Scout Notes – Champions League Tuesday

A Trent Alexander-Arnold free-kick grabs the attention, but it is keeper Simon Mignolet who deserves the plaudits as Liverpool win 2-1 at Hoffenheim in their Champions League play-off match.

And a pre-season match after the start of the league campaign? Man City travel to Spain for just that.

Rotation? What rotation?

Jurgen Klopp named an unchanged side, and even the same bench, for the trip to Hoffenheim, which suggests that rotation might be a factor for Saturday’s visit of Crystal Palace.

It also highlights the slenderness of a Liverpool squad that is now well placed to be involved in plenty more high-level midweek European matches before Christmas.

That could have ramifications in both the short and long term.

The front three of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mo Salah were prominent in Germany, but they will struggle to maintain their brand of pacey, high-pressing intensity if required to play twice a week for the foreseeable future.

A late Hoffenheim goal kept the tie alive, making it very difficult for Klopp to consider resting players in the second leg – even with a visit from Arsenal coming just four days later.

The attacking trio are far and away the most popular Liverpool players in Fantasy Premier League, with all enjoying more than 20% ownership. Something will likely have to give at some point, be it form or fatigue.

Neither scenario is attractive for their FPL owners.

Two full-backs, one star

A pair of 4.5-priced full-backs, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alberto Moreno, took to the field against the Germans, and the former had a night to remember.

The young right-back continues to deputise for the injured Nathaniel Clyne. He’s also growing in stature as a set-piece taker and opened the scoring with a fine free-kick.

There’s a lot to love about a full-back with so much potential for goals and assists – particularly at that price – but the chance of clean sheet points is another matter entirely.

Liverpool’s defence managed 12 shut-outs last season. On the evidence of the first two matches of this campaign, they’ll struggle to surpass that modest sum.

Having conceded three goals at Watford, they could easily have done the same in Germany, relying on the profligacy of their hosts and a superb display from goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, who saved a penalty amid a range of excellent stops.

Moreno continues to look the weakest link in a porous backline and even the sainted Alexander-Arnold was at fault for Hoffenheim’s goal, appealing for an offside instead of getting on with the rather more pressing matter of stopping Mark Uth from getting in on goal unopposed.

The youngster, currently owned by just 2.7% in FPL and also boasting a share of corners, has very tempting attacking credentials at such a knock-down price, but Liverpool are some way short of impressive as a defensive unit.

Milner still out of position

One player Klopp could have used to shore up the Reds’ leaky left flank was James Milner.

Having impressed as a left-back while classified as a midfielder in FPL last season, the former England international ironically now seems destined for a midfield role now he’s down as a defender this year.

That could be an advantage to us – if he gets the pitch-time.

Milner only came on for the last half an hour in Germany as a straight swap in midfield for Jordan Henderson. On Saturday, against Watford, he played the last five minutes in place of Salah.

Klopp himself has stated that Milner is like having a new signing in midfield, which is just as well when Adam Lallana is injured and Philippe Coutinho determined to leave.

With specialist left-backs Moreno and new man Andrew Robertson – who is yet to even make the matchday squad for the Reds – at his disposal, the manager has so far been true to his word regarding the veteran.

Should Milner also snatch back penalty-taking duties, he could be a steal, even at 6.5, for an out of position defender.

But for now, that seems unrealistic. He’s currently an expensive bit-part player, albeit one who provided an assist for Liverpool’s second goal in Germany.

Firmino on form, not fire

A generous 8.5 FPL price has prompted 23.7% of managers to go with Firmino up front, and he provided an immediate reward with a penalty against Watford last weekend.

In Germany, he showed his creative talents, dropping deep to play Mane and Salah into the space that he created.

But as a striker, he was limited to just the one big chance on the night, while his attacking team-mates were given, and squandered, rather more goalscoring opportunities.

The Brazilian supplied two goals (one from the spot) and three assists in pre-season and his role is more facilitator than finisher.

His price remains attractive, but 8.5 is still a lot of money for a man who could end up with more assists than goals this season, particularly if Milner does start looming again as a spot-kick alternative.

City get a random run-out

The first Tuesday after the start of a long and gruelling new campaign is the perfect time to be travelling to Spain for a friendly – if you’re Pep Guardiola.

Man City’s entire first-team squad – minus Kyle Walker for personal reasons – boarded the plane for Girona and many got a run-out in what the club span as ‘an intensive training camp’.

Four City players – Douglas Luiz, Aleix Garcia, Pablo Maffeo and Marlos Moreno – are on loan at La Liga side Girona, which also happens to be owned by Guardiola’s brother, Pere, and City are reportedly considering making an investment in the Spanish club.

Add all that up and an interestingly timed post-pre-season pre-season friendly was the result.

Guardiola again went with a three-man defence that included Tosin Adarabioyo, John Stones and Eliaquim Mangala – with Danilo and Leroy Sane taking up the wing-back roles.

Meanwhile, new signing Bernardo Silva also started and fellow midfielder Ilkay Gundogan was given a 20-minute run-out as he returned from a knee injury that has kept him out for eight months.

The match also provided both Yaya Toure and Raheem Sterling – the latter playing up front – with some extra pitch-time. Gabriel Jesus was brought on for the last 20 minutes.

New arrival Benjamin Mendy was included in the squad as he steps up his recovery from a thigh complaint but the former Monaco left-back was not even named on the bench, suggesting that he will be eased into contention by his manager.

City lost 1-0, in case you were wondering.