keeper.

The 6'8'' stopper did glove James Milner's free kick high and out to keep it "just" 3-0 at half time, although Lucas and Firmino could and should have combined for more, but to Watford's relief they messed it up and missed out.

Liverpool kept pushing and pressing after the break despite the comfortable lead.

And it was Coutinho and Lallana, given way too much space in and around the box off a free kick, the latter's cut-back finding and providing Firmino with an easy and comfortable chance to put away and make it 4-0.

And the Brazilian provided the next goal with a fine run and turn in the box, to Mané, who made no mistake of slotting it in and making it two for him and five for Liverpool.

Red keeper Loris Karius did not have much to do, but did deny Etienne Capoue after a one-on-one, with Milner's help, before Watford did pull one back, a consolation goal, destroying the much-wanted clean sheet.

Daryl Janmaat kept his cool, collected and netted the ball into the bottom left after Milner went down too easily in the build-up. Just a consolation goal, meaning Klopp's men have only kept one clean sheet in the league this season though.

But the Reds didn't (and don't) have to care about that atm - Daniel Sturridge had come on replacing Lallana and was causing even more havoc, striking the bar TWICE!

Georgino Wijnaldum netted the sixth for Liverpool after Sturridge was denied TWICE by Pantilimon, for the Dutchman to score his first goal for the club off the rebound in stoppage time.

6-1 was the final score, 17-8 shots on target, 17 being the most shots on target recorded in the Premier League since 2003.

It's Watford's joint heaviest defeat in the Premier League with a 5-0 defeat against Wimbledon in December 1999.

The Hornets conceded more goals in this game against the Reds than they had in their past six Premier League matches combined (5)!

So, this all proves, the Reds are on fire and high flying, top of the Premier League for the international break. Einfach nur geil! BOOM! XxXxX

Liverpool Goals: Mané 27' & 60', Coutinho 30', Can 43', Firmino 57' & Wijnaldum 90'+1'.

Watford Goal: Janmaat 75'.

Liverpool Team: 1 Karius; 7 Milner, 32 Matip, 21 Lucas, 2 Clyne; 20 Lallana (15 Sturridge 70'), 14 Henderson (c), 23 Can; 19 Mané (5 Wijnaldum 62' (booked 85')), 11 Firmino, 10 Coutinho (53 Ejara 87'). 4-3-3
Subs not used: 22 Mignolet, 17 Klavan, 18 Moreno, 27 Origi.

Watford Team: 1 Gomes (30 Pantilimon 33'); 25 Holebas (booked 56'), 3 Britos (booked 80'), 4 Kaboul, 22 Janmaat; 37 Pereyra (18 Zuniga 86'), 29 Capoue, 11 Behrami (23 Watson 62'), 7 Amrabat; 9 Deeney (c), 24 Ighalo. 4-4-2
Subs not used: 6 Mariappa, 17 Guedioura, 19 Sinclair, 27 Kabasele.

Match Stats: Liverpool-Watford 1st & 2nd half
Attempts: 15-4 & 28-11
On target: 9-2 & 17-8
Corners: 4-0 & 6-3
Free kicks: 5-8 & 10-14
Bookings: 0-0 & 1-2
Possession: 59%-41% & 60%-40%

Referee: Michael Oliver
Man of the match: Philippe Coutinho
Attendance: 53,163

Pictures taken from BBC match report

Click here for my previous LFC match report 

Liverpool brush champions aside 4-1

Sports - Football - Premier League - LFC 4:1 LCFC

The new expanded Anfield enjoyed their team outplay and easily beat Premier League champions Leicester 4-1 in the first home game of the season for the Reds.

It was nearly perfect for Jürgen Klopp's men, a strong, dominant and in control performance, except for Lucas Leiva's giveaway to Jamie Vardy just seven minutes before the break. It was a shocker.

Before that muck up, Roberto Firmino had opened the scoring off James Milner's pass, stepping inside Robert Huth before netting the ball into the bottom corner.

Skipper Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge combined well, the latter's heel cheekily finding Sadio Mané to score on his home debut and make it 2-0 with just over half an hour gone.

The team and crowd were on fire, to be quenched by Lucas' inexplicable blooper of a pass, intended for keeper Simon Mignolet, but ending up perfectly across goal, fit for Vardy, an easy tap in for the profound striker.

This gave Claudio Ranieri's men hope and a breath of fresh air, however, Liverpool got their act together again in the second half, Adam Lallana making it 3-1, firing a shot into the top corner.

And to wrap up the win, Firmino doubled his score and made it 4-1 thanks to an unselfish Mané, who rounded an oncoming Kasper Schmeichel, to pass the ball to the Brazilian, who made no mistake of beating the Leicester defence to steer it in.

The score is harsh in the Danish stopper who made seven saves in an otherwise strong performance, but shows how crushing the Reds were, wearing and tearing down their opposition. So much so, Klopp lost his glasses in all the excitement, once again. Someone contact his optician/insurance/provider...

Liverpool Goals: Firmino 13' & 89', Mané 31' and Lallana 56'.

Leicester Goal: Vardy 38'.

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 20 Clyne, 32 Matip, 21 Lucas, 7 Milner; 20 Lallana, 14 Henderson (c) (booked 44'), 5 Wijnaldum (35 Stewart 76'), 19 Mané (18 Moreno 90'+3'); 15 Sturridge (10 Coutinho 76', 11 Firmino. 4-4-2
Subs not used: 1 Karius, 16 Grujic, 17 Klavan, 27 Origi.

Leicester Team: 1 Schmeichel; 17 Simpson (2 Hernandez 34'), 5 Morgan, 6 Huth (booked 82'), 28 Fuchs; 26 Mahrez, 13 Amartey (booked 28'), 4 Drinkwater, 11 Albrighton (23 Ulloa 65'); 20 Okazaki (7 Musa 45'), 9 Vardy. 4-4-2
Subs not used: 3 Chilwell, 10 King, 21 Zieler, 22 Gray.

Match Stats: Liverpool-Leicester
Attempts: 17-12
On target: 11-3
Corners: 1-7
Fouls: 4-8
Bookings: 1-2
Possession: 62%-38%

Referee: Craig Pawson
Man of the match: Roberto Firmino
Attendance: 51,232

Pictures taken from BBC match report

Click here for my previous LFC match report

Sturridge double seals EFL Cup progress

Sports - Football - EFL Cup - BAFC 0-5 LFC

Liverpool started their EFL Cup campaign successfully and comfortably with a 0-5 win at Burton Albion.

Coming back off a Premier League defeat at Burnley on Saturday, and still hurting from their League Cup final defeat against Manchester City last season, Jürgen Klopp's men came back all guns blazing.

Well, not quite. The score line over-compliments the Reds, a match that was less thrilling, entertaining and impressive, more like a kick in the park.

Divock Origi opened the scoring at the Pirelli Stadium, 15 minutes in, netting Sadio Mané's cross from close range with a cheeky back-heel flick.

Roberto Firmino doubled the score seven minutes later, keeper Stephen Bywater throwing the ball into Nathaniel Clyne's path whose surge down the right wing provided the Brazilian with a perfect cross to head in.

Just when it looked like Nigel Clough's men may be able to grind back something out of the match, taking more possession in the second half, a Tom Naylor own goal just past the hour made it 0-3.

Substitute Daniel Sturridge added two more to the Brewers' misery, 78' and 83', being in the right place at the right time, in the box, central, seemingly proving a point to those watching.

The only worry for Klopp's men on an easy night out came with Emre Can's injury who went down without any tackle or contact and had to be replaced just over halfway through the second half.

The next big test comes Saturday, lunch time, at White Hart Lane, where they can really prove what they are made of! (I'll be covering the Premier League match live on ByTheMinute.co)

Liverpool Goals: Origi 15', Firmino 22', Naylor OG 61', Sturridge 78' & 83'.

Burton Albion Team: 13 Bywater; 14 McCrory, 5 McFadzean (c), 15 Naylor; 11 Dyer (21 Fox 65'), 36 Irvine (16 Palmer 45'), 19 Choudhury (booked 57'), 7 Williamson (booked 61'), 10 Akins (22 Harness 65'); 9 Butcher, 12 Beavon. 3-5-2
Subs not used: 6 Turner, 23 Delaney, 1 McLaughlin, 8 O'Grady.

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 7 Milner, 6 Lovren, 32 Matip, 2 Clyne; 14 Henderson (c), 23 Can (35 Stewart 71'), 20 Lallana (5 Wijnaldum 64'); 11 Firmino (15 Sturridge 64'), 27 Origi, 19 Mané. 4-3-3
Subs not used: 13 Manninger, 17 Klavan, 18 Moreno, 28 Ings.

Match Stats: Burton Albion-Liverpool
Possession: 41%-59%
Attempts: 4-15
On target: 0-8
Corners: 6-3
Offsides: 0-5
Fouls: 4-7
Bookings: 2-0

Referee: Simon Hooper
Ground: Pirelli Stadium
Attendance: 6,450

Pictures taken from the BBC match report, stats taken from Sky Sports app

Click here for my previous LFC match report

First European blood goes to Liverpool

Sports – Football – Europa League – Liverpool 2:0 Man United

Liverpool could not have asked for a better set-up, beating bitter rivals Manchester United 2-0 at Anfield in their first ever European meeting, which was the first leg of the Europa League Last 16.

And it could, should and would have been a much worse thrashing and thorough beating if it were not for the Red Devils’ star keeper David De Gea.

The Spanish stopper denied Philippe Countinho, DanielSturridge, Adam Lallana and Nathaniel Clyne with world-class saves, breath-taking athleticism, great reflexes and just brilliant reactions in an explosive atmosphere.

Jürgen Klopp’s men took the lead thanks to a Sturridge 20^th minute spot kick, after Memphis Depay fouled Clyne in the box, and it was more than deserved with the Reds having outplayed and outclassed LVG’s eleven by far.

The visitors did not create a single chance with Liverpool giving them no time on the ball, surrounding them at every chance, and can only thank de Gea’s brilliance for keeping them in the tie with a hint of a shout. Marouane Fellaini was lucky to stay on the pitch with a very clumsily dirty displace.

Roberto Firmino did double the score in the 73^rd minute, scoring in three consecutive LFC games for the first time, making it three consecutive wins for the Reds in all competitions.

This impressive win ended United’s run of four consecutive victories in the two sides’ meetings. The only disappointment for the Reds was that they did not score more. An away goal at Old Trafford in the second leg should do it. If it’s not already done.

United’s only shot on target came in the 51^st minute, a tame low effort my Morgan Schneiderlin, not much to do for Simon Mignolet. The Red Devils will have to dig so much deeper if they want to come back from this one.

With the FA Cup giving Liverpool a break this weekend, whilst United face West Ham in the quarter final, the power and score advantage stays with the Reds from Merseyside. Only time will tell and we’ll know come Thursday night whether they will bounce and pounce, or slip and trip, with for and consistency being neither sides’ main feature or strength this season.

Liverpool Goals: Sturridge pen 20’ & Firmino 73’.

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 18 Moreno, 17 Sakho, 6 Lovren (booked 43’), 2 Clyne; 10 Coutinho (booked 49’), 23 Can, 14 Henderson (c) (booked 2’), 20 Lallana; 11 Firmino (27 Origi 84’); 15 Sturridge (24 Allen 64’). 4-4-1-1

Subs not used: 4 Toure, 9 Benteke, 44 Smith, 52 Ward & 54 Ojo.

Man United Team: 1 De Gea; 5 Rojo, 17 Blind, 12 Smalling, 30 Varela; 27 Fellaini (booked 60’), 28 Schneiderlin (31 Schweinsteiger 79’), 7 Memphis Depay (booked 19’), 8 Mata (c) (21 Herrera 79’), 39 Rashferd (booked 45’) (16 Carrick 45’); 9 Martial. 4-2-3-1

Subs not used: 20 Romero, 36 Darmian, 47 Weir & 49 Riley.

Referee: Carlos Velasco Carballo

Man of the match: David De Gea

Attendance: 43,228

Match Stats: Liverpool-Man United

Possession: 56%-44%

Shots: 13-5

On target: 8-1

Corners: 7-0

Fouls: 15-16