Premier League TOTW Gameweek 27: Liverpool dominate to edge closer to PL title | OneFootball

Liverpool have taken what appears to be an insurmountable lead at the top of the Premier League table.

The Reds overcame a potentially difficult task against Newcastle United on Wednesday, cruising to a 2-0 win at Anfield. That, coupled with Arsenal‘s disappointing goalless draw away at Nottingham Forest, has left Arne Slot’s men 13 points clear at the top of the pile.

Dominik Szoboszlai was the architect, with his 11th-minute goal kicking things off for Liverpool and putting the cherry on top of a fine individual performance, but there were plenty of other standout showings across the English top-flight.

Here, we’ve picked out our Premier League team of the week using the Squawka Score.

GK: Mark Flekken (Brentford)

Despite going into half-time 1-0 up, Brentford can count themselves lucky they even managed a point at home to Everton. The Toffees outshot them 14-12 and missed three big chances, with Beto particularly wasteful, failing to score despite 1.43 xGOT. But credit must also be given to Bees goalkeeper Mark Flekken, who made three saves — including some big one-on-one stops — and prevented 1.36 goals. Guglielmo Vicario also scored 77%, but misses out here as he was on the losing team and only prevented 1.09 goals.

Honourable mention: Guglielmo Vicario (77%)

RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)

Trent Alexander-Arnold failed to create a single chance against Newcastle, which is very uncharacteristic. However, his defensive performance against the Magpies was something to behold, making two tackles, four clearances, one interception and two recoveries, while being dribbled past just once. All that is despite coming up against Anthony Gordon, who many expected him to struggle against. The job Alexander-Arnold did on Gordon went a long way toward silencing Newcastle.

Honourable mention: Daniel Munoz (75%)

CB: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)

What else can we say about Virgil van Dijk? He continues to motor on as the best centre-back on the planet and this week, it was just a causal six clearances, two out of three aerial duels won, 100% success on ground duels and a match-high 102 passes completed from 107 attempted against Newcastle. Van Dijk also played 22 passes into the final third, once again proving he’s anything but a sideways merchant.

Honourable mention: Gabriel Magalhaes (72%)

CB: Tosin Adarabioyo (Chelsea)

Chelsea ran riot against Southampton, winning 4-0 at Stamford Bridge to end a three-match losing streak (all comps). However, the Saints weren’t without a threat and did pose a few questions to the Chelsea backline. Fortunately, Tosin Adarbioyo was there to answer all of them, making seven clearances, one interception and two recoveries, while winning five of his 11 contested aerial duels. Adarabioyo even had chance to assist Christopher Nkunku’s 24th-minute opener.

Honourable mention: Marc Guehi (70%)

LB: Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest)

Nottingham Forest became the latest team to shut out Arsenal and they may well have ended their title hopes. Neco Williams played a huge role in their rearguard action, making three tackles — winning all of them — six clearances, three interceptions and three recoveries. Williams also won seven of his nine ground duels and was the most-fouled player in the match (4).

Honourable mention: Riccardo Calafiori (71%)

DM: Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool)

Ryan Gravenberch’s appearance within these pages is becoming a regular feature and Wednesday was yet another standout showing from the Dutchman. Gravenberch played five passes into the final third and wasn’t dispossessed at all against Newcastle, while defensively, he made two tackles, three clearances and two interceptions. Arne Slot deserves huge credit for turning his compatriot into a midfield powerhouse.

Honourable mention: Mateo Kovacic (74%)

CM: Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea)

Enzo Fernandez tore Southampton to shreds from midfield on Wednesday. The Argentine created a whopping six chances on the night, including two big chances, while playing nine passes into the final third and registering 100% success for dribbles, crosses and ground duels. A stunning display that only gets such a relatively low Squawka Score because he failed to get a goal or assist.

Honourable mention: Rodrigo Bentancur (73%)

AM: Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool)

As mentioned, it was Szoboszlai who got Liverpool going against Newcastle and even goal aside, he was sensational, creating two chances and posting 100% success for dribbles and long passes. The Hungarian also won four of his five tackles and eight of his 10 ground duels, while making eight recoveries, one block and two clearances.

Honourable mention: Cole Palmer (74%)

RW: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Even when he’s not scoring, Mohamed Salah will still tear you apart. This time, the Egyptian provided the assist for Alexis Mac Allister to make it 2-0 against Newcastle, which was just one of four chances he created on the night, which included two big chances. Salah also attempted three shots and 11 dribbles. Interestingly, he was only successful with one of those dribbles, but even when he was stopped, he ensured Newcastle remained on the back foot.

ST: Erling Haaland (Manchester City)

Erling Haaland is not giving up his Golden Boot without a fight. It was his goal that settled Man City’s trip to Spurs on Wednesday, coming from three shots, all of which were on target. To be honest, Haaland should have had another couple of goals, missing two big chances, but the nerves around the Spurs defence when the ball came near him were visible.

LW: Jeremy Doku (Manchester City)

Jeremy Doku has endured some tough moments this season, but he ripped Spurs to shreds this week. The Belgian star completed a match-high five dribbles from nine attempts, while attempting two shots and creating two big chances totalling 0.33 Expected Assists.