A contrasting night in the Europe for our Premier League favourites. Liverpool prevail thanks to an all-action substitute appearance from Steven Gerrard but City struggle again, falling to a pair of late goals in Poland, leaving Roberto Mancini somewhat perplexed.

Back at home, there are injury updates on Dirk Kuyt and Jermain Defoe, more talk of Theo Walcott the striker and some scaremongering from Ashley Cole. Bless him.

Here’s some Friday morning scribbles…

Steven Gerrard led by example at Anfield, emerging from the bench to steer Liverpool to a second-half comeback against Napoli. The skipper helped himself to a hat-trick of goals which included a somewhat fortuitous opener, a spot-kick and a late smart finish. Nonetheless, Gerrard’s showing once again highlighted his value to the Liverpool side and blinked him on our Fantasy radars.

Gerrard has remained one of the top performers in the Premier League this season, without setting the world alight and justifying his price tag (11.4) in Fantasy terms.

Our Members can help themselves to the Midfield statistics and get a view on just how much potential Gerrard continues to offer in terms of Key Passes and Passes in the Opponents Half. His influence on games remains up there with the very best midfielders; turning that into points will need stronger form from Liverpool, a fit and firing Fernando Torres and perhaps a run of kinder opposition.

There’s the promise of all three to come. Again Members can view their season long ticker and spot that from Gameweek 12, right through to Gameweek 21, Gerrard will have a run of opponents that should give him and Liverpool the opportunity to come to prominence. Gerrard could yet be a key component of our Fantasy lineups in 2011.

Glen Johnson (7.1) returned to the Liverpool lineup last night and looked rusty at times but still showed his attacking threat with an effort on goal and the assist for Gerrard’s penalty. In Fantasy terms he has been somewhat usurped by Paul Konchesky’s price (5.1) in the same back four. His return to the starting lineup will demand a reshuffle on Roy Hodgson’s part. Jamie Carragher will now surely shift to his central defensive role leaving Hodgson to decide between Martin Skrtel and Sotirios Kyrgiakos for the final slot in the Liverpool rearguard.

David Ngog suffered a knock to his shin in last night’s game and will be a doubt for the Chelsea game on Sunday.

Man City’s well-publicised troubles continued, on the pitch this time. Roberto Martinez was left cursing his luck after two late goals saw his side slip to a 3-1 defeat to Lech Poznan in Poland.

Mancini’s lineup had more than a whiff of second-string about it suggesting that the likes of Adam Johnson, Micah Richards and Joleon Lescott could miss out in the starting XI for the trip to the Hawthorns having gained 90 minutes last night. Despite scoring his fifth goal in three starts in Poland, Emmanuel Adebayor could well find himself on the bench against the Baggies on Sunday. Mario Balotelli was an unused sub last night and would seem likely to return in a 4-5-1 as Mancini looks to end a losing streak of three matches. Carlos Tevez could also be in contention of course, according to Mancini’s comments earlier in the week.

Aleksandar Kolarov returned from injury to see action as a sub on 70 minutes last night. With stories indicating that Wayne Bridge is on his way out of City, there seems no doubt that Kolarov will have a run at the left-back role once he’s fully fit. At 5.7 in the FPL – he would offer decent potential and an effective route to City clean sheets once Mancini has steadied the ship.

Ashley Cole’s ongoing ankle problems got some oxygen in reports today. Cole spoke out about his frequent inability to train with plenty of quotes indicating that it remains a real concern for Chelsea backroom staff…

“I can train the next day if I want but the coaches here and the medical department say: ‘Just stay inside and rest. You don’t need to go out, you run enough in the games.”

With three league matches in seven days starting from Sunday’s trip to Anfield, you have to wonder when the injury will start to catch up with Cole and impact on his Fantasy owners.

Dirk Kuyt could yet return to the Liverpool lineup to face Ashley Cole and Chelsea on Sunday. The Dutchman is expected to train with the squad today and indicated that his chances depend now on Roy Hodgson’s outlook…

“It depends on how the next couple of days go. Hopefully the team training will be okay and at the end of the day it will be up to the manager.”

Jermain Defoe could make a return for Spurs as early as the home fixture with Blackburn a week on Saturday according to reports today.

Defoe’s return date seems to be cut back with each new report on his recovery from an ankle injury. The significance for Fantasy Managers concerns not only Defoe’s availability but also a potential change in system from Harry Redknapp. The Spurs boss has lined up with a lone striker, allowing Rafael Van der Vaart to play just off the frontman in support. Defoe’s return could well force a change in that system, impacting on Van der Vaart’s impressive output to this point.

Defoe has however indicated that he feels he can play the lone striker role with Van der Vaart behind him…

“It would be like for England, when Wayne Rooney plays just behind me”

Theo Walcott could well end up playing a striker’s role before the season is up. All the talk from Arsene Wenger surrounding Walcott’s impressive goal tally this season has him stating that the flyer is well capable of making the transition to a forward. The player himself has added further fuel to that…

“I will play anywhere for the Arsenal, but it is nice to know the manager has got different hopes for me playing up front because for me personally I am a striker”

Despite his form, Walcott faces a battle to earn a start against Newcastle this weekend and he may find himself on the bench to be used as an impact sub. We may see Wenger using his pace in the starting lineup away from home, which could see him get the nod at Wolves in midweek and against Everton at Goodison following that. If Walcott can maintain a run of starts his potential to Fantasy Managers looks strong – particularly at a price of 7.2.

Steve Bruce has confirmed that he will ring the changes following the dismal 5-1 thrashing at the hands of local rivals Newcastle. We can expect starts for Craig Gordon and Kieran Richardson as Bruce looks to inject some experience into his side. John Mensah is expected to replace the suspended Titus Bramble at the back and, perhaps most significantly, Bruce has indicated that Asamoah Gyan will start. That will see a shift to 4-4-2 with the concern that this will leave Elmohamady out in the cold. It seems more likely that Danny Welbeck will drop to the bench to offer an alternative replacement for the front two – Elmohamady should start on the right of midfield then.