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20 September 2025 675 comments
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The 247th Merseyside derby gets Gameweek 5 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) underway.

Liverpool v Everton kicks off at Anfield at 12.30pm BST.

TEAM NEWS

As many suspected would happen, Alexander Isak is only on the bench for Liverpool this afternoon.

More surprising is the demotion of Florian Wirtz to substitute duty.

Wirtz and Isak are two of four players who drop out of the Liverpool starting XI from the midweek win over Atletico Madrid.

Andrew Robertson and Jeremie Frimpong also make way.

Hugo Ekitike, Alexis Mac Allister, Conor Bradley and Milos Kerkez are the quartet that return to the Reds’ line-up.

Wirtz’s benching will presumably see the versatile Dominik Szoboszlai play in a more advanced role.

As for the Toffees, there’s just the one change from Gameweek 4.

Vitalii Mykolenko is back from injury, so Tim Iroegbunam drops out.

James Garner had been deputising as a makeshift left-back but Mylolenko’s return to fitness means that Garner can return to his usual central midfield role.

LINE-UPS

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Bradley, Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Salah, Gakpo, Ekitike.

Subs: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Endo, Wirtz, Isak, Jones, Robertson, Frimpong, Ngumoha.

Everton XI: Pickford, O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko, Gueye, Garner, Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish, Beto.

Subs: Travers, Patterson, McNeil, Barry, Dibling, Coleman, Alcaraz, Aznou, Iroegbunam.

price change predictions
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  1. Tonyawesome69
    • 7 Years
    7 months, 1 day ago

    VVD hits 10 defcons, folks can stop crying now

    1. Lanley Staurel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      Which was the 10th? Lol

      1. Ninja Škrtel
        • 12 Years
        7 months, 1 day ago

        i think he had a last minute header clearance..

    2. chocolove
      • 15 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      So funny to see the defcon rants. Bunch of kids. Lol

      1. Baps Hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 months, 1 day ago

        Don't take it too seriously 😉

  2. Nightcrawler
    • 6 Years
    7 months, 1 day ago

    salah, gakpo, grealish

    so many mids to get rid of

    1. Not again Shirley
      • 9 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      Keep the latter surely.

      1. Nightcrawler
        • 6 Years
        7 months, 1 day ago

        one more week maybe

    2. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      And Dango

    3. Absolutely Muñozed
        7 months, 1 day ago

        but who to get for salah? Bruno?

        1. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          7 months, 1 day ago

          Thinking Palmer

      • Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        7 months, 1 day ago

        Ndiaye has done better with DC and here and there attacking points, and cheaper

    4. Not again Shirley
      • 9 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      Jake O’Brien on 1 DC. He’s a defender. How’s that even possible.

      1. x.jim.x
        • 11 Years
        7 months, 1 day ago

        He was up against Salah who barely touched the ball

        1. Tonyawesome69
          • 7 Years
          7 months, 1 day ago

          Wrong side...

    5. Ninja Škrtel
      • 12 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      Van Dijk with a last minute defcon!!

      1. Tanganga and Cash
        • 3 Years
        7 months, 1 day ago

        Phew! Was watching him like a hawk... 8 in the first half and only 1 in the second, until that 10th defcon at the death!

    6. F4L
      • 11 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      whats the big difference between ekitike and gakpo as wingers? like feel they have similar profiles, dont get why slot sees them as different players offering different things

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 7 Years
        7 months, 1 day ago

        One is a CF/9, the other is a winger...

        1. F4L
          • 11 Years
          7 months, 1 day ago

          gakpo was that before joining liverpool in the main

          maybe just holding onto straws hoping isak starts next gw, but i dont see what gakpo offers that ekitike doesnt have in his locker.

            1. F4L
              • 11 Years
              7 months, 1 day ago

              ah well got that wrong it seems, mis remembering abit

              isak likely to be benched next gw then i guess, cant bench ekitike after that performance

              1. Baps Hunter
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                7 months, 1 day ago

                U serious?!?

      2. All Hail K
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        7 months, 1 day ago

        I thought this was a start to a joke.

        1. F4L
          • 11 Years
          7 months, 1 day ago

          apologies if it was a let down 😀

    7. Von Lipwig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      Woohoo! Eki 8 pointer covering Salah Capt nicely 🙂

      1. chocolove
        • 15 Years
        7 months, 1 day ago

        Congrats
        Mbeumo C here

        1. Von Lipwig
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          7 months, 1 day ago

          I would say good luck but I'm a chelsea fan with Palmer cap... so, let's just say I hope you enjoy the game

          1. chocolove
            • 15 Years
            7 months, 1 day ago

            Going with my guts, I'm content with anything the result is.

      2. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        7 months, 1 day ago

        Keeping him?

        1. Von Lipwig
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          7 months, 1 day ago

          That's tough. the plan was Eki to Gyokeres in GW7, so maybe one more game

    8. JBG
      • 7 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      Salah Cers in heaven

      1. Lanley Staurel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        7 months, 1 day ago

        Unlikey

    9. NoOneCares
        7 months, 1 day ago

        Not sure there is anything more annoying than Salah non owners or people moaning about defcons.

        1. Ball Ake
          • 1 Year
          7 months, 1 day ago

          There is, people moaning about people moaning about Salah and defcons

        2. Yes Ndidi
          • 6 Years
          7 months, 1 day ago

          Yeah there is.

        3. Cruyff's Eleven
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          7 months, 1 day ago

          People moaning about 11 DEFCONs

      • jam
        • 16 Years
        7 months, 1 day ago

        So is the future Mo Salah or No Salah?

      • adstomko
        • 9 Years
        7 months, 1 day ago

        Gained in rank as a non-Salah owner.
        Thanks Hugo

      • RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        7 months, 1 day ago

        Did Isak look worth his price and ready to start and to buy for next GW?

        1. Do I Not Like Orange
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          7 months, 1 day ago

          No

        2. ☈☾
          • 8 Years
          7 months, 1 day ago

          Nope

        3. Lanley Staurel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          7 months, 1 day ago

          Double no

        4. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          7 months, 1 day ago

          So still doesn’t look like far better than Haaland?

        5. Ball Ake
          • 1 Year
          7 months, 1 day ago

          Twirly

        6. Cruyff's Eleven
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          7 months, 1 day ago

          He'll score a brace v Southampton

      • Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        7 months, 1 day ago

        Salah needs at least 5 minutes stoppage to haul. Someone check Dave England's FPL team..

        1. JBG
          • 7 Years
          7 months, 1 day ago

          And a pen

        2. chocolove
          • 15 Years
          7 months, 1 day ago

          Indeed, 3 minutes Injury time isn't enough

      • Atimis
        • 9 Years
        7 months, 1 day ago

        Salah Watkins to Palmer Haaland (c) for free should be a no brainer?

        1. Von Lipwig
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          7 months, 1 day ago

          sounds great tbh

          1. Atimis
            • 9 Years
            7 months, 1 day ago

            Rest of team ain’t too great but should be enough not to WC yet

        2. Lanley Staurel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          7 months, 1 day ago

          Doing that w/o a wildcard is good

      • The-Red-1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 months, 1 day ago

        Who is the priority sell? Gakpo or Etikite?

        1. Brosstan
          • 11 Years
          7 months, 1 day ago

          Both

        2. Von Lipwig
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          7 months, 1 day ago

          Gakpo

          1. Capocannonieri
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            7 months, 1 day ago

            It's like he is not even playing. Gets no passes and for long spells. There was 45 mins today of morbid display

            I would go deep and start hauling the ball from my half.

            Maybe the cats playing left back are trash. Kerkez sucks. Bradley plays there, he's a busted donkey.

        3. chocolove
          • 15 Years
          7 months, 1 day ago

          Ekitike first, more expensive and big spending Isak is lurking

          Gakpo only has that weertz to compete

          1. RamaJama
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            7 months, 1 day ago

            Does it look like Liverpool’s money is well spent this season?

          2. Capocannonieri
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            7 months, 1 day ago

            Squirtz sucks too.

            He is competition but Squirtz will be playing for Fulham in 2 seasons. Or some other mid club.

            Or trade him to Bayern for Olise while he still has value.

      • Weasel51
        • 10 Years
        7 months, 1 day ago

        Thinking GW6 Wildcard.

        Diouf, Wirtz, Guiu need to be gone without doubt plus have no City for their run coming up so would like to do the Salah > Haaland.

      • fedolefan
        • 11 Years
        7 months, 1 day ago

        The sounds of wildcards and panic on here next week when Haaland returns 5 points and Salah 16 is one not to be missed.

        1. Atimis
          • 9 Years
          7 months, 1 day ago

          You can always say that about every random pair of players…

      • Rwilliams90
        • 14 Years
        7 months, 1 day ago

        Gakpo to Foden on the cards.

        1. Brosstan
          • 11 Years
          7 months, 1 day ago

          Foden is an S tier troll, good luck

      • ZimZalabim
        • 9 Years
        7 months, 1 day ago

        why did KDH get a yc ?

        I was watching but it wasnt clear to me

        Any idea ?

        1. Tonyawesome69
          • 7 Years
          7 months, 1 day ago

          Maybe for dissent after taking the quick FK

          1. ZimZalabim
            • 9 Years
            7 months, 1 day ago

            yeah makes sense

      • ididnt
        • 14 Years
        7 months, 1 day ago

        Of course Simons benched when I bring him in for a punt

        1. Vazza
          • 5 Years
          7 months, 1 day ago

          He will come on and score. He’s in my team too.

          1. ididnt
            • 14 Years
            7 months, 1 day ago

            Hope so though I imagine he’s being completely rested

      • GoonerSteve
        • 16 Years
        7 months, 1 day ago

        Grealish late yellow card is annoying.

        1. Bleh
          • 9 Years
          7 months, 1 day ago

          Very.

        2. Capocannonieri
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          7 months, 1 day ago

          That's was after the game! I want my point back!

          I saw him complaining about nothing to the Refs.

          Someone needs to remind Grealo that Everton is a trash club and just anonymous NPCs to the big 6.

      • Vazza
        • 5 Years
        7 months, 1 day ago

        Still early days but thoughts on these transfers:

        Salah • Caicedo • Virgil
        =>
        Palmer • Saka • Gvardiol

        4 point hit

        1. Count of Monte Hristo
          • 12 Years
          7 months, 1 day ago

          Saka is out injured

          1. Count of Monte Hristo
            • 12 Years
            7 months, 1 day ago

            I see he is nearing a return, not sure I would rush to buy Saka just yet. His hamstring problems seem to be a recurring problem.

        2. g40steve
          • 8 Years
          7 months, 1 day ago

          Prefer Ars defence, Pool’s leaky

      • Mom, Butters just gave me a…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        7 months, 1 day ago

        I was expecting a lot more "Salah captain bragging" at this point.

        I mean, a 5 point mini haul isn't that bad in a game that didn't include lucky pens in the 10th minute of stoppage time..

        1. g40steve
          • 8 Years
          7 months, 1 day ago

          Too busy getting a big sofa for tomorrow afternoon

        2. Sun Jihai
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          7 months, 1 day ago

          5 points isn't a haul

          1. Haa-lala-land
            • 5 Years
            7 months, 1 day ago

            He did say mini haul

            1. Mom, Butters just gave me a…
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 4 Years
              7 months, 1 day ago

              Thanks..

              Still better than the lucky last-minute four point mininmini haul by VVD.

          2. Baps Hunter
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            7 months, 1 day ago

            It's a return, nothing else.

      • Count of Monte Hristo
        • 12 Years
        7 months, 1 day ago

        Prioritise selling Gakpo or Johnson? I have 2FT but can only realistically start one of my new midfielders as the rest of my mids and attackers all have great fixtures in GW6.

        1. Tonyawesome69
          • 7 Years
          7 months, 1 day ago

          The one that doesn't start

      • Haa-lala-land
        • 5 Years
        7 months, 1 day ago

        Leeds, Sunderland Burnley all to win?

        1. Bobby Digital
          • 8 Years
          7 months, 1 day ago

          With clean sheets please

          1. Haa-lala-land
            • 5 Years
            7 months, 1 day ago

            3 x 1-0 wins incoming

          2. Haa-lala-land
            • 5 Years
            7 months, 1 day ago

            Where's the delete/edit function?!

      • Twisted Saltergater
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        7 months, 1 day ago

        I’m going to wildcard just to lose my Forest defenders ffs