Trent bang in form as Liverpool dominate Premier League midweek best XI
The festive fixtures are in full swing and another Premier League gameweek flys by. Liverpool and Fulham dominate the side with three players apiece with The Reds recording a 2-0 win over Sheffield United and Fulham putting five past Nottingham Forest in a 5-0 thumping. Elsewhere, Luton, Chelsea, Everton and Arsenal each have a player represented in the Best XI.
Robert Sanchez (Chelsea) – 7.61
Chelsea were defeated by Manchester United at Old Trafford but Robert Sanchez came away from the defeat with some kudos for his performance. The 26-year-old made six saves on the night, including a Bruno Fernandes penalty inside ten minutes to keep things level.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) – 8.81
Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold was at his very best in the 2-0 win over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. The Reds full-back provided the assist for Virgil Van Dijk’s opener, that coming from one of his seven key passes, a total which was at least five more than any other player in the match.
Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool) – 8.63
Staying with Liverpool, the first of the centre-back pairing is Ibrahima Konate with a WhoScored.com rating of 8.63. The 24-year-old won a total of 14 aerial duels against Sheffield United, a record in a single Premier League match this season, as well as making 4 successful tackles and playing a vital role in Liverpool’s fifth clean sheet this term.
Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool) – 8.61
The third Liverpool representative in the best XI is Virgil Van Dijk with a WhoScored.com rating of 8.61. The Dutchman opened the scoring in the 37th minute and demonstrated a commanding defensive performance from there on out, winning two aerial duels and making one tackle in the win.
Luton ran Arsenal all the way to the wire in a seven goal thriller and we narrowly edged out thanks to a late Declan Rice goal. Alfie Doughty was the creative stand out for Luton with two assists in the game from his two key passes.
Fulham put on a show for the home fans at Craven Cottage against Nottingham Forest with the Cottagers putting in a five star performance running out 5-0 victors. Alex Iwobi was at the double with two goals from his three attempts, taking his tally for the season to three.
Andreas Pereira (Fulham) – 9.14
Andreas Pereira is the WhoScored.com player of the week with a rating of 9.14 for his efforts in the 5-0 thumping of Nottingham Forest at Craven Cottage. The 27-year-old provided two assists from his four key passes and was unlucky not to score with one effort rattling the woodwork.
Ross Barkley was back to his best in the defeat to Arsenal at Kenilworth Road with his highest rated performance this season (8.66). The former Everton player put the Hatters ahead when he found the back of the net with his only attempt of the game in the 57th minute and completed six successful dribbles.
Dwight McNeil (Everton) – 8.49
Dwight McNeil made it two goals in two games for the Toffees’ when he got the scoring started at Goodison. Everton saw out a 3-0 win over Newcastle as they continue to show strong form since being deducted points. The 24-year-old opened the scoring with 79th minute effort whistling past Martin Dubravka and provided the assist for Everton’s second of the night.
The third and final Fulham to make the best XI is Raul Jiminez with a WhoScored.com rating of 9.12, his highest rated performance this campaign. The Mexican chipped in to the goalscoring with two goals, including a delightful back-heel, from his six attempts as well as dominating in the air winning all four of his four aerial battle.
Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal) - 8.91
Completing the XI, is Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus, with the Brazilian forward being awarded a WhoScored.com rating of 8.91 for his role in the 4-3 victory. He was the player of the match in one of the most exciting games this season, scoring and providing an assist for Arteta’s men. He also made five key passes and completed two dribbles in a stellar performance.
