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. MightyGar
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    99 and out. The rationale side of my brain is saying, "Well done, that is a good score!" The irrationale side isn't saying anything, it hasn't got over the disappointment of just falling short of getting onto the DGW honours board

    1. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      good score, well done. 96 for me. Wait to wait for my BB to maybe hit the ton

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Likewise

      The Mo 2 pointer was fairly predictable though

  2. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Antonio or Kane in?

    Got laughed at for asking this last night. Is it really a silly question? Thinking Leeds may be more porous than Palace and Mou from his comments is expecting a dour game.

    Have Son if that matters.

    1. Kevin and Perry go
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Ham are doing well.

  3. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is Soucek still a goal threat?

    1. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I think so

      tbh - for his price he is perfect 5th mid and can sit on bench for harder games

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Looking for someone so I can bench Bruno and DCL next game, first and foremost. Soucek vs Leeds might be my only choice in midfield. Otherwise I'm looking at Cresswell or Rudiger, probably (unless Chilwell/James are very likely to start), maybe Pereira.

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Could go Saka, but then he has poor fixtures in GW28 and 30, so he'd be no use to me after this one week.

          1. Paqueta Rice
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Play Bruno imo

            1. Deulofail
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Cheers Milkman. Might just play ESR ahead of him and he'll come off the bench if ESR (or anyone) misses out. Yes, I've just described how autosubs work.

              1. Paqueta Rice
                • 3 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                😆 I think united will win fwiw 😉 not based on their recent performances obviously

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Leeds iirc have conceded most goals from set pieces - though that of course may mean Ogbonna!

  4. AzzaroMax99
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    DCL to Antonio?

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Tempting right! Chance of an Everton dgw in 28 is preventing me from it.

  5. Davros
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    After all that planning, scheming and deliberating I drop 800 places. Sigh

    1. Kevin and Perry go
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Stoke Fulham cold rainy evening could you win.

    2. Nerdlinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      12k to 35k here! Same, thought I had it all worked out! Gl next week, you'll bounce back

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

    126 and out with BB played.

    1. seanie3
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I think you mean BS not BB

      1. ExpressoMySonny
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        haha I was one of the lucky ones started at 776k rank to 410k this gameweek.

    2. MightyGar
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Excellent work

  7. seanie3
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Surely salah needs to leave our teams, just not doing it and could easily do with those funds

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Really?

      I can only see one premium I want right now. Thinking the optimum team spend may per around the 101- 102 mill mark. KdB could be okay but assists is all you get there

      1. seanie3
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Who is the one premium you want right now

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Kane but I'm not exactly desperate

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Who do you need with the funds?

      Bruno, Salah and KdB all looking a bit meh. The only premium that looks good right now is Kane and even then, he just got 8 points in a DGW.

  8. Muscout
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    McCarthy
    Cancelo Rud Shaw
    Salah Bruno Gundo Raph
    Kane DCL Watkins

    Martinez Barnes Dallas Dier 1.3itb (no FH left)

    Had always planned to get KDB for 27 now not too sure after his mins played this week

    A) Salah to KDB
    B) Bruno to KDB (money tied up)
    C) Rudiger to Stones
    D) Dier to Dias (gets rid of 29 player albeit one that may not start)
    E) Replace Barnes with someone

  9. Vamos Los Celeste
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    24 (-8) from bench boost.

    1. Vamos Los Celeste
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      29 (-8) *

    2. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      You must be kidding

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Just checked your score. Well played!

        1. Vamos Los Celeste
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Cheers mate!
          my 4 bench players if i didn't play it
          Ings 2 Jorginho 3 Johnstone 12 Rudiger 12

    3. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Its clever but its still look at me mummy

  10. OLD Rafiki
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    salah made me believe in miracles but don't believe in waiting for them.

  11. BigBillyBass
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Rudiger getting no baps is a total farce

    1. lugs
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      him losing Baps has knocked me out of the ffs cup, finished 89-89 but i'm out on rank unless he sneaks 1 🙁

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

      Christensen deserves them more and Azpi is a wanted BAPs thief.

    3. Kevin and Perry go
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Blaming Sheffield cause it’s more English than you.

      1. Kevin and Perry go
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Up the steels.

        1. BigBillyBass
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          What the hell are you banging on about???

  12. Mr. O'Connell
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Glad these (big) double gameweeks are over. Too much variance. Back to rewarding the skilfull players during core play.

  13. PogChamp
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I beat my single player best score(Walcott) with Richarlison's massive 51 points.

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

      Huge!

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

      Wow! Big cahones.

    3. MightyGar
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I love it when a plan comes together

      1. PogChamp
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah for sure. Just wish it happened more than once in a life.

        1. MightyGar
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          We all dream of landing a ballsy move like that, enjoy the moment

  14. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez
    Cancelo Stones Robertson
    Salah Fernandes Gundogan Raphinha
    Kane DCL Bamford

    Pope Konsa Soucek Coufal

    1FT 0itb

    Is this starting lineup right here?

    Y or N

    Should I Bench Boost?

    Y or N

    Thanks.

  15. Bonus magnet
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Any love for Pepe?

    Plays Burnley next and has a game in BGW29

    1. lugs
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      i was considering him, but its tricky trying to figure out Arsenal's lineup with Europe looming, he is looking sharp lately though

  16. royaljoe
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    12/17 games were either 1-0 1-1 or 0-0
    Got to do down as one of the most boring DGW ever?

    1. Nerdlinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Risky but there's potential there

  17. RamboRN
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Barnes to jota/lingard this week or Barnes and dcl to Antonio and son next week?

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I done Hota but like the latter there

      1. Kevin and Perry go
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Interesting.

  18. WHUFCSmith23
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    From my 4 midfielders and 2 strikers I got one goal and one assist in 12 games. That included games against West Brom, Sheffield United, Fulham, Burnley, Crystal Palace and Southampton. WTF

    1. Mr-Inbetween
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Kane & Gundog?
      If so, you are not alone.

      1. WHUFCSmith23
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yes, Kane triple captain too. In hindsight I suppose at least the player I captained was the one player that scored. Awful week

    2. Gianluca Busio's Hair …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I had 12 players with 0, 1, or 2 points in a game. good week!

    3. Nerdlinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yep exactly the same here. I feel your pain! My favourite was Foden. 9 out of 10 starts previous to this dgw... 1 substitute appearance in the dgw. Sigh

  19. Sheeno
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Salah or Son for GW27?

    1. Muchentuchel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      don't even think Salah will play

      1. Kay317
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Why do I keep hearing this? What makes people think Salah won't play next game?

        1. Muchentuchel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          got subbed of after 60 something minutes, nearly cried like a little child and didn't even pay respect to Jürgen.
          He needs to be suspended, the clown should have his head washed

    2. FF Dirtbag
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Son

  20. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Chances of Villa & Everton having DGW28?

    1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Crellin quietly confident

      1. PogChamp
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Do you have a link to his spreadsheet?

        1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Just search him on Twitter and link is there

          1. PogChamp
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            OK thanks

    2. Saka Punch
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I was wondering this. Crellin said there could be news before deadline

  21. FF Dirtbag
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What to do, 1FT 1.8m ITB:
    A) save FT
    B) DCL - > Antonio
    C) DCL and Barnes -> Antonio and son (-4)

    Team at the mo:
    Martinez
    Cancelo Stones Dallas
    Salah Fernandes Gundogan Raphinha
    Kane DCL Bamford

    Pope; Barnes, Mee, Coufal

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I would say A

      1. FF Dirtbag
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Don't see many teams scoring against Chelsea right now though...

        1. Magic Zico
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          I know that and if he's doing something plus having DGW28 whilst Antonio v MUN? I guess it could work well for B this GW, you would need to project to next GWs as well is my point.

  22. Ohh1454
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is gundogan a good captain pick next week ?

    1. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I think so. He's had a rest so hopefully play both. But who knows! I'm going for him anyway.

    2. FF Dirtbag
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah probably my pick of the bunch

    3. adam wigan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      What are peoples thoughts on Mahrez?

      I’m tempted to get him instead of KDB. Would mean I can keep hold of Kane, Bruno, Salah, Son, and Gundo. If I try and get KDB I’d have to tear up my team a bit

      1. adam wigan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Oops I didn’t mean to post this as a reply sorry

  23. DonBenzema
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Sooooo I just did Salah -> KDB for a hit in rage

    Will most likely regret this...

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      a lot people are getting rid according to fplstats

    2. MightyGar
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I can see KDB outscoring Salah by 4 even if he only plays once. Regret nothing

    3. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Enjoy the warm afterglow.

  24. Who are all Lukakus
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A. Mee to Targett to prepare for gw29
    B. Save FT and start Dallas against WHU

  25. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Stones and Cancelo will at least have a game, don't you think? No point to transfer any of them out unless changing to two attackers? Agree or Not?

    1. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      agree

    2. MightyGar
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I have Stones and expect (hope, pray) he plays at least 1 full game

      1. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Will play against United. Won't against Southampton.

        1. MightyGar
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Sounds about right

  26. Muchentuchel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    just a quick reminder KDB isn't just for assists - he's on pens, corners and free kicks and more involved into City's attacking play when lined up together with Gündo.

    1. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      is he still on pens if Aguero is playing?

    2. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Is he on pens? Not so sure

    3. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      not from the bench

  27. Saka Punch
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is it a danger to play Pereira this gw? Worried he gets rested and gets a cameo.

  28. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play one:

    A. Soucek (LEE)
    B. Bamford (whu)

    1. OleBall
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Any other Leeds starting?

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Nope

        1. OleBall
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          I'd start Bam then

  29. Babit1967
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Cavani to Antonio
    Or
    Rashford to Lingard?

    Have 3 Utd attackers and with a tough dgw, fancy bringing in a West Ham player

  30. OleBall
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    106(-4) with BB.

    8K>2.5k.

    Laaav it

    1. Nerdlinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Nice one!