Dugout Discussion

Starts for Salah, Firmino and Mane in Liverpool’s season opener

As expected, there are starts for Liverpool’s attacking trio of Mohamed Salah (£13.0m), Sadio Mane (£9.5m) and Roberto Firmino (£9.5) as the Reds welcome West Ham United to Anfield this afternoon.

Fabinho (£6.0m), who missed a penalty in the Tuesday night friendly win over Torino, is only fit enough for a place on the substitute’s bench after struggling with illness this week. James Milner (£5.5m) however has recovered from a head injury to take his place in the three-man midfield alongside Georgino Wijnaldum (£5.5m) and Naby Keita (£7.5m).

Joe Gomez (£5.0m) has won his own fitness battle to line up in the Liverpool defence, which is otherwise at full strength. Alisson (£5.5m) makes his league debut for the Reds between the sticks.

Having missed West Ham United’s final pre-season fixtures with a hip injury, Andriy Yarmolenko (£7.0m) only features as a substitute for the Hammers today. Michail Antonio (£7.0m) takes his place on the right flank.

Declan Rice (£4.5m) looks set to feature out of position in the West Ham midfield, while there are competitive Irons debuts for Lukasz Fabianski (£4.5m), Ryan Fredericks (£5.0m), Fabian Balbuena (£4.5m), Jack Wilshere (£5.0m) and Felipe Anderson (£7.0m).

In the other 13:30 BST kick-off, Cedric Soares (£4.5m) has been passed fit to play at wing-back after missing all of Southampton’s pre-season.

Jack Stephens (£4.5m) gets the nod over Jan Bednarek (£4.0m) in central defence, while Manolo Gabbiadini  (£6.0m) is only among the substitutes – along with Danny Ings (£5.5m).

Charlie Austin (£6.0m) is supported by Nathan Redmond and Stuart Armstrong (both £5.5m) in attack.

Matthew Lowton and Stephen Ward (both £5.0m) return at full-back for Burnley after being rested for the Thursday night Europa League fixture in Istanbul, while Chris Wood (£6.5m) is the sole striker in the attack.

Joe Hart (£4.5m) makes his Burnley league debut, with Tom Heaton (£5.0m) watching on from the bench.

Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, van Dijk, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Milner, Keita; Firmino, Salah, Mane

West Ham XI (4-3-3): Fabianski; Fredericks, Ogbonna, Balbuena, Masuaku; Noble, Rice, Wilshere; Arnautovic, Antonio, Anderson

Southampton XI (3-4-2-1): McCarthy; Hoedt, Vestergaard, Stephens; Soares, Romeu, Lemina, Bertrand; Armstrong, Redmond; Austin

Burnley XI (4-4-1-1): Hart; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Ward; Gudmundsson, Westwood, Cork, Lennon; Hendrick; Wood

2,783 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Get an assist would you Cedric mate

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I’d rather a goal

    2. WVA
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      He'll be lucky not to concede we are shocking

      1. Bubz
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah tbf I'd take just a CS

      2. twoplustwo
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        On Burnley in play 3/1

    3. Gashead9
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Cedric such a terrible fpl option

  2. Costa Nostra
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Imagine being in that No Salah all year league...boy that sure sounds fun.

    1. F4L
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      the best of the rest league

    2. My Name Is Pepu
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Roll a FT and the week after you have him in your team 😉

    3. rjcv177
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      o/

    4. Oven Glover
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Yeah, it’s fun alright 🙂 On 87 points as we speak. How you doing?

      1. Costa Nostra
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Bench boost brag? Carry on...

        1. Oven Glover
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Brag or not. Still a fact.

        2. Oven Glover
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Actually it’s more now. Firm to Bobby.

      2. CostaCoffee
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Link?

  3. ponsio22
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Let me see my mane points

    1. My Name Is Pepu
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      12 plus max BAPS as it stands

    2. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Been given to Kane

  4. Ask Yourself
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Why on Earth West Ham made all these signings and refused to strengthen the only spot that needed strengthening, CDM. Rice in midfield is not like a new signing the 3 looks appalling here. Antonio constantlyleaving Fredericks exposed can’t wait for Yarmolenko to come on for him then we have a chance

    1. F4L
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Fredericks was always slightly poor defensively for us. Can't see him doing well against the top 6 sides when he cant get forward

    2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Wilshere is a new signing?

    3. My Name Is Pepu
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      They're up against a solid Pool team, they'll get their act together eventually.

  5. Dušan Citizen
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on Eriksen and Hoedt to Richarlison and Mendy for -4?

    1. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Wait a week and see if you still want to do it. Eriksen against Fulham.

      1. Dušan Citizen
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        But Rich's price will go up. Wouldn't get him after that.

        Then I would do just Rudiger to Mendy.

    2. Cofinho
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      No, no need

    3. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Knee jerk.

  6. GoonerSteve
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    I can’t understand why people think Salah is expensive, or unlikely to maintain his relentless and consistent form from last season. He is far from a one season wonder. For me he has just about everything.

    If you look at Kane by comparison - I still something struggle to understand how Kane gets so many goals! Phenomenally efficient player. Compare him though, at least to watch anyway, with other world class strikers of similar output, like Henry, Brazilian Ronaldo, Messi etc and it’s impossible to say that he looks on the same level in terms of skill and athleticism, although maybe finishing. Probably the best comparison is Ruud Van Nistleroy, But I think he also looked better. For me, Kane’s biggest strength is his focus, belief and will to win.

    There are players at the opposite end of the scale too, who have unbelievable ability but never seem to fully make the most of it. Quaresma is the classic example. As much talent with the bell as anyone, but zero work ethic or humility.

    There are also players who have patches of incredible form but lack consistency. Benteke was a world beater not long ago in terms of output, but it didn’t last.

    Salah though, is all three - phenomenally talented, prolifically consistent and highly efficient. The closest thing to Messi I’ve seen in a while. I’ve never even contemplated not having him. He is the highest EVER scoring fantasy football player. Let that sink in. Then think back to Ronaldo, Lampard, Henry etc.

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I'm still convinced he wouldn't be anywhere near as prolific if he suddenly started playing for Chelsea instead - perfect system for him, Firmino's movement/Mane's pace is the perfect combo - just carnage for defenders

      1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Yep, they've struck gold with this group of players.

      2. GoonerSteve
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Maybe not but he’d still be decent. You can say the same about Messi and the Barca system.

    2. Wild Card this!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Salah is not expensive...that sums it up

      1. GoonerSteve
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Damn it! Could’ve saved a lot of effort

    3. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Salah has to score around 8.5 pts per game to be value. Realistically, the only way that can happen is if you permanently captain him. I think he will score a lot of points, but not £13m worth of points even as captain. My preference is to have a captain rotation of Auba / Aguero.

      1. GoonerSteve
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Tbh I pretty much permanently captained him last season. That’s the beauty of a stand out midfielder like Salah. It was the same with Ronaldo and at times Lampard too.

    4. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Quaresma’s bell ringing skills were never called into question.

      1. GoonerSteve
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Haha! In related news, Quaresma is a total bell.

  7. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Well done Soton and Burnley defence owners, most obvious 0-0 of the season.

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Yep both so bad at attacking

    2. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Burnley will probably score.

  8. SirStevieG
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Really need a return from Firmino...

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      This gone mane Firmino Salah over Robertson ffs

  9. Differential C (Mark)
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Hard to be positive of Saints peeformance. Vestergaard looking the real deal, but thats about it. Austin desperately isolated.

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I want ings to come on asap

    2. Dušan Citizen
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Any chances for Hoedt to score?

  10. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Still believe in TAA over Robbo. On free kicks just needs to improve his delivery!

    1. super zlatan
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Both great options.
      Robbo owner here but Trent is quality too.

    2. Rotation's Alter Ego
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      If he can keep hold of FKs he looks great value @ 5

    3. Costa Nostra
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Improve on delivery? There’s no chance of it getting worse so there’s that....

    4. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Yeah may just double up on both of them! Wish we could have 4 pool players...

  11. super zlatan
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Jamie carragher looks very down.
    Wtf is wrong with him?

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Nobody to spit at.

    2. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Dehydrated.

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        😆

    3. turd ferguson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      doesnt own Salah

    4. twoplustwo
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Containing excitement

  12. #FPLBhuna
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Arghhhhh declan rice off fml

    Fplfail

  13. Once,Twice,ThreeTimesFellai…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    What were the Gw1 bandwagon’s lst year? Can’t remember. Curious as to how they panned out

    1. Drip Doctor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Steve Mounie

      1. Drip Doctor
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Firmino

    2. Pasqualinho
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Granit Xhaka. Yes, him.

    3. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      People were taking hits for Mounie after two goals at Palace.

    4. Rash
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Granit Xhaka being one

    5. Podge
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Capoue

    6. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Like most GW1 bandwagons. They usually derail quickly.

    7. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      some salah fella scored i think

    8. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Hegazi

      1. Rash
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        I fell for that one

    9. The Legend Squad
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Milner

    10. Once,Twice,ThreeTimesFellai…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Some cautionary tales so - except for Mo!

    11. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Hegazi. 15 + 8 first 2GWs, then averaged less than 2ppm for the rest of the season.

  14. Over Midwicket
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Since when did Snodgrass play for WHU?! Is he on all set pieces?

    1. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      They bought him last summer. Loaned out too Villa.

    2. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Pellegrini likes him but won’t see the team when Yarmolenko and Anderson are fit

  15. Captain Vantastic™
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Snodgrass looks kind of photoshopped

  16. Guy Demel
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Milner @ 5.5 an option or waste of a Liverpool slot?

    1. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      The latter

    2. Jernau M Gurgeh
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Milner played very very good, but unfortunately wastes a Liverpool spot

    3. The Mighty Hippo
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Henderson will come back into the team after his WC rest.

    4. Rsforstar
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      gonna get rotated a lot. so the latter

  17. Woy_is_back
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    FPL site is slow as fark

  18. F4L
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    full time score prediction?

    1. Lukakwho
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      hammers will score

      1. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        No we wont...

        1. Lukakwho
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          a corner or set piece

          1. G-Whizz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            and still we won't...

  19. Lone Wolf FPL
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Why Salah owner try to convince Salah non-owners that they are wrong (and the other way aroud). Let them have it / not have it! It'sgood for you, isnt it?

  20. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Totally forgot there is another game on 😆

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Same lol

  21. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    give cedric 15 more mins then take him off

  22. turd ferguson
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone know Ville Ronkas team id?

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      829593

      1. turd ferguson
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        thanks

    2. Big Sum
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Yes

    3. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      82959

  23. G-Whizz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Fimino score please. Thanks...

  24. WVA
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Did Salah get the Mane assist?

    1. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      no

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Milner.

    3. Podge
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      No

    4. Gazpilicueta
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      no

  25. RÏɠBY
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    how have burnley not scored yet?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Waiting for 92nd minute to break some hearts

      1. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Gudmundsson hopefully

  26. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    What a miss Antonio

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Stupid comment

  27. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Salah needs to score another and get those BAPS

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      At this rate he might need another two to sneak in a bap.

  28. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Southampton are going to get relegated this season

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Possibly

    2. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      SOU, HUD & Cardiff

  29. Gazpilicueta
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    The fact that Salah is a Midfielder in FPL is absolutely criminal

    1. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Lol yeah it kind of is actually. Mane, Firmino and Salah are basically all strikers

    2. Nabs Kebabs
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      not at all. If he's a forward then so should Sterling, Sane, Sanchez, Pedro, Willian, Hazard etc

      1. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        I almost agree with you except all of those players play in a team with a recognised number 9. Sanchez spends plenty of the game ahead of Lukaku but his main role is to flank him.

        Salah in contrast, is a pretend winger who waits for the pretend number 9 (Firmino) to create central pockets of space for him

    3. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Agree. Usually the most attacking player on the pitch and in the centre of the pitch.

      1. Gazpilicueta
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        this

  30. NeatBourbon
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Predictions for City v Arsenal? 2-1 Agüero 1sr scorer

    1. Ode
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      0-0

    2. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      2-3

    3. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      3-4