Scout Scribbles – All Square at Anfield

Raheem Sterling grabs a vital leveller as Liverpool turn in a dominant home display against Chelsea in the Capital One Cup semi-final. Eden Hazard’s converted spot-kick earns the league leaders a draw ahead of next week’s second-leg at the Bridge. Swansea’s Wayne Routledge is ruled out for four weeks, Wilfried Bony bags an assist as the Ivory Coast earn a draw in their African Cup of Nations opener, whilst Sadio Mane proves his fitness for Senegal.

STERLING STRIKES IN SEMI-FINAL STALEMATE

Brendan Rodgers made just one change to his Liverpool starting XI for their Capital One Cup semi-final first-leg tie with Chelsea last night, introducing Steven Gerrard for Fabio Borini. Raheem Sterling moved up front, flanked by Lazar Markovic and Philippe Coutinho, and grabbed the Reds’ equaliser with a stunning solo effort in the 1-1 draw.

Post-match, Rodgers highlighted Sterling’s recent break as a major factor in the youngster’s energetic performance:

“This is about the boy’s life and his career. People will talk about it but I’m only worried about the kid. You could see tonight he was probably fresher, not so much physically but mentally. He’s had so much put on him so early in his career. There is no doubt he is an exceptional young talent.”

The Scout Says: After a difficult first half of the season, Rodgers’ charges are finally beginning to find their stride. The Merseysiders more than held their own against the current Premier League leaders, firing in an impressive 19 attempts and dominating the possession with 62% of the ball. Even with a tough schedule on the horizon (WHM, eve, TOT, sou, MCI), last night’s commanding display suggests they could still prevail over the coming weeks, with their 3-4-2-1 set-up currently going from strength to strength. Sterling’s 29% ownership will be hopeful that the youngster can hold on to the lone forward role for their next league fixture after yesterday’s finely taken goal, though with Borini and Rickie Lambert both finding the net at the weekend, and Daniel Sturridge edging ever closer to a comeback, Rodgers may finally be able to place his faith in his recognised strikers from here on in.

HAZARD HANDS BLUES ADVANTAGE

Last night’s cup clash saw Jose Mourinho make two alterations to the side that thrashed Swansea last Saturday, as Thibaut Courtois and Jon Obi Mikel were brought in for Petr Cech and Oscar, with Cesc Fabregas moved in behind Diego Costa. Eden Hazard earned and slotted home a penalty to put the Blues in the lead before Sterling’s equaliser levelled the tie and ensured there is still everything to play for in the second leg, despite the Londoner’s away goal advantage.

The Scout Says: Truth be told, Mourinho’s side rather papered over the cracks of a slack showing at Anfield. Hazard’s penalty was their only shot on target all night, with just two efforts amassed across the 90 minutes in a performance miles apart from their dominant display against the Swans. Nevertheless, Hazard’s owners will still have reason for cheer, with the Belgian’s stand-out performance offering a certain amount of encouragement after his disappointing blank in the rout last weekend. Like Liverpool, the Blues have two more cup matches before league action recommences, and a host of changes looks likely for their weekend visit of Bradford given that the second leg with Liverpool arrives just three days later, which could provide the likes of Loic Remy and Andre Schurrle with a chance to impress.

ROUTLEDGE RULED OUT FOR A MONTH

Swansea have confirmed that Wayne Routledge is set to be out for four weeks with the calf strain suffered during the weekend home loss to Chelsea. Meanwhile, Swans skipper Ashley Williams has been ruled out of his side’s FA Cup encounter with Blackburn this weekend due to a shoulder complaint, but should return to training next week.

The Scout Says: Having played all but two league matches for the Swans this season, Routledge’s loss will naturally come as a huge blow. However, yesterday’s announcement was accompanied by the news that Jefferson Montero has returned to full training after recovering from a hamstring injury suffered on Boxing Day. The Ecuadorian’s tally of four assists in his previous nine appearances is more than Routledge and Nathan Dyer have managed combined this season, and Montero now looks set to reclaim a starting role ahead of some kind clashes against Sunderland, West Brom and Burnley in his next five. Meanwhile, Williams’ anticipated quick recovery in time for Gameweek 23 will come as a relief to the Welsh side, who have now conceded 11 times in their last four league fixtures.

ELEPHANTS STUMBLE IN CUP OPENER

Wilfried Bony, Yaya Toure and Cheik Tiote were all handed starts as Ivory Coast earned a 1-1 draw with Guinea in their first African Cup of Nations fixture, with the former supplying the assist for his side’s equaliser after they were reduced to 10 men early in the second-half.

The Scout Says: Regardless of yesterday’s slight setback, the Elephants’ wealth of talent means they remain the favourites for the tournament. Should they indeed reach the final, Bony, Toure and Tiote will be out of contention for their respective sides until Gameweek 26, meaning they will miss the next three rounds of league fixtures. That could prove costly for Man City in particular, who certainly could have used the dominance of Toure and goal threat of new signing Bony in their 2-0 defeat to Arsenal last time out. With an all-important trip to Chelsea next on the agenda, there’s no doubt that the pair will be sorely missed once again; a repeat of the dismal attacking performance from Sunday’s match could spell disaster for the champions, who would slip eight points behind the Blues, should they lose. Surprisingly, Manuel Pellegrini opted for a lone striker system against the Gunners, despite the availability of Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic, but will surely turn to a two-man frontline as he attempts to reduce the deficit at the summit.

MANE READY TO MAKE ACoN BOW

Reports have revealed that Southampton’s Saido Mane is back in full training and should be fit for Senegal’s second ACoN match against South Africa on Friday.

The Scout Says: Mane’s return means that he has justified Senegal’s decision to select him in their 23-man squad, and with his side having already won their first match of the tournament, the winger could be on course to reach the knockout stages of the competition with another victory on Friday. With Mane fit again, then, Senegal’s progress in Africa looks set to have a direct impact on the pitch time of Southampton’s new boy Eljero Elia back on English soil; should they reach the final, Elia is certain to start at least the next three for the Saints, and if the 5.5-priced Dutchman can maintain the form that saw him grab a brace on Saturday, Mane will surely have a tough task to reclaim a starting berth upon his return to England.