Scout Scribbles – Liverpool Leave it Late

Steven Gerrard and Mario Balotelli grab the goals as Liverpool narrowly defeat Ludogorets. Jack Wilshere picks up an ankle problem in Arsenal’s defeat in Dortmund. Jordi Amat is out for six weeks for Swansea, Gus Poyet hopes new boy Sebastian Coates can challenge for a starting role in defence, while Newcastle’s young winger Rolando Aarons is out until November with a hamstring injury.

Reds Scrape a Late Win

Brendan Rodgers made just one alteration from the XI that started last weekend’s home loss to Villa, with Raheem Sterling coming in for the suspended Lazar Markovic for the visit of Bulgarian side Ludogorets. Mario Balotelli notched his first goal for the Merseysiders, with attacking left-back Alberto Moreno earning an assist, before Steven Gerrard slotted home a last-gasp spot-kick to ensure Liverpool opened their Champions League campaign with a win.

The Scout Says: They may have picked up the three points but Liverpool did little to convince Fantasy managers after serving up another lethargic display. With Daniel Sturridge still sidelined, Sterling and Adam Lallana flanked Balotelli in a front three before Rodgers opted for a midfield diamond on 67 minutes, introducing Fabio Borini alongside his compatriot up front, with Sterling tucked in behind the strikers. The domestic schedule remains very much in Liverpool’s favour right now – a trip to West Ham precedes three home fixtures (EVE, WBA, HUL) and a visit to QPR in the subsequent four – and Sterling’s 46% ownership will be a lot more confident if his manager retains the teenager in a central role as the Reds look to bounce back from last week’s loss to Villa.

Gunners Slump to Dortmund Defeat

Arsenal were even less impressive last night after losing 2-0 to Jurgen Klopp’s Dortmund. Arsene Wenger made three changes from the side that drew with City – Kieran Gibbs replaced Nacho Monreal at left-back, Mikel Arteta was selected in front of the back-four after Mathieu Flamini picked up a minor thigh problem, while youngster Hector Bellerin came in for the injured Mathieu Debuchy, with Callum Chambers fit enough only for the bench after a bout of tonsillitis.

The Scout Says: The Gunners managed just a single shot on target all evening and Danny Welbeck – who was snapped up by 237,000 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers in the last Gameweek – is clearly yet to find his feet as the lone striker. From a Fantasy perspective, owners of Aaron Ramey and Alexis Sanchez can breathe easy after both avoided injury, though Wenger confirmed after the match that Jack Wilshere has “turned an ankle” and is set for scans. Arsenal now pay visit to a Villa side defence this weekend that have conceded just one goal to date, and with matches against Spurs and Chelsea to follow, they have a tough task to get their domestic campaign up and running again.

Amat Blow for Swans

The central defender has been ruled out for up to six weeks with the knee injury sustained during Saturday’s loss to Chelsea.

The Scout Says: Amat’s stint on the sidelines allows Garry Monk the chance to hand new signing Federico Fernandez his first start of the season for next weekend’s home clash with Southampton. The Spaniard had started all four league fixtures alongside Ashley Williams but was subbed off at the break in the 4-2 weekend defeat. With the upcoming fixtures fairly decent for the Welsh club (SOU, sun, NEW, sto, LEI), Monk will be optimistic of bouncing back from their first loss of the new campaign. From a Fantasy perspective, though, Amat’s injury deprives us of another 4.5 price starting option, though – with Fernandez priced at 5.0, Neil Taylor is now the only budget alternative on offer at the Liberty.

Poyet Talks Up Coates’ Prospects

The Sunderland boss is optimistic that his loan signing from Liverpool could soon be ready to battle for a place in the heart of the back-four:

“I know Sebber, I recommended him to England in the beginning when he came to Liverpool. He was a 6ft 3in centre-half, calm on the ball and with aggression. He’s a good player. Slowly, he’s going to have to start competing with Wes and John and when he has the chance to play in any game – even in the cup – he needs to perform. I think it’s a great chance for him as well and a great challenge. We needed a centre-half too, so it works both ways in helping each other.”

The Scout Says: Having failed to pick up a clean sheet in their first four fixtures, the Black Cats have struggled to justify our defensive investment thus far. Sunderland ended the previous campaign strongly and chalked up a trio of shut outs in the final four matches, but despite keeping faith in Wes Brown and John O’Shea, Poyet’s defence has been breached every time. At just 4.5 in FPL, Coates could be one to consider if he can nail down a starting berth, though for now, Patrick van Aanholt and Vito Mannone look the most appealing options ahead of a schedule that pits the Wearsiders against Burnley, Swansea, Stoke and Southampton in the next four Gameweeks.

Aarons Sidelined for Newcastle

Under-fire Magpies boss Alan Pardew was dealt more bad news yesterday after receiving confirmation that young winger Rolando Aarons could be out until November with a hamstring injury.

The Scout Says: Aaron’s impact off the bench in Gameweek 3 was the one bright note in the Tyneside team’s recent toils. Handed just 24 minutes as a second-half sub against Palace, the youngster served up a goal and assist in the 3-3 draw with a display that suggested he could be set to win a regular role for Newcastle. Having picked up the problem prior to last week’s hammering at Southampton, his absence – allied with Siem de Jong’s long-term thigh injury – will force Pardew to rely on Yoan Gouffran and Moussa Sissoko alongside Remy Cabella in the attacking midfield three. Given that the Palace encounter was the only match in which the Magpies have scored in this season, faith in their attacking assets could barely be any lower.

Foster Playing Through Pain Barrier

The West Brom number one has admitted he’s still struggling with a thumb injury picked up on England duty recently.

“I am managing it pretty well and getting some injections in it to kill the pain, so it’s fine. It is the way it is and I just have to hope it heals itself. I’m hopeful it will and the doctors are as well so that’s that. It’s OK. There was a little bit of bone that I chipped off it in training, which is a little bit unfortunate. I have been trying to inject it and manage it a little bit.”

The Scout Says: Given that the Baggies have conceded at least twice in three of their four matches under Alan Irvine, it’s fair to say few, if any, Fantasy managers are interested in their defence. Foster’s injury is one to monitor, though – if he fails to properly recover and opt to go under the knife, it would bring Boaz Myhill into contention as a 4.0 stopper, though defensive returns admittedly look far from likely right now, with Spurs, Liverpool and United in the next four.