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Liverpool’s rock stands in Newcastle’s way

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Papiss Cisse and Martin SkrtelIt’s Liverpool v Newcastle United at Anfield in the Premier League this afternoon the rock for the Reds Martin Skrtel will be doing his utmost to help Liverpool keep a clean sheet. The Reds defender features in the pick of the preview stats…

Liverpool shared the spoils with Everton in the Merseyside derby last weekend as Luis Suarez took centre stage as his shot drew an own goal from Leighton Baines and he also scored the second.

Suarez now has six goals this season, but his 50 efforts at goal means his conversion rate remains at a relatively low 12%. In comparison, Robin van Persie has a conversion rate of 30%.

In an ill tempered Merseyside derby, Raheem Sterling committed five fouls, the joint highest number of fouls in the last round of games, while Liverpool were clearly fired up and covered 63.12 miles as a team – their second highest total of the season (after their 63.69 miles against Man City).

Steven Gerrard supplied a sublime cross for the second, and was part of an enthralling midfield battle with Marouane Fellaini. Gerrard has completed 281 passes in his opponent’s half this season and delivered 42 crosses providing 4 assists.

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Martin Skrtel has been in dominant form this season and is ranked third in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index for clearances with 23 so far this season. That included 7 in the game against Everton the second highest of any player in a game this season.

Papiss Cisse scored his first goal of the Premier League season, albeit from a fortunate deflection, and Demba Ba was also on target as Newcastle beat West Brom 2-1 in their last game.

Ba’s goal means he is one behind Robin van Persie in the race for this season’s golden boot on seven goals. Ba’s goals have come from 32 shots at goal with 47% on target, and 22% of shots converted to goals.

Cisse had previously had 17 shots at goal before finally breaking his Premier League duck, with 47% on target.

Yohan Cabaye is demonstrating the form that pegged him as one of the best signings of last season. He covered 6.56 miles in the game against West Brom, the second highest of a Newcastle player this season, after his own 6.83 miles against Norwich.

Data courtesy of the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, the official player rating index of the Barclays Premier League.

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