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The Technical Area – Liverpool’s Attacking Trio

Few could have predicted the distribution of points from Liverpool’s midfield with any confidence heading into Gameweek 1.

Some of us – unnerved by Philippe Coutinho’s absence through injury and rumours of his possible departure – even abstained altogether, writing off the investment as too much of a risk.

Yet those who gambled were rewarded with points. Goals from all three primary options in the Liverpool attack – Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, and Roberto Firmino – during Saturday’s 3-3 draw with Watford confirmed the potency of the trio.

In this week’s Technical Area, we will be looking into the performance of each of these three players, analysing their goalscoring threat, positioning and chance creation potential. Though much can – and will – change as more data becomes available, here’s our breakdown of who impressed us most in the season’s opening Gameweek.

2,119 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Ok, final check from my fellow FFS community. I can't abide hits. I hate them more than lover and onions.

    Zaha > Mkhi
    Danilo > Lowe??

    Do I need to take a breathe and think this through?

    1. The Tinkerman
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Me too, making the same moves. But not until after the Liverpool game later. Want to be sure I don't have any other injuries.

      1. PDM TOP 1,000 any Season Le…
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        ^^^^^
        Top Advice

    2. cheekumz
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Awkward forum to voice your hatred for your lover! Hope she/he doesn't read read ffs 😉

      Imo, Zaha should go, and if you're not satisfied with affordable replacements then a hit to afford could be justifiable.

      1. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        The voice of reason.

        She hates her onion nickname.

    3. circusmonkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      You should find someone of Zaha's price. I'm wondering whether to prioritize Gabbi to Firmino or to change Zaha but the word is he could be back for Burnley, which is only two games missed. If he's any good, his price will recover. I also don't want hits so won't do both of these. Have enough spare to get Firmino,

    4. fpltactician
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I'm ready to make the same transfers

    5. Rash
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Why are you all losing faith in Zaha after 1 match? He could/should have had at least a goal weekend..

      1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Probably because of the potential injury? Been all over this place

        1. Rash
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Is he confirmed out though?

          1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            I'm only repeating what I see. There's been some reporting that he's out for about 4 weeks - scroll through the forum and you'll find it. Don't have him myself

            1. Rash
              • 6 Years
              6 years, 8 months ago

              Ok thanks

      2. Kered
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Injured

    6. PDM TOP 1,000 any Season Le…
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Good on you Badger
      Personally I'd opt for the Mkhi option .

  2. Slurpy
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on Florin Andone?

  3. SteveEvers
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Best 5.5 midfielder guys? Brady, Walters, mooy...etc

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Who did you like the look of?

      • SteveEvers
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Probably Brady

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            6 years, 8 months ago

            I'd say Brady or Mooy. Walters would be better than both if nailed but he's not sadly

        2. Fanta sea
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          I'd wait to see how Groß does over the next couple gameweeks

      • Bonus magnet
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        bottomed
        help please

        Iwobi+batshuayi->

        a) tadic+mounie
        b)mounie+ramsey
        c.firmino+wrd prowse

        current strikers lukaku and vardy
        mid is mane ,eriksen,kdb

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            6 years, 8 months ago

            C and play your 4 defenders

          • PDM TOP 1,000 any Season Le…
            • 14 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            Charlie all the way !

        2. Bubz
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Tadic gets subbed off a lot doesn't he. 19 times he got subbed off last season, christ.

          1. Jonesfromthere
            • 11 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            Different manager. Means nothing

            1. Bubz
              • 10 Years
              6 years, 8 months ago

              True. Not to do with his fitness at all then?

              1. Jonesfromthere
                • 11 Years
                6 years, 8 months ago

                Doubt it, he's not a workhorse.

          2. Union_Jacks
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            Who do you favour as a Zaha replacement then?

            1. Bubz
              • 10 Years
              6 years, 8 months ago

              Tadic or Redmond in the 7m or less category

              1. Essem
                • 6 Years
                6 years, 8 months ago

                I'm leaning towards Tadic. There has to be some goals with those fixtures.

              2. Union_Jacks
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 6 Years
                6 years, 8 months ago

                I like Tadic too, he's just such a tit mind.

        3. Hugh334
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Phil jones or Chris Lowe? Both have reasonable fixtures but then will have three United players with jones
          Cheers

          1. Union_Jacks
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            Lowe.

        4. BobB
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Still think Sanchez likely to go this window. He rarely misses matches through injury.

          1. zag
            • 11 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            I don't think he will. Wenger has been bullish about keeping him. Remember the start of last season where he brought Alexis on for the opening game despite him not being match fit and caused an injury. He's probably playing it safe. Alexis is back in training.

        5. Steve Stiffler
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Draft League Related:

          Should i transfer Fabregas/Redmond for Mata in the waiver???

          1. bitm2007
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            Fabs only a one game ban, so i'd hold if you can still field an 11.

        6. BBC_TF
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          I am strongly debating Mooy vs Gross to replace Zaha (and upgrade Gabbi). Same price @ 5.5.

          Mooy:
          +Good fixtures and good form
          +On set pieces and sees the ball a lot
          -Huddersfield will eventually struggle. Feels like Hull GW 1 last year with Snodgrass
          -Unlikely to be on pens
          -Playing on a side which will limit his goal threat

          Gross:
          +On set pieces
          +Plays in the hole being the striker
          +Seems central to everything Brighton will do
          +Good creativity and goal threat from his stats in Germany
          -Average immediate fixtures
          -Has not shown form in the first game vs ManCity

          Long term I am tempted by Gross but I have been wrong before ignoring players who made less sense but who had good form (e.g. Yaya, Ramsey).

          Any thoughts?

          1. Jonesfromthere
            • 11 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            Gross looks great but will Brighton score away to Leicester or Watford (Silva solid at home)

          2. Union_Jacks
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            Gross looks good, but with Knockaert coming back into the side, he will steal some of his set pieces and ultimately his thunder.

            I prefer Mooy for that reason and for the immediate fixture.

            1. Union_Jacks
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              6 years, 8 months ago

              Mooy took the most penalties for H'field last season I believe, and with his set piece monopolisation, wouldn't surprise me if he was the man given the duties.

              1. BBC_TF
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                6 years, 8 months ago

                That's very interesting. Thanks. I still have the feeling that Hudd will eventually get relegated though. Tough choice.

                Any love for Brady? Also on set pieces but fixtures are mixed and he can always get rotated.

                1. Union_Jacks
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 6 Years
                  6 years, 8 months ago

                  Yeah Brady looks good too. There's quite a few interesting looking 5.5m options.

          3. PDM TOP 1,000 any Season Le…
            • 14 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            Looking at Atsu personally.

        7. Mattias
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Should I take a hit to remove Zaha & Fab?
          (I have Willian too - the plan was to drop a Chelsea mid, but now Zahas injury comes into play, annoying)?

          1. PDM TOP 1,000 any Season Le…
            • 14 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            Showing you XV would aid people in giving you more constructive advice.

        8. Stats Don\'t Lie
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          What do we think of albrighton as an option?

          1. I Member
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            I was just about to post this. Plum home fixture. Think I'd rather have him than Mooy or Gross.

        9. Play Pal
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Can anyone link me to some articles or information regarding the Zaha injury? Thank you in advance

        10. Andrew
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Question :-

          If a team in my ML has Weekly Transfers of 0 but Total Transfers of 6 has he played his Free Hit Chip?

          1. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            Link his team.

            1. The Scholes School
              • 8 Years
              6 years, 8 months ago

              Any idea at what time BST prices get updated TM? Thanks in advance.

              1. Jazz!
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 9 Years
                6 years, 8 months ago

                02:15ish I think

                1. The Scholes School
                  • 8 Years
                  6 years, 8 months ago

                  Cheers

              2. TorresMagic™
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 14 Years
                6 years, 8 months ago

                Around 2.15am

                1. The Scholes School
                  • 8 Years
                  6 years, 8 months ago

                  Cheers

            2. Andrew
              • 12 Years
              6 years, 8 months ago

              378539

              1. TorresMagic™
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 14 Years
                6 years, 8 months ago

                Looks like free hit for sure. Total transfers being 6 is really silly on the FPL site though as overall rank is used by it.

                1. Andrew
                  • 12 Years
                  6 years, 8 months ago

                  Yes was surprised

                  1. TorresMagic™
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • Has Moderation Rights
                    • 14 Years
                    6 years, 8 months ago

                    Mark knows and he will pass it on.

                  2. Basil1977
                    • 7 Years
                    6 years, 8 months ago

                    yay Andrew looks like with have an answer about the free hit question

        11. El_Shaw
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Zaha -> Ramsey or sub in Mee from the bench this week?

          1. poulteren
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            i want ramsey too but worried he wont start again. Zaha is out for ages so i would ditch

          2. Coldplay
            • 12 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            Do it if it's a free

        12. Azathoth
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          If Sanchez joins Spurs,his price will be 5.5m,right?

          1. Stats Don\'t Lie
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            Well he's 12m currently so...

            1. Jonesfromthere
              • 11 Years
              6 years, 8 months ago

              davinson

            2. Azathoth
              • 9 Years
              6 years, 8 months ago

              Not Alexis mate,but Davidson.

            3. lilmessipran
              • 11 Years
              6 years, 8 months ago

              the other sanchez

          2. Jonesfromthere
            • 11 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            I'd think so.

          3. Dreams
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            😆

        13. Dion Dublin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Best move this week if I've got Fabregas & Lejeune and no money in the bank?

          Mee is my other 4.5 defender, so I'd start him this week (instead of Chalobah as my 5th midfielder coming in place of Fabregas)

          Thinking a straight swap of Fabregas for Willian is a waste if I can muddle through this week, not sure I want any of the < 7.0 options either. Just don't really want to absorb the coming Fab price drop.

          Lejeune is out for weeks though. It would be nice to hold them until next week so I can make 2 moves without the hit.

          1. bitm2007
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            Sounds like you've already got it sussed. Play Mee, and sort Lejeune next GW, although price changes are likely to effect the transfers you can make.

        14. fpltactician
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Will Willian, Kola, and Ramsey rise in price this week?

          1. Stats Don\'t Lie
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            Yes, maybe, maybe

        15. Coldplay
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          What would you do?

          A) Zaha -> Willian
          B) Zaha & Valencia -> Mkhi & Jones (hit)

          Cheers

          1. fpltactician
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            a

        16. fpltactician
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Best 4.5 def atm?

          1. Eton Rifles
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            after this gw ends I'd say Fernandez

          2. Stats Don\'t Lie
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            Lowe?

          3. bitm2007
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            Mee if you've got someone to rotate him with.

          4. Coldplay
            • 12 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            I like Lowe

        17. Stats Don\'t Lie
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          My midfield is currently
          KDB, Mkhi, zaha, atsu, Carroll

          Been looking at my possible zaha replacements and who rotates best with astu and Carroll.

          The two plum picks are by far tadic and albrighton. Would going for albrighton over a Southampton mid be a bad choice or nice differential?

          1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            mun and CHE though.

            1. Stats Don\'t Lie
              • 9 Years
              6 years, 8 months ago

              Can play astu and Carroll those 2 weeks. The point is rotating the 3 of atsu, Carroll and albrighton/tadic

              1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
                • 7 Years
                6 years, 8 months ago

                Fair enough. If you're happy rotating then don't see why not

          2. Coldplay
            • 12 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            I'd suggest Willian over Albrighton. Albrighton could be a decent pick but worried about his gametime with Gray lurking.

            1. Stats Don\'t Lie
              • 9 Years
              6 years, 8 months ago

              I have been looking at willian, but I'm not confident in his game time and fixtures despite being a Chelsea fan

        18. Weeb Kakashi
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Ritchie Or Tadic??

          Ritchie is on all set pieces
          Tadic not on some corners and get subbed off early(Maybe)

          Tadic did look lively against Swans
          Ritchie not so much

        19. S.Kuqi
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Would reguire -8 hit to bring Mkhi in for Zaha.

          So Ramsey second best option for Wilfred?

          1. Stats Don\'t Lie
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            Depends on your team

            1. S.Kuqi
              • 11 Years
              6 years, 8 months ago

              No it doesn't. Need 7.0 or below option. Other mids are template KDB,Salah and Atsu

              1. Stats Don\'t Lie
                • 9 Years
                6 years, 8 months ago

                Yes it does because you could potentially rotate your zaha replacement with your other mids...

        20. Flynny
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Really don't know what to do here.

          There are no 7m or below replacements for zaha that I fancy and seems to soon to get rid of gabbi when he has hammers and great fixtures.

          Danilo has 1 game max. Is danilo and zaha to lowe and mhki an option for a hit? Thanks

          Foster elliot
          Danilo daniels Stephens Suttner long
          Kdb salah zaha Ritchie carroll
          Kane lukaku gabbi

          Thanks

          1. seewhyaxe
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            i have pretty much the same team as you.

            Thinking of Zaha & Ritchie to Mkh & Atsu.

            Also thinking about Zaha to Ramsey or Willian

        21. CABAYE4
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Anyone else have a poor GW but holding firm with their team until GW3?

          Still think my squad was reasonable...

          1. Bubz
            • 10 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            What score is classed as poor?

            1. Waxys
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 8 months ago

              Anything below 58

            2. Sims
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 8 months ago

              Anything below 60 seems pretty underwhelming

              1. Bubz
                • 10 Years
                6 years, 8 months ago

                I felt annoyed with my 68 but only because of how it went down. I was on 65 on Sat night but then Lukaku, Alli, Eriksen, Pogba etc went mad

                1. Sims
                  • 7 Years
                  6 years, 8 months ago

                  Yeah I'd rather have a bad Saturday and a good Sunday then vice versa even if the scores are ultimately the same

                2. Debauchy
                  • 11 Years
                  6 years, 8 months ago

                  I was raging on Sat looking at yr 65 with my 35.
                  And still raging after Spurs game .43 from MU game was a big "kiss better"

                  1. Bubz
                    • 10 Years
                    6 years, 8 months ago

                    😆 yeah I was top of most minileagues on Sat night loving life 🙁

                  2. Debauchy
                    • 11 Years
                    6 years, 8 months ago

                    33 on Sat

          2. Sims
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            Sticking with the likes of kdb kane alonso till week 3 at least

            But sold Zaha

          3. Red Dagger ✪
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            this team got me 40 points jesus as c

            DeGea (Elliot)
            Stones, PVA, Bertrand (Mee Mariappa)
            KDB, Mane, Zaha, Carroll (RLC)
            Kane, Jesus, Gabbi

            probably holding except zaha

            1. Sims
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 8 months ago

              Solid team

              Had jesus scored that handled ball u would be looking at a decent score with kdb assist too

            2. Enzo the Baker
              • 10 Years
              6 years, 8 months ago

              Chin up RD that's a very decent team. Bad luck affects all but will even out over the season

        22. Waxys
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Mkhitarian.Good

          1. Debauchy
            • 11 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            Great

        23. juanmata8
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          a) Redmond > Mkhi/Pogba (-4)
          b) Save FT. Play Redmond

          What do you think?

          1. Stats Don\'t Lie
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            B definitely

        24. Unbelievable Jeff!
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Hazard back in training, surely a concern for those doing Zaha > Willian?!

          1. Sims
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            Why? Willian is nailed on anyway

            1. Unbelievable Jeff!
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              6 years, 8 months ago

              Willian is no way nailed when Hazard is back!? He certainly wasn't nailed last season so what's changed?

        25. The King
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          This is really tempting me:

          Kane, Hernandez, Holgate -->> Lacazette, Vardy, Cedric for -8

          Yay or nay?

          1. Sims
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            LOL no way

          2. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            That is really stupid

          3. PDM TOP 1,000 any Season Le…
            • 14 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            Kane IN or Out is a potential early season minefield !

          4. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            Don't get rid of Kane. If you're not happy with Hernandez and Holgate and no money ITB then Mounie/Vokes and a 5.5 def should be alright. Only if you were planning on playing Holgate though.

        26. Jaguar786
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Who to replace zaha

          A Mooy
          B Atsu
          C Jwp
          D Ritchie

        27. eamonhegg
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Help needed! Just pick one please!

          A) mooy
          B) astu

          1. Fpl Richie
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            How much would the extra 0.5 help?