Dugout Discussion
7 March 2021 1218 comments
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An out-of-form Liverpool face Fulham in the second of four Premier League matches to take place on Sunday.

Kick-off on Merseyside is at 14:00 GMT.

Given that less than 72 hours separated the Reds’ Gameweek 26 clash with Chelsea and today’s game, and with Jurgen Klopp’s side looking jaded in that Thursday night defeat, a change or two to the starting XI always looked likely this afternoon.

We didn’t quite expect the full extent of the rotation, though: Klopp has made seven alterations to his line-up against the Cottagers as he attempts to avoid a sixth straight league defeat at Anfield.

Roberto Firmino (£9.2m) and Ozan Kabak (£5.0m) miss out with minor fitness issues but the other five changes are unenforced, with Klopp explaining ahead of kick-off:

Two changes we had to make because of little injuries, Bobby and Ozan.

We are in an intense period and we have an opportunity now to change some players who had more sessions in their legs. That’s the plan behind it: getting fresh legs back and trying to give Fulham a proper fight.

Sadio Mane (£11.8m) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.4m) are among the players to make way, with Curtis Jones (£4.4m), Thiago (£5.6m) and Fabinho (£5.4m) also dropping to the bench.

Diogo Jota (£6.6m) starts a league game for the first time in over three months, while Rhys Williams (£4.0m), Neco Williams (£3.8m) and Nathaniel Phillips (£4.0m) come into a much-changed and youthful defence.

There are recalls too for Naby Keita (£5.2m) and Xherdan Shaqiri (£6.4m).

Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) has been spared the axe, with a half-hour breather after his early substitution against Chelsea perhaps influencing Klopp’s decision to field him from the start today.

The Fulham team news is more straightforward, with Scott Parker making only two changes from the side that started the 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek (£5.9m) is a surprise omission, with Bobby Decordova-Reid (£5.3m) in for the Chelsea loanee.

The regular rotation continues at full-back, meanwhile, with Antonee Robinson (£4.4m) making way for Kenny Tete (£4.3m).

DOUBLE GAMEWEEK 27 SO FAR…

Salah swerves Liverpool rotation as Klopp makes seven changes for Fulham

One of the more predictable results of the weekend saw strugglers West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle United play out a goalless draw at the Hawthorns.

The Magpies were without their first-choice front three through injury and there was a predictable lack of conviction when chances fell the way of Joelinton (£5.7m), who was part of a strike duo with an ‘out of position’ Ryan Fraser (£5.6m).

For West Brom, this was a third clean sheet in four and a testament to the influence that new signing Okay Yokuslu (£4.5m) is having on the Albion back four.

A match against Crystal Palace in Gameweek 28 presents Sam Johnstone (£4.5m) with a good opportunity to build on his total of 27 points over his last four appearances.


Liverpool XI: Alisson, N. Williams, Phillips, R. Williams, Robertson, Wijnaldum, Milner, Keita, Shaqiri, Salah, Jota.

Fulham XI: Areola, Aina, Andersen, Adarabioyo, Tete, Cavaleiro, Lemina, Reed, Reid, Maja, Lookman.

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  1. Party time
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Absolutely nowhere to hide for salah cappers

      1. Nightcrawler
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Oh no there isnt

        We love to see it oh yes we do

      2. JBG
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Behind Klopp big choppers maybe.

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

        Salah cappers don’t log onto FPL never mind FFS.

        1. Paqueta Rice
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          I deserve this

      4. Limbo
        • 15 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Baaaa

    • OverTinker
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Fulham needs to sign a striker next season and they'd be a decent side

      1. Forever In Our Shadow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        To be fair if they had this side at the start of the season they would be mid table easily.

      2. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Salah might be available but would you describe him as decent?

      3. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Salah will be looking for a new club

    • Chalobah's Witness
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      2 points with 10 men to go.
      Any good?

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

        Yes

      2. Forever In Our Shadow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Decent.

      3. Pep bites Kun
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        BB? 😉

        1. Chalobah's Witness
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          no, just no Liverpool players.
          KDB (C), Gündo, Bruno, Son, Cancelo, Kane, Bamford, Raphinha, Cresswell, Digne left.

    • not_astarte
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      A. Areola on another level.

      1. Catastrophe
        • 15 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        I think you should see a doctor

        1. not_astarte
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          5 saves so far, pretty impressive on my view comparing him with Pope.

          1. Catastrophe
            • 15 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            Ahh sorry I misunderstood your post

    • Hulk Smash
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Ooof Carragher calling Liverpool "mentality midgets!"

      1. Rainer
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Ban incoming.

      2. Forever In Our Shadow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        He would know. How many PL did he win again. Oh that’s right......

    • Amey
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      I didn't see that coming !
      Seriously .... Don't know what to do with Salah now.

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

        I'm bringing Son in for him.

      2. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        I do - he's departing the station right now.

      3. Kellz86
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Move to Auba

      4. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Going Pool less myself

      5. Tango74
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Auba or KDB

        How come you kept him after all them blanks ?

      6. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Sell. I finally sold him (for a hit) this GW. Lucky to get away with it so far, but it's all just going wrong for them.

      7. One for All
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Sell him team is so sh1t now hard to watch as a Liverpool fan.

      8. Forever In Our Shadow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        He went 2 weeks ago. Liverpool are poor. Gives him little chance.

    • jimmyharte
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      When are people thinking of using Bench Boost? Any particular gw?

    • BobB
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Fulham are now a go-to side for defensive assets

    • Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      I hope Fulham stay up. They have improved immeasurably since start of the season when their main tactic seemed to be hoof it up to Mitrovic.

      Newcastle will really be sweating now.

      1. Rainer
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Be great.

        Let Ashley panic!

      2. Limbo
        • 15 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Newcastle are a miserable side. I feel for all their supporters who remain loyal — even with the a completely abhorent imbecile as chairman.

      3. Pep bites Kun
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Maybe it'd be good for Newcastle to go down and reinvent themselves. Used to be such a great club

    • Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      This is all Pickford's fault

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        You really think if they had VVD they wouldn’t be this bad?

      2. The 12th Man
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Villa 7-2 with VVD playing.

      3. Party time
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Who would have thought that little pickford is capable of ruining Liverpool

        • ivantys
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Conceded 7 with VVD playing too lol

        • Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 16 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Fun fact

          Liverpool conceded 27 goals in Van Dijk's last 15 games (1.8 per game)

          They have now conceded 23 in the 23 games since his injury (1 per game)

      4. Flair
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Mentality monsters.

      5. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Wish I could of started both Areola & Johnstone this GW

        1. Old Man
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          *could've (sigh) (again)

      6. BobB
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Sqeaky-bum time for Newcastle and Brighton (no innuendo intended re the latter!)

        1. Forever In Our Shadow
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Newcastle only imo.

        2. Over Midwicket
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Hilarious..

      7. smash
        • 16 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Who the better pick for GW29...

        Antonio or Bamford

        Can only get one of them
        Cheers

        1. Egg noodle
          • 16 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Antonio

        2. Tonyawesome69
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Probably Antonio but prefer you have both for 29. Who are your other fwds

          1. smash
            • 16 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            Kane and Davies (villa) who I'd settle for a 1pt cameo tbh

            Not going crazy with 29 happy with 7/8 players and minimal hits but yeh I'll definitely be getting one of them up top

            Cheers guys.

      8. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Blackburn 94/95 or Liverpool 19/20?

        1. Nightcrawler
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Chelsea 15 and Leicester 16 we far worse

          Lei 44 pts following season
          Chelsea 50

          1. Random Name
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            Leicester didn't spend 400m though did they

            1. Nightcrawler
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 4 months ago

              Did pool?

              1. Nightcrawler
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 4 months ago

                Im sure their net spends were similar

            2. JONALDINHO
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 4 months ago

              Is this aimed at City?

          2. ivantys
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            They might not get past 50

        2. Random Name
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          They're about the same level

      9. Paqueta Rice
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Gerrard to arrive back at Anfield sooner than expected. Klopp to take the Germany role?

        1. Forever In Our Shadow
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Stranger things have happened. The stars are aligning for sure.

      10. Quan MisTaka
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        So pleased my decision to get rid of Salah wasn't punished as it easy could have been, but writing has been on the wall for a while.

        Do it, you'll feel better, just abit nervy before pressing the confirm transfer button

        1. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          He’s definitely going for me, just can’t decide between KDB or Auba, if I go KDB I have to lose Gundo as double City defence, I don&5 wanna lose Gundo 🙁 Auba the straight swap makes more sense

          1. Says
            • 15 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            you could lose one of the city defense and keep gundo

            1. Salah’s Sonnet
              • 14 Years
              5 years, 4 months ago

              I could, but KDB is soooo not worth losing double City defence

              1. Salah’s Sonnet
                • 14 Years
                5 years, 4 months ago

                Would also mean hits, all for the sake of KDB? Not a fan, more or less just decided Auba is way more the sensible option

                1. Quan MisTaka
                  • 8 Years
                  5 years, 4 months ago

                  See how KDB does today. Double City defense is in trouble if you have stones imo. Auba will be a flash in the pan

      11. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Pool all diving

        1. Forever In Our Shadow
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Nothing new.

      12. Duke Silver ☑
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Ideal situation would be Villa DGW 28 gets confirmed and Grealish is passed fully fit. Salah > Grealish would be so easy.

      13. marcos11
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Any chance McCarthy starts against City? Have Areola on the bench and I’m sweating now..

        1. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Always a chance. Might be a bit harsh to drop Forster after another win with him in the XI

          1. marcos11
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            Yeah think it would be harsh given a win and a cs

      14. Champions League Varane
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Salah to be dropped next game?

        1. Forever In Our Shadow
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          By many fpl managers. Yes.

          1. Champions League Varane
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            Yep. And by Klopp!?

        2. Salan
          • 16 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Or after next game.

      15. Sim Simma
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Mane denied an open goal

      16. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Derby will end 2-1. James, Rodri and Mahrez will score.

      17. Sim Simma
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Game over

        1. Random Name
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          That's what i like to hear

      18. Rainer
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Athletic Madrid reborn.

        1. Forever In Our Shadow
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Liverpool could do with Saurez right now. 😉

        2. CloudSky
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Atletico*

          Athletic is Bilbao.

      19. Flair
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Newcastle looking over their shoulders as Liverpool edge closer and closer to the drop.

      20. Party time
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Scott Parker, you can have my babies

        • MIGHTY JOE
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Wow. Ok then. Salah -> anyone

        • g40steve
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Witch doctor forgot to take off the curse it seems?

          1. _Ninja_
            • 15 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            yeah the full team

          2. Random Name
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            In hindsight, Witch Doctor didn't need to do anything - this is Liverpool after all...

          3. Forever In Our Shadow
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            Put it on the whole team now.

        • Rainer
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Stay up now, Fulham 🙂

          1. Forever In Our Shadow
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            Easily.