Dugout Discussion

Key Liverpool defenders start as Lacazette benched for Arsenal

All eyes will be on Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) and Sadio Mané (£11.5m) as Liverpool take on Arsenal this evening.

The Egyptian has been largely ditched by those playing their Wildcards for Gameweek 3, Mané seeming to be the most popular replacement for him.

With the Gunners defence somewhat questionable away from home since Unai Emery took over, both players are likely to have plenty of chances.

The success of those who Wildcarded Salah out could very well come down to fine margins at Anfield this evening.

Roberto Firmino (£9.5m) may also be on the fringes of the Fantasy radar with more shots in the box than any Liverpool attacking player so far this season and an impressive record against Arsenal.

Despite some poor performances at the back for Jurgen Klopp’s men so far this season, all the key defenders have kept their places.

Andrew Robertson (£7.0m) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.0m) are deployed at full-back while Virgil van Dijk (£6.5m) is paired with Joel Matip (£5.4m).

Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Emery looks to have matched Liverpool’s 4-3-3 with an identical formation of his own.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.0m) leads the line for the Gunners while Alexandre Lacazette (£9.5m) drops to the bench.

On the flanks of the front-three are Dani Ceballos (£5.6m), who performed well against Burnley, and Nicolas Pépé (£9.4m) who comes in for his first start in an Arsenal shirt.

Sead Kolasinac (£5.4m) still awaits his first start of the season, named on the bench as Nacho Monreal (£5.0m) is selected at left-back.

Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Adrian; Robertson, van Dijk, Matip, Alexander-Arnold; Henderson, Wijnaldum, Fabinho; Mané, Firmino, Salah.

Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Leno; Monreal, D Luiz, Sokratis, Maitland-Niles; Xhaka, Guendouzi, Willock; Pépé, Aubameyang, Ceballos.

1,888 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Alnair
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    If Matip missed Salah would've gotten a pen assisted by Vvd...

  2. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Bring in WBA or Maguire most expensive defender ever cough cough for the likes of VVD.

    No matter what happens after the next 45 minutes. LFC defenders RULE the game.

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Rule the game? No cleansheet so far

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

      Have you seen Arsenal chances

      1. Third Eye Vision
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Remember: all comments posted during games must be based on previous 15 minutes of football played ONLY.

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

        not many mate

    3. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      West Bromwich Albion? What?

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

        Waron Ban Assaka. Casual 😉

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

    Thoughts on this potential WC team gents?

    Heaton
    VVD / Laporte / Digne
    Sterling / Martial / Maddison / McGinn
    Kane / Firmino / Pukki
    (Woodman, Cantwell, Hanley, Lundstram)
    0.5itb

    1. Mo Mané No Problems
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      VVD > Magurire, Laporte > AWB

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

        Haha I'm not that much of a loyal subject to my club mate 🙂

        1. Mo Mané No Problems
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Fair play, as opposed to everyone on here shipping good defenders for Man Utd ones.

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

        On this and two rotating 4.5 defenders.

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

          Not the double up though

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

      It'd get you quite close to my GW2 WC set up I guess so not bad 🙂

      Who is the best value gk in the game on last season's form and this season's prices? Clue he's a 0.5% differential

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

        Haha, like the cut of your jib, how's this GW going thus far mate?

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

          Medium

          McGinn Martial Pukki Robbo Mane Digne AwB so far

          (Sadly I suspect I didn't follow your Kane call - have him anyway)

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

            Who's your cappo?

    3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Looks pretty similar to your current team. Not sure it's worth to use WC for that. Take a hit or two.
      But if you insist on doing it, I would use those .5 to upgrade VVD to Trent.

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

        You are likely right about that actually! TAA risk of rotation and all that jazz is a bit blown out of proportion in these parts! Cheers 🙂

  4. Mr. Grv
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    this perfect result for me no pol players except TAA .
    1-0 pack the bags boys

  5. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Liverpool defence owners have to enjoy this, we only get to spend like an hour a week with a cs intact.

  6. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    2 LIV defenders on the attack. Need some action from the midfield, especially from the Pharaoh.

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

      Coming into it at the very end of the half doing better with Mane inside him rather than Mane on the other side

  7. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    WBA or TAA.

    No contest.

    1. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A full football club against a single player

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

        Aye.. not really a fair contest is it..

    2. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Taa

    3. Dr. Agabuse
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      not a fair contest.
      One player shouldnt have to come up against footballclubs
      but it is what it is and we'll have to get on with it.

      34-0 to WBA I'll estimate

  8. Jonesfromthere
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone had a worse wildcard? I sold TAA, Wesley, Vardy, Heaton, VVD...

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

      And got the likes of AWB

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

        Harsh

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

        It's only one week. Chin up.

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Who did you get for those 5?

    3. SB007
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Sold TAA and Roobo and Vardy. Got Rashford and AWB

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

        Ouch

  9. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    😮

  10. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Jota + Dendoncker -> Mount + Wickham -4
    Yes or no?

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

      No..

  11. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    34 with just Sterling cap and pope left

    decent?

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Oh, yes.

    2. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I have 9.

      1. Bruce Lee
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        9 from how many played?

        1. Eddie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          5, and 3 pool players yet to finish game. Still, you're doing good.

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

      If no hit it's OK but Son/Kane tomorrow will likely define your week one way or the other.

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

    Need more assists from TAA and a VVD goal as the Liverpool cleansheet does not look that safe atm

  13. Superballzzz
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Anybody else a bit bored now of carragher and Neville commentary? It needs freshening up .. not them every game !

    1. Mo Mané No Problems
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Switched to NBC stream after seeing Neville and Martin Tyler were on commentary for Sky.

    2. Bram
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      At least it isn't the BTSport offering of Chris Sutton or Robbie Savage!

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

    Question is what is Arsenal midfield doing

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

      Played pretty well for the most part

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Lol.. they've barely had the ball.

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

          Football is a lot more than what u do when u have the ball

          1. Dr. Agabuse
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            this

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

      A lot better than utd mids were doing today

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

      Holding the middle well and waiting for the counter so not too bad atm

  15. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    On 4 points from 6 player so far. Dreadful...

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Not too bad

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

      Ouch

    3. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Not doing much better here mate, low scoring week so far

    4. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      That's tough pal. Better luck next week.

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

        Thanks. Salah and rob still playing plus 5 inc cap to go so there is hope

  16. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Did Ole say something after the game for Martial?

    1. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      It looked more like a painful one rather than something serious. Not sure if OGS said anything though

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        So he'll play? What you think about next week ?

  17. HurriKane
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    TAA has 11 assists in his last 13 pl games.

    Essential? He's like a midfeid cross machine at the moment

    1. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Season keeper.

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

      apparently hes a “rotation risk” despite basically never being rotated and liverpools attack being directed through him week on week

    3. The Sociologist
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Can't believe he was the 'pool player many opted to ditch on WC

    4. Mo Mané No Problems
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      nOt nAiLeD tH0

    5. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I'm not sure why he isn't in more teams. I guess 7 mil is a lot for a defender, and while there are are 4.5 / 5 mil defenders that will bring in points, there aren't many 4.5 / mil mids or forwards.

  18. EMBOLOFAN
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    best value 7m player in the game?

    a) TAA
    b) TAA
    c) TAA

    1. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Pukki come Tuesday

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

        taa will outscore pukki

        1. Nice to Finally Michu
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Not when they played eachother

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

            by end of season wont even be close

            1. Nice to Finally Michu
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              😉

    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Haller

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

        He's 7,4

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

      Well does Pukki count? Then maybe he can slot in at c)

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

        he counts but isnt the right answer

  19. The Chosen One...
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    should have known Salah always starts seasons slow

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

    Missed Matip slotting it home......

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

      Rose beautifully despite being pulled down.

  21. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Jamie Redknapp made a convincing case to buy Pepe there.

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

      He was already on my watchlist, like Haller, I have a feeling I'm going to be forced into getting him before I'm ready.

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

      cant shoot/pass, will get lots of takeon baps though!

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

      Will be a different test for Pepe most other weeks, will only get this space vs a few teams.

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Good point.

    4. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      He's facing a poor defence, bigger tests to come

  22. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone tempted by Vertonghen@5.3 later in for your 5.5 def if he gets his place back? Good fixtures after Arsenal and for me personally he could also enable Jota to Haller.

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

      If you're paying more than 5 for a defender he has to have some attacking threat. He doesn't

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

    TAA to AWB going well

    1. Tasty Jerk
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      wow - surprising move that. AWB was good as a 4.0 option last season, great defensively but going forward has always been his weakness.

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

        Was banking on the Palace cleanie tbh. Knew the risk - he'll likely be back soon.

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Ouch

  24. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    VVD goal and another TAA assist would be gold. CS included.

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      This

  25. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Will de Bruyne rise tonight?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      If Salah blanks probably

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Ask his wife.

    3. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Vampire?

  26. Nice to Finally Michu
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Arsenal with dream fixtures post derby

    1. MTPockets
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Unfortunately half of them are away

    2. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Anyone monitoring net transfers for Mount after the flag? Will he rise tonight in price?

    3. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Ceballos had a very poor half.

      1. Tasty Jerk
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Was close to getting him in this week but held back, still on the radar though 🙂

      2. @persecuted_by_mods
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Tough place to go and tough team to face, wouldn't read too much into it

          1. Royal5
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            True. Can still do well against mid/bottomhalf teams.

      3. Maddi Son
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Feel like Robertson has been unlucky so far this season. Or maybe I'm just being extra salty and vinegary.

        He's passed the eye test attacking-wise, but nothing to show for it so far.

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            4 years, 7 months ago

            He's not a bad option and has been unlucky, but TAA is undoubtedly the better option

            1. Maddi Son
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              Indeed he is.

              I went for safety of starts over points potential. Messed up there.

          • 1zverGGadeM
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            He is due goal+assist in one game, trust me 😉

          • Cok3y5murf
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Own both him and TAA, and he's looked better today.

        2. FDMS All Starz
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Which combo is better?

          A) Kane - Mount - Maguire

          Or

          B) Rashford - Kdb - Lowton