Much has changed since Liverpool’s last double Gameweek at the beginning of the month. They have a new Manager in Kenny Dalglish, they’ve played against their two bitterest rivals – losing against Manchester United and drawing with Everton, while captain Steven Gerrard has been banned for 3 important games. Fortunes haven’t been transformed overnight then, although the arrival of Dalglish has injected a new level of optimism, helped in no small part to just a hint that Liverpool’s key performers are beginning to come alive and show a glimmer of form.
Chairman Tom Werner has also revealed that he will be financially backing Dalglish in the transfer market during this window, so expect new faces to help keep the wave of optimism rolling.
By their understandably high standards however, the team are suffering a dreadful period of form. Two games in quick succession against winnable opposition might just be what they need to get things back on track and Liverpool’s assets are certainly worth a passing glance from Fantasy Managers.
The Opponents
Liverpool make a trip to the midlands this Saturday to get their double Gameweek started as Wolves play host. Mick McCarthy’s men are in indifferent form, managing to pick up 3 wins but also suffering 3 losses. They are certainly better suited to matches at home as they have picked up 17 of their 21 points at Molineux this season. Although currently languishing in 18th in the Premier League, they know how to perform against the bigger teams in the division and have managed to beat both Manchester City and Chelsea on home soil.
Dalglish and his side then welcome Fulham to Anfield and Mark Hughes’ team are another who are caught in mixed form; their last 6 games read (D, L, W, L, W, D). Having only won once on the road this season, Fulham will be looking to up this tally, but with a low scoring record of just 23 goals all season and only 9 of those coming away from home they will certainly be considered the underdogs for the clash.
Current Form
As mentioned previously, Liverpool are well and truly underachieving this season and their recent form is not pleasant reading for Dalglish. In their last 6 Premier League games they have won 1, drawn 1 and lost 4. Their goal difference for the last 6 games is -5 and they have conceded in each of these matches. It is at Anfield where they have performed best, picking up 21 of their 26 Premier League points.
Rotation Risk
With two games in four days you might expect Dalglish to consider a couple of changes to freshen-up his side. Steven Gerrard will become available after the Wolves fixture and he will almost certainly come straight back into the team. This leaves other central midfield options unclear and we could see either Maxi Rodriguez or Raul Meireles lose their place in the starting line-up with Martin Poulsen almost certainly benched.
The back four has seen the most movement of late but Dalglish seems to have settled on young Martin Kelly at right-back with Glen Johnson handed a left-back role ahead of Fabio Aurelio and Paul Konchesky. Dan Agger and Martin Skrtel look set to start both matches in the centre, with Jamie Carragher still laid low.
Potential Targets
The home clash with Fulham looks to be Liverpool’s best source of profit, although they will be expected to score and get something from the trip to Wolves. Three goals over the two games, with a possible clean sheet against Fulham, looks a reasonable expectation.
Those considering Liverpool’s assets should also make note of the fact that Dalglish’ men follow Gameweek 24 with two more home matches in the next three. Stoke and Wigan come to Anfield next, with a trip to Chelsea sandwiched in-between.
Martin Kelly
Dalglish appears to be a big fan of the promising young full-back, having given him two Premier League start in their last two games as well as the crunch FA Cup fixture with Man United. Kelly has managed to push £18 million right-back Glenn Johnson over to the left hand side of the defence and forced Paul Konchesky out of the team. At just 4.2 in the FPL, Kelly looks a strong budget option for the Gameweek.
Predicted return: 1 clean sheet
Dirk Kuyt
The Dutch midfielder-come-forward is probably the club’s most in-from player. He proved his worth against Everton and scored a goal, made an assist and was rewarded with 3 FPL bonus points. At £8.8 million he is an expensive choice and owners (there’s 2.8% of them at the moment) would expect a better return than the 67 points he’s offered so far this season. But Kuyt is a proven performer, will remain on spot-kicks for the trip to Wolves and his graft has the eye of the Bonus Point judges.
Predicted return: 1 assist, 2 bonus points
Fernando Torres
Fernando Torres has managed to find the back of the net on just 7 occasions so far this season and is some way off reaching the heady heights of the 24 goals in his first year with the club. Although not yet firing on all cylinders, you can sense that he will spark soon and someone will be on the receiving end. With two fairly winnable fixtures coming-up, if Liverpool are to score a few goals, one would expect Torres to be amongst them. Dalglish has today suggested that the Spaniard is close to his best form and, having peppered the Everton goal to no avail, we expect him to have more luck over Gameweek 24.
Predicted return: 2 goals, 3 Bonus Points
