Premier League Team of the Week V feat. Liverpool and Everton stars

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Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)

Sterling has looked a born-again player at Manchester City ever since the arrival of Pep Guardiola at the Etihad, and the young England international scored one and assisted another as City comfortably dismantled Bournemouth in a 4-0 victory. His first assist when he unselfishly laid the ball off for Kelechi Iheanacho to tap home, and the Nigerian returned the favour when he provided for Sterling to score after the interval.

Sterling is a player who is thriving under Guardiola’s philosophy after a poor Euro 2016 in the summer, and his tendency to hang onto the ball greedily and be found wanting in possession is a negative trait that seems to be dissipating. It is undoubtedly going some way to making him a better player, and his importance to this City side is undeniable.

Jordan Henderson (Liverpool)

Jordan Henderson is a midfielder who doesn’t tend to score many goals but when he gets on the scoresheet, they’re usually spectacular, and so it was with his thunderbolt against Chelsea which gave Thibaut Courtois no chance. Liverpool could do with their skipper coming up with more moments of magic like this, but on their overall showing they are beginning to become a side capable of fulfilling Jurgen Klopp’s vision nonetheless.

Henderson has completed 341 passes in the Premier League this season – 37 more than any other player, and after returning from his injury in the latter half of last season is showing his importance to the side.

Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)

Kevin de Bruyne’s performance last time out in the Manchester Derby already got people talking about how good the Belgian really is and how he may already be turning into a Player of the Season contender, perhaps even being considered as one of the league’s greatest ever foreign imports. The latest description to come out of the Etihad from Pep Guardiola is that De Bruyne is inferior in his level only to Lionel Messi, which coming from the Catalan who helped nurture Messi into his peak says a great deal about his ability.

He scored one, assisted another and created three goal-scoring opportunities in City’s comprehensive 4-0 win over Bournemouth, and was a joy to watch as he stylishly picked apart the Cherries with his incisive runs and passing.

If Manchester City are to make all their stunning football under Guardiola count by winning something this season, Kevin De Bruyne is certain to be a huge part of that.