Liverpool pick themselves up from last week’s defeat by Villa to sweep aside an insipid Fulham at Anfield. Steven Gerrard, Stewart Downing and Martin Skrtel all register Fantasy Premier League (FPL) double figure returns as the Reds move up to eighth in the table:
On the Up
Steven Gerrard
A goal and two assists against Fulham this evening was the Liverpool skipper’s highest haul of the campaign so far, with maximum bonus points also likely to follow. Gerrard has now scored or assisted in three of the Reds’ four games since the return of Lucas to the midfield – a clear sign of the Brazilian’s impact on his Fantasy prospects.
Stewart Downing
The former Middlesbrough and Villa man had deputised for Jose Enrique at left-back last weekend but with the Spaniard fit and available, Downing was shifted to the right of the front three. A goal and assist highlighted his potential if given a consistency of game time – he has now started five of the last six for the Reds.
Liverpool Defence
The Reds recovered from last week’s home loss to Villa to register their fifth clean sheet in the last seven at Anfield. Although Glen Johnson’s recent run of attacking returns came to an end, Jose Enrique’s assist for Luis Suarez’s late goal means the Spaniard has averaged 10 points per game over his last four at home, while Martin Skrtel’s opener took his tally to 64 points – just two less than Johnson for the season so far.
Luis Suarez
It looked set to be another frustrating afternoon for the Uruguayan’s owners but he returned to goalscoring ways for the first time since Gameweek 12 with a last-minute strike sealing an emphatic win for the hosts. While a trip to Stoke could pose problems, the Reds then face QPR and Sunderland, handing Suarez the chance to continue his return to form.
Going Down
Raheem Sterling
Brendan Rodgers had hinted in midweek the teenager was looking a little fatigued of late and the Liverpool boss backed up his threat by resting Sterling against the Cottagers. The winger was on the bench for the first time since breaking into the first XI back in Gameweek 2 and, although he managed a brief sub appearance late on, with Downing in form and Suso impressing, Sterling’s guaranteed game time may yet come into question.
Dimitar Berbatov
Handed a lone forward role as Martin Jol rolled out a 4-5-1, the Bulgarian dropped deeper after the break as the visitors moved to 4-4-2 in order to chase a two-goal deficit. His short-term fixtures look superb (SOU, SWA, wba, WIG) but with blanks in each of his last seven, Berbatov is severely trying the patience of his 10.7% FPL owners.
Fulham Defence
Four goals conceded took their total to 33 against – only Reading and Wigan have shipped more. Martin Jol’s side have now conceded 22 on the road, the worst defensive away record in the league – those above-mentioned three home games are becoming more crucial than ever if Fulham are to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle; they have won just once in the last 10 matches.
