Dugout Discussion

Salah and key defenders start for Liverpool as Mané benched

As expected, Sadio Mané (£11.5m) has been named on the bench for Liverpool’s opening Premier League match of the season.

The Senegalese international missed all of the club’s pre-season friendly campaign and was always a doubt to be involved against Norwich.

Jurgen Klopp did not appear too fazed by not being able to include Mané in the starting XI.

As had been predicted, Divock Origi (£5.5m) starts on the left flank of the forward line in the 4-3-3 system.

“I’m happy with how it is now. It’s not about me it’s about the players. If the player aren’t available or fit they are the things we have to deal with.” – Jurgen Klopp

The Belgian features alongside Roberto Firmino (£9.5m) in a central role while Mohamed Salah (£12.5m), the winner of the Gameweek 1 captain poll, is on the right flank.

There was keen interest in Liverpool’s defence over the summer and all three key individuals find themselves in the starting XI.

Andrew Robertson (£7.0m) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.0m) are on the left and right flanks of the back-four, with Virgil van Dijk (£6.5m) in the middle.

Paired with the Dutchman at centre-back is Joe Gomez (£5.5m), which comes as welcome news to those invested in Alexander-Arnold.

After the Englishman replaced his compatriot around the hour mark in the Community Shield final, with Joel Matip (£5.5m) starting that match at centre-back, there had been some concern over Alexander-Arnold’s role.

However, a home match against newly-promoted opposition was clearly seen as a different prospect to Manchester City at Wembley by Klopp, who clearly favours playing the more attacking full-back in this one.

Norwich line up in the 4-2-3-1 formation that Daniel Farke was so fond of on his way to securing the Championship title last season.

There was only one change to our predicted line-up provided by team news correspondent Neale Rigg.

Todd Cantwell (£4.5m) has been handed a start on the left side of attacking midfield, alongside Marco Stiepermann (£6.0m) and Emi Buendía (£6.0m).

That means Onel Hernandez (£5.5m) taking up a spot on the bench.

As expected, Grant Hanley (£4.0m) starts at centre-back alongside Ben Godfrey (£4.5m) with Timm Klose (£4.5m) and Christoph Zimmermann (£4.5m) injured.

Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Robertson, van Dijk, Gomez, Alexander-Arnold; Wijnaldum, Henderson, Fabinho; Origi, Firmino, Salah.

Substitutes: Adrian, Milner, Keita, Mané, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Shaqiri, Matip.

Norwich XI (4-2-3-1): Krul; Lewis, Godfrey, Hanley, Aarons; McLean, Trybull; Cantwell, Stiepermann, Buendía; Pukki.

Substitutes: Fahrmann, Byram, Roberts, Vrancic, Leitner, O Hernandez, Drmic

2,602 Comments Post a Comment
  1. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    So first season in Sky FF. I have Alison.
    Transfer him out for another keeper playing tomorrow or hold the transfer?

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Switch to Ederson

    2. Gentle_Turks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Wait for news on Allison.

      1. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Of course.

  2. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Really really don't want to have to rejig after weeks of planning....
    Is there any chance Alisson is not too badly injured?

    1. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Allison to Adrian/Ederson depending on how you feel about money

      1. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Have 2 defs and mo.

    2. moment
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Just do Alisson to Adrian and enjoy the extra 1.5M. At this stage 1.5M ITB is worth more than 4 pts.

    3. Gentle_Turks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Didn't look good.

    4. Dr Van Nostrand
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Calf injury shouldn't be too long

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

      Calf related apparently...

      Hopefully it’s not serious - bit of ice for a few days, couple of sprays of WD40 and he could be right as rain

      Or he could be out for 3 months

      As you can probably tell, I’m not a physiotherapist:-)

      1. ZaZaZu
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        MBP! Do you know the code for the top 10k league?

  3. Red Star Toro
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    anyone already on a wildcard?

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Don’t be daft, saving It until tomorrow at least

    2. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      go for it

    3. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Behave!

    4. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      those who have Allison and 3 Norwich defenders,

  4. Gentle_Turks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    What a conundrum....if Allison out for a while then Adrian at 4.5 is a steal. But means one less Pool outfield player.

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Exactly, they have been very clever

      1. Gentle_Turks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Sneaky basta**s

    2. Limbo
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      PPM - mixing bargains and big guns = prizes

    3. Gentle_Turks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      of course everyone will have Adrian.

    4. Manani
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      stil 2m premieum for VVD looks too much IMO.

    5. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      If you have 2 wingers and Salah why would you??

  5. Obi-1 Kenobi-0
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Perfect result for those with only Salah and VVD/TAA and a 4.5 set and forget goalkeeper.

    Adrian, Salah and Trent for the Liverpool triple up I craved but couldn’t afford.

    Golden.

    1. Kobayashy
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Salah, VVD and Robbo here, still very very happy. Goals for the former two and Robertson looked nice and lively, on another day would've had a goal or assist at least.

      TAA looked great going forward, but terrible in defence which might influence his position security alongside Gomez.

  6. Kobayashy
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Very happy with the returns from Salah (C), VVD and Robbo. Robbo looked nice and lively, unlucky not to get any attacking returns and shame about the CS/Alisson injury.

    Still, although it was tempting I'm glad I didn't TC Salah in the end, would've expected a bit more for that chip.

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Excellent start

      Anyone who TC’d salah wasted it

  7. Kobayashy
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Ederson value on the rise, looks like casual Alisson owners doing an immediate swap.

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      think they are playing the Sky game and will get his points tomorrow !

  8. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Salah, VVD, Trent - couldn't have gone much better, CS loss & Origi aside.

    1. Ode
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Salah VVD Trent & Pukki here 🙂

  9. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    On to tomorrow then.

    Really interested to see what hammers look like.

    1. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      They’ll get hammered.

      1. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I imagine. Want to see haller though. Good fixtures coming up.

        1. The 12th Man
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          True. I have my eye on Haller,Lanzini and Kean.

  10. Ógie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Any stats on how many TC chips were used this week?

    1. dg
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      NO. you cant have a RT for such a ridiculous reason PS are you sure it's dead DG

  11. Chenku╰☆╮
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    News just in. Alisson seems to have a sprained ankle.. So should be fine in a week or two..

  12. In Bale We Trust
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    No fpldiscovery this year?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Next GW hopefully if not the weekend.

      1. ZaZaZu
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        hi mate, do you know the code for the top 10k league?

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          kmow16

          https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/comment/20489253

          Haven't entered yet myself.

        2. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          League is closed atm.

          1. ZaZaZu
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            thanks for the reply! Good luck for this season TM!

  13. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    What has Facer said about Allison?

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      She was great in Yazoo

      1. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Only you would come up with that.

  14. IRBOX ⚽
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    People wetting themselves after 1 game of a 380 match marathon

    1. Lanley Staurel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Just enjoying the experience Mr Kiljoy.

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Welcome to FFS

    3. Kobayashy
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      380? Wow, this really is a marathon.

  15. niko mate
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Firmino was terrible. I need to replace him.

  16. Lanley Staurel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pleased I got the TC punt out the way.....Salah. Decent return and can forget about it now and hopefully a reasonable GW1 rank too. Last 2 seasons of TC experience have added 2 points each(!) so this is an improvement 🙂

    1. Ode
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Well done!

  17. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Looks like Mo 2 baps?

    So that’s 576 points now in his last 75 appearances

    He’s making a real beeline for best FPL player in history

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yep

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        If he can hit 124 points in his next 24 apps (surely doable) he’ll be on 700 points from 100 appearances

        It’s a truly terrifying level of scoring this guy is putting up

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          *25 apps

          Maths innit

        2. Amey
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Yep
          Klopp system is tailor made for him to stay up & find the net too.
          Brilliant fpl player.
          Almost essential !!

  18. LangerznMash
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Salah won't be the best captain pick this week. Come on Auba!

    1. Kobayashy
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      24pts is a solid captain score. Might get beaten, but wouldn't bank on Aubameyang to be the one to do it.

    2. jia you
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Sterling(c) and Auba hatties to turn my frown upside down 🙂

  19. Kobayashy
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Out of interest, how are non-VVD / non-Liverpool defender owners feeling? Better than expected, or considering some early transfers?

    1. Miniboss
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Had TAA and Robbo. Out of interest I feel fine.

      1. JamTart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Ditto. Plenty time and could easily be the opposite next week with a Robbo assist and nothing for VVD. It'll likely favour Robbo by the end of the season so as long as we hold on it's all fine.

      2. LangerznMash
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Same. Big points next week, No need to kneejerk like a complete bottlejob.

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Have Robertson, only Pool player. Grand. 1 down, 379 to go.

    3. lugs
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      relieved, i went without any Pool defense and tonight's game always had the potential to bite me hard

  20. Chenku╰☆╮
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    FREE HIT has been deleted from the game.. Looks like FPL forgot to announce it.

    1. Alnair
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      With how bad the site has been since KO it's probably there but broken

    2. LangerznMash
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      It will be showing before GW2 starts,

      1. Zilla
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Then it should be available now, maybe a bug.

        1. LangerznMash
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Patience child, let the GW finish.

          1. Zilla
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Nah childo no patience

    3. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Why would they when you could see it's invibleness?

    4. KGFC
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Showing for me!

    5. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Imagine they’ll add it in after GW

  21. daniellechers
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Adrian has been added at 4.5

  22. Amey
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Lms avg must me 25+ 😮

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Plenty won't have Salah.

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Okay
        Cheers

  23. dg
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Winston Wiremu Reid is 28 today. Happy Birthday Winston have a great season. dg

  24. KGFC
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Even if Alison is out for 3-4 weeks, it could be great especially for managers who just have Pope as their GK. A straight swap to Adrian for GWs 2-4/5 will be amazing!

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      2 transfers

      1. KGFC
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I’ll take it if the switch gets me 2 out of 3 clean sheet points.

    2. Alnair
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Except it costs two FTs to do that and a lot have 3 Liverpool already.

      Not to mention having Adrian in goal means Liverpool will concede more which makes a double up in itself questionable for the majority who have a defender as well.

    3. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      But they were poor at the back tonight. I don't think I would waste 2 trades in it.

    4. Champ
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Nah. A transfer to get him in, one to get him out, lose points from another pool outfield player, plus the keeper you take out may do fine. Not worth it. And if you time it wrong you could end up with no playing keeper unless you keep another playing keeper. A trap.

  25. One Man
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Will the league's be sorted tonight so we can see who is topping etc ?

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Should be about 1:00

      1. One Man
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks. But I'll be sleeping by then unless I go to the pub. But if I do I'll miss Mayo tmro and can't have that

        1. GreennRed
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Me neither. I'll get fecking soaked, hopefully happily 🙂

  26. Ronnies
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Hi Guys,

    Anyone have the team ID for Mark's or Jonty's team ?

    Thanks.

      1. Ronnies
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        cheers!

  27. KGFC
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Koop saying Ali situation is “not good”. Has ruled him out for Wed.

    1. KGFC
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Klopp*

  28. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Krul is in the dream team so far 😆

    1. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Wickham was earlier wouldn't mind if it stayed like that

  29. Albrightondknight
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    With baps average?

    1. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I suppose if the baps were only average I might give it a skip

  30. FPL Forward Thinker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    GW6 transfer planned. Former Celtic Centre half to Former Celtic Left back (VVD to KT)