James Milner nets again as Liverpool chalk up a third straight win. Watford’s Matej Vydra and West Brom forward Brown Ideye also score for the second successive match, whilst Cameron Jerome misses out through injury as Norwich fall to defeat.
Adelaide United 0 Liverpool 2
Rodgers opted for a 4-3-3 set-up for the Reds’ impressive win over the Australian outfit, with central striker Divock Origi flanked by Jordon Ibe and Adam Lallana. Joe Allen, Jordan Henderson and James Milner were stationed in midfield, while the back five comprised of Simon Mignolet, Nathaniel Clyne, Martin Skrtel, Dejan Lovren and Joe Gomez.
Ibe, a 5.0 midfielder in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL), was the stand-out performer on show, delivering the cross for James Milner’s opener, before Danny Ings recorded his debut goal for the club.
Milner has now netted in two consecutive matches while deployed in a central midfield berth, strengthening his claim to be selected ahead of the identically priced Henderson (7.0). Joe Gomez also put on another impressive display as the 18-year-old continued to stake a claim for a starting role following his move from Charlton; Gomez is yet to be added to the FPL roster but is likely to be priced at 4.5 on his inclusion.
As for Ibe, Rodgers favours the London-born starlet in a wide role but didn’t rule out the possibility of fielding him as a number 10:
“I’ve played him in the No.10 [role] – I’ve had a little look at him in there and I think he could maybe play that role as well, but I think he is a natural winger that likes to be on the outside. He’s happy to be in the duel and likes to set up the one v one. His best positions will be on the sides, for sure.”
SC Paderborn 07 0 Watford 2
The Hornets capped off their tour of Germany with a well-fought victory, besting second-tier outfit Paderborn in a tempestuous affair. Matej Vydra scored for the second successive match after latching onto a through ball from Troy Deeney, while Odion Ighalo continued his run of scoring in every warm-up tie by netting his sixth goal in four encounters. Ighalo (5.0) – who’s priced below Deeney (5.5) – is certainly enhancing his viability as a budget third striker. Intriguingly, Ighalo has been linked with a move to Villa as Tim Sherwood looks for a new centre-forward in light of Christian Benteke’s imminent departure.
Quique Sanchez Flores slightly tweaked his tactics this time around, according to the local press. Having started with a 4-2-3-1 in previous matches, he moved to a 4-1-3-2 set-up. Giederius Arlauskis and Allan Nyom were handed debuts in defence alongside Sebastian Prodl, Craig Cathcart and Jose Holebas. Etienne Capoue sat in front of the back-four, whilst Vydra joined Troy Deeney up front, with Almen Abdi, Valon Behrami and Ben Watson stationed behind. Flores made six changes over the course of the second half and allowed Ighalo – who had been featured in attacking midfield in every previous match over the close-season – to replace Vydra alongside Deeney in the front two this time.
Richmond Kickers 1 West Bromwich Albion 2
The Baggies left it late to triumph over their Virginia-based opponents, with Brown Ideye heading home one minute from time following a Stephane Sessegnon cross to claim his second goal in as many matches. James McClean bagged the West Midlanders’ first of the afternoon, unleashing a 25-yard dipping strike after cutting in from the right wing.
Chris Brunt started at left-back, enabling McClean to operate further forward in a 4-4-2 set-up. Liam O’Neill, Gareth McAuley and Jonas Olsson joined the former in defence, while Darren Fletcher, Claudio Yacob and Callum McManaman lined up with the latter in midfield. Saido Berahino and Victor Anichebe were partnered up top for the first period.
Jonas Olsson is now an injury doubt after he limped off five minutes before the final whistle. Joleon Lescot and Craig Dawson, meanwhile, were rested as a precaution and are expected to face Swindon Town on July 25.
Maccabi Haifa 1 Norwich City 0
The Canaries fell to their first defeat of the summer, having easily dispatched of three lower-league English sides in the past ten days. Nathan Redmond made his first appearance since returning from international duty with the England U21s. Sebastien Bassong paired up with Ryan Bennett in central defence, with Elliot Bennett at right-back and, significantly, Bradley Johnson at left-back. Gary O’Neil, Graham Dorrans and Jonny Howson joined Redmond in midfield, with Tony Andreu supporting Gary Hooper in attack.
Johnson’s shift to the defence will be a mild concern given that, at 5.5 in the FPL, he is considered a strong budget midfield option, having struck 15 goals in the Canaries’ promotion season. On the flipside, Andreu has caught the eye in pre-season and is being given opportunities in an attacking role. Once compared to Cesc Fabregas in style, Andreu is available as a 4.5 midfielder. Elsewhere for the Canaries, Cameron Jerome missed out after sustaining a foot injury against Cambridge on Friday evening. The striker, who has scored five goals so far this summer, now has a protective cast on his foot as a precautionary measure.
A reminder that all these results, along with Scout Notes on formations and form players is being captured on our dedicated page right here.
