Author: cimi

Everton will look to get back to winning ways and return to the summit of the Premier League when they face Newcastle at St James’ Park on Sunday.

The Toffees had their blistering opening to the season ended by Southampton last time out, suffering a 2-0 defeat against the Saints to bring their unbeaten start to an end.

They face a Newcastle side who currently sit 14th after grabbing a late draw with Wolves in their last top flight outing.

Here’s 90min‘s preview of the game.

When Is Kick Off? Sunday 1 November
What Time Is Kick Off? 14:00 (GMT)
Where Is it Played? St James’ Park
TV Channel/Live Stream? Sky Sports Main Event (UK)
Referee? Stuart Attwell

Newcastle have a number of injury concerns, with Martin Dúbravka, Jonjo Shelvey, Matt Ritchie and Dwight Gayle all unavailable.

Captain Jamaal Lascelles is also a major doubt with a foot injury, but there’s hope that the former Nottingham Forest will be fit enough to start the game.

Everton are without the suspended Richarlison and Lucas Digne, with the former serving a three-match ban after seeing red in the Merseyside derby, and the latter out for one game following his sending off against Southampton.

The Toffees are also without the injured James Rodriguez, Seamus Coleman, Mason Holgate, Cenk Tosun and Jean-Philippe Gbamin.

Newcastle: Darlow; Fernandez, Schar, Lascelles; Murphy, Hendrick, Hayden, Lewis, Almiron; Saint-Maximin, Wilson

Everton: Pickford; Kenny, Mina, Keane, Nkounkou; Delph, Allan, Gordon, Doucoure, Sigurdsson; Calvert-Lewin

Newcastle have made a steady start to the Premier League season; winning two, drawing two and losing two. New signing Callum Wilson has proved a very shrewd acquisition thus far, with the former Bournemouth man netting four goals in six games.

Everton suffered their first setback of the season last time out as they lost 2-0 to Southampton. Prior to that, the Toffees had been enjoying their best ever start to a Premier League campaign, with forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the form of his life.

Newcastle

Wolves 1-1 Newcastle (25/10)
Newcastle 1-3 Manchester United (17/10)
Newport 1-1 Newcastle (30/09)
Tottenham 1-1 Newcastle (27/09)
Morecambe 0-7 Newcastle (23/09)

Everton

Southampton 2-0 Everton (25/10)
Everton 2-2 Liverpool (17/10)
Everton 4-2 Brighton (03/10)
Everton 4-1 West Ham (30/09)
Crystal Palace 1-2 Everton (26/09)

Everton have been hugely impressive this season, but Sunday’s clash will be a real test of their strength in depth as their much depleted squad take on Newcastle.

The absence of Rodriguez is obviously key, but missing both first choice full backs in Digne and Coleman – who have both been consistently excellent this season – could be equally as detrimental.

Steve Bruce’s Newcastle can easily frustrate good teams as they proved against Wolves last time out, and with Everton down to their bare bones, the Magpies could take a share of the spoils again on Sunday.

Prediction: Newcastle 1-1 Everton

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When asked prior to the 2-1 win over West Ham what he hopes to see from midfielder Curtis Jones, Jurgen Klopp simply replied: “I expect him to defend like a soldier and attack like a Scouser.”

Klopp went on to explain that Jones is most effective when having the freedom to drift into pockets of space and break the lines with incisive passing or by making penetrating runs.

With Klopp needing to manage his players’ fitness levels, especially considering the current injury problems, he handed Jones his first Premier League start of the season.

Indeed, it was a chance for the young midfielder to impress and show that he isn’t just a talented player for the future, but also someone who is ready to make an impact now.

But the 19-year-old found it challenging to get involved, often trying to float into areas where he wouldn’t be able to influence the game just so that he could get on the ball. Jones was often left frustrated as the Reds continued to push forward down the right and despite his best attempts to drift over to get involved, he was unable to show off his quality on the ball.

While he may come in for some criticism for not taking his chance, the reality is that it was through no fault of his own that he was unable influence the game. Instead, the balance in the midfield was off from the first minute and Klopp’s men struggled as a result.

The hosts were slow and passive in possession, but even when they did increase the tempo and look to break down a resolute Hammers defence, it was far too easy to defend against. With Roberto Firmino dropping deep to collect the ball, there was simply no space for the likes of Gini Wijnaldum and Jones to make late runs from deep to support attacks.

Instead, it closed off the space in the centre of the park and forced the Reds to look for the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah down the right.

But this all changed when Klopp made his double substitution on 70 minutes.

J ?? T A ? pic.twitter.com/1vf2fdAQNi

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 31, 2020

When Firmino came off, it opened up the space for the midfielders to get in behind Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek. Immediately, there were more options and the Anfield turf appeared to increase in size drastically.

That’s not to say Firmino is the root of the problem here. But his game simply didn’t compliment Jones and Wijnaldum’s in the system Klopp was utilising. Indeed, the German boss challenged Jones to be ‘cheeky’ during Saturday’s clash, but there was simply no opportunity for him to play in such a way.

When Xherdan Shaqiri and Diogo Jota came on, the complexion of the game changed completely. While the Portuguese was denied a goal after coming on, he was eventually rewarded for a bright performance when he was fed through by Shaqiri five minutes from time.

The defending Premier League champions finally began playing with purpose and a greater intensity, while players were also looking to make runs off the ball and open up the pitch. But this was only possible as Klopp’s substitutes brought a better balance to the team, with players complimenting each other’s game.

Sure, Jones didn’t enjoy his most creative display, but he deserves praise for being one of the few Liverpool players to show the constant hunger and desire to get on the ball and make things happen during his time on the field. This is despite the fact that the triangle involving him, Wijnaldum and Firmino clearly wasn’t working.

The Reds may have made it over the line eventually, but Klopp has decisions to make moving forward. For Jones, it was a frustrating evening for him through no fault of his own, but better days most definitely lie ahead.

For more from Adam Aladay, follow him on Twitter!

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Liverpool equalled their club-record of 63 league games unbeaten at Anfield as they fought their way to a 2-1 win over West Ham.

The away side raced into a shock lead after just 11 minutes through Pablo Fornals, the Spaniard firing in from the edge of the box. But the Reds drew level four minutes before the break, Mohamed Salah stepping up to slot home a penalty after winning the spot-kick himself.

GET IN!! ?

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 31, 2020

Liverpool thought they had taken the lead through substitute Diogo Jota in the second half, but following a VAR review, his strike was ruled out for a foul on Lukasz Fabianski.

But the Portuguese did make it 2-1 with just five minutes remaining, finishing cooly after being sent through by Xherdan Shaqiri. It was a bitterly disappointing end to a game which the Hammers had felt quite comfortable in for large parts, but they ultimately fell just short.

Right, let’s get into some player ratings, shall we?

Alisson (GK) – 6/10 – Could he have done better for West Ham’s opener? Perhaps, but he may have seen it late. Will be disappointed not to come away with a clean sheet.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (RB) – 5/10 – Alexander-Arnold’s ability going forward has been well documented, but once again, he was at fault in the build up to the Hammers’ opener.

Nat Phillips (CB) – 7/10 – Making his Premier League debut, Phillips was confident in his work and was absolutely dominant in the air. Excellent debut.

Joe Gomez (CB) – 4/10 – As the main central defender, Klopp will have wanted Gomez to step up and show the required leadership to lead the line. But he was at fault for the opener as well and had a few shaky moments.

Andy Robertson (LB) – 5/10 – Was unable to get involved as much as he would have liked down the left, with the Reds focusing their play down the right.

Jordan Henderson (CM) – 7/10 – Operating mainly at the base of the midfield, Henderson’s passing was typically precise. Was constantly organising and instructing his teammates as well, looking to increase the tempo of the play.

Curtis Jones (CM) – 5/10 – Struggled to really influence the game. Tried drifting across the field to get involved, but was kept quiet by a hard-working Hammers midfield.

Georginio Wijnaldum (CM) – 6/10 – Similar to Jones, Wijnaldum saw the game pass him by somewhat. Advanced with the ball on occasion, but his link up play was shy of his usual standards.

Mohamed Salah (RW) – 6/10 – When Liverpool needed him, Salah stepped up…again. At a time when the Reds were struggling to create chances, he won the penalty before converting it to make it 1-1.

Sadio Mane (LW) – 6/10 – Wasn’t at his blockbuster best, but still looks capable of making things happen.

Roberto Firmino (FW) – 5/10 – Sure, Firmino is essential when it comes to linking play and bringing the best out of those around him. But he never really posed a threat in front of goal, and not for the first game either.

Diogo Jota – 7/10 – Another appearance from the bench and another goal under his belt. Had another ruled out and looked generally sharp.

Xherdan Shaqiri – 7/10 – Looked like his career at Anfield was over for much of the summer, but another impressive cameo will quickly dispel exit talk. Lovely slide rule pass for Jota’s winner.

James Milner – N/A

Lukasz Fabianski (GK) – 6/10 – Coming to Anfield, Fabianski will have expected to be put under all sorts of pressure…..but this didn’t happen. That said, he still leaves having conceded twice.

Fabian Balbeuna (CB) – 6/10 – Another calm and composed display by Balbuena, doing an excellent job at tracking the runs of Mane and keeping him quiet.

Angelo Ogbonna (CB) – 5/10 – A decent showing on the whole at Anfield, but was guilty of a few momentary lapses in concentration.

Aaron Cresswell (CB) – 6/10 – Was unable to get forward and supply the crosses for Haller as much as he would have liked, but worked hard out of possession to frustrate the Reds.

Vladimir Coufal (RWB) – 6/10 – Coufal sure is proving to be a shrewd acquisition, isn’t he? The no-nonsense wing-back was resolute defensively and looked to get forward whenever possible.

Tomas Soucek (CM) – 6/10 – As expected, the Hammers didn’t see too much of the ball, but most things positive went through Soucek. Worked hard off the ball as well.

Declan Rice (CM) – 6/10 – Wasn’t the most glamorous display from Rice and it won’t be one that grabs the headlines, but his closing down and reading of the game was vital for Moyes’ side.

Arthur Masuaku (LWB) – 5/10 – Actually had a solid game….y’know, penalty aside. Unfortunately, the penalty came at the worst possible time.

Jarrod Bowen (RF) – 6/10 – Another fine performance from Bowen, working tirelessly when out of possession and looking dangerous when on the ball.

Pablo Fornals (LF) – 7/10 – Hammers fans are now seeing the best of Fornals on a consistent basis, and he was once again impressive against Liverpool, opening the scoring with a well-executed strike.

Sebastien Haller (ST) – 3/10 – It’s just not working for him, is it? Didn’t really show any kind of ambition or desire to get involved either.

Andriy Yarmolenko – 5/10

Said Benrahma – N/A

Manuel Lanzini – N/A

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Liverpool have equalled the club’s all-time unbeaten home league record of 63 games, after dispatching West Ham 2-1 at Anfield.

The Reds fell behind early on after Pablo Fornals punished Joe Gomez’s poor defensive clearance, but goals from Mohamed Salah, from the penalty spot, and Diogo Jota preserved their run, which stretches back to April 2017.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have equalled the record that was set by Bob Paisley’s Liverpool team between 1978 and 1981; a period that saw Paisley’s side win back-to-back Division One titles.

Liverpool last tasted defeat in the league at Anfield on 23 April 2017, when the club’s former manager Roy Hodgson masterminded a 2-1 win for Crystal Palace – with former player Christian Benteke grabbing a brace to cancel out Philippe Coutinho’s opener.

Only five members of the Reds’ starting XI that lost to Palace three and a half years ago are still at the club; Joel Matip, James Milner, Georginio Wijnaldum, Roberto Firmino and Divock Origi.

Since they last suffered a league defeat at Anfield, Liverpool have been crowned champions of Europe, the world and England – in that order. They can break the club’s unbeaten home league record if they avoid defeat against Leicester on 21 November.

However, Klopp’s side still have a bit of a way to go if they are to equal the Premier League’s all-time unbeaten home record. Chelsea currently hold said record after going 86 games unbeaten between February 2004 and October 2008 – winning two league titles in that time.

Should the Reds remain undefeated at Anfield for the duration of the 2020/21 season, they will have gone 78 Premier League games unbeaten at home.

Bonkers stat: since the day that @LFC clinched the title, no team in the Premier league has conceded more goals.

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) October 31, 2020

One worrying statistic for Liverpool is the vulnerability of their backline, which appears to have kicked in after their Premier League coronation. At the time of writing, no side have conceded more goals in the division since their 30-year wait for a top flight crown ended – and things are likely to be challenging in the forthcoming months with Virgil van Dijk a long-term injury absentee.

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Frank Lampard has praised the performance of Hakim Ziyech, after the summer signing marked his full Premier League debut with a goal and an assist in Chelsea’s 3-0 win over Burnley on Saturday.

Ziyech signed for Chelsea from Ajax in February and moved to west London over the summer, but has had to wait for his first taste of English football after missing the start of the season with a knee injury.

The winger had been restricted to substitute cameos upon his return, but made his full Chelsea debut against Krasnodar on Wednesday and was named in the starting XI once more for Saturday’s victory at Turf Moor.

Ziyech was on target during both matches as the Blues stretched their unbeaten run to six games, and Lampard was delighted by his impact.

“I expected a lot of him because I was aware of his quality which is why I brought him to the club,” Lampard said [via the Express]. “I’ve said it a lot now but he brings a different quality to us with his eye for a pass, his receiving, his crossing, his assists.

“But what I’ve seen since he’s been here as well is his personality when he plays – to want the ball. His work rate off the ball is very, very good as well and he’s brought those qualities and that gives us a big boost.

“Two games in a few days with a trip to Russia in between for him after being out for so long; it’s been a really good start for him.”

Lampard also offered an update on Christian Pulisic, who was originally named in the starting XI but was replaced by Timo Werner before kick off.

“Christian had a small sensation in his hamstring so we had to pull him, he couldn’t play the game,” Lampard said. “He felt that in part of the warm up so we’ll have to scan it. I can’t give you a time on that until we’ve seen that.”

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