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. There's Always One!
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    How did Zaha look yesterday?

    Also is Ramsey an option or will he be on the bench

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

      just off MOTD footage he was almost playing up front, v involved, some good chances. stick with just yet. defensively though palace were all over the place.
      In fact mounies 2 goals were completely umarked, he had a 1-on-1 under pressure he fluffed. so he's not necessarily the second coming

      1. MrZ
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        How come CPL didn't score then? Is huds defence that good? Would consider their defence if yes 😀

  2. Klopp For The Kopps 😆
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    This is the Season of 3 Big Hitters Upfront, too much potential.
    Aguero Jesus Firmino Vardy Laca Morata Kane Lukaku
    Wish I could have More than 3

    1. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Agreed. Fe ck defence, invest upfront.

    2. Business Cat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Funny...it was the season of 5 wingbacks at the back last week 😉

      1. Make Arrows Green Again
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Still is, keep the faith 🙂

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

        Hang on, I'm sitting on 20 points off 3 defenders at the moment.

      3. Klopp For The Kopps 😆
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Never believed in that TBH

        1. Make Arrows Green Again
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          Lol it's been one game. Wait until the likes of Huddersfield take a good beating or two and confidence starts to drop, they will start sitting back, score fewer and concede more.

          1. Klopp For The Kopps 😆
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            Hardly 3/4 defenders made it to Top 20 points scorers last season which clearly shows 5 at the back should never be an option

            1. Make Arrows Green Again
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 7 months ago

              Not necessarily, if it means that you can fill all of the midfield and attacking slots with better players because you have saved so much money by not playing dodgy mid-range midfields or strikers. Simply put, I'm sure Kolasinac will outscore most 6.0 midfielders this season.

              1. Cok3y5murf
                • 7 Years
                6 years, 7 months ago

                What are you planning to do with Alonso, Redarrows? I got 33 points from my back 5 + GK 🙂

                1. Make Arrows Green Again
                  • 7 Years
                  6 years, 7 months ago

                  Ha! Nice work 🙂 think I'll have to stick for now. He still looked a threat and I think he would have got attacking points of some description if it weren't for the sending-off. Senseless.

              2. Klopp For The Kopps 😆
                • 8 Years
                6 years, 7 months ago

                3 at the Back doesn't mean that you won't have Good WBs
                I have Bertand Daniels Kolasinic
                I'm saying you won't need More cuz it'll reduce amount of Big hitters upfront

                1. Make Arrows Green Again
                  • 7 Years
                  6 years, 7 months ago

                  Fair enough. I'm trying something out this season, may switch after first WC. It's a long season and anything could happen.

      4. MrZ
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        That's because the good fwd that we know is too expensive now 🙂

    3. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Plenty of big hitting milfs too though: Alli, Sanchez, Hazard, Mane, Salah, Eriksen, KGB, et al.

      Too early to say.

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

        gotta love a big hitting milf

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

      morata only one I'd consider so far, see how kankaku do today

      1. Klopp For The Kopps 😆
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Only Morata?
        Laca Firm and Aguero were really good too

  3. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Bottomed.

    Looks like I'm forced to act due to Iwobi likely price fall.

    How about Iwobi ➡ Gross? Played as a second striker against ManC and takes all set pieces for Brighton.

    1. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      He looked great but Brighton looked truly awful offensively

    2. Stoneytq1
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      I done the exact same.

  4. Vpan
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    What happens when I join a league from GW2?
    Starting from zero points?

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

      Nope, your GW1 points count too.

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

      Auto credited the average points of gw 1

  5. DoobNoob
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Is Hegazi expected to keep his position in the West Brom defence long term?

    1. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Nope. McGauley is due back at some point in the s/t.

  6. shady4revr
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Fabregas replacement?

    1. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Ramsay appeals to me.

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

      Ramsey long term (immediately if starting), Willian short term.

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

      Ramsey

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

    Almost certainly benching Dann next week. Nailed on to score from a set piece against that Liverpool defence isn't he...

    1. H-SF
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      yep...

    2. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Will concede atleast 3 but yes scores a header

    3. Vlekz
        6 years, 7 months ago

        I am confused too. Should I play PVA or Carroll(utd). PVA means I play 5 defenders. Tough call

        1. In FPHell
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          Has to be pva, Carrol will be a two pointer so might as well risk it

          1. Vlekz
              6 years, 7 months ago

              Yup. Got PVA atm. Cheers

      • Vlekz
          6 years, 7 months ago

          Why did Cahill lose a point for goals conceded? He got a red in the 13th minute with the score at 0-0. Whether Chelsea concede after that or not shouldn't reduce his score

          1. #23
            • 11 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            read the rules

          2. S.Kuqi
            • 11 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            I think minus points for rc should be enough.

            1. Make Arrows Green Again
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 7 months ago

              No way, the rest of the defence gets punished with goals against for his infringement so he must also lose points. Fine by me.

              1. Vlekz
                  6 years, 7 months ago

                  Logically all cool. But FPL only gives points based on actions performed. Maybe this is the only rule where logic applies

                  1. Make Arrows Green Again
                    • 7 Years
                    6 years, 7 months ago

                    Fair point

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

              That's always been the rule for red carded players. I believe the logic is that his sending off contributed to the team conceding those goals.

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

            Have nothing else to do for the upcoming game week. Dann is an issue however. If I don't transfer him I'll field Mee v West Brom at home. Although I can upgrade Dann to Kolasinac.

            Is this transfer worth it? Or just field Mee v West Brom at home? Cheers

            1. mrpink32
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              6 years, 7 months ago

              I think field mee

              1. Benjo
                • 7 Years
                6 years, 7 months ago

                Thanks. I'm thinking much the same at the moment

            2. Pep says
              • 8 Years
              6 years, 7 months ago

              Is that why you got Mee in the 1st place. Coulda scored yesterday and they looked good. This week they're at home against a team that struggles to score goals. I'm quite happy to start Mee this week.

          4. mrpink32
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            Ok, so want to upgrade benteke to vardy

            Options are downgrading a 5 red to 4.5.
            Or down grading milovejevic to a 4.5.
            See are currently Fuchs Daniels and cedric.

            Any suggestions which to downgrade and what replacement should be?? Thanks in advance!!!

            1. MrZ
              • 9 Years
              6 years, 7 months ago

              Fuchs maybe. Lei schedule is horror

          5. Cheshire Duck
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            Has someone watched WBA-Bournemouth ? How was Fraser ?

            1. Pep says
              • 8 Years
              6 years, 7 months ago

              Nearly broke Dawson's nose with what would have been a goal otherwise. Not sure other than that

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

            Know it's a bit early but good to go and save my FT lads?

            DDG
            Bertrand, Cedric, Hegazi, Kolas
            Willian, Zaha, KDB
            Lukaku, Kane, Firmino

            (Elliot)(Carroll, RLC, Long)

            1. @fpl_phenom
              • 8 Years
              6 years, 7 months ago

              Yes save FT , gtg .

          7. Trevez
            • 10 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            Why no love for Fernández (SWA) ??

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

              There was no faith in the Swansea defence, period. That was a poor assumption.

            2. Business Cat
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              6 years, 7 months ago

              Cos Naughton's the same price but more attacking

          8. Henning
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            Didnt watch the game, and its the first gw. But is it worth to keep Batshuayi?

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

              he was awful, morata was excellent. dont think he'll start next week

            2. Pep says
              • 8 Years
              6 years, 7 months ago

              Nah, Morata was good last night, he's ready to start I reckon. Bat didn't do much in the game

              1. Henning
                • 9 Years
                6 years, 7 months ago

                Ok. Maby get Vardy or Firmino, even If I told my self to not make eary transfers

          9. Trevez
            • 10 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            When will price rise happen?

            1. @fpl_phenom
              • 8 Years
              6 years, 7 months ago

              Tonight around 2.30

              1. Trevez
                • 10 Years
                6 years, 7 months ago

                How do you work that out please?

          10. Pep says
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            Stephens (WHU) Mee (WBA) Danilo (EVE) Dawson (bur) & Jones (swa) is a tricky back line to pick for gw2.

            Should I go with the home fixtures? (I'm aware I mightnt need to decide if Jones and Danilo are dropped however)

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

              Stephens, mee, jones and Danilo best options. jones if he starts today

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

              They all look viable CS's to me. None are obviously droppable. I've got a similar set-up. If Danilo or Jones are dropped I'll be fine with that.

            3. Jafalad
              • 14 Years
              6 years, 7 months ago

              I've got the first three on that list and am playing them. I'm also playing the youngster at Liverpud - TAA - who I thought was q good yesterday. Takes a very good corner from both sides.

            4. Business Cat
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              6 years, 7 months ago

              Stephens Mee and Jones of those for me.

          11. Mr. Greedy
            • 14 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            I'm so annoyed. A couple of days ago I had Salah and Mounie. Then I swapped to Matic and Jesus at the last minute. Do you think a 4 point hit to swap back sounds good?

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

              no

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

              like salah but I think the palace defending flattered mounie

            3. Make Arrows Green Again
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 7 months ago

              No! You surely set up your team for more than one gameweek. Dataset is tiny at the moment

          12. Inter Me Gran
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            First transfer, Sane to Silva, he looked good yesterday

            1. Pep says
              • 8 Years
              6 years, 7 months ago

              You shouldn't have had Sané in the 1st place to be fair. Alonso plays more advanced than him, is more nailed on, gets clean sheet points and is 1.5m less..

              1. Inter Me Gran
                • 8 Years
                6 years, 7 months ago

                So silva and KDB are the regular CM for city this season I'm guessing?

              2. MrZ
                • 9 Years
                6 years, 7 months ago

                Noted pep 😀

          13. Demon Devil Timmy
            • 12 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            I've got Kane as Captain this Gameweek : I really need him to get a hat-trick and for Lukaku to blank to stand any chance of catching my Mini-League Rivals......

            What do you think my chances are?

            Thanks

            1. Make Arrows Green Again
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 7 months ago

              Perfectly likely, either could happen.

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

              It's one week calm down

              1. Make Arrows Green Again
                • 7 Years
                6 years, 7 months ago

                Waxys. I agree.

            3. thepeen555
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 7 months ago

              There is 37 more game weeks I'm sure they will slip along the way. Don't cost urself points cause that won't help

          14. Differentiator
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            Having watched the highlights, actually pretty OK with Van Aanholt. Looked good on corners and going fwd. Easily could've had an assist yday

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

              Watching the full game on repeat at the moment. Palace will be fine going forward; they're a shambles at the back. PVA won't get enough CS to make the assists worth the money imo.

            2. gribude
              • 14 Years
              6 years, 7 months ago

              RLC looked any good?

          15. @fpl_phenom
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            Will McAuley walk straight back into that baggies team when fit? even though hegazi playing well?

            1. Football Weekender
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 7 months ago

              Hegazi's place to lose. Don't have to worry about that until after the international break though.

              1. @fpl_phenom
                • 8 Years
                6 years, 7 months ago

                I'm going transfer him in tonight I think before price rise... I was advised against West Brom defense but the look good and he looks a bargain. Allows me cash to get Mounie too so might do both....

          16. Waxys
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            Lo lay the Silva and Xhaka bandwagon.

            You're meant to get these guys before they score nkt chasing points

          17. twoplustwo
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            Happy with Ince and Zaha yesterday despite no points.

            Any Redmond info? Didn't catch the game.

          18. Make Arrows Green Again
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            Friends, please don't rip up your teams based on GW1 results. Some teams are appearing in the PL for the first time or the first time in ages. They are always roared on by their fans and are fresh and enthusiastic. Wait even a couple of weeks until heads start to drop and identify the assets to exploit those weaknesses.

            1. Over Midwicket
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              6 years, 7 months ago

              Bit harsh

          19. Waxys
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            Gameweek 1 is but a mere speck in the EPL season calm down everyone.

            Chelsea had a shit start last season too.

            1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
              • 14 Years
              6 years, 7 months ago

              If you're 20 points behind after GW, and that turns into 40 after GW2, you could be 50-60 behind after the GW3 international break, which means a season of catch up, u can fall into the trap of not making changes where needed just because of losing a FT or even 4/8 points.

              1. MrZ
                • 9 Years
                6 years, 7 months ago

                I would be more concern to prices rather than points.
                Some players need time to score. Remember Kane last season dont have a great opening weeks but ended top scorer...

          20. diesel001
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            No.1 strikers for Top 7 teams:

            Kane: Playing today
            Lukaku: Playing today
            Aguero: Scored
            Lacazette: Scored
            Morata: Scored
            Firmino: Scored
            Rooney: Scored

            Hope Kane and Lukaku deliver today

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

              Good observation.

            2. Over Midwicket
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              6 years, 7 months ago

              Lol @ Rooney

          21. thepeen555
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            Wow xhaka at 84.00 on FPLstats that many changes already

            1. Business Cat
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              6 years, 7 months ago

              Choo chooo! 😉

            2. There's Always One!
              • 14 Years
              6 years, 7 months ago

              What position did he play? Is he a nailed on starter?

              1. Business Cat
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 9 Years
                6 years, 7 months ago

                Defensive mid. Was taking free kicks and corners on Friday though

                1. Freddo
                  • 6 Years
                  6 years, 7 months ago

                  Did you watch the game? He wasn't a defensive mid, he was a central mid who dictated the game.

                  Plenty of offensive thinking in his passing.

            3. diesel001
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 7 months ago

              All those Firmino to Vardy sales stopped pretty quickly after he scored yesterday too.

              1. thepeen555
                • 7 Years
                6 years, 7 months ago

                Lol yep think they thought oh hang on a minute - is it 100 when a change in price is coming ?

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

            Jürgen Klopp says Philippe Coutinho’s Liverpool future is out of his hands

            1. diesel001
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 7 months ago

              Enjoy Spain Philippe. Makes Firmino a better prospect IMO. Set pieces and less point sharing

              1. HNI
                • 10 Years
                6 years, 7 months ago

                But top 4 looks distant then unless Tot have a poor season

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

                I thought Pool played like they really missed Coutinho. I don't think any of their players look better FPL prospacts without him - and I say that as a satisfied Salah owner.

                1. HNI
                  • 10 Years
                  6 years, 7 months ago

                  So in non coutinho Liv isnt Firmino best bet or go with Salah? Just dont like Salah poor composure in front of goal

                2. diesel001
                  • 7 Years
                  6 years, 7 months ago

                  Pool need to a more defensive mentality IMO. Don't win titles concedinng goals. This ain't a rollover league like La Liga or Bundesliga.

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

              Now the situation is that unless you PSG/Manutd/Bayern, when Barca/Mad come calling there is nothing the club can do..Thank god atleast Manutd broke that trend with De gea situation

            3. @fpl_phenom
              • 8 Years
              6 years, 7 months ago

              He's a gonner, he's said he has bosses and if they decide to sell it's out of his hands...

              Get it done and a good replacement, is central defender and CAM for the €100M

              1. HNI
                • 10 Years
                6 years, 7 months ago

                Van Dijk and Eriksen? Eriksen may cost much more looking at how thin Tot squad is now

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

                I don't know of any CMs even close to Cout's quality who are available. It's gonna hurt 'Pool.

          23. There's Always One!
            • 14 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            Thought's on KDB from yesterday? Is D silva looking as good?

            1. HNI
              • 10 Years
              6 years, 7 months ago

              kdb had just one chance created...Silva had 5! Would give KDB atleast one more week before making a call

            2. Business Cat
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              6 years, 7 months ago

              David Silva had the better game yesterday, had more influence.

              Wouldn't be looking to swap them though.

            3. Football Weekender
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 7 months ago

              KDB saw lots of the ball, always looking to create. Looked dangerous first half, less so in the second. Would've had an assist if the G.Jesus goal wasn't ruled out. Silva looked good as always.

              Can't look at the game in isolation though, KDB will get plenty of goals & assists. They'll come.

          24. HVT
            • 13 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            Jesus/William > Firminho/Salah -4?

            1. HNI
              • 10 Years
              6 years, 7 months ago

              Lol no way
              Both on left were as much threatening as ones on right...just that Liv had their day...If they again blank then swap after GW 2 for free

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

                I think price rises will affect this, William could be Zaha?

                1. HNI
                  • 10 Years
                  6 years, 7 months ago

                  Both were quite decent...Willian created more chances than zaha but zaha was more threatening with 2 SOT..I had wait out a week so stats normalize

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

                    Agree, but Salah will rise this week and you know how that 0.1 has a domino effect, the hit doesn't bother me as I feel it will pay for itself, Mounie is another one that tempts me...