Dugout Discussion

Firmino falls foul of rotation as Salah and Mané start for Liverpool

Rotation inspired by the Champions League has finally arrived in the Premier League as Liverpool host Newcastle this afternoon.

Roberto Firmino (£9.5m) has fallen foul of it at Anfield, dropping to the bench with Divock Origi (£5.4m) leading the Reds’ line. Perhaps that is no surprise as the Brazilian was in action for his country in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Ahead of a packed fixture list with seven games in 21 days, Jurgen Klopp has also opted to give Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (£6.3m) his first league start of 2019/20 at the expense of captain Jordan Henderson (£5.5m).

Liverpool’s defensive quartet remains unchanged in the form of Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.1m), Virgil Van Dijk (£6.5m), Joel Matip (£5.5m) and Andy Robertson (£6.9m) with Adrian (£4.6m) continuing to marshall the backline in the absence of Alisson (£5.8m). 

Klopp’s decision to rest both Henderson and Firmino is telling of the packed fixture list that sits on the horizon, yet this may also point to a propensity for rotation within Liverpool’s squad over the winter months, but for now the highly owned attacking assets of Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) and Saido Mane (£11.5m) retain their starting berths. 

Steve Bruce has opted to make just one change to the Newcastle side who drew with Watford last time out, with Jonjo Shelvey (£5.0m) earning a start in place of Sean Longstaff (£5.0m). 

The attacking option in the form of Shelvey as opposed to the more defensively-orientated Longstaff could be telling of Bruce’s plans to play swift, counter-attacking football against the Reds, but the likes of Fabien Schar (£5.0m), Jamal Lascelles (£4.5m) Paul Dummett (£4.5m) and Emil Krafth (£4.5m) will have to be on top of their game at Anfield to take anything from the side who currently sit 1st in the Premier League going into Gameweek 5. 

Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Matip, Robertson; Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Mane, Salah, Origi.

Newcastle XI (5-3-2): Dubravka, Schar, Lascelles, Dummett, Krafth, Hayden, Shelvey, Willems, Atsu, Joelinton, Almiron.

1,598 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Gizzachance
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    so robbo and mane outperforming my two of trent and salah so far !

    1. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Well spotted.

      1. Gizzachance
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        no probs, cheers

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

      See also Atsu, Willems.

      1. Gizzachance
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        yeah, them to

  2. Royal5
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Oxlade should be playing in the Championship

    1. Random Name
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Try Frisbee. Football's not for you

      1. Royal5
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        What channel?

        1. Random Name
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          dunno i watch football

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

      Well spotted.

  3. HurriKane
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone else have a feeling Salah will hand over a pen to Mane to complete his hattrick and makeup for last gws selfishness?

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

      He’ll be told to.

      1. HurriKane
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Im afraid this could be the case as a salah owner

    2. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Yep =(

    3. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      That would be awful haha

    4. In and Out
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Not at 2-1

    5. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Yeah and he'll miss it.

    6. Majestic Chanka
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      More likely Salah takes it and misses

    7. BERGKOP
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      No

  4. Saka Rice
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Surely Aubameyang will be better value the next 5 plus game weeks than Salah. hes 1.5 cheaper and has better fixtures. Is he also on pens?

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Yes he is also on pens.

      I'm wary to drop Salah though. Did it after a few blanks last year and then he went on that run of jammy pens / good goals, and double figures for like 6/7 weeks in a row or something

      1. AVFCChris1984
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah I did the exact same thing, blanked for about 5 game weeks, I took him out and he then scored a hattrick and over 70 points in the following 6 games

    2. Majestic Chanka
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      He’s also a Striker so less points for goals though.

    3. BERGKOP
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Surely

  5. sully29
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    With one clean sheet in their first five games and facing Chelsea, Leicester, United and Spurs in their next five, would it be unreasonable to go without any Liverpool defenders?

    A move like VVD > Otamendi would seem likely to provide extra points and and extra money.

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      No

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      No

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

      I still think a pool defender at 6.5-7m will outscore most other players at that price point

      1. sully29
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Over the season, sure. We don't buy players for the season though, we buy players for blocks of fixtures. Over those five fixtures specifically I'm not sure.

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

          Agree but even over those five can't see anyone better, there attacking threat is insane

          1. sully29
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Robertson and TAA maybe. If you own VVD though?

          2. JustPark
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Yes but you could have Aguero/Auba for Haller or Son/Pepe/Erik for Trossard for example.

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

      Anything other than triple Liverpool defence is madness

    5. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      They kept a CS against at least Chelsea last yr

    6. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I have no Pool defenders. Got Adrian as insurance

    7. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Thinking about that move myself. Just not sure what I'd do with the extra money.

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        😀

      2. BERGKOP
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Transfer back to VVD the following game week.

    8. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Spurs united and chelsea are not tough fixture for liverpool

      1. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Tough in terms of trying not to concede.

      2. sully29
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        They are a tougher block of fixtures defensively than the five in which they've kept one clean sheet though.

    9. BERGKOP
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      No

  6. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Chamberlain is honestly point blocking Trent. Piss off

    1. Random Name
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      sheffield blocking teams that actually should be in the prem

      1. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        😉 lolol

  7. Ian Davis
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Best 4.5-4.8 defender to bring in?

    Already have Lundstram, Pope/Ryan (só don’t want Bur/Bri defender).

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Burnley

      1. Ian Davis
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Already got Pope, not sure Burnley are good enough to double up on.

  8. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    TAA shot on target, but saved.

  9. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Trent very unlucky

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

    Trent shot in target. Close!

  11. FPL Forward Thinker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone heard if there is any truth in Mason Greenwood starting today rumour? It’s the talk in last couple of pubs I’ve been at before match. Could be interesting in 15mins.

  12. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Mane to get subbed off.
    Liverpool to then get peno.
    Milner to take, having come on for Mane.

    1. Random Name
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      and i wouldn't care in the slightest because i'm enjoying 30 points

    2. BobbyV
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Newcastle still in this. No way Mane getting subbed off.

  13. jason_ni
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Ahhh TAA so close

  14. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Lundstram goal today would be madness.

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      It's going to happen. And Cs

      1. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        No bias 😀

      2. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Believe!

    2. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      He would probably never score again

      1. HurriKane
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Maybe could get couple of sssists

    3. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Hatrick.. cs.. 2 assist..

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

      Happened last time I benched him
      Benched again for TAA VVD Digne Ota

  15. Differential C (Mark)
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Fingers crossed on Greenwood starting.

  16. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    If you don't have anything enlightening, entertaining or intelligent to say, please stfu. 😉

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Shots fired

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I will not be silenced! 😛

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        😆 Confession extracted!!! 😉

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

        😆

    3. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      *Logs off*

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Not you, you fool!!! 😆 😆 😆

    4. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Are you trying to silence me for all eternity Doos?

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Harsh. Unfair. Nominative determinism is dead. 😉

    5. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      *no more posts on FFS ever again*

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Yes, well ... 😆

    6. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      That rules me out then!

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Not necessarily ... 😉 😀

    7. Your Mum's Athletic
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      +42

    8. Random Name
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      O0ooooh you think you're a big boy with that number 9 next to your name

      1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        I think he will find I run these streets. Who's your daddy?

        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          There's always one. 😉

    9. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Well said. Doosra not messing around

    10. tisza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      quick way to empty this site:)

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Indeed!!! 😆 😆 😆

    11. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Err...

      *grabs a megaphone*

      NO!

    12. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Nicely done, Noble Grape x

    13. BoomXhakaLaca1
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Captain sterling or Salah? 😉

  17. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Hopes for 3pm KOs today?

    Would like a Chelsea win courtesy of Mount, Burnley win from Barnes and a CS, maybe a CS for Sheffield too.

    1. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      20 Points for Mason Mount and Harry Kane

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        so 20 for Mount and a no show for Kane?

        1. FPL Forward Thinker
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          No 20 points each

    2. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Sheff U win 🙂 that's all

    3. Sharkytect
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Spurs to win AND play well. Going to the new stadium for the first time

  18. JustPark
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    At least(for me) one thing for sure, jumping off Pool double defence soon!
    VVD to Ota for next gw. Keeping TAA.

    1. sambyy
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Exactly same plan for me

  19. VAR United
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Calling it now... Liverpool to win a pen and Salah hands the ball to Mane to complete his hatty. Hugs all around.

  20. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Trents stats getting another buff.

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

    Can't believe TAA hasn't had an assist or goals this match. So many quality deliveries, and been in the box a few times.

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Cause I just brought him in 😉

    2. Random Name
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Can't believe you haven't changed your grav to pulisic

  22. FPL Forward Thinker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    I think I’ve worked out why Salah doesn’t pass much.
    He’s not a very good passer of the football. ⚽️

  23. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Robertson back to his marauding best

    1. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      And i got in TAA this week. 🙁

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

        He's great too

    2. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Except finishing apparently. Actually. That's just normal scoring for robbo

  24. Respect My Authoritah
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Wow so close Robbo

  25. HurriKane
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Robbo nearly

  26. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    😮

  27. Twisted Saltergater
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Firmino is just so damn good

    1. BERGKOP
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Unbelievable player.

    2. Firminooooo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Thank you.

  28. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    So close Robbo!

  29. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    How did Robertsen didn't score there!

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

    VVD to Robertson SO close