A day for differentials.
Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino and West Bromwich Albion’s Gareth McAuley are the only two players with more than 10% ownership to hit double-digits.
Firmino was teetering on the edge prior to the today’s deadline – owned by just over 456,000 FPL managers or 10.6% – the Brazilian had shed 340,000 since Gameweek 16.
Such losses are understandable, sparked by a dismal run of paltry returns. A single goal over ten barren Gameweeks – his strike in a 4-1 victory over Stoke City – did little to stem a tide of rejection. With Sadio Mane and Adam Lallana thriving, Firmino owners were switching allegiance or looking elsewhere as rival heavy-hitters delivered.
Today’s 14-points will reverse matters, for now at least. That fifth double-figure haul for Firmino ironically arrived on a day that saw Philippe Coutinho make a return to the Liverpool starting line-up. Withdrawn on 65 minutes, his comeback was curtailed as he gave way to allow his compatriot to take centre-stage.
While his two goals were not enough to save Liverpool from defeat, Firmino’s own Fantasy stock is revived, just as thousands were making or considering the move for his Brazilian team-mate.
But Coutinho’s early withdrawal has already proved enough to give some early adopters the jitters. Meanwhile, after suffering a third successive blank, Lallana has now returned just a single goal and an assist in six starts.
Based on early transfer activity, both are facing ownership losses over the extended gap to Gameweek 23, with this shifting affection from one Liverpool asset to another typical of behaviour this season.
Two prolonged spells of form from Coutinho’s and Lallana have come close to resolving the argument but, in truth, we look unlikely to ever settle on one of Klopp’s midfield as a dependable “solution”.
Perhaps the key question should be whether we should overlook them altogether.
Two draws and a defeat has stalled the Liverpool title bid, while over the last four Gameweeks, their attacking numbers are settled in mid-table. They face Chelsea next.
Sadio Mane’s absence appears to be a key factor and, arguably, until his return, we should reserve judgement, regardless of Firmino’s flurry.
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