Liverpool are represented in the latest Premier League team of the week that has been selected by BBC pundit Garth Crooks following the clash with Newcastle.
Actually Garth is now down as a ‘Football Analyst’ these days, a posh term for a pundit then!
The performances by Jordan Henderson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Sadio Mane in the two nil victory over Newcastle United at the weekend at Anfield was enough to earn them a place in the side alongside the other, in the opinion of the former Spurs striker anyway, most impressive performers in the topflight over the latest weekend.
I think we’ll already know ourselves, and not just based on the latest performance, why Crooks, we’ll also not argue with it, selected the trio as part of his team but explaining his choice he told the BBC.
Henderson:
‘We know he can run all day, he is committed and puts his foot in. However, it was Jordan Henderson’s ability to do what Steven Gerrard used to do every week for years at Liverpool – to ‘spread the love’ – that stood out against Newcastle. Henderson`s ability to hit every pass in the coaching manual was clearly evident against the Magpies. If the Liverpool captain keeps playing like this he`s a must for England`s starting line-up in Russia.’
Oxlade-Chamberlain:
‘I said last week that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was starting to look like a player again. His performance against Newcastle only served to support that view. However, Jurgen Klopp`s rendition of The Beatles classic Twist And Shout having been refused a penalty appeal best summed up the manager’s hysterical behaviour on the Liverpool touchline. What was that?’
Mane:
‘The move that gave rise to Sadio Mane’s 14th goal of the season was pure craftwork. The actual finish by Mane was sheer class. The Senegal international has had to play second fiddle to Mohamed Salah for most of the season but that won’t bother the west African. Mane has played as big a part as the Egyptian in Liverpool’s success.’
It’s always good to see the club represented in this way, and well played to all three for their recognition, but the most important thing about the weekend was of course the points.
Full Team:
Jack Butland (Stoke City), Matt Lowton (Burnley), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Adrian Mariappa (Watford), Ben Davies (Tottenham Hotspur), Son Heung-min (Tottenham Hotspur), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Liverpool), Sadio Mane (Liverpool), Andre Ayew (Swansea City), Leroy Sane (Manchester City).
