Fernando Torres, a doubt before kick-off with a stomach bug, did the business again last night as he notched his second Premiership hat-trick as Liverpool strode into fourth with a 4-0 win over West Ham. Gerrard also got in the act with a goal, while the clean sheet for Carragher and friends put the icing on the cake for those fantasy managers who invested big in Rafa’s side for their two games in a week bonanza. Here’s my notes from Anfield…
Liverpool 4 West Ham 0
Rafa made a few changes but resited rotating his troops to the degree he has previously. Carragher moved back to the a central defensive role as expected with Arbeloa coming in at right-back. Finnan was sidelined with a groin injury. Hyypia dropped to the bench to make way, with Skrtel keeping his place in the side. Aurellio dropped out of sixteen with Riise coming in at left-back. Elsewhere Liverpool were unchanged with Babel and Alonso keeping their places. Kuyt partnered Torres once more with Crouch benched.
Rafa seems to have settled on the new formation that see’s Kuyt placed wide on the right and Babel on the left with Gerrard pushing down the centre to support Torres up front. Mascherano and Alonso are left to sheild the back four. It appears to be a settled tactic and, more importantly, a settled lineup, particluarly in midfield. Babel has now started the last six matches in all competitions and while Benayoun and Pennant are a threat, it appears that Rafa has the left wing role earmarked for the Dutchman, with his compatriot Kuyt occupying the right-hand side.
It’s at the back where there is still some doubt as to Rafa’s strongest lineup. Hyypia’s relegation to the bench could indicate that Skrtel has moved up the pecking order and with Agger turning out for the reserves on Tuesday night, Hyypia’s run in the side looks almost over. At full-back, Aurellio did appear to have the left-back position tied up but tonight’s clean sheet will help Riise’s cause. Finnan was injured tonight and he and Arbeloa still contest right-back with no clear winner as yet. Carragher remains the only sure bet in the back four then.
Liverpool have now scored three or more goals in four of their last five games and kept clean sheets in three of those. Looking at their fixtures, that run could well continue. Three of the next four come at home against Newcastle, Reading and Everton. In between that they travel to Old Trafford for what will be a key game in the title race. It’s certainly worth holding on to the Liverpool players bought in for the double gameweek for at least another two weeks then and, even if you missed the boat with the double fixtures, Torres and Gerrard remain very attractive options over the next five.
Torres has scored seven Premiership goals in the last five, earning seven FPL bonus along the way. Gerrard meanwhile, has picked up, with two goals and an assist in the last five. He’s also scored two FPL bonus points in the last four consecutive games. He’s the new Fabregas in that respect.