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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. Individual
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Amazing article Mr Prokoptas. We love a bit of red roulette 😀

    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      + 42. 🙂

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

      It'll be fascinating to see which of the three scores highest. Still backing Mané for now.

  2. PMassive94
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Talk to me:
    a) Zaha - Ramsey for short term (although Ramsey fixtures quite dodgy)
    b) Zaha to Ince or Mooy, bank the 1m, see how Gabbi performs this weekend and if he gets more than 60 minutes, then potentially upgrade to Rashford (along with Kane and Kaku).

    Not many people have both up top, and Rashford looked an incredibly good asset for assists on weekend

    1. arndff_
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      If you decide to give Gabbiadini one more chance, then Zaha to Ince/Mooy (personally, I prefer Ince).

      1. PMassive94
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 10 months ago

        Don't want to take a 4 point hit at this stage.... so thought I'd see one more

  3. La vida FPL
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    I want to captain Kane. But I don't have the cojones 🙁

    1. thepeen555
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      i going with vardy i think

  4. FirminoIsBetterThanYou
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Zaha to:
    A). Richarlison
    B). Mooy
    C). Xhaka

    1. BERGKOP
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Not A.

    2. I Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      B

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

      Mooy, only solid option.

    4. Sailboats
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      B

    5. arndff_
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      If you don't like B, you can go with:
      D) Ince.

    6. GoonerByron
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Ince the standout option for me

  5. Borran
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Do you think MKHITARYAN is nailed on?

    1. The Artist
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      No

      1. Borran
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 10 months ago

        why not?

        1. Moyesinho
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 10 months ago

          Martial looks in great form. Mourinho is not going to bench him every game.

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

      Maybe till champions league kicks in

      1. Borran
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 10 months ago

        And when is that? September?

    3. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Yes he is nailed on... this year is different than last year... he has adapted to the premier league and Mou trusts him

  6. HALFSPACE
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Masuaku 4.5 option looks good enough for that price point, will see after a few weeks if he keeps his slot

    on the watchlist

    1. BigManBakar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      I guess you didn't see him play the other day. West Ham's defence is a joke.

      1. HALFSPACE
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 10 months ago

        More for his attacking potential than CS potential

        1. BigManBakar
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 10 months ago

          I doubt he stays in the team after that performance mate.

    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Please don't? 🙂

      1. GoonerByron
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 10 months ago

        What's happened to Cresswell? Knocked down the pecking order? Was a great Fantasy option for a while..

  7. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Son Yay or Nay?

    1. arndff_
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Nope imo

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

    The most transferred out forward after GW1 is Harry Kane (90281).

    LOL

    1. red forever
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      the best managers didnt have him to start with 😉

      1. arndff_
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 10 months ago

        Eriksen did an incredible job last Sunday. Hats down!
        But if you don't have Kane and he explodes like the end of last season, then it's hard to sign him.

        1. red forever
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 10 months ago

          I'll take my chances! (but if he does hopefully Alli is in on the action too)

          I'm not expecting a goal fest to be honest, reckon Chelsea will get their act together, maybe a tight 1-1

    2. The Royal Robin
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Their loss.

    3. bojack
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      90,000!

      I can't wait for Sunday evening here:

      "I know it seems mental but I transferred out KANE for JESUS. Should I get him back now? Help!"

      1. arndff_
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 10 months ago

        Haha, that's what I'm talkin' about.

      2. DAZZ
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 10 months ago

        Rate my team, who can i remove to fit Kane back in? Monday morning

    4. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Yes, but as a Kane and Jesus owner who doesn't have Lukaku I can fully understand the rage that made people do it.

      Two days later I'm still gutted and annoyed at both of them as they've put me in a big hole by scoring 1 point apiece.

      Had either of them just scored once or assisted then people wouldn't be so mad at the two of them and would be unlikely to be selling.

      1. arndff_
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 10 months ago

        Lukaku is a must this season. United have a sequence of easy fixtures.

        1. Nomar
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 10 months ago

          I figured City would be more potent than Utd and Jesus would be right up there.

          Have Pogba, so I've got to decide whether to hold this week and reassess with 2 FT next week, or take a hit to do Jesus to Lukaku.

  9. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Is it too risky to have two liverpool attackers in your team with their busy schedule?

  10. A Betting Man
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Zaha, Lejeune & Fab (already transferred out) owner who also doesn't have Firmino & will want to get Alli in next week.

    Feel like wildcarding but missed the value of price rises 🙁

  11. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Zaha and Gabbiadini to Pogba and Mounie very likely move for a hit.

    - Gabbiadini is at risk of starting on the pine behind Austin. He didn't take his chances (5 attempts, 0 on target). Not nailed.

    - Mounie a proven goal scorer, although it was in France. 3 attempts, 2 on target so far. He will have great service from Mooy and Ince. Nailed on.

    - Pogba over Mkhitaryan for me due to 'Nailedonness' and excellent fixtures.

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      I had Mounie from day one and got Pogba over Mikhi for the same reasons you stated.

      1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 10 months ago

        I changed Mounie a day before to Gabbiadini. Shattered. I wouldn't care if Gabbiadini scored a hatrick. I don't want him in my team.

    2. The Artist
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Agree about Pogba being more likely to stay in the side but disagree about Gabby and Mounie. Palace were a mess and were defensively suspect at the best of times last season. Remember, Hull crushed Leicester at the beginning of last season and were relegated, and no one was clamoring for any Hull strikers. Mounie is a straight up punt.

      1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 10 months ago

        What do you suggest then?

      2. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 10 months ago

        I got Mounie because I felt he's going to be their best option for goals and he'd be nailed on.

        What he did on Saturday was beyond my wildest expectations and of course he's not going to do that every week, but there aren't many nailed on options at £6m and his early fixtures are good.

        It was between him and Vokes for me, either would have bought home the bacon for me last weekend.

    3. bojack
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      What's the worst that could happen by leaving it a week?

      Given that by saving FT, you're 4 points up already. So you need Mounie to score once to break even.

      I'd just save for now. If Gabbi scores and gets his confidence back, he's then got two more plum fixtures.

      1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 10 months ago

        Ahhhh....... You're talking to much sense!

        What to do with Zaha? Do you have him?

        1. arndff_
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 10 months ago

          @Dingo,

          Zaha to Mooy/Ince is a good switch. 🙂

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

          Nah I haven't but I have Gabbi 🙁

      2. arndff_
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 10 months ago

        I can't wait forever. He burnt me last season, he did it again last weekend.
        As Dingo said, I had Mounie and then switched to Gabbiadini -- a very B.I.G. mistake (lost Kolasinac too thanks to this move).

        1. Nomar
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 10 months ago

          Saw enough of Gabbi at the end of last season to know he would troll me no more thenceforth",

    4. Ramboros
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Austin is highly unlikely to start ahead of Gabbiadini.

  12. 007 [RoboKlopp]
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Is Ramsey is nailed?

    Thank you.

    1. chrisjdgrady
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Yeah, when fit. Should be good to go.

  13. FirminoIsBetterThanYou
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Is Danilo still nailed for this weekend?

    1. BobbyV
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Hopefully for 60 minutes

  14. The Royal Robin
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Is Zaha > Arnie just sheer madness? They were playing Utd away though. Fixtures do ease up now though.

  15. Eton Rifles
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    First prem manager for the chop?

    I say Bilic

    1. Nabs Kebabs
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      De Boer. Palace players aren't technical enough to play total football.

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 10 months ago

        ^^^. By a short head.

      2. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 10 months ago

        Good call.

        1. We Will Klopp you
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 10 months ago

          This, good managers either get the players in to suit the system they want to play or adapt the system to the players at the club if they can't get those better suited players in

  16. The Yorkshire Pirlo
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Zaha to?

    A/ Ince
    B/ Mooy
    C/ Atsu

    Forster
    Danilo, TAA, Ake, Bertrand
    KDB, ____, Salah
    Jesus, Kane, Firmino

    1. arndff_
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      A)!

    2. FERDINANDISWORTHTWOINTHEBUS…
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Willian looked so good. If Morata starts it gives him something to aim at. Unless you're trying to save some funds.

      1. The Yorkshire Pirlo
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 10 months ago

        Was looking to save 1m just in case I want Lukaku

  17. Orange Roughy
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    A) Zaha > Ramsey
    B) Zaha + Willian > Mooy + Eriksen (-4)

    Have £1m in the bank.

    1. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Zaha > son/mkhi?

      1. Orange Roughy
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 10 months ago

        Got Mkhi. Not interested in Son because I'm keen on Eriksen in the near future (if not this week)

        1. arndff_
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 10 months ago

          This

  18. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Right. I'm all aboard the Saints 6.5 train, since I imagine they'll be relatively stable price rise, and I don't like the fixtures of Willian or Rambo.

    The question is:

    Tadic or Redmond?

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

        So JWP?

  19. leovesole
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Already did Fab > Willian. Got Zaha to deal with. Take a hit and for whom? Mooy or Ince or another?

  20. HALFSPACE
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Moreno on the watchlist lols, imagine if he keeps his place, no hope for CS returns but attacking potential for a 4.5 is excellent

    1. chrisjdgrady
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      I didn't even realize he's 4.5. That would be something.

  21. dayoketzz
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Zaha injured...

    Best replacement:
    A) Mhkytarian
    B) Willian
    C) Mounie

  22. GoonerByron
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Who comes in for Zaha? Any chance PVA will play in the front 3?

  23. Valar(Keith)
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Already have Ritchie.. Doing Zaha to Atsu.. Next week IL rotate Carroll with Atsu /Ritchie and swap one of them for son/Ramsey etc depending on who looks good. Boring but makes sense. Lol

    1. BananaNose Maldonado
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Do you have a fourth defender who can play? Those transfers seem wasteful to me.

  24. Sz21
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    1. Ramsey in for Zaha.
    2. RLC in for Zaha (2.5 in the bank after that).
    3. Other move.

    Begovic,
    Mee, Kolasinac, Jones, Yoshida.
    Willian, KDB, JWP.
    Kane(c), Lukaku, Firmino(vc).

    Elliot, Zaha**, Carroll, Dummett*
    1ft, 0.0m on account.

  25. Win'dian
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Which is better

    A. -8 for 11 starters
    B. -12 for what best 11 I'm looking for
    C. Wildcard

    Thanks guys

  26. Wiolini
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Any thoughts on having Mata as transfer to Zaha?
    I do think it could be a good options if Mourhino keeps play 4-2-3-1, and Mata is a regular.
    But on the other hand, alot of "If".
    Thanks

  27. OLE BOLEH!
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    danilo to davies... or save?

  28. Nanoelektronicar
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone has the feel that price system is tweaked? Price changes doesn't seem like the last season.

  29. HALFSPACE
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Dodged a bullet with Zaha by the looks of it

    1. GoonerByron
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      I didn't.. Ended up going Fabregas instead 😛

      1. leovesole
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 10 months ago

        I ended up with both.

    2. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Yeah, can't believe I let people convince me into getting him...

  30. Stats Don\'t Lie
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Best Zaha replacement?

    A)xhaka/ramsey
    B)mooy/ince
    C)willian
    D)richarlison
    E)Tadic/redmond/jwp

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

      I'm going Mooy, but if we were a couple more weeks into the season I reckon Richarlison could become a great option.