Scout Notes

Can Robertson sustain value advantage over Alexander-Arnold after 10-point haul?

Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal

  • Goals: Sadio Mané (£11.9m), Andrew Robertson (£7.0m), Diogo Jota (£6.3m) | Alexandre Lacazette (£8.5m)
  • Assists: Mohamed Salah (£12.1m), Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m)
  • Bonus points: Alexander-Arnold x3, Robertson x2, Mané x1

Robbo’s Return

Andrew Robertson (£7.0m) is fast making a case to be considered the best Fantasy Premier League asset among Liverpool defenders this season.

His goal and 10-point haul against Arsenal took him to a total of 20 for the season so far, behind only Timothy Castagne (£5.7m), Tyrone Mings (£5.0m) and Ezri Konsa (£4.5m) among all defenders after three Gameweeks.

Crucially, the left-back is ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m) by a total of five points and, unlike his right-sided counterpart, is yet to blank this season.

Robertson assisted in Liverpool’s 4-3 win over Leeds, kept a clean sheet at Chelsea and found the net against Arsenal. In that time, Alexander-Arnold blanked against Leeds, before stringing together two seven-point scores in Gameweeks 2 and 3.

While the right-back is not too far behind his colleague, at a time when Wildcards are the talk of the town, the fact that Robertson is proving better value, by 2.9 points per million spent to 2.0, will not have gone unnoticed.

There is no denying that Robertson is in great form right now but Alexander-Arnold owners will certainly feel rather unfortunate not to come out of Gameweek 3 with more attacking returns.

Alexander-Arnold’s persistence

The right-back enjoyed an evening defined by a constant stream of trademark balls into the box, fired in from deep – and he could easily have racked up a hat-trick of assists.

In the 11th minute, he put up an excellent ball for Virgil van Dijk (£6.5m), whose header back across goal was denied on the line by David Luiz (£5.5m).

Three minutes later, Alexander-Arnold fired in another delightful cross, met by an onrushing Sadio Mané (£11.9m), whose powerful effort was well-saved by Bernd Leno (£5.0m).

Then, in the 20th minute, the right-back unleashed his own shot from range which deflected through a crowd of bodies onto the crossbar.

In the end, Alexander-Arnold’s perseverance in the cross paid off when he found Robertson at the back post to poke home and put Liverpool 2-1 up.

Such a display, which came with maximum bonus points, is almost certainly enough to keep 

Latest on the Defensive double-up

Is there still value in the Liverpool double-up? Perhaps not on the clean sheet front, but the attacking returns are helping Alexander-Arnold and Robertson offer plenty of points potential between them.

The Reds are still waiting for their first home clean sheet of the campaign, and they have registered just two from a possible eight since February 24, but their full-backs still scored 17 points between them on Monday night.

That seems to be indicative of what this Liverpool team is all about right now. We have seen this side operate on a ‘risk-versus-reward’ basis for some time now. It is something that will lead to the concession of poor goals, as we have seen against Leeds and Arsenal now, but it also adds to how dangerous Liverpool are at Anfield.

In fact, Alexander-Arnold and Robertson were the very men at fault for Alexandre Lacazette‘s (£9.5m) first-half strike. The right-back was caught stranded high up the pitch, allowing Ainsley Maitland-Niles (£4.9m) to press into leftover space, while Robertson was the man whose clearance went straight to Lacazette’s feet.

But, considering their exploits further up the field led to Liverpool winning the game 3-1, and each full-back coming away with attacking returns, Jurgen Klopp will have no complaints, and maybe Fantasy managers shouldn’t either.

“I didn’t see us really being sloppy in defending. I saw us in one or two passing situations when we gave the ball too easy away, which is just then a problem because to outplay Arsenal you need a quite expansive formation. Losing the ball without any pressure on yourself, that doesn’t make too much sense, that can really hurt you. So in these moments yes, but our defending was really good, really good, because you cannot defend Arsenal for 90 minutes with the quality they have. It’s completely normal that they have chances [and] you need a goalie for that, you need a block for that, you need all these kind of things.” – Jurgen Klopp

Magic Mané

Meanwhile, Mané insists on pushing Mohamed Salah (£12.1m) for Fantasy returns once again this season. With three goals in as many matches, the Senegalese international is now only three points behind his Egyptian colleague and, arguably looked the sharper of the two on Monday night.

While Salah had an evening characterised by snatched shots, and in some cases, snatching them away from his colleagues, Mané had the more clear cut opportunities.

He was on hand to gobble up the rebound from Salah’s shot in the 28th minute, and, just after the hour-mark, he clipped wide after a well-worked one-two with Roberto Firmino (£9.4m).

Furthermore, Mané has had the edge over Salah in away matches for the last year, with eight goals on the road to the Egyptian’s four since the start of last season. That particular statistic bodes well for him considering that three of Liverpool’s next five Premier League matches take them away from Anfield.

Meanwhile, Salah owners will feel a little unlucky not to have seen the Egyptian leave Gameweek 3 with two assists. He made an excellent run inside from his right-attacking-midfield station, across Arsenal’s defensive line and fed substitute Diogo Jota (£6.3m) on the left. The former Wolves man looked certain to score, but could only ruffle the side-netting.

And if we are focussing on Liverpool’s road-trip contributions last season, none of Salah’s colleagues registered more assists away from home in 2019/20, Robertson and Alexander-Arnold matching his total of six from over 200 more minutes each.

Time to consider Lacazette?

We are certainly at the point where the Fantasy community should start considering Lacazette for their squads.

Thankfully for the one million FPL managers who sold Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.9m) for Gameweek 3, it was the Frenchman who, once again, represented the chief goal threat for Arsenal.

Lacazette was in the right place to capitalise on Robertson’s 25th-minute error and had two other gilt-edged chances to score at Anfield before Eddie Nketiah (£5.9m) replaced him in the 73rd minute.

That made for a seven-point haul in Gameweek 3, his third of the campaign, which takes him to a total of 21. That is only one less than the similarly-priced Danny Ings (£8.4m) and Richarlison (£8.0m).

Crucially, it also means that Lacazette is one of the most reliable Fantasy assets thus far, yet to blank and about to face Sheffield United (home), Manchester City (away) and Leicester City (home). Each of those clubs has conceded at least four times this season, giving up an average of 1.75 goals per game.

Perhaps the only thing that counts against Lacazette is his game-time. Given his scoring record, it seems unlikely that Arteta will bench him anytime soon, but it is still worth noting that he is yet to complete 90 minutes this season, averaging 78.3 per outing in 2020/21. 

Latest from the managers

Thiago Silva in action for Liverpool

There were plenty of developments on the injury front for this game. Thiago Alcantara (£6.0m) was missing for Liverpool, but Joe Gomez (£5.4m) slotted back into central defence and James Milner (£5.4m) returned from his yellow flag on the bench.

“After the international break, (Thiago) will be fine, for sure. That’s the situation, in the moment. He is not fit enough to be involved today, but that’s it.” – Jurgen Klopp

Kieran Tierney (£5.4m) was back for Arsenal, which should boost their already strong clean sheet potential for the Sheffield United game. There is perhaps less certainty about starters in the Gunners’ back-three than before Monday night though, as new signing Gabriel (£5.1m) was left on the bench, Arteta preferring David Luiz (£5.5m).

“(Gabriel) has done really well, adapted really well. He’s played a few games already with us. David [Luiz] has huge experience and has played here many, many times. He gives us something different.” – Mikel Arteta

Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Robertson, van Dijk, Gomez, Alexander-Arnold; Keita (Milner 79′), Wijnaldum, Fabinho; Mané (D Jota 80′), Firmino (Minamino 90+1′), Salah.

Arsenal XI (3-4-3): Leno; Tierney, D Luiz, Holding; Maitland-Niles, Xhaka (Ceballos 60′), Elneny, Bellerín; Aubameyang, Lacazette (Nketiah 74′), Willian (Pépé 68′).

PREMIUM MEMBERS ANALYSIS

PREMIUM MEMBERS AREA HOME PAGE

Lessons Learned from FPL Gameweek 3

1,707 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Rassi
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    2

    1. Rassi
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      1!

      1. Buck The Trent
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Reported

        1. Rassi
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          lol

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

        Had Werner all season, sold on a WC, what a surprise he now scores, luckily not fpl but still lady luck must have forgot

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

      FFS United are a joke

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

    What to do with the 2.0m ITB?

    Martinez
    Castagne Lamptey KWP
    Salah KDB Zaha Pereira
    Vardy Jimi DCL
    Steer Stephens Mitchell Dunne

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

      Get Werner obvs

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

        Never again

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

        Could afford VVD over Mitchell if I go Klich over Pereira?

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

      Tidy side that

      Think I’d hold and wait to Robbo and Leeds mid from Pereira KWP

  3. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    There he is

    1. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Keeping him now?

      1. Bubz
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Not sure. He’s playing very wide

  4. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Werner bandwagon

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

    Why couldn't you have done that on Saturday?

  6. Steirish
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Why you no score in league!

  7. Keep Calm and Play On
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Maybe frank has finally realized he needs to play him in his natural spot with a target man in front

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

    WERNEEEEEEER

  9. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Timo Time 😎

  10. BenDavies
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Werner owners vindicated. Hatty on Saturday

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

      From the bench?

  11. Over Midwicket
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    So James is on the bench from now on based on this Azpi performance.

    And Chilwell is nailed on for 90 mins every game

    1. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I hope so. James was terrible at defending.

    2. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Azpi will start again this weekend imo

    3. F4L
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      James will play the majority of games this year

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

      Hopefully so. Azpi is Chelsea's leader on the pitch. No surprise things improved after he was subbed on last week (albeit Alonso was terrible).

      Chelsea have always had strong leaders on the pitch - Lampard, Ballack, Terry, Drogba etc. If you take out Azpi, is there anyone in the lineup who has that sort of leadership character?

  12. Rassi
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Werner (c)

  13. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Has Frank Lampard got a tactics masterclass from social media and decided he (i) needs to pair Werner with a hold-up forward (Giroud), (ii) only play one of Werner and Havertz, and (iii) have two wide men who can supply (CHO and Mount)?

    1. Chelsea Rangers Loyal
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No.

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

      No, he just saw Portsmouth Bubblejet's Hot Topic.

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

        Hopefully Klopp doesn't read The regression one of Salah

    3. BENOIT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Tammy started last match, got the full 90 and scored... rested tonight?

  14. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Werner guaranteed to blank at the weekend if he scores 2 here

    1. Valar(Keith)
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Gamblers fallacy

    2. Chelsea Rangers Loyal
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Utter tosh.

      1. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        ^ soon to be frustrated owners

        1. Chelsea Rangers Loyal
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          And there's more!

    3. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Nope

    4. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Nothing to do with today, will struggle against a very low block

    5. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Salah KDB Foden Son* Bruke

      1 FT & 0.1 ITB

      Son >>

      A. Mahrez
      B. Barnes
      C. Hames
      D. Kai
      E. Zaha

      Ta!

    6. balint84
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Chance Werner not start against CP?

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

        0%

      2. Siva Mohan
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        lol

      3. Valar(Keith)
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Lol

      4. Bank$y
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Definitely starting unless he catches the cold.

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

      Score another one Timo.
      Make the owners stay with you 😎

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Haha. You not rate him Amey? Fancy him to start firing once he gets going. Pull and Ziyech recoveries will only help too surely?

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

          Yep

          He’s history of being streaky. That Southampton game looks right tasty with their high line and his pace. Palace could be ok for him but doubt it’s haul territory

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

          I don't know mate.
          He plays anything but #9

          When Pulisic is back it's literally smae players playing in team. Kind of kagawa Wazza situation.

          I love Pulisic. Will jump on him once fully functioning

          1. RAFA THE GAFFA
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            What would you do here matey?

            A. Werner >> Jimenez / DCL
            B. Davies >> James / Lamptey
            C. Save FT

            McCarthy
            TAA, Saiss, Justin, Davies
            Salah, KDB, Rodríguez, Zaha
            Werner, Ings
            (Nyland, Bissouma, Mitchell, Davis)

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

              Werner to Jimenez looks straight forward move to me.

              Your Defense would do well this GW i guess.

              (Apart from Davies 😛 )

              1. RAFA THE GAFFA
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                Cheers

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

        How’s your WC looking mate?

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

          Martinez Steer
          Taa Robbo Ayling Lamptey 4.0
          Salah KDB Trossard Klich 4.5
          Jimenez Ings DCL

          Son if fit would definitely come in

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

            Neat

            Not quite twins but you’re yet to see the light on Zaha. He’s my Mo replacement:D

            Definitely not enough Palace.

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

              Will he stay oop ?

              I don't like attacker from your team tbh. Mitchell is one easy to pick but when PVA & Ferguson are coming back ??

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

                Pretty sure he will to some extent - may be not CF each time but up the pitch.

                Not wholly convinced by him but high GI is what swayed me over Barnes and Grealish. Prepared to give him a few anyway.

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

                  As i mentioned previously i just don't like anyone in that range.

                  Barnes Grealish Zaha needs patience as they're good picks but not on set plays & not very clinical. So can go hot N cold. I always end up selling before hauls 😀

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

                    Part of my discipline this season is to leave in place players at that range where possible.

                    DCL is the one I’m more likely to lose just as I suspect Bamford offers similar value. Can see him and Soucek combining nicely as 7th attacker long term. If I do that I hope to have funds to move up in midfield a bit. Failing Wilf could be fall guy

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

                      I feel failed by people here on Bamford tbh. Would have snapped him up otherwise at this time.

                      But everyone is like , he's sh.t and all

                      1. The Orienteer - find me in …
                        • 12 Years
                        3 years, 6 months ago

                        I think the point of the game is to choose your own players?

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

                          It is. But it makes you feel uncomfortable picking a player who everyone is just ridiculing.

                          Actually i feel good for him personally as he proved most wrong 🙂

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

                          Really think there’s mileage in combining him and Soucek. Gives you an upgrade in midfield.

                          See attraction of Klich but prefer having spread risk of WH Leeds

      3. Syd.
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I’m stuck with him for another week could end up being a season keeper

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

          I was on Pulisic mate.
          This injury fooked up my whole plan and now I played WC thanks to failed transfers over 2 GW's to swap them....

          1. Syd.
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            I’ve had a horrendous couple of weeks but not tempted to play my wildcard as the games are far too unpredictable at the moment.

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

              Agree .. i got myself In a situation i didn't like at all.

              Want to try and avoid making multiple transfers for getting a single player. Always end up taking so many hits

      4. Valar(Keith)
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Hey amey. Been a while 🙂 .. I've got him and martial and I'm going to be keeping both until injury or WC. Class is permanent and all that

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

          Hey mate !
          I basically WC this GW because of both of them stinking the ship 😀

          1. Valar(Keith)
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Haha. I won't lie.. I was tempted. I've got the two of em and Mitrovic. Pretty sure over a 10 game period they'll score almost equal to the other names being thrown about. The only striker that's tempting me is Antonio tbh.. but I can wait 4 weeks for him.

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

              I am not as patient as you 😀
              Having a pathetic start tbh. 3m OR atm.

              Needed something to bring the interest back & stop the freefall. Let's see.

              Long term they're good yeah. But both teams not looking at free-flowing best atm at least so ...

    8. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Dier injured

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

      Dier going off.

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

        Increases Davies likelihood of playing at the weekend?

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

          Increases Brunos penalty likelihood 🙂

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

          Looks like he is ok now. Davies will start Weekend i reckon

      2. Syd.
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Injuries building up already

        It’s going to be a long season

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

        Feel sorry for you lot.

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

          Too many games for us . Kind of expected

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

            Yeah

    10. Valar(Keith)
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Now all that's left is for Werner to take a penalty with jorginho on the pitch.. hopefully tonite slows his price fall too 🙂

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

      Spurs injuries piling up already. The schedule meant it was inevitable

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

      Werner!

      That’s the first goal from any of my forwards this season. Looking forward to the points

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
          3 years, 6 months ago

          How the hell have you managed that? Pretty much everyone has scored

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

            Martial & Werner (Ings instead of Martial GW1)

            I’ve actually done ok considering every other striker has hauled (1m OR). If I’d picked literally any other forward line I’d have been off to a flyer

      2. Over Midwicket
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Handbags!!

        1. Over Midwicket
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Lamps and Mou.. Two washed up old fogies

          1. Fudgy
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Yep

      3. BenDavies
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Hudson-Odoi is very good. Frank needs to start him more often, it's a disgrace Mount starts ahead of him.

        1. diesel001
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Mendy
          Azpi Tomori Silva Chilwell
          Kovacic Kante
          Ziyech Werner Pulisic
          Giroud

          1. Over Midwicket
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            No Havertz lol

      4. Syd.
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Frank & Jose have a bromance

      5. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Really not looking good for us

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

          Better luck next seasono.

          1. Steve The Spud
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Could be worse could have spent loads and still be bad I suppose

        2. Valar(Keith)
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Don't worry. If you'll concede 2 goals ans don't score today you'll will score 2 goals at the weekend and ger q clean sheet

          1. Valar(Keith)
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Get a*

          2. Valar(Keith)
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Lol I messed that up

          3. Steve The Spud
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Exactly Keith every cloud mate

        3. Syd.
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          That Chelsea defence are usually good for a couple of gifts

      6. Nespinha
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Pick one option:

        What to do with Doherty + Mitro

        A) Doherty + Mitro - - - 4.5 def + DCL (-4)
        B) Save transfer
        C) Wilcard

      7. Hy liverpool
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Football without VAR looks good

        1. diesel001
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          I prefer VAR. Get those offsides right. Handball rule needs changing, but that isn't a VAR thing. That is just a poor handball rule.

        2. Syd.
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Yeah a few feisty incidents which I like

      8. BobbyDoesNotLook
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Dier how serious did it look?

        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Dier

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

            This didn't get the recognition it deserved...