Opinion

The Knee Jerk – Gameweek 1 – Saturday

A classic knee jerk in the making, Mohamed Salah owners were already fidgeting by half-time at Vicarage Road.

Fresh from four goals in pre-season, he had endured an inauspicious start to life back in the Premier League. A toe-poked skyward effort when through on goal, packaged up with several over miscues and errant first touches totalled a miserable first 45 minutes for Salah.

In contrast, Sadio Mane had sparkled and smartly converted Emre Can’s flick to peg back a plucky first half Watford showing.

Shifted to the left flank by Salah’s arrival, it looked as though Mane had adjusted to already demonstrate that he was back as the go-to guy among the opulence in Liverpool’s attack.

But things were to turn dramatically.

Just through sheer pace and endeavour, Salah first won a penalty via Heurelho Gomes’ clumsy telescopic arms and then sprinted to convert Roberto Firmino’s chipped effort from two yards out.

He ended on 11 points and was quickly installed as the top transfer target from those in action on the day.

He tallied five shots, all in the penalty area and eight touches in the box – more than any other midfielder in Gameweek 1 so far. Just as we expected, the statistics are Salah’s friend and will likely reinforce his case throughout the season.

Mane, who picked up a booking, was left trailing and, on today’s evidence, will clearly have his work cut out to justify his billing as the most expensive option in Jurgen Klopp’s armoury.

Owned by 23.5% to Salah’s 23.3%, that narrow gap is closing as Philippe Coutinho owners bail out, turning to the Egyptian as their replacement.

It is, of course, early days and it’s back at Anfield where Mane has previously been so potent.

Nine of his 13 goals arrived on Merseyside last season and he will have Crystal Palace in his sights for Gameweek 2.

Firmino also deserves our recognition. With Klopp relegating James Milner to his bench, the Brazilian was again on penalty duties and expertly converted following Salah’s tumble.

With the assist to follow, Firmino waltzed his way to the maximum bonus points, already benefiting from his new classification as a forward.

If Milner is to remain out of favour – presumably now discounted as a left-back – then Firmino will surely prosper.

Liverpool won eight penalties last season, with all but one converted by Milner. Firmino scored 11 goals regardless.

We have no reason to expect that Liverpool’s penalty count will regress. Indeed, with Salah adding his pace to Mane’s bursts, there’s every chance it will be maintained or even increased.

The conclusion is that Firmino’s stock is on the rise and that suddenly, Mane is in danger of slipping further down our Liverpool attack pecking order.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

4,257 Comments Post a Comment
  1. mgrea
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Have to question what Klopp was thinking putting Moreno back in? Same old from him.

    1. asquishypotato
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      wouldn't say he was entirely culpable for the goals, it wasn't like last seasons Arsenal game where he gave away a penalty and looked ropy.

      The whole defence dis

      1. mgrea
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Neither would I. Just have to question his judgement as to why Moreno still remains at Liverpool.

    2. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      He played decent. Mignolet, Matip, Lovren and Henderson were the awful ones.

      1. mgrea
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        I saw the same reckless player from previous seasons.

        1. goriuanx
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          He's not great at all, but he wasn't awful today.

          1. Frank Black
            • 11 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            Not playing Milner was insane, defensively and offensively speaking.

            1. goriuanx
              • 13 Years
              6 years, 7 months ago

              Milner is more shite than Moreno.

          2. mgrea
            • 12 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            Yeah perhaps it's wrong to single him our today for his performance, Liverpool were inept in the 1st half.

            I guess I thought by now he would have been far from a team of their stature.

  2. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    no knee jerks, it's fine

  3. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    LMS Update

    Current safety score = 24
    Top score = 89
    LMS average = 37.89

    2 games + autosubs to go

    1. JAC THE CAT
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      When's the cut off to join?

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Last chance will be January international break. Need to pass all the safety scores to qualify.

    2. Goonermeister
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      How many points do you think will be enough?

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Depends on tomorrow, lots of captains left.

    3. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Do half the managers drop each week TM?

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Bottom 5% atm.

        1. FPL ZB
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          Is it accumulative bottom 5%, or just individual game week performance?

    4. Jay_
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers. 22 here with a 3 point autosub. Kane (c), Lukaku, Valencia, Elliot. Real chance I go out week 1.

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          Should be ok.

      • Pompel
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        No Kane or ManU - Looks like going out GW1

    5. asquishypotato
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Firmino is the one target that I think will prosper and I'm worried not to have.

      Penalties greatly swings things and the linkup play with Salah and Mane can only get better

      1. Beatle
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Yep. He's there pick I'm most happy with

      2. Pub Crawl to the Townsend
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        True but arguably more at risk of rotation as pool have solanke, origi and sturridge

      3. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        😎

        1. asquishypotato
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          *takes glasses of when he remembers Iwobi*

        2. asquishypotato
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          Although if you are going for a Liverpool pick actively going firmino ahead of any other is either a stroke of genius or budget

          1. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
            • 12 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            Nah. Good judgement. He seems to be number 1 up top for Klopp, but if one of the others you mention is to play, Firminho will and can accommodated in the number ten role or on the left, especially with Coutinho going. Klopp loves him. He's rotation proof

      4. Rossendale Rover
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Salah is a great player, but Firmino on penalties was the only reason I favoured him. It won't be like that every week of course

    6. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Any potential price rises tonight?

    7. Eton Rifles
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Bad news for Lukaku owners / cappers if this guy knows his stuff:

      https://fantasy.premierleague.com/a/team/3559256/event/1

      1. Sterling is £11Mill..…
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        lol wut is going on with that team. Triple captain Hegazi and Lukaku benched for 90+ points :))

        1. Harper (No more Penandes)
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          well, he is eqyptian 😉

      2. rrcmc
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        How didn't he even notion the thought of captaining Hegazi!!! Genius or deluded

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

        Triple Captain Hegazi.... MENTAL

      4. Yav
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        LOL

      5. df34
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Great spot Bregg, Hegazi TC , unbelievable !!:-)

      6. Rossendale Rover
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Deluded. Lets check his score again in 2 weeks.

    8. Harper (No more Penandes)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Why didn't I just triple up on Liverpool attack. It always seems to work.

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

        Agreed. We always feel so smart trying to cover the teams we think could do well instead of stock up on the teams we know will.

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

          Watching Braveheart as we speak!

    9. tristanabc
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Who to play next week?

      A) Atsu (hud)
      B) Zaha (liv)

      1. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Wait until tomorrow

      2. Alan_T
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Zaha

      3. foobfan
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Hoping Astu will rock the boat for spurs tomorrow 🙂

        1. Sterling is £11Mill..…
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          same here if Atsu scores I will be so happy

      4. Rossendale Rover
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Atsu

    10. rrcmc
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Agreed. Anywhere I can chase price predictions?
      Need to ditch Ininotcho and fabinot and get Mounie and one other, but how urgent...?

        1. rrcmc
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          It's gotta hit 100+ % right for a price rise?

          1. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            If the site is correct, yes.

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

      Bit of an eager beaver (or keen badger),

      Who would you play next week;

      Mee (WBA) or TCarroll (MUN)?

      1. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Mee

      2. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Mee

      3. Beatle
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Mee obviously

      4. Rossendale Rover
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        If I was you, Id want to play Mee too

    12. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Well, looks like I might be able to roll a FT into Gw2...

      For the first time ever!

      1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        It's your year

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

        Plan was to do the same but then I tried to be smart and get Fabregas instead of Willian.

    13. Alan_T
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Have any bargains emerged from today's lineups?

      1. Harper (No more Penandes)
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Mounié

      2. Netley Lucas
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Mounie & Vokes, Bobby F too

      3. Alan_T
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah i am considering Tammy -----> Vokes or Mounie.

        Just dunno which to go for?

        Luckily I can't afford Rooney 🙂

    14. Everyday im Schneiderlin
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      is xhaka the best 5.5 mid ? or moo?

      1. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Wait a couple of weeks for a relatively consistent one to emerge imo

      2. Netley Lucas
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Some seem te think so. Not convinced.

      3. Pub Crawl to the Townsend
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Xhaka is a flash in the pan. Will be getting 2 and 3 points most weeks

      4. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        That name is banned

        1. Everyday im Schneiderlin
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          cheers thanks to all

      5. FlockofSeagulls
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        I'm not even convinced he's nailed on in that team.

        Coq, Elniny, Ramsey, Chamberlain, Wilshere etc. Plenty competition for that spot. I wouldn't be in a rush to get him.

    15. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Mounie bandwagon if he scores another next weekend...

      1. Manani
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        will probably pull a negredo after I bring him in

      2. TTKKane
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        The new Michu!

      3. Alan_T
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Looked ace

    16. ★Kuntheman★
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      I'm looking more at Vardy than Firmino, if I'm honest. Meh fixtures (kinda like Firmino) but pace is pace in the PL and he looks sharp

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

        He won't play a makeshift defence every week

      2. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        He scored a free header and benefited from some shocking marking . He looked sharp but I don't think it changed a whole pile for me tbh

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

          This

      3. SC not pearls before swine
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Arsenal were pretty horrible defensively though. It will be interesting to see how Leicester deal with Brighton who will play much more conservatively if today was any indication.

    17. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Those playing Sky FF are you swapping out Lacazette for Lukaku?

      1. ONSIDE 9
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        No I had xhaka (c) to cover lacazette 😎

    18. DiMatteoBandwagon
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      What, toe poked a nearly spectacular goal by Firmino....yeah really struggling to justify the extra 0.5

    19. Emiliano Sala
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      About Taa and danilo:
      A) taa to hegazi
      B) danilo to hegazi
      C) keep
      D) suicide

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

        D, by jumping into a pool of laser-wearing pie eating sharks

        1. Emiliano Sala
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          Will be great

      2. DD
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        A probably but only if Clyne is likely to come back next week

    20. SC not pearls before swine
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      I still feel pretty good about Mane. He may not wind up being worth the extra .5 over Salah, but there's not enough in it to tempt me to switch.

      1. Netley Lucas
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        I think he's their best attacking player, holding the knee 😆

        1. SC not pearls before swine
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          I had him basically every week he was fit last year, and it worked out for the most part. His inability to get bonus points is very annoying though.

          1. Netley Lucas
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            It was a quality goal from a quality player.

      2. kalmoffit
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        This article is just nonsense. 🙂

    21. Cesc, Drogs & Rock and …
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Decent first GW; got lucky with a couple of decisions.

      DDG

      Luiz | Ake | Bertrand | Lowe

      Ritchie | Salah (captained) | Alli | KDB

      Jesus | Luk

      (Eliot, bunch of 4.5 and 4s) cares)

      Thinking of rolling over FT. Thoughts?

    22. GinjaWhinja
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Really not sure I will be able to justify Firmino at any point this season when Morata was decent today, then there's Jesus, Kane, Lukaku...

      Really think its the midfield where we need to be looking.

      1. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Depends what you do with the cash.

    23. Energetics
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Already asked previous post but no replies.

      Best 5.5 mid, preferably on set pieces.

      A. Xhaka
      B. Brunt (good rotation with Carroll
      C. Mooy
      D. JWP

      1. TTKKane
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Jwp

      2. Oven Glover
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        The one who scored most points this gw. The best news is that this answer applies to every gw!

      3. Yav
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Too early to say, however i started with JWP. Not sure how that will go....

      4. Pub Crawl to the Townsend
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        C or D of those

    24. TTKKane
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      187k position...all downhill from here lol

    25. andy85wsm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      It's great to have FPL back!

      1. DD
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Amen. How's week 1 shaping up for you Andy?

        1. andy85wsm
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          39 so far, happy with that given who's played and scored so far.

          Lukaku (c), Kane, Atsu and Mkhitaryan to go.

          1. DD
            • 11 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            Good stuff mate. You convinced me on the podcast to punt on Mkhitaryan rather than stick with Zaha. Hopefully it works out like we both hope.

            1. andy85wsm
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 13 Years
              6 years, 7 months ago

              Fingers crossed!

      2. Jamie_GAWA
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Agreed!

        Love the streams btw

        1. andy85wsm
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          Thanks for tuning in! 🙂

      3. Oven Glover
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        No. Not really...

        1. andy85wsm
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          You're probably in the wrong place 😉

          1. Oven Glover
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            I hurt myself today. To see if I still feel. I focus on the pain. The Alonso thing that's real.

            1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
              • 10 Years
              6 years, 7 months ago

              Im NIN'alu

      4. Ronnies
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        whats ur team id bro ?

        1. andy85wsm
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          157

      5. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Amen and thanks to you plug on Stephens in the Podcast... nice 7 points

        1. andy85wsm
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          6*

          But still great, love him 🙂

      6. Darklord_bg
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Indeed...I missed the excitement, cursing at Salah at half-time, then doing a complete 180 during second half.

        Then Hegazi goal...when I wasn't even sure he would start...awesome stuff.

    26. Jamie_GAWA
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Lost on last article..

      @wildrover

      Just replied to your comment telling me to 'link or STFU'

      One of many links of me backing Huddersfield.. don't be salty lol

    27. b✪mber
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      How did RLC look today? Looked on the last 5-7 pages of the old post, but didn't see anyone mention him.

      1. TD Champ
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Played in a very attacking role in the first half, didn't do well. Second half went deeper, and played better. But playing deeper is of course worse with regards to FPL...

      2. SC not pearls before swine
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        He was invisible in the first half on the right wing. When Townsend came in and he moved to midfield he was great. A couple of great runs that drew fouls and a couple of sexy long passes to Zaha. Not sure he'll be a fantasy force, but he played very well.

        1. b✪mber
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          Do you think he'll keep his place in the team?

    28. Ronnies
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Keep zaha & willian or sell 1 of them for ramsey ?

      Tnks

      1. TTKKane
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Keep for now

      2. Yav
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Hold fire for another week. Use the time to see more of everyone.

    29. We Will Klopp you
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Early captain shouts non-Lukaku owners? I'm thinking Kane

      1. Optimus.
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Salah looks a good shout

        1. We Will Klopp you
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          Tended to get trolled by Liv mids last season, got me points but whenever I captained them they underwhelmed (e.g. Mane blank week), Salah is in my thoughts, seems to have a striker's mindset

    30. Kjoreilly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Is fab price protected?

      Is Winjaldum a good pick if he's not price protected, played fairly advanced today

      1. TTKKane
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        He should have scored too

      2. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Not price protected, just needs more transfers out.

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

        It's either Wijnaldum or Ramsey for me.

    31. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      501k with kane and lukaku (c) left...boom

      1. Yav
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Just 37 weeks of consistency to go!

      2. FISKIMUS
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        33k with Valencia and Rashford left...... sonic boom!