A first win in six, a first clean sheet in eight – West Brom turned up at Anfield and failed to read the double Gameweek script. Steven Gerrard’s missed spot-kick compounded an evening of the unexpected, as Ben Foster’s inspired performance frustrated Liverpool and Fantasy managers alike. Here’s the Stock Check on Monday’s events…
On the Up
Ben Foster
A simply outstanding display by the Baggies stopper, capped by a stunning save from Steven Gerrard’s spot-kick. This was a first clean sheet in eight for Foster, a first away from home. With fixtures brightening for Steve Clarke’s side, we may yet see Foster build on tonight’s performance and start to attract Fantasy interest.
Gareth McAuley
The opening goal from McAuley, his second strike of the season, underlined his credentials as the luxury item in the West Brom defence – a proposition that has tempted few given their poor record of late. Like Foster, however, tonight’s returns may well earn him attention, particularly with the schedule presenting further opportunities for shut-outs in the coming weeks.
Romelu Lukaku
The big Belgian started the game on the bench as Steve Clarke bolstered his midfield with the return of Youssouff Mulumbu. Shane Long kept his start, then, but was overshadowed by the cameo role played by Lukaku late on. An early warning saw the Chelsea loanee threaten the goal, breaking from inside his own half, only for him to seal the victory with a superb first touch and calm finish just minutes later.
Going Down
Steven Gerrard
It’s harsh on Gerrard given Foster’s outstanding save, both from his second half effort and his penalty. Having said that, such is the competition for places in our midfields, failure to register points at home to Swansea on Sunday will surely see Gerrard suffer significant sales ahead of the Gameweek 27 blank, as the clamour for Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott and Juan Mata continues to build .
Luis Suarez
Brendan Rodgers decided against risking Daniel Sturridge, assuring us that “he should be okay” for Sunday’s meeting with Swansea. Suarez shifted back to a central attacking role, then, only to put on one of his least effective performances in memory. While Suarez won a rather dubious spot-kick, he contributed little else as the West Brom defence coped admirably with his movement and close control; an eighth booking of the season only compounded the frustration for Suarez’s owners.
The Liverpool Defence
They had look such a strong proposition ahead of home clashes with West Brom and Swansea and yet, following tonight’s setback, Brendan Rodgers’ back four have now conceded six goals in their last three. With a confident Swansea at Anfield on Sunday, suddenly our expectation of returns from the likes of Glen Johnson have taken a dent.
