Jamie Vardy resumes the party as Leicester City revive their title-winning performance levels to run Liverpool ragged, while Philippe Coutinho provides the only bright spark for the humbled Reds.
On the Rise
Jamie Vardy
The hat-trick in Gameweek 15 against Manchester City came from nowhere and, several months later, Vardy again seemingly plucked a performance from thin air to blitz Liverpool.
Chasing and hassling throughout, the hunger and energy was back in Vardy’s game. But that was coupled with two clinical finishes, reminiscent of his 24-goal title-winning campaign.
In Fantasy terms, our interest remains on ice. Judgement on any potential Leicester City revival has to be reserved until we assess them against Marco Silva’s Hull City, a team that will surely be more savvy to the Foxes’ ploys, shutting down the space behind their defence to limit Vardy’s impact.
A full-blown renaissance would be a major development which could possibly unlock Vardy and accompanying Leicester assets as options.
But priced at 9.6, Vardy would remain a major investment risk given the stability and consistency now on offer from the “big four” strikers.
Christian Fuchs
A superb assist, two chances created overall and a pair of attempts on goal – Fuchs was another to roll back to his 2015/16 form, reminding us of what might have been.
Returning four assists and 15 clean sheets last term, the Austrian was a powerful asset and, like Patrick van Aanholt for Sunderland in 2015/16, always our go-to option when the fixtures lent themselves to Leicester defensive investment.
Monday’s display suggested that this could be the case again, as he powered down the flank to support his winger, with Riyad Mahrez and Marc Albrighton swapping throughout.
A King Power Stadium double-header approaches that brings both Stoke City and Sunderland over Gameweeks 30-31 and may yet see the Leicester rearguard make a late claim for consideration.
Philippe Coutinho
The Brazilian was another asset to emerge from Monday’s clash offering the suggestion of a revival.
Previously established as our preferred route into Liverpool’s midfield, Coutinho had been de-railed by an injury and then superseded by team-mates.
Sadio Mane went into Monday’s encounter acquired by more than 366,000 new owners and with 111,000+ armband backers.
But while the Senegalese huffed and puffed without effect to be replaced, along with Adam Lallana, on 66 minutes, it was left to Coutinho to drag Liverpool back into the match.
He obliged with a second-half strike that was to prove academic. However, it still marked Coutinho’s first goal and attacking points since the Gameweek 11, ending a run of eight appearances and seven starts without returns.
Perhaps more significantly, Coutinho amassed a total of six efforts on goal, three from inside the box – more than any other midfielder in Gameweek 26 and tied with Harry Kane and Christian Benteke overall.
In terms of goal threat, it equalled Coutinho’s best performances of the season – indication perhaps that another power shift in the Reds’ midfield is imminent.
