STATS: Liverpool’s Suarez has had most shots vs Wigan’s Al Habsi has made most saves
Liverpool vs. Wigan, Saturday 15:00
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After earning a well-deserved point away at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, Liverpool will be looking to stay ahead of Wigan in the league. Currently there is just one point separating the sides sitting in 13th and 14th position respectively.
– Liverpool are unbeaten in 6 league games but have now drawn 6 out of 11 matches in the Premier League this season.
– Suarez has now scored 8 times in the league this season and amazingly has over half of Liverpool’s goals, according to EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Sunday’s goal was the 4th successive away game that the Uruguayan has scored and further highlights his importance to a Liverpool side that carries little threat elsewhere in attack.
– After 11 games, Suarez remains by far the most prolific goal threat in the league, having already had 58 shots at goal, 14 more than nearest rival Jermain Defoe.
– In an intriguing match up, Suarez will this weekend face the goalkeeper who has made the most saves of anyone this season – Ali Al Habsi. Al Habsi has made 66 saves in 11 games to sit top of the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.
– Although he has only been used 6 times this season in the Premier League by Brendan Rogers, Sanchez Jose Enrique was Liverpool’s man of the match on Sunday. He covered 6.34 miles and has only lost 2 tackles all season.
– Joe Allen has covered the most ground in the Liverpool side on 8 occasions this season, in the Premier League, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. His 6.75 miles against Chelsea is the most by a Liverpool player in a single game this season, contributing to a team total of 63.83 miles which is also a season high.
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– Steven Gerrard has been in the top 2 for Liverpool in 7 matches, showing the impressive engine that even at 32 keeps him one of the first names on the team sheet for England and Liverpool
– Gerrard received his 100th cap for England this week. Having spent the first half of last season injured Gerrard has been back to his best this term, completing 338 passes in his opponent’s half (the 6th highest in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index) and delivering 53 crosses (the 2nd highest)
– Following their excellent win at White Hart Lane, Wigan will be ruing the two soft goals they gave away against West Brom and their number one aim this weekend will be to contain Luis Suarez.
– Despite scoring a decisive own goal last weekend vs. West Brom, Gary Caldwell has been Wigan’s best defender according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.
– The Scot has made 12 blocks (5th in the league), 26 clearances (4th in the league) and 93 interceptions, the most from any player in the league.
– James McCarthy, Maynor Figueroa and Ivan Ramis have supported Caldwell admirably, making 31, 29 and 28 tackles respectively. The joint 3rd. joint 4th and joint 5th most in the Premier League as noted by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.
– At the other end of the pitch, Arouna Kone has started his Premier League career well, becoming Wigan’s main attacking threat. The forward has completed 17 dribbles and scored 4 goals in 11 appearances, including Wigan’s goal against West Brom. The Ivory Coast striker has also created 2 goals for team mates this season.
– Shaun Maloney covered the most ground in his side for the 5th time this season, against West Brom. The midfielder covered 5.32miles, the fewest miles he has run when topping his team’s charts this season. He has been in Wigan’s top 2 positions for miles covered in 7 of his appearances this season.