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. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Thought Mane's ownership would be more than 20%... It's not 😀

    Have Firmino,Salah and Robbo... How to fit Mane in my team?? cheers

    1. The Wise Owl
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Drop Firmino

    2. Dacra
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Don't bother, it's a lottery.

    3. My Name Is Pepu
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Drop Salah

    4. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Drop Salah, easy peasy

      1. Chenku╰☆╮
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        This.. mane is easily essential now

    5. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Mané this week, could be Firmino next week. Don’t chase last weeks scores.

    6. MC Hammer
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Firmino out Mane in, somehow

      1. Chucky
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        😆

    7. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Relax Chucky . one more week and think again

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

      I'd keep it as it is. If Firmino finished his big chance and Mane's offside goal was disallowed, you probably wouldn't be having doubts.

    9. Chucky
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      cheers all... appreciated...
      FPL should change this rule of having just 3 players from a team... 🙁 Keeping Firmino for now...

      1. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Proud of you mate 🙂

        1. Chucky
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          😀

    10. yakirh
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      They take turns, this time Mane, next time Firmino

  2. Football Heaven
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Salah to neves as I’m chasing in my ml? Too kneejerky?

    1. The Wise Owl
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Yes

    2. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Sounds good

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

      Don't hesitate. Also consider Milner.

    4. SkyByBo
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Nah solid move, id try and take out aguero and get in callum wilson if you can too.

    5. Mic
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Get Kante instead

    6. jungle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Still another 37 gameweeks to go - one good gameweek could see you ahead

    7. MC Hammer
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Neves is this year’s Salah

    8. Guy Demel
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Not kneejerky enough, you need to be taking hits.

  3. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Think Sturridge will start over Firmino next week?

    1. SkyByBo
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Ummm, no...

    2. 420king
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      No.

    3. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      No, will continue to take minutes though.

    4. Mic
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Newp

    5. Red Dagger ✪
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Nope

  4. DIMITRIS
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    69 points when bouns for Liverpool counts... and still waiting for Mendy and Aguero

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      About what everybody have

      1. banskt
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        No, I have 49.

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      81 with Bernardo and Aguero

    3. Alnair
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      95 points + Aguero and Bilva, sorry but your brag failed 🙂

      1. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Yours didn't

      2. Woy_is_back
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        And what´s your best OR ever?

      3. yakirh
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Wow
        Link to team?

    4. EgyptianKing
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I'll be at 74 after Liverpool bonus points and still Kun and Mendy to play. Having a good GW! Cheers

    5. The Head-Ake
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      72 with Mendy and Aguero

    6. Alex_thekid
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      80 with triple City
      Aguero Mendy Bilva

      1. yakirh
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Fantastic!

    7. Our Tiny Windows
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      76 with Aguero and Mahrez. 24 points on the bench. Wish it was always this easy!

  5. fedolefan
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Hart starting over Heaton is interesting. Think I've had enough with my Patricio experiment.

    1. Pumpkinhead
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      lol get hart in

    2. Konig Luther
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      yeah.. Hart is the way to go

    3. Smurf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Enough after one game?

      1. fedolefan
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Just exaggerating.

    4. The Wise Owl
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Heaton still not 100% I think, but fit enough for the bench, weird

    5. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      What the hell has poor old Heaton done apart from getting himself injured? Very unlucky. I feel sorry for him.

      1. fedolefan
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Seriously, he was in all of my drafts until the last injury. Injury in the world cup year too must have been devastating. Doubt he makes the next world cup and think he's better than Pickford.

        1. Old Man
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          He might indeed be better but he's not as tall, is he? They seem to want keepers at least 6' 3" (1.81m) don't they ...

          1. Old Man
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            1.91m - must get these glasses changed

    6. Our Tiny Windows
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I have Hart. Fab back up.

  6. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Anything below 100 this week is dismal solely based on the scores people are posting on here.

    1. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      first time on skates

    2. Bruno Bruno!!
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      thats a bit of an overstatement

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

      I'd say 120 is the benchmark

    4. MC Hammer
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      i thought the average was 150 based on the scores people are posting on here,not sure ull get far with 100

    5. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Chill average is 43
      Think you might have a fishing rod or a pot to stir.

    6. The Big Fella
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I'm 108 with 10 to go - is that good?

  7. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Chances of Mendy, Mahrez & Kun hitting 21 points between them?

    1. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Entirely plausible

    2. Gazpilicueta
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      one hundo

    3. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      6 8 6 😉

      1. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Season over 🙁

    4. fedolefan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      You mean chances of Mahrez & Kun scoring 20 points between them? 😉

      1. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        😮

  8. Costa Nostra
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Klopps double toss off celebration has to be the highlight of the game...uhummmm...hands down.

    1. Mitchacho
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Need a gif of this.

      1. Licky
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        For research purposes?

    2. The Wise Owl
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Or hands up even

  9. banskt
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Considering an early move for the price rise.

    Milivojevic --> Richarlison

    Sideways? Chasing points? Or shall I go Pedro / Pereyra and save a future transfer?

    1. Guy Demel
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I’d hold personally.

      1. banskt
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah, actually very confusing. Mili on pens and involved as well.

    2. Mic
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Yes

    3. MC Hammer
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I’d get Richarlison sooner,good fixtures

  10. Bored Ape Jota Club
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Cairney -> Neves before price rise?

    Playing 4th mid alongside Salah, Eriksen and Ricarlison.

    1. MC Hammer
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Yes

      1. Bored Ape Jota Club
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers.

    2. Meppelfield
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      No way

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

    Those who wanna move from erikson, please do. Drop his price. I need him from gw6

    1. banskt
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Holding Eriksen. Unlucky not to have returned points. Maximum chances created till now.

  12. Lukakwho
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Will Pool keep a clean sheet away at palace next week?

    1. jia you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      No PVA will score! Hes captaining himself!

    2. Tasty Jerk
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Hopefully not 😀

  13. jia you
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Sanchez Eriksen VVD Hughes Boly to Hazard KDB Robertson Neves Mee
    -16 too kneejerky?

    1. MC Hammer
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      You don’t need to do all of those right now

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        half now and half tomorrow?

        1. Bored Ape Jota Club
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Lol

  14. squ1rrel
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Salah -> Mane + 3.5m?

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

      You need both.

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Obviously.

      1. Chucky
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        😀

    3. MTPockets
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Worth considering

      • Nightf0x
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Begun the season with it + mane captain worked well gw1

      • squ1rrel
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Or drop Sanchez?

    4. Too Mane Men
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      (C) Mane you are a beautiful man!

      1. Nightf0x
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah, salahless worked this week

      2. MC Hammer
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Mane could be the new Salah

    5. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Eriksen to Mane seems like the right transfer , but Eriksen is on everything and has Fulham at home.

      1. The Wise Owl
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Hold that knee

      2. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Chasing

      3. Rotation's Alter Ego
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Eriksen will deliver consistent points over the season, no point losing faith just yet!

      4. banskt
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Keep Eriksen for now. Decide after Fulham.

    6. Nightf0x
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Mane captain bang !!!
      Moura bailly spoiling the team with lowton & awb on the bench

    7. Viprin
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Jota to Neves or hold?

      1. The Wise Owl
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Hold, it was only one game

    8. Ole Town Road
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Can't believe I took out Pereyra and Wilson last minute for Salah and Aguero

      1. The Wise Owl
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Shoulda woulda coulda

    9. EgyptianKing
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Really happy the Salah Mane Robertson idea paid this GW. I hope it continues this way! Obviously keeping them for now.

      Eriksen was for now the only one in my team that did not impress me at all... Let's wait I guess

      1. Nightf0x
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Same as me but firmino instead of salah, moura here too didnt convince but all spurs was off day so lets wait and see

        1. EgyptianKing
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Exactly. Same here. Cheers!

    10. Woy_is_back
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Jota-> Richarlison, no brainer?

    11. Fassy
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Don't get the love for Neves. He looked attacking because Everton played almost 50 minutes with 10 so they played very defensive. Neves had no defensive obligations so he looked very attacking. He is a great player, but not a great FPL player.

      1. The Wise Owl
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Isn't he the most expensive player they have too?

      2. MC Hammer
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        He takes a lot of shots, on set pieces...he will do well

      3. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        I think at 5m he will prove great value. Also think Kante will belie his price tag. But the hype is definitely excessive, people love to chase points after gw 1

      4. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Not that much love around , this point has been highlighted a number of times.
        Im now sold 🙂

    12. Public user
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      5-4 , agu mahrez 2goals 2assist each!

      1. The Wise Owl
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Wow

      2. MC Hammer
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Final score?

    13. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      What page do I find the Laca melt downs on?

      1. Meppelfield
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        You mean the crystal palace defenders that now have a chance to come off the bench? Doubt you will find any.

    14. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Surely goals aplenty here ?
      Intriguing game , but sure Emery understands the culture , we never park a bus

      1. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        And that is why your culture needs to change

        1. fedolefan
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          I don't think it needs to, not in this matchup and you can defend without parking a bus ala Mourinho/Conte. Liverpool showed last season that the way to take City on is to attack them.

        2. Debauchy
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          No thanks , You guys , MU, can be boring and win nothing , we prefer entertainment while we lose

      2. Alnair
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        No chance he'll do it at home, goalfest draw incoming

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

        GW3-4 on, I am going to play this season with Mesut and Aubs. Will just be fun all around.

    15. No_Mo_Salah?
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      How was Vvd? Some attacking chances?

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

        Only time he went in oppo box was set pieces. Tend to linger after the ball is cleared though.

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

        Not really any today

    16. Tornado
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Are people sticking with king?

      1. The Wise Owl
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Played well despite getting no attacking returns, there's a write up in the hot topics I think

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

        Yes

      3. luke
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        King who?

        1. MC Hammer
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          There’s only one King, Mo

      4. No_Mo_Salah?
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        For now yes

      5. The Royal Robin
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        I'm going to give him a second chance, yeah.

      6. Rash
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah.. for now

      7. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Keeping for now

      8. MC Hammer
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        King Salah?

      9. Woy_is_back
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Probably cause I´m using my ft for Jota->Richa

      10. Too Mane Men
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        His stats the last few seasons are no fluke. Definitely hold for the next few good fixtures and reevaluate later.

      11. arndff_
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Not sure

    17. The Royal Robin
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Currently looking at one of these or do I save?

      A) Sanchez > Mane (+£1m)
      B) Jota > Maddison or Neves (+£1.5m)

      1. The Wise Owl
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Just save.

        1. Gazpilicueta
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Wise... maybe....
          subtle.... definitely not.

          1. The Royal Robin
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Jota > Neves would almost certainly include a price rise and a hefty £1.5m saved.

      2. EgyptianKing
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        I would bring Mane in

    18. H-SF
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      What would you classify as a good score so far?

      1. The Wise Owl
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        404 - Page not found

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

        Overall average is 44 from 8.7 and 47% of captains played so pick what you like with reference to that.

      3. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        55 pts or more

      4. Alnair
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        So far? 70ish.

      5. Kellz86
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        60+ with 2 or 3 left to play imo

      6. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        80+

      7. Ghost Gooner
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        15pts above the gw avg

    19. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Where's Berb?

      I told him Sane wouldn't start if Mendy plays.

      1. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Lol

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

        They're playing 4atb, it's nothing to do with Mendy's presence.

      3. MC Hammer
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Are those two gonna share minutes then?