Venue: Liberty Stadium
Date: 16/09/13
Kick-Off: 20:00
A superb 1-0 win over a disjointed Manchester United saw Liverpool continue their stellar start to the season, with yet another goal from the red-hot Daniel Sturridge securing their place as Premier League leaders.
Sturridge’s flying start to the season has been bolstered by his coolness in front of goal, an obvious requirement for any striker. According to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, Sturridge ranks joint second for on-target attempts with 5, and has scored, on average, from just over every 1 in 3 (37.5%) strikes he has had on goal this season.
Lucas Leiva’s evolution into one of the most solid central midfielders in the Premier League is showcased well by his superb defensive stats so far this season. He has attempted the second most tackles in the league (21), yet has done so with an excellent success rate of 85.7%.
As if further evidence was needed of how important Lucas will be to Brendan Rogers moving forward, the Brazilian is also the first Liverpool player to move into double-figures for both clearances (10) and interceptions (11). It is the defensive tenacity of Lucas and the Liverpool back four which might explain why the Reds are the only team in the Premier League who have yet to concede a goal.
Although much has been made of the impact made by Phillippe Coutinho following his move to the Premier League from Inter Milan, his midfield partner Steven Gerrard is still doing the business alongside him. The Liverpool skipper not only has a typically excellent tackle success rate of 91.7% from 12 attempted challenges, he’s also completed more passes in the opponent’s half than any other Liverpool player (107) so far this season. Gerrard is an industry best 15/4 to score at any time against Swansea with 888sport.com.
Goals from Ben Davies and Pablo Hernandez secured Swansea’s first league win of the season and Michael Laudrup must have been pleased with his side’s dominant display against a solid West Brom outfit. His side now face former manager Brendan Rogers who has taken a similar passing, technique-focused style of play with him to Merseyside.
Ashley Williams has started the season in typically committed fashion, making the joint third most blocks (4) in the league so far this season.
Jonjo Shelvey has wasted no time in settling into the setup at his new club, establishing his passing game with immediate effect. He tops the pile in the Swan’s squad for passes completed in the opponent’s half with 86 according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Shelvey is 23/5 to score against his old side with 888sport.com.
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I’m highly pleased with liverpool as a fan of the club,l wish liverpool a successful season.
liverpool need to keep it up cos we have to reach our destination. UP KOPS UNWA
LCF must not only depend on Coutinho to provide killer defence splitting passes as he will surely be marked as a dangerman by every manager. Someone has to assist and provide cover for him.
My guys will neva work alone will can do the impossible dis season
Up Liverpool, we “ll never walk alone
Liverpool will make us proud dis season. Come on lads win 2maro’s game 4 me.YNWA 4 EVA.
I always pray for liverpool to win d epl, and d way things re going it looks good for us. let`s pray our team continue d good run. amen! YNWA
liverpool for life lovn each and every game we hav had guyz GOD bless u all including de funs
we are de best liverpoooooool we are going to crush them just us we crushed man u
Liverpool is my religion, anfield is my church and i so much believe in reds. We will never walk alone. Liverpool till I die
Reds 4 life(liverpool)i hope we ar going 2 have d success of 2moros match against swansea amen YNWA
I predict Swansea 3 – 0 LFC. It is time for reality.
I predicted lfc 3-1 over swans