Dugout Discussion

Robertson starts as Laporte shifted to left-back for Man City

The popular Mohamed Salah (£13.3m) could be set for an interesting indvidual battle with Manchester City centre-back Aymeric Laporte (£5.9m) tonight.

The Egyptian features in the front three of Liverpool’s 4-3-3 formation, while versatile Frenchman Laporte has been handed the left-back berth for the first time this season with Fabian Delph (5.3m) suspended. It is unclear as yet which Reds option will be going up against Laporte directly, with Salah, Roberto Firmino (£9.1m) and Sadio Mané (£9.5m) all likely to drift to his flank on occasion in Liverpool’s fluid attack.

That means a start at centre-back for both Vincent Kompany (£5.2m) and John Stones (£5.2m), while Danilo (£5.1m) appears to remain ahead of the benched Kyle Walker (£6.4m) at right-back, starting for the third match in a row.

Sergio Aguero (£11.2m) is back in the line-up for the first time in a home Premier League match since Gameweek 12. He could be the difference tonight having averaged 9.6 points in matches at the Eithad Stadium this season.

Meanwhile, reports that Andrew Robertson (£6.6m) had not travelled with the Liverpool squad were quashed by the fact that the Scottish international was named in the side for the big match. His individual match-up with Raheem Sterling (£11.3m) could easily be a defining factor in the contest.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.1m) has been entrusted with keeping Leroy Sané (£9.5m) under wraps on the opposite flank.

It’s Georginio Wijnaldum (£5.5m), James Milner (£5.6m) and Jordan Henderson (£5.3m) in central midfield for Liverpool, with Xherdan Shaqiri (£7.1m), Fabinho (£5.5m) and Naby Keita (£7.2m) waiting on the bench.

Ilkay Gundogan (£5.4m) and Kevin de Bruyne (£9.7m) come through their injury doubts to be named as substitutes for Manchester City.

Manchester City XI (4-3-3): Ederson; Laporte, Stones, Kompany, Danilo; D Silva, Fernandinho, B Silva; Sané, Aguero, Sterling.

Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Robertson, van Dijk, Lovren, Alexander-Arnold; Wijnaldum, Milner, Henderson; Mané, Firmino, Salah.

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

1,758 Comments Post a Comment
  1. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Salah blank a great result in that game.

    1. Konstaapeli
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      This!

    2. Mo Mané Mo Problems
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Yup. Want to bring him in for GW23.

      Being 13.5+ would’ve been eye watering.

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

      After the damage he done over Xmas, he felt sorry for non owners 😉

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

        Kane the Christmas (GW18 - GW21) big hitter winner. Most points in that period (39). Salah one point behind (38).

    4. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Not if you owned him.

    5. Monkey Hanger
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Have to make do with his 60pts over the last 6 GW's.

    6. SPorting
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Don’t be bitter. He’s provided some fantastic points. If you had him, that is.

  2. donkey73
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    considering to ditch Rashford for quaner (4.3) to fund Robbo in.
    Assumption: Robbo will score more than Rashford and more consistently till the end

    Yay/Nay

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Not for me, ole seems to love Rashford

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

      Awful trades

    3. Beatle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Daft idea

    4. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Now is finally the time to ditch Rashford?

    5. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Donkey move

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

      No, TAA will get similar as Robbo

      1. donkey73
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        But is TAA that nailed? gomez and clyne etc.

    7. Regin
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Stop drinking.

  3. Clintymints
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Kept faith in Sane all this time, yet I was on the transfer page seeing who to transfer as he scored

    Another week so

    1. Meinhoff
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      I'm not selling until Mendy comes back.

      1. Clintymints
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Yup

    2. Schafsalat
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      I sold him for Hazard this week and captained Haz. Not my best move so far.

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        I was planning to sell to fund salah.

        Now I guess he will stay

      2. Regin
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Can't believe itself for that. Even I captained hazard. Obviously hazard better option but luckily is required.

        1. Regin
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          *blame yourself

        2. Clintymints
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          I did Haz over Kane so all good. Considering Kane's first goal that he knew f all about, don't worry

          Haz had plenty of chances to get points but just didn't come his way

          Always next week

          Kane or Salah from now on only 😀

  4. Random Name
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Arsenal remain THE Invincibles.

    1. MTPockets
        5 years, 3 months ago

        once upon a time...

    2. BENOIT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Superb from Man City. Clearly the better team tonight.

      KLOPP might regret not playing Salah.

      1. Gentle_Turks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        You almost made a good joke there. You just let yourself down by using the word 'might' instead of 'will'.

    3. DaniCT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      VVD is a God Regardless the result today. With Lovren out to a decent defender and one Kanteish midfielder ,Liverpool would be the best in the world.

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Lovren wasn't that bad imo

        1. Sedemuda
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          He was at fault for Aguero's goal. He's a liability whenever he comes up against a decent side.

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

            Not a fan of Lovren but there was nothing he could have done about it. People wouldn't have discussed this if it was Van Dijk marking Aguero.

            1. Sedemuda
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              We wouldn't be discussing it because it wouldn't have happened.

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

                And you're saying that based on what?

                1. Sedemuda
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 7 Years
                  5 years, 3 months ago

                  Based on Lovren's history.
                  He's always a liability against top sides.
                  The pundits must be wrong as well according to you.

          2. Regin
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            Rubbish. It was just a great finish by Kun.

        2. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          He was. Liverpool fans are ripping into him.

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

          He was shocking

        4. Tempestic
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          He was so bad, such a liability in defence. Was at fault for Kun’s goal, don’t think he blocked anything from coming into the box at any point, VVD had to come across to cover him multiple times, gave the ball away once resulting in a great chance, bailed out by his teammates and then gave it straight back again! Urgh, can’t wait for Gomez to be back...

      2. Dr Van Nostrand
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        True even Gomez probably would have been enough

      3. Gentle_Turks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        I think that's pushing it...

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

        "would be the best in the world.."

        Laughable. When was the last time they won the Prem? Okay, when was the last time they won a trophy?

        1. Party time
            5 years, 3 months ago

            Liverpool will win the league buddy. Calm down!

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

              Weren't you claiming that Liverpool smash City?

              1. Party time
                  5 years, 3 months ago

                  I said "A Liverpool win tonight and they are champions". Now I can't call them that just yet however I believe they have got what it takes to be crowned champions in May. They are still on top of the league with the best defence and very good squad depth with team chemistry. I believe they will win it.

                  Demigod kindly bookmark this buddy.

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

                    I have bookmarked this already. Gonna be a good laugh in May.

                    Cheers Nostradamus.

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

                I will bookmark this and come back in May to have a laugh. 😆

                1. Nascimento
                  • 8 Years
                  5 years, 3 months ago

                  Didn’t you used to support Itd?

            2. DaniCT
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              Childish talk. You are talking off the point mate.

          • MrZ
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            Michael oliver to the rescue

        2. FPL Daniel
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Small green. That Salah run when I was busy having Sterling and Sane will cost huge

          1. Annie
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            Yeah you might not win it now

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

          The sooner VAR is here the better..

          Should be 2-2 🙁

          1. FPL Daniel
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            Naaaah

          2. BENOIT
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            Lol

          3. Random Name
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            hahahahahahaha

          4. La Roja
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            How???

          5. SPorting
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            You’re just jealous of that extra inch.

          6. Ógie
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            If there was VAR Sterling would have won a pen for Robbo hacking him down in the box.

            1. Optimus.
              • 13 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              I'm surprised at you Ogie 😉

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

            What are you on about?

            1. Optimus.
              • 13 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              https://i.imgur.com/2gO3XUH.gif 😆

          8. Schafsalat
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            The channel I watched the game on showed it afterwards with a goalline camera (or simulation rather, looked a bit like hawkeye in tennis), it wasn't in.

            1. Brosstan
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              Every channel does that.

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

          That Agueroooooo finish was class. Very tight angle, weak foot and such an important goal.

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

          now is the time to have Sterling & Sane, check the fixtures (and the cup games) 🙂

          1. Regin
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            One is sufficient.

          2. Salah’s Sonnet
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            Really isn’t, and rotation galore

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

          Don't worry Liverpool fans. U will be knocked out by Bayern in cl. Nancy will reach semis atleast and hence Liverpool will win title.

          1. Regin
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            *man city

            1. Fantastisk
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              What about Nancy though?

              1. Yank Revolution
                • 12 Years
                5 years, 3 months ago

                Aren't they a French team?

        7. The King
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Lingard & Auba -> Salah & Rashford for free?

          1. Kasper the ghost keeper
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            Yes

          2. Regin
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            Hell yes!

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

            Absolutely

        8. Beatle
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Lovren cost Liverpool that. What a pillock

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

            He was so bad even giving the ball away repeatedly at 2-1

          2. Tempestic
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            I can’t stand him, such a liability...

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

          Happy I played Robertson.

          1. Hazz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            Well played.

        10. It’s gonna Ben Mee
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Had Salah GW 1-15: Meh
          Took him out GW 16: Haul after haul
          Will take him back in this GW: Sorry Salah owners

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

            Thanks bud

          2. Tempestic
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            I’m doing the same

        11. Tsssst
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Auba to Aguero, then captained v Wolves, who's with me?

        12. Numb
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Damn, Robertson sneaking 1 bap

          1. ZTF
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            Huh?

            1. Numb
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              Bonus point

        13. #FPLBhuna
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Has salah scored yet...

          1. Touré De Force
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            Are you still a virgin?

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

          Sane had a terrific performance today. He absolutely owned that wing. Looks like a good option

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

          Gah, why did I get rid of Sane. Team's looking in shambles with Hazard.

          1. Salah’s Sonnet
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            Are you serious? Hazard the far better option

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

              So you're the gospel around?

        16. Touré De Force
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Funny how people are gloating that City "managed" to beat Liverpool at home. Liverpool are still 4 clear, in case computational skills have failed you.

          1. MTPockets
              5 years, 3 months ago

              better team won today though

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

              4 points is nothing with 15+ games to go.

          2. Zladan
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            Haven’t been this buzzing all season. GTFO here ya bindippers.

            League gets exciting now.

            1. SPorting
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              What a twat.

              1. Zladan
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 3 months ago

                Bite some more.

                1. Annie
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 11 Years
                  5 years, 3 months ago

                  How is that biting? Twat.

                2. SPorting
                  • 12 Years
                  5 years, 3 months ago

                  I can’t from up here with my high horse OR.

                  Suck it up.

          3. SPorting
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            OGS loves Rashford so I’ll keep him.

            Pogba -> Sané?

            1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              Sterling.

            2. Weasel Boy
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              LoL

            3. Numb
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              He also loves Pogba though

          4. Scratch
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            Fernandinho, Stones and Aguero clearly men of the match I thought. No bonus for either, especially Aguero is ridiculous. Dunno how on earth they have Sterling on 2. Sane on 3 is also odd, didn't have a good game apart from the goal.

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

              Fernandinho amazing. He’s exactly what Liverpool with a liability like Lovren behind.

              1. DaniCT
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                5 years, 3 months ago

                This

            2. Salah’s Sonnet
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              Bos ststem flawed as always

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

              Ummm what

            4. Garlana
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              Just checked your team, no sane or sterling, go figure 😉 .
              On a serious note tho aguero was great in the first half, dropped off in the second, sterling and sane did a lot of defensive work from what I saw, maybe that's contributed.

          5. Party time
              5 years, 3 months ago

              I have never seen a Pep side park the bus.Today was a different day. Great match. A score draw should've been the result.

              1. Scratch
                • 14 Years
                5 years, 3 months ago

                Why? City were clearly the better team, completely deserve the win

                1. Party time
                    5 years, 3 months ago

                    You've a point, City played well. They were more clinical however it was a 50/50 match which should've played out to a draw in my opinion.

                2. Garlana
                  • 9 Years
                  5 years, 3 months ago

                  City were better, fair result

                3. Pukki Party
                  • 6 Years
                  5 years, 3 months ago

                  Last 5mins

                4. Fantastisk
                  • 6 Years
                  5 years, 3 months ago

                  City were superior and won. End of.

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

                    He's a little Liverpool fanboy, don't bother.

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

                  Park the bus? Drop that pipe. Which game were you watching?

              2. ZTF
                • 9 Years
                5 years, 3 months ago

                Last time I'll try to get a reply.. anyone have any idea how the "least goals conceded" ruling in the cup works? Just defenders, or..

                1. MTPockets
                    5 years, 3 months ago

                    everyone

                    1. MTPockets
                        5 years, 3 months ago

                        * I assume

                    2. SPorting
                      • 12 Years
                      5 years, 3 months ago

                      Your whole squad

                    3. El Matador
                      • 10 Years
                      5 years, 3 months ago

                      Yes defenders

                    4. ZTF
                      • 9 Years
                      5 years, 3 months ago

                      Mixed responses haha, cheers all

                  • Big4FPL
                    • 9 Years
                    5 years, 3 months ago

                    Got 2 FT’s and no real issues - worth swapping Fabianski out? If so for who, Foster? Guaita?

                  • Brosstan
                    • 9 Years
                    5 years, 3 months ago

                    Why are always the posters on here who whine the most the same who when they reveal their rank are top 5k? You have literally had more luck this season than 99.99% of players. stfu

                    1. Zladan
                      • 6 Years
                      5 years, 3 months ago

                      Probably because it’s a lot more stressful for them down the business end lol

                  • Skogen89
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 10 Years
                    5 years, 3 months ago

                    Ok to get Paterson as 5th mid? could rotate with ings? or get someone else for 5.5?

                  • Fernando Torres
                    • 12 Years
                    5 years, 3 months ago

                    Arnie or Rashford?

                    First to 3.

                    1. Willmissudimitrypayet
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 7 Years
                      5 years, 3 months ago

                      Rashford