Pro Pundits

FPL Q&A: Time to sell Salah and ditch ‘big at the back’?

Throughout the 2022/23 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) season, our team of Pro Pundits, Hall of Famers and guest contributors will be appearing regularly on these pages to share their thoughts.

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Here, four-time top 5k finisher Az takes some FPL questions ahead of Gameweek 7.

Gameweek 7 Pro Pundit Article

Hello, hello, everyone! I thought I’d take a look at some of the pressing questions from the Fantasy community today. Anything that takes my mind off Graham Potter’s seemingly imminent departure to Chelsea…


Q. Should we sell Mohamed Salah? (Mozumbus, @FPL_Edmund, @SamFox885)

FPL Gameweek 7 hot topics: Salah's form, Leicester's defence, three up top

There’s no doubt that since Mohamed Salah (£13.0m) came back from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), his FPL output has been on the decline. From Gameweeks 1-21 last season, Salah was averaging 8.8 points a game with an average non-penalty xG (NPxG) of 0.6 and an expected assist (xA) tally of 0.2.

Upon his return, there were minor changes to both his NPxG (which fell to 0.5) and xA (which increased to 0.3). However, the points were harder to come by – dropping to an average of 6.2 points a game.

This season, despite a shake-up in the attack for Liverpool, we expected Salah to get back to the heights of the start of last season. Things got off to a good start, with 14 points against Fulham in Gameweek 1. However, since then, things just haven’t been dropping for the Egyptian King.

An average NPxG of 0.4 is the lowest it’s ever been, and while his xA is up to 0.3, Salah is only averaging 5.2 points a game – a far cry from his highs of 7.8 points a match in 2020/21 or 7.3 in 2019/20.

The biggest worry is perhaps his decline from being a reliable captain option to someone who has blanked more times than returned in the last five games.

 

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Haaland Foden


Az <p>One half of the FPL BlackBox YouTube series with Mark Sutherns.</p><p>Former Membership Strategy Manager for FFS&nbsp;</p> Follow them on Twitter

855 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Liverpool struggled with this fixture even back when they were good. This could be a rugby score.

  2. Sandy Ravage
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Did Liverpool fans have a song for Mané?

  3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Milner looks out of breath

    1. Eton Rifles
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Give him a break.
      He's 58

      1. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        He's a mere stripling then

    2. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      He's almost as old as I am.

  4. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    But Pool could do well in the Europa league.

  5. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Elliot sitter

    1. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      It wasn't a sitter

    2. Kodap
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Wouldn't call that a sitter

    3. Berkshire Hafaway-Line
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      He's young, but not that young

      1. George Sillett
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Very good

  6. PartyTime
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Lewandowski!

    1. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Inevitable

      1. PartyTime
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Hat trick imminent

  7. JBG
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    I can`t believe I’m saying this, but I’m actually happy I WC’d Salah out last GW. Even regret getting Diaz as “cover” for him, he’s been pretty poor as well lately.

  8. banskt
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    I was expecting Salah to score a few so that more managers would be inclined to captain Salah this weekend. I don't want a 200% EO of Haaland.

    1. Zilla
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Yeah find it hard to move up the ranks when everyone has the same captain

      1. banskt
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        I should become a FPL influencer and promote people to captain Salah and play 5 at the back. I am trying my best here.

        1. Old Man
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          You'll make a fortune.

  9. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Can somebody please explain why Klopp keeps playing Gomez when Matip is fit? Liverpool's defence has been a shambles all season without Matip and is again tonight. Just dont understand it.

    1. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Matip is easing his way back , he's not been fit enough to start.

      1. gooberman
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        This is the third game running he has been on the bench so I fail to see how he cant be fit enough to start.

    2. BobbyDoesNotLook
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Probably not fit then

  10. CLOD
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Maybe time to target the Liverpool defence?

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Target or forget?

      1. CLOD
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        By target i mean, transfer in opposition strikers

        1. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Sorry, I just played with words 🙂

      2. Josh.E
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Both lol

  11. Thanos
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Is Mane's departure the only reason for this off the cliff drop in Pool's performance? Or is there something else too? Players like VVD, TAA, Robbo and all look short of confidence and unsure in their play. Is Klopp losing the dressing room?

    1. Danno - Emre Canada
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Midfield and a CB injuries don’t help

      1. Gizzachance
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Gomez having a mare, young Elliot and a old Milner

  12. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    The Pool defence vs Diego Costa at the weekend should be a fun watch

  13. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    To answer the headline, Yes & Yes 🙂

    1. banskt
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I should become a FPL influencer and promote people to captain Salah and play 5 at the back. I mean, if nobody captains Salah, then how are you going to improve your rank?

  14. nerd_is_the_werd
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    LEWANDOWSKKIIIIIIIIIIIII (C)!!!!!!!

  15. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Annoying that both Mitro and Rashford are on 96 to rise tonight and could make a 0.2 difference to buy tomorrow after the manu match.

    Rather use trent than Kulu to fund Archer to fund Mitro?

    1. Eton Rifles
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Rashford's wrapped up in cotton wool.
      If he sees the pitch tomorrow, I'll eat my hat

    2. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Thats why i took -12 for 5 new players(Mitro,Rash,Sterling,Cancelo,Pope) 0.0ITB

      Beautiful game if you dont care much and more fun

  16. Not again Shirley
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    I think with having to play mid week away from home and against a decent wolves team who don’t concede too much, Salah may be leaving my team sooner than expected. Plan was Son next week but thinking this week instead now. He may get chances at city of last years match is anything to go by. Thanks

  17. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    A) Rashford
    B) Trossard

    Play one
    1) Mitro
    2) Bailey

  18. Gunners in Haaland
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Salah is not worth 13.0m. Probably will give him the armband for one last time

    1. banskt
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Yes. He is still the best captaincy option this weekend. Easy fixture. Dependable. Liverpool needs to bounce back (like Bournemouth). After all, it's Salah. 20-pointer incoming.

    2. Jonesfromthere
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Mental given his and Haaland’s contrasting form. Look how bad they are - it’s blind faith at this point

  19. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    3-0 Napoli

    Klopp out. This is embarrassing

    1. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Yup,they are too predictable for long time and defense is terrible.

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

      literally running rings around them.

      defenders spinning out

    3. Haalander
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Looks very much like teams have their number now and they are struggling against an agressive press. United did it to them and teams with use this. Can’t see them keeping many cleanies so not sure how worth it TAA is right now

  20. Thanos
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    3-0 Napoli

    😆

  21. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    3 nil now

  22. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Gomez again

  23. SEXY SOLO SAUCE FOR THE LAS…
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    The Kaptain hasn’t spoken yet

  24. Thanos
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    By the end, scoreline will be Napoli vs Bournemouth 😉

  25. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Salah angry and throwing his hands in the air

  26. Eton Rifles
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    TAA can't defend to save his life.

    LMAO

  27. Mr. O'Connell
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Joseph Dave Gomez. What a player.

  28. SEXY SOLO SAUCE FOR THE LAS…
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Tuchel sacked today, Klopp sacked tomorrow….who’s getting sacked Friday?!

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Liz Truss?

      1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE FOR THE LAS…
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Perfect

  29. DycheDycheBaby
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Shocking defending from Liverpool and Gomez again!!

  30. dark91
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Liverpool's defence having a disaster