By Neil Leverett and Niall Clarke
- Liverpool again dominate our Team of the Week after 3-0 win over Southampton
- Reds top and only remaining side with 100% record after six games
- Arsenal win fourth successive league game, Wolves hold United, as Spurs end run of losses against Brighton
PREMIER LEAGUE, UK – It was another dominant week for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool with three men in our XI of the week, but else made the cut for Gameweek 6? Do you agree with our picks?
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Goalkeeper & Defenders
Petr Cech (GK) – It may be true that Cech is on the decline after being one of the stand-out goalkeepers since his arrival in the Premier League, but his performance against Everton was somewhat a blast from the past.
The Czech Republic international is an old school goalkeeper who prefers to use his hands rather than his feet, and it was those hands that kept a game Everton at bay on Sunday. Cech made six saves and one tackle on his way to a much needed clean sheet as the Gunners defeated the Toffees 2-0 at the Emirates.
Despite his age, Cech showed that there is still something left in the tank and why he starts over new signing Bernd Leno.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (RB) – It was close between two young English right backs in our team of the week, but Alexander Arnold has pipped Aaron Wan-Bissaka to the spot.
The difference being that Alexander-Arnold turned provider via Wesley Hoedt’s own goal with typically excellent cross from a corner. The Englishman was a constant threat down the right hand side and was solid enough at the back to help his side to another clean sheet.
Joel Matip (CB) It was somewhat a surprise when Matip was chosen over Joe Gomez to start against Southampton, but the Cameroonian defender certainly justified his return to the starting XI.
The Liverpool centre back scored a towering header at the back post to score the second of three goals for the Reds as they dispatched Southampton 3-0. He also made three interceptions and won six areal duels when he was needed to defend. It is exciting times at Anfield with such a deep squad to choose from, and Jurgen Klopp will have a dilemma on who to start next to Virgil van Dijk against Chelsea.
Fabian Balbuena (CB) – You could make a case for both West Ham’s centre backs being part of the team of the week, but Issa Diop marginally misses out to Balbuena.
The Paraguayan made six interceptions as Chelsea struggled to break down a resolute Hammers defence, and his performance alongside Diop helped stop an in-form Eden Hazard from causing much trouble. If not for a Andriy Yarmolenko miss in the second half, a solid point would have turned into a great three points.
Danny Rose (LB) – It was a return to winning ways for Tottenham as they defeated Brighton 2-1 on Saturday. Crisis? What crisis?
Rose was one of the stand out performers in the match, and his lovely ball to Erik Lamela provided the winning goal in the end. The England international was full of purpose again at left back and was a constant outlet for the visitors.
Midfielders
Johann Berg Gudmundsson (RM) – Burnley have been poor up to this weekend, but finally recorded their win of the season against a in-form Bournemouth side – a throwback to their home form of the last two seasons.
Gudmundsson was at the heart of everything to Clarets did this weekend, and his two assists in their emphatic 4-0 win over the Cherries was no less merited as Sean Dyche’s most creative individual this past Saturday in Lancashire.
The hosts have struggled without the Icelandic midfielder due to injury, and with Steven Defour also close to a return, the worries of Burnley could soon be a thing of the past.
Joao Moutinho (CM) – Moutinho is quickly overtaking compatriot Ruben Neves in terms of making an impact from the middle of the park, and his deserved goal at Old Trafford, typified the former AS Monaco man’s influence for Wolves.
After his assist against Manchester City last month, it was the Red Devils who sampled the abilities of the European champion – netting his first goal for the west Midlands outfit – as Wolves bossed their more illustrious hosts for large parts, as the visitors remain unbeaten in four.
Ilkay Gundogan (LM) – Gundogan was always likely to play a bit part this season once more, but with the extended absence of Kevin De Bruyne, the German playmaker has made a sterling start to the campaign.
His goal and assist for Kun Aguero in the Citizens’ 5-0 rout of Cardiff in the Welsh valleys, was the least Gundogan deserved after a tour-de-force on the left of midfield. More of this, and the former Borussia Dortmund man might become a permanent fixture for Pep Guardiola this term.
Forwards
Xherdan Shaqiri (LW) – Shaqiri has had to bide his time for his time in the sun on Merseyside, but as the Reds’ European campaign swings into gear, the Swiss attacker may now be afforded more game time, especially in the light of his impressive showing against the Saints.
Notching two assists, Shaqiri was unlucky to be denied by the woodwork for the hosts’s third at the weekend – as Mohamed Salah ended his goal drought by tapping in the rebound – and supplied the cross for Matip’s headed goal to cap an all-round display at Anfield as Liverpool made it six-out-ouf-of-six wins.
Aleksandar Mitrovic (ST) – Pipping Ashley Barnes, Jamie Vardy and Harry Kane to our lone striking role, the effort of the Serbian tipped the balance in favour of the Fulham forward.
Having had three or four openings to score against a well-drilled and stubborn Watford defence, Mitrovic finally earned a point for the Cottagers, with a slick finish after an excellent move by the west London side.
Mitrovic is now tied with Aguero for the league#s top scorer, and as Newcastle continue to struggle for goal, Rafa Benitez must be scratching his head as to why he failed to get the best out of Slavisa Jokanovic’s bullish centre-forward
Kelechi Iheanacho (RW) – The Nigerian forward has been limited to bench appearances under Claude Puel, but was involved in all three of Leicester’s goals at the King Power and finally used his abundant pace to use.
His performance eclipsed that of Vardy – who also scored and assisted – but it was Iheanacho who supplied the greater ammunition on the counter-attack, as the Foxes overcame a brave Terriers who remain languishing in the bottom three.
Here is our Team of the Week. Do you agree?
The Premier League continues this weekend, as Chelsea host table-toppers Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening.
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