Scout Notes

FPL’s best defences win out in Anfield stalemate

Liverpool and Manchester City both recorded their fifth clean sheets of the season as the much-hyped Gameweek 8 clash at Anfield ended goalless.

While it was a disappointing afternoon for those Fantasy managers fielding attacking assets from either side, anyone who gambled on a Liverpool or City defender were the big winners from an ultimately underwhelming encounter on Merseyside.

Spot-kicks are the obvious Fantasy talking point, namely Riyad Mahrez‘s (£8.6m) skied effort from 12 yards on 85 minutes and who assumes penalty-taking duties for Liverpool if James Milner‘s (£5.7m) hamstring injury keeps him out for an extended period of time.

Our latest set of Scout Notes picks out the best of the action from the Sunday afternoon match between Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola’s title-chasing sides. It shouldn’t be a long article…

Liverpool 0-0 Manchester City

That Sergio Aguero (£11.3m), Roberto Firmino (£9.4m) and Sadio Mane (£9.9m) failed to register a single attempt on goal between them at Anfield on Sunday encapsulated the frustration felt by Fantasy managers who owned any of the attack-minded assets on show.

Aguero, indeed, had only one penalty box touch all match before his now-customary withdrawal just after the hour mark.

No Premier League match in 2018/19 saw fewer first-half shots than this encounter between the two title favourites, while the fact that the ten players who recorded the most passes in this fixture were all defenders or anchored in central midfield was a somewhat damning indictment.

Praise should be given to the two sides’ defences though, who succeeded in doing what no other Premier League team has managed this season in preventing Sunday’s opponents from scoring.

No top-flight club has recorded as many clean sheets (five) or conceded fewer goals (three) than City or Liverpool this season, while City have conceded fewer big chances than the other 19 clubs in the division.

Guardiola’s troops didn’t allow their opponents a single clear-cut opportunity yesterday, the first time the Reds have been prevented from registering a big chance in a league match this season.

Aymeric Laporte (£5.7m) and John Stones (£5.3m) were superb at the back for the visitors, while Kyle Walker (£6.6m) shackled Mane out of the match completely and the returning Benjamin Mendy (£6.2m) demonstrated discipline in a more orthodox left-back role.

Guardiola praised his backline after the match:

We didn’t concede many shots on target so this is key at Anfield and is quite special in terms of the environment.

From all actions, from corners and free kicks, they’re so tall and are stronger than us but we defended well, the back four was so good in their positions.

As a team you know they would punish our mistakes, and at the back four we controlled it very well.

As we have mentioned before, Laporte has assumed the Nicolas Otamendi (£6.1m) mantle of 2017/18 in being the permanent fixture at centre-half and kept up his ever-present record in the league this season at Anfield. For those Fantasy managers wanting a route into this watertight City defence that limits the risk of rotation, then Laporte is the obvious candidate.

The French centre-half’s rate of chances is also better than one per match, a healthy average for an FPL defender.

Where Laporte fails to match Otamendi’s appeal is on the Bonus Points System. Otamendi accumulated 21 bonus points last season, while Laporte has failed to register a single one this campaign despite finding the back of the net once and recording five clean sheets.

While the fit-again Mendy failed to register a key pass, shot or penalty box touch, easier tests await in the coming weeks and we can expect those underlying statistics to soon return to their usual high levels. He was not alone in having his attacking instincts reigned in by Guardiola for this fixture, with Bernardo Silva (£7.6m) forced back into a deeper position alongside Fernandinho (£5.4m) in a 4-2-3-1.

It was noteworthy that Mendy came straight back into the starting XI after his return from injury – though whether this would have been the case had Fabian Delph (£5.3m) been deemed fit to play is another question.

One pattern that continued on the left flank though was Leroy Sane (£9.2m) dropping out of the team upon Mendy’s inclusion. The German winger had been in decent form in Mendy’s absence but Guardiola has famously been averse to fielding both players in the same starting XI and Sane was the fall guy here.

For those considering a move for Mendy after his recovery from a foot problem, however, the Sane/Delph partnership has at least proved itself a viable alternative to the gung-ho Mendy over the last month and could very well be sporadically employed in the league as Guardiola juggles with other competitions in midweek.

Raheem Sterling (£11.1m) was instead used as an inverted winger on the left flank, but it was the man stationed on the opposite wing who was at the centre of most of City’s goalscoring opportunities.

Riyad Mahrez (£8.6m) will be remembered for his blazed spot-kick in this fixture but he was City’s main goal threat, forcing Alisson (£5.6m) into his only two saves of the match and outmuscling Andrew Robertson (£6.3m) to fire narrowly wide of the Brazilian goalkeeper’s post on 60 minutes.

Mahrez has now missed five of his last eight penalties, but Guardiola was supportive of the Algerian winger after the match and hinted that he would be given further opportunities from 12 yards whenever Aguero is absent:

He had the courage and the balls to take the penalty. In training, he shoots perfect penalties but sometimes it happens. The usual taker is Sergio Aguero but he wasn’t there.

I am in the training sessions and I see him training every day with penalties and he gave me a lot of confidence. It will be a good experience for him, next time it will go in.

The player himself was positive at full-time:

I made the decision to shoot in the middle – the ball went up.

It won’t affect me at all. Everyone misses penalties, even big, big players. Of course I wanted to score to help the team to win.

Seeing Mahrez step up and sky his effort into the Anfield Road Stand capped off a miserable afternoon for Aguero and his owners, with the Argentinean striker – the second-most captained player of Gameweek 8 – blanking for the first time since Gameweek 3.

Aguero is now averaging only 2.75 FPL points per away fixture (compared to 10.25 per match at the Etihad), but like so many of the attack-minded players on show at Anfield, it is perhaps best to disregard Aguero’s anonymity yesterday given the difficulty of the fixture.

For Aguero, read Mane, Firmino and Mohamed Salah (£12.8m) – though there is evidently something not quite right with the Egyptian’s radar this season.

Barney Ronay’s piece in the Guardian summed up Salah’s performance nicely. Last season’s Golden Boot winner was the only one of Liverpool’s front three who looked remotely threatening, demonstrating that innate ability to create space for himself around the opposition box, but his end product was once again lacking.

Salah had three of Liverpool’s five efforts inside the City area, but where those shots were flying in last season, Ederson (£5.7m) was barely troubled in the away goal.

One attempt was particularly familiar: Salah wriggling himself into space on the edge of the area and curling a left-footed shot towards goal, but as has so often been the case this season, the Egyptian’s effort went straight into the arms of the visiting goalkeeper.

Salah also shanked an effort wide after a beautiful pull-down from a long Robertson pass.

Fantasy managers’ opinions on Salah aren’t likely to be too influenced by a blank against City, but the real acid test for his remaining owners comes over the next four Gameweeks. Liverpool face Huddersfield Town, Cardiff City and Fulham before the November international break and should he flatter to deceive against this favourable opposition, then that might be the final straw for those retaining his services.

At least Salah was conspicuous: Firmino and Mane didn’t manage a single shot on goal or key pass all match.

For the second time in five days, Liverpool’s gameplan was hampered by an early injury to a central midfielder. James Milner (£5.7m) was withdrawn with a hamstring complaint on 28 minutes, with Naby Keita (£7.2m) – who was himself substituted in the defeat to Napoli last Wednesday – coming on in his place.

Klopp said of Milner’s problem:

How much [serious]? It’s too early, I don’t know. I asked him ‘big one?’ and he said ‘I don’t think so, but big enough that I go off.’

That Milner now has a fortnight to recover from his hamstring issue will perhaps render this debate moot, but should it prove to be a medium-term injury, then penalty-taking duties are once again up for grabs. Salah, Firmino and Mane have all taken – and missed – spot-kicks for the Reds in the past, but those three upcoming fixtures against the leakiest defences in the league (all of whom have conceded at least two penalties already this season) could very well lead to a spot-kick opportunity or two for whomever takes them.

Liverpool’s clean sheet would have been to the chagrin of Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s (£5.2m) owners. The England defender was dropped to the bench for this match, with Joe Gomez (£5.1m) moving over to right-back and Dejan Lovren (£4.9m) coming into central defence.

Lovren was one of the game’s stand-out players and recorded maximum bonus for his efforts, so it will be interesting to see how his display will impact on both Gomez and Alexander-Arnold’s pitch time in the coming weeks.

Klopp praised his side’s defensive display after the match, with Mahrez’s missed penalty the only “big chance” Liverpool allowed their opponents:

You cannot defend them 100 per cent over 95 minutes, so they will always have their moments but I thought how we defended was brilliant apart from the penalty and one or two situations where we needed Alisson with a really good save.

Against City, it’s not news – if you don’t defend the half-spaces then they are constantly between your midfield and last line and you have to constantly jump in the last line, which you don’t want to do really. One situation where you allow them a one-two and then are alone in front of the goalie, or are alone in the box and shoot the ball across the line and somebody scores an easy goal at the back post. It’s so difficult to defend and I am really happy with how we did it.

Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Gomez, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Wijnaldum, Milner (Keita 29′); Mane, Salah, Firmino (Sturridge 72′)

Manchester City XI (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Walker, Stones, Laporte, Mendy; Bernardo Silva, Fernandinho; Sterling (Sane 75), David Silva, Mahrez; Aguero (Gabriel Jesus 65′)

Become a Member and access our data

Memberships for the 2018/19 campaign are now available for the price of just £15.

Join now to get the following:

  • Plot your transfer strategies using the fully interactive Season Ticker.
  • Get projections for every Premier League player provided by the Rate My Team statistical model.
  • Use Rate My Team throughout the season to guide your selections and transfers.
  • Get access to over 130+ exclusive members articles over the season.
  • Analyse our OPTA-powered statistic tables specifically tailored for Fantasy Football Managers.
  • Use our exclusive tool to build custom stats tables from over 100 OPTA player and team stats.
  • View heatmaps and expected goals data for every player.
  • Use our powerful comparison tool to analyse players head-to-head.

CLICK HERE TO BECOME A FANTASY FOOTBALL SCOUT MEMBER

893 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Sadio
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Is the midfield too light in this team?

    Ederson
    Mendy- Robertson - Doherty - Azpilicueta
    Hazard - Lucas Moura - Richarlison
    Aguero - Lacazette - King

    Button - Madisson - AWB - Billing

    1. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      No, solid team.

      1. 7shadesofsmoke
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        depends on Liverpool IMO.

        If Salah or Mane fire up, you'll probably want to get involved.

        I also think Sterling is looking a better option than Aguags at the moment.

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

    My plan was all along to bring Salah back now...but I’m so uncertain now...FFS, he scored same points (42) as for example Mitro. I think I’ll wait for at least one big score from him...

    1. Konig Luther
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      If he had scored, you would have said differently: "shame salah scored, was planning bring him this week. Now more people will buy him "

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

      He hasn't made a good case for himself, but for me he'll come in just because of his potential. There's not many players around at the moment that can destroy your gameweek, but I feel like he is one of them. Not unthinkable for him to score big in his next two.

      That being said, if it requires major surgery, you are probably better waiting a week and buying a nice big sofa to hide behind...

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

      So far I’m waiting for him to show up, last year may have been a fluke

    4. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      I'm happy to wait.

      I think Hazard will be this season's runaway point scorer so as long as you have him and a few other good © options for his tougher games, I think you are good.

      If Salah has a couple of big games, I'd consider getting him back but I wouldn't jump on off the back of a single GW - let along ahead of any sign of last year's form. So may better value options and i don't need a © autopick when Hazard is in this form.

  3. Mackans
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Robertson or Alonso on WC?? Already have Trent.

    1. Sadio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Both, and lose Trent imo.

      1. Konig Luther
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Robertson

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

      Ideally all 3, but Robbo

  4. barracuda
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    What is Dana going to do with the Khabib?

    A- 12 mths suspension
    B- life suspension

    1. barracuda
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Sorry, wrong site. Too many beers

    2. Annie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      won't be life, ££££

      1. barracuda
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        You are smart Annie. Too right.

    3. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      hopefully, nothing.

  5. Federico
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Tentative plan for the upcoming weeks. Looks ok? I also have Vardy up top.

    Aguero + Moura + Maddison -> Arnie + KDB + Mané.

    I stupidly did Mané -> Moura last minute when I realized it was a friday deadline. I'm not working very well under pressure with 2FT. I think Mané will prove a better pick than Salah, so I should just get him back in and forget about my mistake.

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

      read that first word as tentacion like xxx tentacion the late rapper.

      Back to FPL. I'd hold on those moves and assess towards the end of the IB. Injuries could happen.

  6. davies
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Hennessey > Patricio worth -4?

    Likely to be a season keeper...

    1. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      A transfer I am looking at too given the turn in fixtures. Patricio looks like this year's stand out budget gk. Not liking the -4 though. Perhaps wait a week. Given the unpredictability of PL results these days CPL may well get a cs in their next game.

  7. \'ow much!
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Tentatively planning two transfers for next GW and it looks like I'll have £9.6m in the bank once completed! Tempting to spend it but honestly don't think I reallly really need to. Might just hold it and rotate big hitters in and out as required (barring injuries/suspension etc). Not really needing to monitor the price rises/falls too closely.

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

      Kane + Ozil to Wilson + Fraser?

      1. \'ow much!
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Precisely that!

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

          I'm in the zone 🙂

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

    Had a good start to the season on the whole, despite moving from Patricio to Pickford on GW3 WC and only averaging 2.4 GK points / week so far. Annoyingly still one GW2 starter ahead of me.
    Anyone know a quick way of finding out highest OR from GW2 starters?

  9. SMOOTH
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    A. Aguero and Richarlison
    B. Arni and Sterling

    1. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      not sure about Arnie, i hear lots of talk of a niggling injury.

      I also like Richarlison too much to ship.

      Sterling looks a better option than Aguags though, so I get why you're looking to switch.

  10. HNI
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    All this talk about Mendy. Are buyers sure he was out of team with injury or some clash with Pep? Would get him after spurs but need insight is he 100% nailed like in early gw or go with boring Laporte?

  11. Jafalad
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Without looking, does anyone know which team has had the highest amount of Big Chances so far?

    1. Pap Le Cissier
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      United?

      1. Jafalad
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        It's actually Citeh. But of more interest is the team that has scored with more BCs and only had one less BC themselves than CTY: BOU.

  12. 7shadesofsmoke
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Ok, competition time folks!

    Holiday for two to Japan up for grabs, all you have to do is answer the following to enter the draw for a chance to win New Years trip to Osaka!*

    Which is a better FPL option:
    A) Alonso, B. Silva and Aguero
    B) Doherty, Sterling and Lacazette

    *I will be in the draw, I will draw the names, I will draw until I win myself.

    1. ShaymenTID
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      B

  13. CRO KLOPP
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Ryan
    Alonso Trippier TAA Doherty
    Hazard Richarlison Fraser
    Aguero (C) Kane Mitrović
    Hart Maddison Hojbjerg AWB
    2 FT 1.4 itb

    A) Trippier to Mendy and save ft
    B) Kane and Fraser to Salah and Wilson/King/Murray
    Will captain Aguero regardless of Salah

  14. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    How's this team I could afford right now?

    Patracio
    Mendy, TAA, Doherty
    Salah, KDB, Hazard, Richarlison
    Aguero, Mitrovic, Jimenez

    Subs - Hamer, Fraser, AWB, Kelly

  15. ShaymenTID
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Hi guys,

    Does anybody see any rotational threat to Laporte? I want some City Defensive cover for GW9 to GW18, and can't honestly see a better alternative.

    Don't want to go Ederson as I have Kun, and don't want to block a move to a Mid.

    Any thoughts?