Dugout Discussion

Jota and Firmino both start as Jesus returns for Man City’s clash with Liverpool

The Premier League winners and runners-up in each of the last two seasons clash at the Etihad this afternoon.

Manchester City v Liverpool gets underway at 16:30 GMT.

Debate has raged this week over whether Diogo Jota (£6.4m) or Roberto Firmino (£9.2m) would get the nod to join Mohamed Salah (£12.4m) and Sadio Mane (£12.0m) in the Liverpool attack but, in the end, both players start for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Barring any curveball formation choices, the Reds’ boss seems to have opted for a similar 4-2-3-1 set-up that he trialled in the Gameweek 6 win over Sheffield United.

Klopp has made two changes from last Saturday’s win over West Ham, with Jota replacing Curtis Jones (£4.4m) in one of those alterations.

Joel Matip (£5.4m) is in for Nat Phillips (£4.0m) at centre-half in the other.

Pep Guardiola has also made a brace of changes from Gameweek 7.

Gabriel Jesus (£9.3m) is back to lead the line, with the Brazilian making his first Premier League appearance since the opening weekend of the season.

Ilkay Gundogan (£5.4m) also returns to the heart of the City midfield, with Riyad Mahrez (£8.3m) and Bernardo Silva (£7.4m) making way.

There is again no place in the hosts’ starting XI for Phil Foden (£6.6m), who hasn’t started a league match since Gameweek 5.

It’s not often that we can say that the majority of City assets are differentials in FPL but that is the case at present, with Kevin De Bruyne (£11.5m) the only member of Guardiola’s squad who boasts a double-digit ownership.

They are even less popular within the top 10k, with Kyle Walker (£6.1m) – who sits in 8.15% of these squads – the most-selected option.

Salah is by some distance the most-owned player in this fixture, both within the top 10k (65.34%) and overall (46.9%).


Manchester City XI: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Laporte, Cancelo, Gundogan, Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Torres, Sterling, Jesus.

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Gomez, Robertson, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Jota, Firmino, Mané, Salah.

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1,570 Comments Post a Comment
  1. BeWater
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    I've got Trent and Jota. Why can't something go right occasionally. Even a broken clock is right twice a day.

    1. Party time
        3 years, 4 months ago

        You are a casual

      • turd ferguson
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Jota > Broken clock ?

      • La Roja
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        You are a casual

    2. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Ruben or Cancelo?

      1. JBG
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Cancelo

      2. Ze_Austin
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Cancelo bombs forward and bosses stats

        Dias is possibly more nailed (won't know until Mendy returns)

        Ceiling vs floor argument

      3. Meinhoff
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Ruben nailed, Cancelo for explosiveness if you have good bench

    3. Party time
        3 years, 4 months ago

        What a pen from De Bruyne. Surely Kun back on them

      • Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        KDB off pens?

        1. super zlatan
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          You tell us Pep

        2. Qaiss
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          They can’t just change it every time someone misses one, Aguero has missed pens before, same with players like Auba.

          KDB has scored a lot of penalties.

      • Egg noodle
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Whose assist was it for man city pen?

        1. Big Hands Barry
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Kdb

      • Kodap
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Got some work to do on my team after this, think it's about time Trent gets out my squad though...

      • Moxon
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Next week captaincy is a bit up in the air. Anyone given it any thought?

        1. Londongeezaa
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          International Break

        2. Stoic
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Bruno if I get him or DCL/Grealish. Salah also an option

        3. Mweene
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Salah comfortably.

        4. My heart goes Salalalalah
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Salah. Or punt on Chilwell

        5. Reeker
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Salah

        6. dunas_dog
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I have put on Ziyech in my bus team

        7. Babelcopter
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Bruno

        8. Ze_Austin
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Bruno for me

          Between Salah and DCL for VC

      • djoker_nole
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        KDB essential after GW 9

      • Ógie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Munster final in the balance.

        Kerry have not lost to Cork in 8 years but they have a great chance of ending that today by the looks of it. 🙁

        1. Ógie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Munster semi final i mean

        2. Dreams
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Hey ogie. How are you doing?

          1. Ógie
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Hi Dreams,nice to see you again,it's been a long time. 🙂

            I am keeping well and hope you are too.

            1. Dreams
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Oh yeah. Enjoying this crazy season to the fullest.

              1. Ógie
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 4 months ago

                That is nice to hear.

                I might have to make a return to the deadzone if you are back in town. 🙂

                1. Dreams
                  • 7 Years
                  3 years, 4 months ago

                  Sure. Can make some occasional posts. Not possible to be as regular as before though.

      • Kodap
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Who is more essential for the next few game weeks?

        Fernandes
        or
        KDB?

        Can't have both...

        1. djoker_nole
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          KDB

        2. My heart goes Salalalalah
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          KdB

        3. JONALDINHO
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Fernandes next week, KDB the weeks after

        4. 2999 - Lady of Legend
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Kdb, city fixtures gold.

      • Slitherene
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        RMWCT?

        Martinez Steer
        PvA Lamptey Justin Taylor Lewis
        Salah KdB Rashford Grealish Soucek
        Werner Richarlison Brewster

        1.3 ITB

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

          Bruno over Rashford.

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

            The money ITB is for Vardy in GW 10.

            Where else can I downgrade?

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

              Defence needs work tbh.

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

          No Ziyech or Chilwell?

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

            Tricky December for them.

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

              Easy November though?

      • Pacer.
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Pundits are making a huge deal of the KdB miss but it's not like he has a 5 year history of burying pens. I think he's been one of the best players in the world for a few seasons now, but prior to last season he was actually quite poor (relative to his quality) in front of goal. He really wasn't the player you wanted shooting given time and space. He improved dramatically between 2018/19 and 2019/20.

        It really isn't a 'frame that because you'll not see it again' moment

      • Mweene
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Could be on for 100 points here lads...

        Just one of those where everything goes right. Could happen to anyone any week.

        1. turd ferguson
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          good luck

        2. Chucky
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Ok

        3. Pacer.
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Get in. Open yourself a beer and knock one out

        4. thegaffer82
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Yeah me too if Grealish can get me about 40 points 🙂

          1. Pacer.
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Fair point. I am also on for 100 points if Grealish and Marty can knock out 40

      • F4L
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Why are Sky complaining so much about the handball, the point is Gomez had time to move his arm out the way. Their commentary is insufferable.

        1. Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          They love Pool, biased beyond belief

          1. F4L
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            should have Richards on match commentary instead of Neville. Neville just sucks up to Carragher when Liverpool are playing and on the commentary team together.

          2. JONALDINHO
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Think it’s that most people are biased against Liverpool. Sky are the normal view

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

          He did move it away and still hit slightly. A pen with current rules but very difficult to do better than Gomez imo.

          1. F4L
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            It does depend on whether you want the rules to change at the end of the day (I don't think they should because Gomez does gain an advantage their from the ball hitting the arm). And it's much more of a pen than some of the handballs this season with the distance between KDB and Gomez.

            Having said that I wouldn't want to be a defender nowadays with the added pressure of keeping your arms out of harms way.

        3. michaelington
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Come off it. He tried to move it out of the way but the ball has a lot of pace on it. It’s a handball according to the rules but we all know the rules are broken.

          1. F4L
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Gomez gains an advantage from the ball hitting his arm, I don't think the rules should be changed for an incident like that.

      • Pep bites Kun
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        There should be a Darwinian-like wooden spoon award for the funniest/most ridiculous top of page for the season. Base it on upvotes alone, no need for more admin or officialdom - have a laff! Yay/Nay?

      • DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Have Sterling and Martial. Son to:

        1) Fernandes
        2) KDB
        3) Keep Son

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

          C

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

          Martial > Bruno

        3. Chucky
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          1

        4. F4L
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Don't get rid of Son

      • Begbie.
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        OMG Keane LMAO

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          What was said?

          1. Begbie.
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            the presenter asked him how Mane won the penalty and he replied "because he's up against an idiot" referring to Walker 😆

        2. Utopsis
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          He grinds my gears - goes on as if he never had bad days/games

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

            He speaks his mind which is refreshing to see

            1. Utopsis
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Yeah but it's possible to do that in a respectful way

      • jtreble
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        How many FPL points is a missed pen?

        1. Meinhoff
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          -2

        2. GROBARI
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          -2 points

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

          Thanks all.

      • Rinseboy
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        What would you do with this sh*t show of a team? Happy to take some punts as ranked so bad!

        Players I want rid of are Robbo, Semedo, Saiss, Foden...possibly Kane/Son.

        Martinez
        Semedo Saiss Lamptey Robbo Mitchell
        Son Salah Grealish Foden Ziyech
        Kane DCL Brewster
        0.6 ITB

        1. Hattrick Harry
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Saiss > Coufal/Cresswell and then change Foden to cheaper like bissouma/soucek. Use extra money to midfield or attack.

      • Right In The Stanchion
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Barkley, Rodriguez and Mitrovic

        To

        Jota, Soucek and Richarlison

        -4

        Hames is out for me. Richarlison is Everton’s talisman

        1. Leonard hatred
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          feels like a casual move, but good luck if you go for it

      • squ1rrel
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        McCarthy - Steer
        Chilwell - Cresswell - Justin - Shaw - Ferguson
        Salah - KDB - Rashford - Podence - Anguissa
        Kane - DCL - Wilson

        0.5 ITB, 2 FT, WC available

        Who needs to go?

        1. GROBARI
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          International break coming on. You have 2 weeks to make changes

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

          Podence, Kane, Rashford

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

        Great skill by Jesus. Obviously meant it.

        1. thegaffer82
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          He’s a cracking player...

          Sometimes

        2. Dreams
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Oh yeah. No way Aguero would start over him.

        3. My heart goes Salalalalah
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          TM, read your post earlier contemplating -8. But do you wait until after IB and ignire price changes? Want to get rid of those exact 3 players...

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

            Waiting for sure.

            1. My heart goes Salalalalah
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Cheers mate

        4. JJO
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Hahha yeah for sure

      • have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        On 69 with Salah playing, how’s everyone else doing

        1. Right In The Stanchion
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          113 without bonus

        2. thegaffer82
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          59 with Salah, Martinez & Grealish to come. No complaints here...

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

          60 with Salah, Robertson and Taa playing. Watkins yet to play.

        4. Leonard hatred
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          63, including harry's baps. salah and TAA playing, grealish to come.

        5. squ1rrel
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          65 w/ Salah and KDB

        6. Arctic monkeys
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Keep us updated

        7. Meinhoff
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          65+Grealish and Martinez

        8. GROBARI
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          52 with KDB Salah (second half) and Martinez to come

          1. GROBARI
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            51* sorry

        9. THFC4LIFE
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          55 with Salah playing now, Martinez and Grealish to go

        10. Boomerang V
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          75 -8 with Salah, Grealish and Martinez. Not bad for a -8 gw

      • ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Vardy+Jota or Bruno+Bamford?

      • Big Hippo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        If there was a way to delete your team that KDB miss would have been enough for me.

      • wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Best midfielder up to 7.3 except Grealish,Zaha to replace Trossard?

        1. My heart goes Salalalalah
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Jota...maybe

      • Firminooooo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Kept KdB through his injury. A penaltymiss is my return. When everybody brings him in he will start to haul. Well, good for Liverpool atleast.

        1. GROBARI
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          City will have good run of fixtures after GW9.

      • tricpic
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Anyone else do the Bruno to KDB transfer this week? *cries

        1. My heart goes Salalalalah
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Wow

      • Danno - Emre Canada
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Did Roy Keane just call Walker an idiot and car crash?!?!?... bit much

        1. Begbie.
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          😆

          Walker is dodgy though. Didn't he give away a pen v Leicester with a similar daft challenge? Like Keane said, he's 30 and he still hasn't learned.

          1. Danno - Emre Canada
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Haha yeah sure but an idiot hahahaahah

      • Coaly
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Zouma or Cancelo?