Dugout Discussion
14 September 2025 695 comments
avfc82 avfc82
Share:

Burnley take on Liverpool in the penultimate fixture of Gameweek 4, with kick-off at Turf Moor at 14:00 BST.

TEAM NEWS

The headline team news is that there is no Alexander Isak in the matchday squad for Liverpool.

Explaining his absence, Arne Slot said:

“We’ve decided it is the best for him to have a proper week of training instead of every time going for five or ten minutes of playing.

“I can assure the fans that he will be involved on Wednesday – but this game came a bit too early.” – Arne Slot on Alexander Isak

The Reds are unchanged from the team that beat Arsenal 1-0 prior to the international break.

Dominik Szoboszlai continues at right-back, with the fit-again Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley on the bench.

Mohamed Salah, Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo and Hugo Ekitike make up the front four.

There’s two changes for Burnley as Josh Laurent and Loum Tchaouna come in for Hannibal Mejbri and Jacob Bruun Larsen, who is not in the squad.

Hjalmar Ekdal starts despite limping off for Sweden earlier this week.

LINE-UPS

Burnley XI: Dubravka, Walker, Ekdal, Esteve, Hartman, Ugochukwu, Cullen, Tchaouna, Laurent, Anthony, Foster

Subs: Weiss, Worrall, Edwards, Humphreys, Florentino, Flemming, Pires, Broja, Hannibal

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Szoboszlai, Konate, van Dijk, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo, Ekitike

Subs: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Endo, Bradley, Chiesa, Robertson, Frimpong, Nyoni, Nguhoma


695 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Bigbars
    • 15 Years
    10 months, 7 days ago

    Boom

  2. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    10 months, 7 days ago

    Early Isak adopters hope you have a decent bench 😳

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 7 days ago

      They probably have VdV coming on

    2. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      10 months, 7 days ago

      Unless they have Leeds defense they are completely fine

      1. Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        10 months, 7 days ago

        Better off even as Isak was probably projected about 1 point.. lucky owners

  3. The Philosopher
    • 5 Years
    10 months, 7 days ago

    Isak apparently forcing a move to Barcelona

    1. Ball Ake
      • 2 Years
      10 months, 6 days ago

      Cheeky, but I like it

  4. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    10 months, 7 days ago

    Very interesting what will happen to Liverpool when Isak gets starts. Who drops from the starting 11. Gakpo? Ekitike? Mass rotation?

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 7 days ago

      Ekitike and Isak will share minutes imo.

      1. Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        10 months, 7 days ago

        Yeah I agree. Seen quite a few say Gakpo could lose out with Ekitike moved to the wing as Gakpo isn't Slots signing. But he seems to like Gakpo

      2. Ball Ake
        • 2 Years
        10 months, 6 days ago

        This, Slot surely wants proper balance on the left, plus Gakpo has been in good form

  5. Bobby Digital
    • 8 Years
    10 months, 7 days ago

    Cheeky re-post:

    Would you rather go Burn for the safety of starts or Livramento for some excitement?

    1. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      10 months, 7 days ago

      I'd go their defender who gets most DCs. The attacking upside of full backs isn't worth it any more

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 8 Years
        10 months, 7 days ago

        Burn has 3x more DEFCONS than Livra

    2. riot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      10 months, 7 days ago

      Burn isn't secure with Hall and Thiaw lurking

    3. Regi Blinker
      • 7 Years
      10 months, 6 days ago

      There isn't much excitement with Tino. He's playing on his 'weaker' side. He rarely bombs past Gordon or Barnes and even when he does, his delivery isn't great. I'd go Burn.

  6. Moon Dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 1 Year
    10 months, 7 days ago

    Salah (C) & Gakpo doesn't feel enough... 😯

  7. Cold Palms
    • 2 Years
    10 months, 7 days ago

    That’s why TC Salah was the move !!!

    1. chocolove
      • 15 Years
      10 months, 6 days ago

      Fr?

  8. @ocprodigy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 months, 7 days ago

    The only reason to WC is to take Villa players out, which feels foolish. But how long do you hold them for…

    1. wiseguy
      • 4 Years
      10 months, 7 days ago

      Please hold them until gameweek 38, thank you.

      1. chocolove
        • 15 Years
        10 months, 6 days ago

        Yes, pleaseee be patient

  9. Tonyawesome69
    • 7 Years
    10 months, 7 days ago

    Arne Slot on Alexander Isak's absence [via @SkySports]:

    "We've decided it is best for him to have a proper week of training instead of every time going for 5 or 10 minutes of playing. I can assure the fans that he will be involved on Wednesday, but this game came a bit too early."

    https://x.com/empireofthekop/status/1967202823235359066?t=EfLyxtJqxbjEf3cR9SYOdw&s=19

    1. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      10 months, 7 days ago

      Isak is their main Europe striker and Eikitike in PL sounds like 🙂

      1. OverTinker
        • 8 Years
        10 months, 6 days ago

        No way

      2. chocolove
        • 15 Years
        10 months, 6 days ago

        Lol, as if it sounds as easy as that

      3. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        10 months, 6 days ago

        I doubt it will ever be that straightforward.

        You'll always pick the best player available for your harder games.

      4. x.jim.x
        • 11 Years
        10 months, 6 days ago

        £150m to play 10 games a season, great signing

        1. TheBiffas
          • 5 Years
          10 months, 6 days ago

          £125m

          1. x.jim.x
            • 11 Years
            10 months, 6 days ago

            8 games

            1. TheBiffas
              • 5 Years
              10 months, 6 days ago

              I'm not talking about that

              1. x.jim.x
                • 11 Years
                10 months, 6 days ago

                I know, I was knocking you out of the CL for being pedantic

                1. TheBiffas
                  • 5 Years
                  10 months, 6 days ago

                  Sure, just find it a bit annoying when people inflate transfer fees. I'd understand if you were including add-ons but that only makes it £130m

                  1. x.jim.x
                    • 11 Years
                    10 months, 6 days ago

                    Should have thought about that before spending £200m on Wirtz

                    1. TheBiffas
                      • 5 Years
                      10 months, 6 days ago

                      🙂

  10. FplmorelikeFml
    • 2 Years
    10 months, 6 days ago

    Hi my FPL Wizards! Just wanted to discuss and get your thoughts on Semenyo's form. Based on eye test, the plays does flow through him but I'm just wondering if this is a variance and an early bright spot for him, or whether he can sustain this performance throughout the season.

    I recall there were a number of players like this as well last season, like Palmer with his hatrick and then went quiet for the rest of the season.

    Of course it's all up to the crystal ball of luck at the end of the day and no one will have a definitive answer, but just curious about your thoughts!

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 14 Years
      10 months, 6 days ago

      Purple patch for sure, but not like there's a load of options atm.

      1. FplmorelikeFml
        • 2 Years
        10 months, 6 days ago

        Ya true, just wondering how long this purple patch would last!

    2. Cold Palms
      • 2 Years
      10 months, 6 days ago

      Us who own him took the risk - why this a discussion

      1. FplmorelikeFml
        • 2 Years
        10 months, 6 days ago

        I wonder what topics would meet your criteria on a open platform for comments and discussion then? Maybe we could just talk about how brilliant you are for owning him, that should sit right with you!

    3. Bigbars
      • 15 Years
      10 months, 6 days ago

      with a small sample size as people say, you can either ride the wave whilst its going or look for another option, I for one am tempted but i'm resisting. i dont think it'll last, ive been burnt by him a few times last season.

      1. FplmorelikeFml
        • 2 Years
        10 months, 6 days ago

        I agree, I'm resisting a bit cos it'll be chasing points. But you don't want a case like mbeumo last season (he kept ticking along so well), while semenyo had trolling periods when I owned him last time round.

        Just wondering if there's anything that suggests that Semenyo has become more pivotal and clinical (i recall semenyo racked up an insane number of attempts last season but with very little end product)

  11. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    10 months, 6 days ago

    I might need to readjust my colour settings, that Liverpool kit blends into every other stripe on that turf.

  12. OverTinker
    • 8 Years
    10 months, 6 days ago

    I guess if Gakpo plays well today and Ekitike somehow blanks then we should keep Gakpo

    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      10 months, 6 days ago

      He just had a shot that still hasn’t come down.

    2. The Philosopher
      • 5 Years
      10 months, 6 days ago

      Gakpo is pretty nailed imo. Isak and Ekitike will rotate most games.

  13. F4L
    • 11 Years
    10 months, 6 days ago

    any thoughts on Enzo's potential long term? has been a pretty impressive start to the season for him, and finish last season ofc

  14. ☈☾
    • 8 Years
    10 months, 6 days ago

    This game has a Wirtz masterclsss written all over it

    1. x.jim.x
      • 11 Years
      10 months, 6 days ago

      As he gives the ball away for a Burnley counter

    2. Feanor
      • 17 Years
      10 months, 6 days ago

      More like Wirtz early sub

  15. ☈☾
    • 8 Years
    10 months, 6 days ago

    Burnley running riot

  16. Moon Dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 1 Year
    10 months, 6 days ago

    Burnley are so narrow. Only the wide players have space atm. Salah and Gakpo hopefully going to see the ball a lot.

  17. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    10 months, 6 days ago

    Anthony isn't a bad option as a value pick.

  18. Bigbars
    • 15 Years
    10 months, 6 days ago

    On a side note.. the 100m final is on bbc 1 now. womens then mens, 5 mins after

    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      10 months, 6 days ago

      cant see lyles winning

    2. Mr. O'Connell
      • 14 Years
      10 months, 6 days ago

      Need Alfred

      1. Bigbars
        • 15 Years
        10 months, 6 days ago

        Hope Lyles gets humbled. Not holding much hope for Asher-Smith. But Shelley may bow out with a final win

        1. Bigbars
          • 15 Years
          10 months, 6 days ago

          as long as its not richardson

      2. Mr. O'Connell
        • 14 Years
        10 months, 6 days ago

        Ffs

        1. Bigbars
          • 15 Years
          10 months, 6 days ago

          impressive run by her, jefferson-wooden

  19. martynteresa
    10 months, 6 days ago

    Wildcard question.

    Have 1 FT in the bank. Now activated my WC for GW5

    Once GW5 starts I will be given a new Free Transfer to use for GW6

    So at that point will have just that new 1, or, will I have the one that was in the bank before using the wildcard as well

    1. TheBiffas
      • 5 Years
      10 months, 6 days ago

      1

  20. Bigbars
    • 15 Years
    10 months, 6 days ago

    Sometimes I wish TV manufacturers or media providers would bring back Twin tuner TV's and proper PIP capabilities... so we can watch the footy and keep an eye on the T20 for example at the same time

    1. Feanor
      • 17 Years
      10 months, 6 days ago

      That’s what tablets are for

      1. Bigbars
        • 15 Years
        10 months, 6 days ago

        true, but I feel like they're missing a trick by not utilising the feature, and bring back teletext whilst they're at it.

      2. x.jim.x
        • 11 Years
        10 months, 6 days ago

        Take the right ones and you’ll get double vision alright

  21. Gudjohnsen
    • 9 Years
    10 months, 6 days ago

    How's Salah looking?

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 6 days ago

      He's bidding his time...

      Till 87th minute.

    2. The Night Trunker.
      • 2 Years
      10 months, 6 days ago

      Walks like an Egyptian

    3. FPLamateur
      • 1 Year
      10 months, 6 days ago

      Not sure he’s touched the ball yet

  22. F4L
    • 11 Years
    10 months, 6 days ago

    konate big miss

    1. Moon Dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      10 months, 6 days ago

      Ruined the Gakpo assist!

  23. Feanor
    • 17 Years
    10 months, 6 days ago

    Gakpo took the last left side corner

  24. BobbyDoesNotLook
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    10 months, 6 days ago

    Wirtz off corners for now apparently 🙂

  25. JBG
    • 8 Years
    10 months, 6 days ago

    Might be a VAR check for RC here

  26. Feanor
    • 17 Years
    10 months, 6 days ago

    Mac Allister got a nasty knock on his right ankle

  27. Bigbars
    • 15 Years
    10 months, 6 days ago

    Anyone with me in thinking the Bournemouth pen was soft and debatable yesterday?

    1. TheBiffas
      • 5 Years
      10 months, 6 days ago

      Haven't seen it but I'm salty about picking Johnson over Semenyo so yes

  28. Graziano
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 months, 6 days ago

    I really hope Salah does not blank today, because otherwise everyone starts selling him and switching to Haaland. The longer their hope lasts the better.

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 6 days ago

      Cool kids have both

      1. Feanor
        • 17 Years
        10 months, 6 days ago

        Gakpo out scoring him for half the price

        1. Bobby Digital
          • 8 Years
          10 months, 6 days ago

          Yeah they seem to favour that left flank in attack

    2. JBG
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 6 days ago

      He can get defcon points, that's about it.

  29. Marvin.
    • 9 Years
    10 months, 6 days ago

    Please can I be allowed to refresh the page without being zipped back to the last post I clicked on? It is exquisitely irritating.

    1. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      10 months, 6 days ago

      Hear hear!!!!!!!

    2. The Night Trunker.
      • 2 Years
      10 months, 6 days ago

      Quack Quack.

  30. FPLamateur
    • 1 Year
    10 months, 6 days ago

    Esteve coming on for me in place of Damsgaard. Was sure he would be guaranteed 2 DC points but doesn’t seem to be anywhere near it