Premier League Notes - Week 7

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 7

The seventh week of the 2019-2020 Premier League season saw:

29 goals - most by Leicester = 5

257 shots - most by Chelsea = 23

86 on target - most by Chelsea = 9

100 corners - most by Leicester = 9

191 fouls - most by Man United = 18

35 bookings - most by Burnley and Man United = 4 each

2 red cards - Aurier for Tottenham, Hayden for Newcastle 

2 penalties - 2 scored (Jorginho for Chelsea and Milivojevic for Crystal Palace)

#SHULIV

Somehow Georginio Wijnaldum's shot squeezed through (70'), Manchester United loanee keeper Dean Henderson won’t like to remember this one. It was enough to give the dominant but frustrated Reds their first win at Bramall Lane, on an off-day for the league leaders. It's Jürgen Klopp's side's seventh win out of seven this season (equalled only in 1990-91), 16th consecutive league win (only Manchester City have done better with 18 between August and December 2017), keeping them at the top of the table, EIGHT points clear before the Citizens kicked off their game at Goodison Park later on that Saturday afternoon.

#AVLBUR 

It was not to be for the home side, ahead twice, given away twice, the draw keeping them in 18th. The double comeback for the visitors sees them remain mid-table.

#BOUWHU 

Scruffy goals, allowed and disallowed = two goals and a point each.

#CHEBHA 

Not impressive but easy win for the Blues, first home victory under Frank Lampard.

#CRYNOR 

Palace’s 100th clean sheet in Premier League history, the win lifting them up into the top half. Roy Hodgson is working wonders.

#TOTSOU 

Hugo Lloris made up for his howler that led to the equaliser with some crucial saves. Danny Ings had inexplicably taken the ball off the French keeper inside the six-yard area and netted the leveler (39'). But none other than Harry Kane made sure the home side bagged the three points (43') despite being down to ten men after just over half an hour, taking them up to sixth.

#WOLWAT

First win for Nuno Espírito Santo’s men, finally, lifting them up out of the relegation zone to 13th, whilst the Hornets remain at the bottom and winless.

#EVEMCI

Competitive and entertaining encounter with a disappointing end. The keepers made the difference, Ederson top, Jordan Pickford flop = 1-3.

#LEINEW

It was absolutely hammering it down, goals and rain at the King Power stadium on Sunday. Both bosses are smashing all sorts of records, one top, the other flop. No discrediting the Foxes, who remain third, but 5-0, it was just embarrassing to watch the ten-man Magpies side fall to pieces as they did, to one of Steve Bruce's worst defeats as a boss, smashing them down to 19th!

#MUNARS

Neither side deserved to win! It was sloppy, wasteful, dirty, slippery, sliding footy. Downhill from the past classic and epic encounters the broadcasters kept replaying in the buildup to the clash. It completed United's worst start to a season in 30 years, which was the last time they failed to reach double figures in points after seven matches. That season (1989-90) the Red Devils finished 13th. They're now tenth, the Gunners fourth, Unai Emery's men surely mourning the missed opportunity to finally record a win at Old Trafford for the first time since September 2006. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with the equaliser (58') is the first Arsenal player to score seven or more goals in the first seven Premier League games of a season since Dennis Bergkamp in 1997-98. No player has scored more Premier League goals than the Frenchman since he made his debut for Arsenal. 56 games. 39 goals. Génial.

My Predictions - Actual Results
Sheff Utd 1:2 Liverpool - 0:1

Aston Villa 1:1 Burnley - 2:2

Bournemouth 1:3 West Ham - 2:2

Chelsea 3:0 Brighton - 2:0

Crystal Palace 2:0 Norwich - 2:0

Tottenham 3:0 Southampton - 2:1

Wolves 1:1 Watford - 2:0

Everton 2:3 Man City - 1:3

Leicester 1:0 Newcastle - 5:0

Man Utd 2:2 Arsenal - 1:1

Click here for last week’s Premier League Notes.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match reports, ByTheMin Twitter and RMC Sport coverage.

Reds Outplay PSG In 5-Goal Thriller

Sports - Football - CL - LFC 3:2 PSG

Liverpool started their 2018-19 Champions League campaign with a five-goal thriller at Anfield, ending up impressive 3-2 winners against French champions PSG on Tuesday night.

The Reds dominated throughout, pushing and detaining any kind of threat from the Parisians, who looked very subdued at times.

Corner for corner, chance after chance went to the home side in the early stages and after just over half an hour, all the dominance finally paid off.

In a rare start Daniel Sturridge headed in Andrew Robertson’s cross six minutes before James Milner doubled the lead from the spot after Georginio Wijnaldum was fouled.

Belgian right back Thomas Meunier pulled one back for the visitors before the break, but it still looked all too comfortable for Jürgen Klopp’s men.

There was not much to see from the £400million frontline of Neymar, Kylian Mbappé and Edinson Cavani, Liverpool were in control.

Mohamed Salah was not at his best either though, losing the ball too many times and when the great Egyptian scored, it was harshly ruled out for a foul.

The Reds were stunned by Mbappé’s equaliser with only seven minutes left on the clock, pouncing and netting past Alisson in the box to make it 2-2.

But then came the super-sub, Roberto Firmino! Put on the bench because of an eye injury he sustained in his side’s win at Tottenham on Saturday, the great Brazilian came on to find the winner deep into stoppage time, beating Alphonse Areola with a low drive from a tight angle.

It was well deserved, with late drama or without, the Reds had outplayed the Red and Blues.

Thomas Tuchel was left wondering what the hell happened again as the last time the German met his compatriot Klopp at Anfield in 2016 with Dortmund, there was late drama and defeat as well. Deja vue!

This result makes it six out of six wins for the Reds, their best start to a season since 1961/62, and they have never been beaten in a European game at Anfield under their great German boss!

Hell yeah! #YNWA (nor get bored!)

Liverpool Goals: Sturridge 30’, Milner pen 36’ and Firmino 91’.

PSG Goals: Meunier 40’ and Mbappé 83’.

HT Stats: LFC 2-1 PSG 

Possession: 52%-48%

Shots: 8-7

On target: 5-4

Corners: 8-1

Fouls: 7-4

Bookings: 1-1

FT Stats: LFC 3-2 PSG

Possession: 52%-48%

Shots: 17-9

On target: 7-5

Corners: 13-1

Fouls: 14-10

Bookings: 1-1

Liverpool Team: 13 Alisson; 26 Robertson, 4 van Dijk (booked 27’), 12 Gomez, 66 Alexander-Arnold; 7 Milner, 14 Henderson (c), 5 Wijnaldum; 10 Mané (3 Fabinho 93’), 15 Sturridge (9 Firmino 72’), 11 Salah (23 Shaqiri 85’). 4-3-3

Subs not used: 8 Keita, 18 Moreno, 22 Mignolet, 32 Matip.

PSG Team: 16 Areola; 14 Bernat, 3 Kimpembe, 2 Thiago Silva (c), 12 Meunier (booked 45’+1’); 11 di María (17 Choupo-Moting 80’), 5 Marquinhos, 25 Rabiot; 10 Neymar, 9 Cavani (23 Draxler 80’), 7 Mbappé. 4-3-3

Subs not used: 4 Kehrer, 19 Diarra, 24 Nkunku, 34 N’Soki, 50 Cibois.

Referee: Cüneyt Çakir

Man of the match: Georginio Wijnaldum

Ground: Anfield

Attendance: 52,478

Click here for my last LFC match.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report, Twitter, Sky Sports app and RMC Sport match coverage.

Liverpool Through To Their 8th CL Final

Sports - Football - Champions League - ASR 4:2 LFC

Liverpool battled through to the Champions League final but not without hiccups and late drama, losing 4-2 at Roma on Wednesday night, qualifying 7-6 on aggregate after their 5-2 Anfield glory in the first leg, adding up a record number of goals in a European semi-final.

Man of the match Sadio Mané netted the opener after just over eight minutes, pouncing on Roberto Firmino's fine pass after Radja Nainggolan's giveaway, the first goal conceded by the Italians at the Stadio Olimpico in the competition this season.

That left Eusebio Di Francesco's men needing four goals to progress and were helped when James Milner headed Dejan Lovren's clearance into his own net, not knowing much about it as it was so quick, just 15 minutes gone.

Top scorer Mohamed Salah was kept quiet by his former side and continued his goal drought (of two games), but surprisingly Georginio Wijnaldum made it 1-2 (3-7 on agg) with his first goal away from home, capitalising on Edin Dzeko's failure to head the ball away and nodding it in unmarked

But the home side didn't give up, Stephan El Shaarawy hitting the post before Roma's late rally and drama saw them come back, Dzeko equalising shortly after the restart when Loris Karius pushed Shaarawy's shot straight to him.

The Liverpool keeper made some crucial saves and blocks, but couldn't help but just watch as the ball went in off the post, Nainggolan with the shot that put the Italians ahead for the first time 3-2 on the night, four minutes to go.

And the final seconds added to the Reds' nerves and worries as the Belgian added another goal from the spot, substitute Ragnar Klavan punished for handling the ball, making it 4-2 (6-7 on agg). GULP!

The officials had a lot on their hands and a few decisions were questionable, especially harsh and inconsistent with the offside flag, and their take on challenges and handballs, but that's nothing new.

After the full-time whistle Jürgen Klopp was buzzing and celebrated with the fans, who had to wait till early hours in the morning to be released from the ground, but it created some awesome and unforgettable scenes.

It was great to see the team celebrate so wholeheartedly, skipper Jordan Henderson bringing a flag for Sean Cox onto the pitch. YNWA! XxXxX

The Reds will attend their 8th European final in Kiev, an English record, against record-12-times European winners Real Madrid on the 26th May 2018.

We all know what happened the last time these two sides met in a final... :-D #BOOM

Click here for all the know-how-who-what of the two great sides in the competition. #HISTORY #LEGENDS

Roma Goals: Milner OG 15', Dzeko 52', Nainggolan 86' & pen 90'.

Liverpool Goals: Mané 9' & Wijnaldum 25'.

Match Stats: ASR 4-2 LFC
Possession: 60%-40%
Shots: 24-11
On target: 6-5
Corners: 7-3
Fouls 10-14
Yellow cards: 2-3

AS Roma Team: 1 Alisson; 11 Kolarov, 20 Fazio, 44 Manolas (booked), 24 Florenzi (booked); 4 Nainggolan, 16 De Rossi (21 Gonalons 69'), 7 Pellegrini (17 Uender 53'); 92 El Shaarawy (48 Antonucci 75'), 9 Dzeko, 14 Schick. 4-3-3
Subs not used: 28 Skorupski, 5 Jesus, 25 Peres, 30 Gerson.

Liverpool Team: 1 Karius; 26 Robertson (booked), 6 Lovren (booked), 4 Van Dijk, 66 Alexander-Arnold (2 Clyne 90'); 7 Milner, 14 Henderson, 5 Wijnaldum; 19 Mané (17 Klavan 83'), 9 Firmino (29 Solanke 87', (booked)), 11 Salah. 4-3-3
Subs not used: 22 Mignolet, 18 Moreno, 28 Ings, 58 Woodburn.

Referee: Damir Skomina (Slvn)
Man of the match: Sadio Mané
Stadium: Stadio Olimpico
Attendance: 61,889

Click here for my previous LFC match report.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report, i and Times newspapers, Twitter and beIN sports coverage.

Dire Goalless Draw Not Helped By Ref

Sports - Football - Premier League- LIV 0:0 STK

It ended goalless between Liverpool and Stoke City in the lunchtime kickoff on Saturday, the Potters squeezing out a point and keeping their manager Paul Lambert’s unbeaten record at Anfield intact, a Premier League record of five games without defeat (5 = 2W 3D).

The home side did dominate as expected, star man Mohamed Salah missed a sitter early on and put a free kick wide.

With Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain out injured for the rest of the season, young defender Trent Alexander-Arnold played in a more attacking position, stumbling and wasting a great chance in the box.

Danny Ings, in place of a not-yet-fit Sadio Mané up front, saw his goal disallowed, flagged offside, so close.

Stubborn and very physical, the visitors had a couple of chances as well, nothing to worry Loris Karius too much though.

The second half continued dragging and frustrating for Jürgen Klopp and his men.

There was a handball appeal against man of the match defender Erik Pieters late on, who certainly gave his all, Georginio Wijnaldum was furious with the officials.

Virgil van Dijk was booked seconds later, Ryan Shawcross threatened with a chance but missed, it was end to end stuff in the final minutes.

James Milner was not happy with the referee either, nothing given after he was felled down, unlike when he had challenged to win the ball earlier on.

Six minutes were added on for all the injuries, Wijnaldum headed high, everyone in white surrounding Salah.

The great Egyptian looked tired, producing seven shots, none on target, the most he has had without scoring in a single game for Liverpool in all competitions. 

Roberto Firmino saw his penalty appeal in the final seconds ignored, Pieters getting away with it again, hugs all round as replays showed.

The Reds will be rightly disappointed to not have gotten more out of the match they bossed throughout, but the final edge was missing.

It was the first time in nine games the Reds failed to score at home in the league, since drawing 0-0 against West Brom in December, netting 27 in the eight games between the two goalless draws.

Klopp and co will be glad not to have more names added to the injury list after a very physical game with a lot of clashes and ouches, Jordan Henderson going down at the end of the first half but continued after treatment.

Next is the second and decisive leg of the Champions League semi-final in Rome on Wednesday before a trip to Stamford Bridge in the Premier League at the weekend with Chelsea looking to break into the top four.

Stoke meanwhile are three points from safety with two games left to play in the league (against Crystal Palace next weekend and at Swansea on the final day).

HT Stats: LIV 0-0 STK

Possession: 66%-34%

Shots: 7-1

On target: 1-0

Corners: 0-2

Fouls: 2-10

Yellow cards: 0-2

FT Stats: LIV 0-0 STK

Possession: 72%-28%

Shots: 19-5

On target: 2-1

Corners: 9-2

Fouls: 7-14

Yellow cards: 1-2

Liverpool Team: 1 Karius; 17 Klavan, 4 van Dijk (booked 88’), 12 Gomez; 18 Moreno, 5 Wijnaldum, 14 Henderson (c), 66 Alexander-Arnold (2 Clyne 65’); 28 Ings (7 Milner 65’), 9 Firmino, 11 Salah. 3-4-3 on Sky & PL apps, good old 4-3-3 on BBC & SFR with 18 & 66 completing the back line whilst 12 is in the middle... Bit of both in the end, sometimes back 5!!!

Subs not used: 6 Lovren, 22 Mignolet, 26 Robertson, 29 Solanke, 58 Woodburn.

Stoke City Team: 1 Butland; 3 Pieters, 15 Martins Indi (32 Sobhi Ahmed 52’), 17 Shawcross (c), 6 Zouma; 2 Bauer, 27 Ndiaye, 4 Allen, 22 Shaqiri; 25 Crouch (booked 36’) (24 Fletcher 65’), 18 Diouf (booked 42’). 4-4-2

Subs not used: 7 Ireland, 16 Adam, 20 Cameron, 29 Haugaard, 40 Campbell.

Referee: Andre Marriner

Man of the match: Erik Pieters

Ground: Anfield

Attendance: 53,255

Click here for my previous LFC match report.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the Sky Sports and BBC match reports, Twitter, Sky Sports and Premier League apps and SFR coverage.

Stubborn Baggies Snatch A Point Late On

Sports - Football - Premier League - WBA 2:2 LIV

West Brom came back from two goals down in the last eleven minutes to make it 2-2 and grab a point back from Liverpool in the early kick-off on Saturday at the Hawthorns.

Danny Ings scored his first Liverpool goal since the 4th October 2015 Merseyside derby to give the Reds the lead just four minutes into the match.

Sadio Mané produced a fine move on the left in the build-up, to cross to Georginio Wijnaldum who set up the former Derby player for the opener.

The Reds had made five changes ahead of their Champions League semi-final first leg on Tuesday, whilst the Baggies remained unchanged from their win at Old Trafford last weekend.

The home side had plenty of chances to come back into the match before and after the break but a certain Egyptian spoilt that possibility.

Sub Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain set up Mohamed Salah just over six minutes after coming on, the top scorer bouncing the ball up and past everyone from close range to make it 0-2 to the visitors.

With that goal Salah equalled Luis Suárez’s LFC record of 31 Premier League goals in a single season.

Jake Livermore pulled one back for the bottom side with just over ten minutes to go, netting the rebound off a Loris Karius save from a couple of yards out, the Red keeper not happy.

Ahmed El-Sayed Hegazi got away with a couple of reckless tackles, first with a late challenge on Ings earlier on (followed by a punch in the stomach), then elbowing Salah in the buildup to the home side’s goal, referee Stuart Attwell not seeing and/or having any of it!

With a couple of minutes to go, a soft free kick, taken by skipper Chris Brunt on the left, was headed in by Salomón Rondón to make it 2-2 and complete a perfect comeback for Darren Moore’s men.

The caretaker coach could not have asked for a better reaction, Jürgen Klopp’s side never really got on top of things, the German blaming the dry pitch whilst the home side created more of less and grabbed a point back from the Red clutches.

It’s maybe too little too late to avoid relegation for West Brom, but at least gives them some encouragement to look forward to something next season, a side that actually gels and plays together! 

Moore has won five points from his three Premier League games in charge (W1 D2 L0), one more than Alan Pardew won in his last 11 games for the Baggies (W1 D1 L9). 

Meanwhile it was a wake-up call for Liverpool ahead of their European clash against Roma on Tuesday, they have to take more care and concentration at the back to not make all the class and sparks at the front go to waste!

HT Stats: WBA 0-1 LFC

Possession: 30%-70%

Shots: 4-5

On target: 1-2

Corners: 5-4

Fouls: 5-0

FT Stats: WBA 2-2 LFC

Possession: 38%-62%

Shots: 13-9

On target: 6-3

Corners: 7-4

Fouls: 12-5

Yellow cards: 0-1

West Brom Goals: Livermore 79’ & Rondón 88’.

Liverpool Goals: Ings 4’ & Salah 72’.

West Brom Team: 1 Foster; 3 Gibbs (17 Burke 76’), 26 Hegazi, 25 Dawson, 2 Nyom; 14 McClean (6 Evans 71’), 11 Brunt (c), 8 Livermore, 10 Phillips; 19 Rodriguez (4 Robson-Kanu 89’); 9 Rondón. 4-4-1-1

Subs not used: 5 Yacob, 13 Myhill, 20 Krychowiak, 28 Field.

Liverpool Team: 1 Karius; 18 Moreno (booked 69’), 17 Klavan, 4 van Dijk, 12 Gomez; 7 Milner, 14 Henderson (c), 5 Wijnaldum; 19 Mané (21 Oxlade-Chamberlain (65’), 28 Ings (9 Firmino 65’), 11 Salah (6 Lovren 84’). 4-3-3

Subs not used: 22 Mignolet, 26 Robertson, 29 Solanke, 66 Alexander-Arnold.

Referee: Stuart Attwell

Man of the match: Matt Phillips

Ground: The Hawthorns

Attendance: 24,520

Click here for my previous LFC match report.

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

LFC Move Closer To CL Last 16

Sports - Football - Champions League - LFC 3:0 NKM

Liverpool got one step closer to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages for the first time since 2008-09, topping the group after beating NK Maribor 3-0 at Anfield, in not the most riveting and convincing victory on Wednesday night.

Click here for my full LFC ByTheMin match coverage.

The first half was the only goalless half of the night in Europe, agonising to watch the Reds dominate the ball, creating chance after chance, Maribor's keeper Jasmin Handanović and defensive back line of eight frustrating the hell out of the home side.

Ragnar Klavan and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were the two changes for the Reds since the two sides met in Slovenia a couple of weeks ago, replacing Dejan Lovren and Philippe Coutinho due to lack of form and fitness respectively.

It didn't help when Liverpool were forced to make their first change, Georginio Wijnaldum getting injured with just over 15 minutes played, to be replaced by Jordan Henderson.

Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino created most chances for the Reds, but it was still goalless at the break, the home side unable to break the deadlock despite 12 chances and 84% possession in the first half alone!

The atmosphere reflected the frustration and disappointment, the Maribor fans making themselves heard at Anfield more than once or twice.

Momo finally found the breakthrough shortly after the interval with a cheeky back-footer, Joël Matip winning the ball back near the centre-circle, passing to Trent Alexander-Arnold, who found the Egyptian in the box.

Salah registered his 10th goal in all competitions, plus three assists, that's more goal involvements than any other LFC player.

Seconds later, the Reds were awarded a penalty after Bobby was wrestled to the ground by Aleksander Rajčević, who was booked for his wrestling/judo skills.

Skipper James Milner's spot kick was soft and predictable, Handanović able to glove it onto the post and clear.

With that miss, Liverpool have messed up five out of their last seven penalties!

Salah missed more sitters, Firmino was denied by Handanović, the crowd died down and shut down more and more in silence.

Even Jürgen Klopp showed less tantrums and more composure than usual. Worrying. Disappointing.

Emre Can finally doubled the lead with just under half an hour to go, banging the ball from the centre of the box with his right foot into the back of the net off Milner's pass.

Loris Karius did not have much to do, but the couple of times Maribor did attack, the keeper showed full attention and good focus, stopping and saving well.

Substitute Daniel Sturridge made it three in the final minute, waking up Anfield with a nice first touch and then strong volley with his left foot, capitalising off another Red corner and sleepy defence in the box.

It was a very one-sided game, but the visitors can be very happy the way they frustrated the hell out of the home side. Patience is a virtue. One more and more LFC fans seem to lack...

It is a win for the Reds which sees them top of Group E, a point ahead of Sevilla in second, plus a clean sheet, but it was nowhere near the quality, glory and entertainment of other European clashes.

On a more positive note, Liverpool have kept four clean sheets in their past five games in all competitions, after managing none in the seven games before that, and have scored 14 in the last five matches. 14!

⚽️👊🏻⚽️👊🏻⚽️

I stayed SOBER FOR OCTOBER - you can still help and donate to MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT here. Thanks. #Cheers #ToHealth #ToLife

Liverpool Goals: Salah 49', Can 64' & Sturridge 90'.

Liverpool Team: 1 Karius; 18 Moreno, 17 Klavan, 32 Matip, 66 Alexander-Arnold; 5 Wijnaldum (14 Henderson 16'), 23 Can, 7 Milner (c); 11 Salah (15 Sturridge 73'), 9 Firmino (16 Grujić 85'), 21 Oxlade-Chamberlain. 4-3-3
Substitutes not used: 22 Mignolet, 12 Gomez, 26 Robertson, 29 Solanke.
Coach: Jürgen Klopp

NK Maribor Team: 33 Handanović (c); 4 Šuler, 26 Rajčević (booked 53'), 3 Billong; 28 Viler, 8 Kabha, 6 Pihler, 22 Milec; 39 Bohar (booked 23') (20 Bajde 69'), 27 Mešanović (9 Tavares 58'), 10 Hotić (7 Ahmedi 81'). 3-4-3
Substitutes not used: 69 Obradović, 5 Vrhovec, 12 Vršič, 29 Palčič.
Coach: Darko Milanoč

HT Stats: LFC 0-0 NKM
Possession: 84%-16%
Passes: 459-91
Shots: 12-1
On target: 2-0
Corners: 9-0
Fouls: 2-4
Yellow cards: 0-1

FT Stats: LFC 3-0 NKM
Possession: 75%-25%
Shots: 23-5
On target: 9-1
Corners: 17-2
Fouls: 7-9
Yellow cards: 0-2

Referee: Ivan Kružliak (SVK)
Assistants: Martin Balko & Tomaš Somolani (SVK)
Additional assistants: Peter Kralović & Filip Glova (SVK)
Fourth official: Branislav Hancko (SVK)
UEFA delegate: Danilo Filacchione (ITA)
Man of the match: Emre Can
Ground: Anfield

Click here for my previous LFC match report.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report, Twitter and beIN sport live match coverage.