Dugout Discussion

Alisson and Fabinho return to bolster Liverpool defence as Tuchel recalls Werner

Six successive days of Premier League action comes to an end at Anfield this evening as the 17th and final Double Gameweek 26 fixture takes place.

Liverpool v Chelsea gets underway at 20:15 GMT, as two defences in contrasting form meet on Merseyside.

The Reds kept only their second Premier League clean sheet of the calendar year in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Sheffield United, ending a run of seven straight blanks for Andrew Robertson (£7.2m).

Chelsea’s backline has been watertight in comparison, with five shut-outs arriving in the seven top-flight fixtures that Thomas Tuchel has overseen.

Antonio Rudiger (£4.6m) and Cesar Azpilicueta (£5.7m) have been a part of all of those clean sheets and both players start this evening.

The respective managers have made two changes apiece for tonight’s encounter.

Alisson (£5.9m) returns from compassionate leave for the hosts, replacing Adrian (£4.2m) between the posts.

The Reds’ faltering backline has been further boosted by the return to fitness of Fabinho (£5.4m), who takes Nat Phillips‘ (£4.0m) place at centre-half.

Diogo Jota (£6.6m), who would have made the matchday squad at Bramall Lane were it not for illness, is among the substitutes.

Mohamed Salah (£12.6m) will face his former employers once again as he looks to improve on a sub-par recent record of nine blanks in his last 12 matches.

As for Chelsea, Timo Werner (£9.2m) replaces Callum Hudson-Odoi (£5.7m) in the visitors’ attack.

Jorginho (£4.7m) is in for Mateo Kovacic (£5.3m) in the middle of the park, with Marcos Alonso (£5.7m) again only among the substitutes as Ben Chilwell (£5.8m) continues at left wing-back.


Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Kabak, Robertson, Thiago, Wijnaldum, Jones, Salah, Firmino, Mane. 

Chelsea: Mendy, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger, James, Kante, Jorginho, Chilwell, Ziyech, Mount, Werner.

1,692 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Well then... not a good finish at all to the week, and I count 8pts as a TC fail but at least I picked the right one out of Kane Salah Bruno I suppose.

    96 all out

    1. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Some of us geniuses picked DCL C

      1. Davros
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Some of us geniuses picked DCL (TC)

  2. TheBiffas
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    85 all out with 11 DGW players and TC Kane...

    1. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      90
      Tc Kane.
      Not sure how everyone is doing.

  3. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    To all those who have a substantial green arrow this GW, I truly salute you and have to ask how?!

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      53k to 37k here, alright

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        More than alright this week! You got > 100pts before hits!

        Well played

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

      Luck. Same way people who don't had bad luck.

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Luck has played a heavy hand this season!

    3. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Define substantial (94 points for me so some kind of green arrow)

      Bench boost - Johnstone

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I guess it depends on rank doesn’t it.

        I’ve managed a tiny green but it feels like a damp nothing of a GW

    4. Messiah Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Going from a 900K to 600k... Having a lower rank helped. And many many thanks to Keane

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Onwards and upwards!

    5. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I have a substantial red arrow, what do I win?

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        My sympathy and commiserations

        1. Mr. O'Connell
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I'll take it

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

      44k > 19k, captained Son and bench boost.

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Smashed it!! Amazing stuff mate

    7. jammie26
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Staying at circa 10k here.

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        V well done! Not an easy feat this season at all

    8. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Only went up 3k places. 10.5 K to 7 K.

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Nosebleed territory my friend. Take it and run!

    9. tbos83
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      120 for me largely thanks to defence (Guiata, Maguire, Stones) also BB with Areola. But had Salah cap so not everything went to plan.

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Wow! What a score.

        What rank are you up to?

        1. tbos83
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Thanks mate. Up to 45k having started at 110k.

          1. Don Kloppeone
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            What a jump!!

    10. grumpyman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      121, sold Salah and tripled up on Spurs and Everton is how.

      1. grumpyman
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Up to 14k from 49k.

        1. Don Kloppeone
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          That’s an incredible rise this week!

          Wish I’d have had the guts to ditch Salah!

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

      30 to 20k here but TC fail

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Not so much failing though when you’ve made it to top 20k already. Nice one

    12. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      How? Bench boost and a really low rank at the start of the week.

      Still, I thought it would feel better to move up 250K spots. So many expensive players blanking just makes me think of what could have been

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I know what u mean but concentrate on the rise!

    13. threeputt
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      275k to about 150k. BB, Son (c), 5pts from my 3 City

      1. threeputt
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        115 all out

        1. Don Kloppeone
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Great score!!

          I was certain I’d be well over 120. Couldn’t break a ton in the end!

    14. kringe
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      370K to 240K (BB 109-4)
      Bartley top scorer with 17

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Boom! Heading in the right direction

    15. Gross Blank Point
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Jumped from 66K to 22K so far, score of 121 (-4) Shaw AWB and Martinez got 12, Digne 14 so defence pulled me through
      TC on KDB gave 30 as well

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        KDB TC is the absolute key here imo

        1. Gross Blank Point
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Definitely, might bring in Mahrez as well now for the run in, blow away that template

    16. MightyGar
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Doubled down on Everton defence, it worked but it was not a comfortable ride

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Braver man than me!

  4. fr3d
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone got a link to the mental health survey

    1. alsybach
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Ha ha ha lol Poo!!!!!!!

    2. Well you know, Triffic
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      It's crashed.

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

      Anyone got the phonenumber to the nuthouse? I can’t take this anymore.

  5. alsybach
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I must say my last minute TC captain swap from son to Salah was a work of pure genius!!

    1. OLD Rafiki
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      one of the greatest indeed.

    2. threeputt
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Good time to fill in the survey !

  6. PogChamp
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Salah is already on the beach. A Spanish one.

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Turn to rest now that Jota is back.

  7. MIGHTY JOE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Salah off??? Why?!?

    1. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Klopp's scapegoat.

    2. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Due to the fact that he was crap.

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

      Rest.

    4. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nothing happening in the last 10 hours at Anfield. For him and the whole team.

      Except when someone shot him for the penalty against Manchester City.

    5. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Witch doctor realised he had a buy one curse get one free voucher

  8. Maeki2
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    ye, lets keep blaming those losses on Van dijk...

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Big part

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

      Don't think anyone has. Liverpool were top of the league when VVD was already injured.

  9. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Mane coming to life with Salah subbed 😀

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      The better player 🙂

  10. Kellz86
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    This season is brutal to watch as a Liverpool fan

    1. Stupendous
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Did f ing dums

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      We had to suffer after last season 😆

      Keep the faith for next year!

      1. Kellz86
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Perspective for sure, can have the highs without the lows. It’s just be all wrong since Nov

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

      Wrote it off a while ago. We've invested in the stadium and the training facilities now, can get back to focusing on building a better squad.

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

    Is Mccarthy benched from now on? Would like to do anything else than Mcc > Martinez with one free.

  12. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Liverpool coming up to 10 hours of football at home and only the Salah dive to show for a goal.

    Extraordinary...

    1. Kellz86
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Every team realized they just needed to sit back and allow Liverpool to possess

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

      Liverpool have a first XI. Without the first XI it becomes harder.

      1. Marvin Moon
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Let it go dude.

      2. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        How many of these played last season?

        The front 3. Wingbacks. Keeper. A couple more. 7 or 8.

  13. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who’s your captain for 27?

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      One of the Everton lads for sure.

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Err... against this Chelsea team?

        1. el polako
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          2 clean sheets and 6 points against top flight powerhouses, no need for further explanation.

      2. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Why??

        1. el polako
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Because they got DCL, guy who will be challenging Mbappe for Balon d'Or soon.

          1. Top Lad Dakes.
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Lmfao

      3. Z
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I captained DCL this GW........

    2. Drexl Spivey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Antonio.

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Nice

    3. Messiah Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Gundogan... Unsure if I will TC him though.

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        No Kane?

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

      Gundo atm

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        No Kane?

        1. Top Lad Dakes.
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Not after a failed TC this week. Gundo has had a rest now

    5. Gross Blank Point
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      KDB

    6. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Maybe Kane Again.
      Fear Gundo is slightly harmed by KDBs return.

    7. Rashers
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Gundo or Ings.

      Seriously considering Ings

  14. Well you know, Triffic
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bad week when the England batting line up outscores you.

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Lol, And now we sit back and watch sharma mega haul

  15. jammie26
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I have to say i found it strange so many people played TC this week with a lot of the big boys not in great form. Hindsight is a wonderful thing i know...

    1. Stupendous
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Even if I didn't play my useless (in hindsight), Bench Boost, i was never using TC this week.

      In hindsight.

    2. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Terrible take

      When else would you have them triple captain

    3. Gross Blank Point
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I got 30 from it so would say it was a success

      1. TheDragon
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        You got 10 from it you mean

        1. Gross Blank Point
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          yeh, 3 x 10, considering all the blanks going around I'd say that was ok

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

      Don't think players energies are going up. Should've used it much earlier in the season tbh

    5. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Kane TC has been my 3rd most successful TC.
      Not happy but not a disaster.

    6. Jersey Boy
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Valid, even without hindsight. Feeling a bit daft right about now

  16. Marvin Moon
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    This going to end 2 nil Chelsea isn't it.

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Werner essential come half 10.

  17. tbos83
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Liverpool should just about stay up

  18. Oooo Matron
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts here? 1 Mill itb.

    Martinez
    Dias Cancelo Dallas
    Raphina Fernandes Gundogan Son Salah
    Bamford Watkins

    Subs: Schmeichel, DCL, Digne, Mee

    1. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      DCL -> Antonio

  19. Salalalalah
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Salah has to go now, need BGW29 players.
    a) Lingard
    b) Raphinia
    c) Some GW29 punt?

    Already have Son

  20. Esalman
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Salah to KDB has been a success I see.

  21. Rashers
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    An unbelievable lack of options at the moment.

    Would like to move Salah on but nobody really taking my fancy. Son maybe but after that . . .

  22. Stranger Mings
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hi Barnes to Lingard good option right ? I though misses GW28 but I need a BGW29 player

  23. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Looks like we'll be having 50m ITB after our WCs...

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Aye haha

  24. Earwicker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Just realised in this DGW that I haven't had a return from any of my front 8 on a BB.Thankfully 60 points in defence.

  25. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    DCL >> Antonio and bench Bruno?
    😯

    Pope
    Dias, Cancelo, Digne
    Son, Bruno, Gündo, Raphina, Soucek
    Kane, Bamford
    (McCarthy, DCL, Coufal, Dallas)

  26. Stranger Mings
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    *i know !

  27. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Roll FT and 0.2 ITB? Play who from Dallas Raph Digne DCL?

    Martinez
    Cancelo Stones Dallas
    Salah Bruno Son Gundogan(c) Raphinha
    Kane Watkins
    ———————
    3.9 DCL Digne Johnson

  28. Blanka
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So instead of Bruno out for KDB etc, is it now Salah? Something is amiss when you're chasing the game and you take off the leading league scorer, however bad he may be playing.

  29. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Tap in Timo is no Tap in Tammy

  30. KGFC
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Werner is so awful that he is even making Allison look good 😛