Dugout Discussion
12 September 2020 2446 comments
DavidMunday815 DavidMunday815
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Liverpool come into the first Premier League match of 2020/21 with their strongest key players all involved from the off.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m) has not turned out for the Reds since the end of last season, missing out on pre-season friendlies through injury, but he starts against Leeds United.

While he was not fit enough to go on a summer tour with his club, the right-back did get some game-time in while away on international duty with England.

Naturally, he is joined in the back-four by the usual suspects of Andrew Robertson (£7.0m), Virgil van Dijk (£6.5m) and Joe Gomez (£5.5m) while Neco Williams (£4.0m) misses out on a place in the match-day squad entirely.

Mohamed Salah (£12.0m), the second-most-captained player of Gameweek 1, starts on the right-hand side of Liverpool’s front-three, as do Sadio Mané (£12.0m) and Roberto Firmino (£9.5m).

In their first Premier League game for 16 years, Leeds line-up in Marcelo Biela’s favoured 4-1-4-1 formation.

The key Fantasy talking point is a start at centre-back for Pascal Struijk (£4.0m), although it remains unclear how long he will last in the team. The budget defender takes the place of club captain Liam Cooper (£4.5m) who is unexpectedly absent from the squad today.

The Scottish international’s late injury means a centre-back pairing of Struijk and new signing Robin Koch (£4.5m) for Leeds, while Stuart Dallas (£4.5m) and Luke Ayling (£4.5m) are set to staff the full-back positions.

Patrick Bamford (£5.5m) has been trusted with a start at Anfield, keeping new signing Rodrigo Moreno (£6.0m) on the bench while key man Pablo Hernández (£6.0m) is also in from the beginning, joined in midfield by Mateusz Klich (£5.5m), Jack Harrison (£5.5m) and Helder Costa (£5.5m).

Liverpool XI: Alisson; Robertson, van Dijk, Gomez, Alexander-Arnold; Keïta, J Henderson, Wijnaldum; Mané, Firmino, Salah.

Leeds United XI: Meslier; Dallas, Struijk, Koch, Ayling; Phillips; Costa, Hernández, Klich, Harrison; Bamford.

Best players by position:

2,446 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. DRIZ ✅
    6 years, 1 month ago

    There you go fellas, never leave Salah out the your team and dont be confident about it

    Salah C rejoice

  2. FPL Daniel
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Allison 0 saves. What he is doing? Becoming Kepa?

  3. Powers106
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Maybe won’t get the accolades, but that second Salah left foot shot on the bounce into top right corner, what a goal! Absolutely amazing!

    1. Bushwhacker
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Stunning.

    2. Bobby Digital
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I liked it too

  4. dshv
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Now what for next week ? Salah bruno or auba ?

    1. n-doggg
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Will probably do nothing next week, then consider auba to Bruno gw3 with 2FTs

    2. Limbo
      6 years, 1 month ago

      All three for me

      1. Flynny
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Salah to bruno

        Antonio to martial for a hit is the plan

    3. Garlana
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Gonna be really hard getting rid of Salah just yet now...

  5. Gnu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Really looking forward to the WHam Newcastle game.

    Now that's something I never thought I'd hear myself say (write)

  6. Brosstan
    6 years, 1 month ago

    People who think their personal opinion trumps stats absolutely btfo

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      6 years, 1 month ago

      isnt that you?

      1. Brosstan
        6 years, 1 month ago

        How? I follow stats when I can

  7. Chucky
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Thank you FPL for reclassifying Auba, otherwise, all casuals would have captained Salah... 😛

  8. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    6 years, 1 month ago

    So who goes for Bruno....Has to be C only?

    A Salah
    B Aubameyang
    C Just get Martial in for Ings

    1. Danstoke82
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Was pondering Bruno for Salah but not a chance now. Ings > Martial 1FT and wont get Bruno for now as want KDB for Auba the following GW

      1. dunas_dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Yes that’s my plan now. Kept .5 in bank for Ings switch

  9. InterUranus
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Can't believe I swapped Salah for Auba cap

    1. Dash444
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I did too but on the basis I still got 34 points from them is some consolation. Someone out there has got Ings, Mane, Mitrovic, Trent and was told they had a great team!

  10. Lovejoy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Where’s that “Salah in decline” guy?

    1. JONALDINHO
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Calling him a pen merchant probably

      1. Visionaries
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Like all Pool fans about Bruno?

        1. Greasy Grealish Gang
          6 years, 1 month ago

          I found one!

        2. JONALDINHO
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Think your forgetting Salah still scored and won the first pen fairly. Bruno does neither of those things

          1. @persecuted_by_mods
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Amazing how you accurately kill one narrative, while supporting a different false one because it's not your team

    2. Rogue Todd
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Declining to comment

    3. ilikewud
      6 years, 1 month ago

      He'll be back in a week or two with more dumb opinions I'm sure.

    4. Forza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      6 years, 1 month ago

      He has Salah (c). The 'decline' debate was about previous seasons, not this one.

  11. The Senate
    6 years, 1 month ago

    TAA
    KWP
    Mitro
    Ings

    Mitchell second sub 🙁

    1. Greasy Grealish Gang
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Exactly the same! Worst part is that I saw all matches so far, except for Liverpool. ..and I'm a Liverpool supporter :'(

  12. JONALDINHO
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Someone in my mini league TC KDB with Salah as his vice. Not surprised tbh

    1. Danstoke82
      6 years, 1 month ago

      My word...that’s shocking

    2. Greasy Grealish Gang
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Next level, big brain

    3. Dash444
      6 years, 1 month ago

      You will catch him up when he bench boosts next week.

  13. Joey Tribbiani
    6 years, 1 month ago

    wow... reminder of Salah home stats VS Auba away stats just before deadline proved to be quite a fruitful decision. 😀

  14. Piggs Boson
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Salah and Mane double up was a fail really 😕 Should have just picked Salah, Mane's 12.0m wasted. Was hoping this game would give me an edge... 🙁

    1. Drip Doctor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Gives you options though.

      1. Piggs Boson
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah, I suppose. I think it's going to be Mane -> Bruno atm, but might as well wait til the end of the week...

      2. Sgt Frank Drebin
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Frankly speaking I don't think a premium double up from any team is a good idea. Premium players are imho a good value only if you captain them (or if we have more funds in the bank, but we only have 100m). Having 2 premium from teams like Lfc and City lets you rotate captaincy to benefit from easier fixtures but having 2 players from one team doesn't. It is like having a premium player who you will never captain.

        1. Sgt Frank Drebin
          6 years, 1 month ago

          I mean at least in a long term. For 1 fixture it's a different story maybe.

          1. Piggs Boson
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Ah, missed this part. This was the idea!

        2. Piggs Boson
          6 years, 1 month ago

          I'm trying to hunt aggressively for those big 24pt hauls. Even a 12.0m player can be good value in those games.

          I agree that over a season a 12.0m is not good value without captaincy, but over short-term fixtures they could be. Value is volatile and changes throughout the season.

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Easy switch to KDB or Bruno now though
      Whereas Salah owners in a tough position about whether to keep

      1. clodhopper
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Course we will keep and I bet you buy lol

      2. Piggs Boson
        6 years, 1 month ago

        True. Thanks, that actually makes me feel little better! 🙂

    3. Moderately content penguin
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Don't see it at all really

      You have the option no one else has to get Bruno.

      Also could as easily have been Mane today. That's the story of the last 18 months. Don't expect 2 pens regularly really 😀

      You did well to cover your bets. The history also shows it's binary - one or the other rarely both

      1. Moderately content penguin
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Or KdB of course

      2. Piggs Boson
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Yep, I suppose it could have gone either way.

        The important part was that I correctly identified the high scoring fixture I guess. Need to keep doing that, been bad in the past.

        1. Moderately content penguin
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Getting fixture right is always a good start.

          I have two shots at it with left with Kane Vardy - here's hoping.

          Expected goals but went with the talisman who don't share like Mo does 😀

          1. Piggs Boson
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Good luck!

  15. Bubz
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Pretty nice way to start the season, a captain hatty! Soucek to make a mockery of his price tag next

  16. Drip Doctor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Like i said, Firmino is overrated. 😉

  17. Waynoo
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Oh dear, season over after GW1

  18. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Salah on for a 760 point season.

    1. FPL Daniel
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Hahaha. You are on a roll 🙂

    2. Rainer
      6 years, 1 month ago

      763, he’ll get at least one assist.

      1. Dash444
        6 years, 1 month ago

        He’s never assisted...ever!

    3. Piggs Boson
      6 years, 1 month ago

      😀

  19. Visionaries
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Suppose penalities count now that it's not United?
    Why can't I still view the other teams in my league? Been 8 hours since deadline

    1. Rogue Todd
      6 years, 1 month ago

      First update, but you can still click on their name then on "GW1" in their weekly history to see their team

      1. Visionaries
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Oh, nice one.
        Wasn't aware

  20. FPL Daniel
    6 years, 1 month ago

    I must have matured after the first decade of playing FPL. Dont have Salah and am kind of Ok. So be it. I was torn between 2 teams one had him, the other one didn't. Thought he will get 7-10pts this week and Bruno will recap it next week. Also Havertz and Son still to play. Not panicking. Sticking to the plan. If the season shows you need the whole trinity Bruno Salah KDB I'll adapt

  21. Weeb Kakashi
    6 years, 1 month ago

    So basically i am chasing 40 points now without Salah and GW 1 isn't even halfway.

    The damage is already done but now no use panicking/repenting. The team still looks good for the next 5-6 weeks without Salah and there is plenty of time to catch UP

    No Panic Fellow Non Salah owners

    1. FPL Daniel
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Yes we do but you also have other players for that money so still hope

    2. Bubz
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Well who did you get instead of him?

      1. Weeb Kakashi
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Managed to get Havertz,DCL(instead of 6M ST), Martial ,Digne and Tierney instead of the 4.5's

        In the next 4-5 weeks the team looks good . Believing in the strategy.

      2. Moderately content penguin
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Kane Vardy C double up with VVD here

        Nice run of captaincies there if either look half good

    3. F4L
      6 years, 1 month ago

      You lose 10 points on the average. Easy to make up if any player under 10% ownership you own gets a haul.

    4. Drip Doctor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Surely you have players who you wouldn't be able to have had you picked Salah?

      1. Weeb Kakashi
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Yes like Havertz,DCL,Digne,Tierney and Martial instead of Cheaper options.
        You wouldn't deem it as a fail would you? Unless untill after a considerable time of about 4-5 weeks

  22. JamTart
    6 years, 1 month ago

    A Soucek goal would be nice to top off a good first day

  23. JONALDINHO
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Leeds managed 3 goals with an xg of 0.3.

  24. Warbling Wendy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Does anyone have the balls to take Salah out of there team with Chelsea and Arsenal the next two fixtures?

    1. Bubz
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I have no clue why anyone would

    2. Sgt Frank Drebin
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Maybe for the Chelsea game he isn't the best option out there, but I think he is captainable vs Arsenal. At least that was my plan, but not sure Lfc gonna steamroll Arsenal like in old days. On the other hand Arsenal's defensive stats aren't that good in contrary to actual results (goals conceded). Tough choice.

    3. Greasy Grealish Gang
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Salah hasn't left my team since he ever joined so nah

  25. Old Man
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Group hug for Salahless managers.

  26. The Yorkshire Pirlo
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Jammy pool, jammy Salah.
    First ones never a pen.
    Liverpool to finish outside top 4.
    I’m not a bitter Leeds fan right now 🙂

    1. ilikewud
      6 years, 1 month ago

      LOL

  27. Niho992
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Thank God i didnt listen experts on this page and C Auba.

    Huh. Thank you MO

    1. F4L
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Liverpool got 2 pens all season last year. Who could've predicted that they would get 2 today.

      On another day, Auba gets a brace and Salah only gets one goal.

      1. Warbling Wendy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        6 years, 1 month ago

        And on another day Mane gets Henderson pregnant and he gives birth to another Champions League trophy.

        1. F4L
          6 years, 1 month ago

          😛 Stats always revert to the mean, that's why the knee jerking in this place is hilarious!

  28. Totalfootball
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Did not captain MO 🙁

    1. Nomar
      6 years, 1 month ago

      No, but at least you had him.

      People who didn’t have him are probably 10-15 points worse off for it, depending on who they had instead.

  29. SH@KTIMAAN
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Aston villa beat Manu 1-0 in the friendly
    Watkins scored
    Not sure whether to bring Manu players for the weekend

    1. Greasy Grealish Gang
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Who was involved? Was going to put Grealish in as a punt

      1. SH@KTIMAAN
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Couldn't find full match review

    2. Mighty Banana
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      6 years, 1 month ago

      In front of the Spaniard was a back four of Diogo Dalot, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw and Brandon Williams.

      In midfield, Scott McTominay played alongside Fred and Andreas Pereira with each of those facing a fight to keep their place in the side.

      Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard were also handed rare starts alongside Odion Ighalo.

      Bruno Fernandes has been back home in Portugal following the birth of his child last Saturday.

      He was forced to return to England before 4am this morning to avoid 14 days in quarantine.

      Marcus Rashford is also facing a fight to be fit for the season opener against Crystal Palace on September 19.

      Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1334790/Man-Utd-lose-pre-season-friendly-Aston-Villa-surprise-Ole-Gunnar-Solskjaer-line-up

    3. Dr. Rog
      6 years, 1 month ago

      folk were not sure about salah based on pre season either

  30. Champions League Varane
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Ok over to you Soucek and ASM