Sadio Mane bags an eighth goal of the season as Liverpool leave it late at Goodison. Daniel Sturridge climbs off the bench to help make the breakthrough as the Reds stand firm in defence to serve up a fourth clean sheet in six.
On The Rise
Sadio Mane
A late winner at Goodison took the Liverpool wide man to just one point behind Eden Hazard in the race for second spot in the FPL midfield standings.
Mane has thrived since Philippe Coutinho limped out of action last month, serving up two goals and four assists in the last five Gameweeks.
Frustratingly for his 20.9% FPL owners, Senegal’s qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations (which gets underway in January 14) means they will soon need to make exit plans.
Nonetheless, Mane should still be around for three more Gameweeks, with the Reds facing back-to-back home clashes against Stoke and Man City prior to a trip to Sunderland on January 2.
Daniel Sturridge
Emerging from the bench as a replacement for Divock Origi late in the second-half, Sturridge needed little time to make an impact.
Earning the assist for Mane’s goal after his shot rebounded off the post, the England international’s return to action arrives just as the fixtures pick up pace.
Given that Liverpool play Stoke, Man City and and Sunderland over the space of six days from next Tuesday onwards, we can expect a degree of rest and rotation, allowing Sturridge the chance to build up his minutes after another period on the sidelines.
If – a big if – he can steer clear of injuries, Mane’s imminent departure could even offer Sturridge further opportunity to establish himself under Jurgen Klopp over the next month or so.
Nathaniel Clyne
The 1-0 win at Goodison took Liverpool’s tally to five clean sheets for the season, with four arriving in the last six Gameweeks.
Impressively, Clyne has now collected bonus points on all five occasions that the Merseysiders have chalked up a shutout, underlining just why he’s the priciest pick amongst Jurgen Klopp’s backline regulars.
The Reds are braced for a mixed upcoming schedule, though boast three excellent fixtures (STO, SWA, sun) in the next five that look promising for further defensive returns.
In Decline
Divock Origi
The Belgian’s recent form can barely be faulted, having scored in four successive Gameweeks prior to last night’s blank.
Yet the impact of fit-again Sturridge off the bench is a concern for Origi’s 8.7% of FPL owners and there’s every chance that the England man could nick at least one start off the youngster due to the hectic nature of next week’s schedule.
With Philippe Coutinho also closing in on a return, Origi’s starting berth now appears to be under severe pressure.
Roberto Firmino
It’s six straight blanks now for the Liverpool midfielder, who continues to toil on the left flank as a result of Coutinho’s ankle injury absence.
Although his compatriot is rumoured to be hopeful of returning before the New Year, Firmino – the third most transferred out player last week – continues to lose owners at pace.
Over 10,000 FPL managers have already shipped him since the weekend, with the switch to Theo Walcott looking very appealing ahead of Arsenal’s fine upcoming schedule.
Romelu Lukaku
The decline of Everton’s frontman shows no sign of slowing down after yet another abject display.
After starting the season with a goal or assist in six of his first nine, Lukaku has subsequently blanked in six of the last seven Gameweeks.
The schedule does turn in his favour from Gameweek 22, though there seems little chance that his current 25% ownership will remain loyal until that point.
