Dugout Discussion
31 January 2026 482 comments
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Can Liverpool v Newcastle United live up to the match that preceded it?

Following on from the five-goal thriller at Stamford Bridge, the final Premier League match of the day kicks off at 20:00 GMT.

TEAM NEWS

Arne Slot makes two changes from the midweek win over Qarabag.

Ibrahima Konate is back for the Reds after his recent absence, which was due to a family bereavement.

He replaced the injured Jeremie Frimpong.

That’s presumably going to mean a stint at right-back for Dominik Szoboszlai.

It’s a straight swap at left-back, meanwhile, as Milos Kerkez ousts Andrew Robertson from the side.

Eddie Howe keeps the surprises coming as he makes three changes for the trip to Anfield.

Nick Woltemade drops out of the side but it’s not Yoane Wissa leading the line, with the responsibility seemingly falling to Anthony Gordon.

Gordon is brought back in following his midweek breather, as are Kieran Trippier and Harvey Barnes.

Lewis Miley and Sven Botman drop to the bench, which also contains the aforementioned Wissa and Woltemade.

It doesn’t, however, feature Bruno Guimaraes. The Brazilian returned to the Newcastle squad at the Parc de Princes in midweek, remaining an unused substitute. But he’s absent entirely this evening.

LINE-UPS

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

Subs: Mamardashvili, Endo, Chiesa, Jones, Robertson, Nyoni, Ramsay, Nallo, Ngumoha.

Newcastle United XI: Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Ramsey, Willock, Elanga, Gordon, Barnes.

Subs: Ramsdale, Botman, Wissa, Osula, J. Murphy, Woltemade, A. Murphy, Shahar, Miley.

LIVE GAMEWEEK PAGE!

New to Fantasy Football Scout this season is the Live Gameweek page, which you can see on the side menu.

Here you can follow the scores, watch the defensive contribution (DefCon) points roll in, see who the leading players are for xG and more as the games play out, as seen below:


price change predictions
482 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Jet5605
    • 11 Years
    5 months, 16 days ago

    Was a bit miffed half an hour ago when my ML leader sold Eki for Pedro. Glad I kept Hugo Boss.

    1. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      Imagine another 2 this half

  2. pundit of punts
    • 13 Years
    5 months, 16 days ago

    Ekitike has to come in GW 28 for sure

    1. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      May keep him selling Thiago for Pedro

      1. Fifa las vegas
        • 13 Years
        5 months, 16 days ago

        Think I’m going to try selling DCL for JP by downgrading Saka. Haaland, Ekitike and JP until Chelsea’s fixtures turn again.

        1. Atimis
          • 9 Years
          5 months, 16 days ago

          Yeah, sounds like a good front line.

      2. pundit of punts
        • 13 Years
        5 months, 16 days ago

        Thiago is a hard sell

        Need him back in 27

  3. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    5 months, 16 days ago

    Why we don't talk more about how they are making the price changes crazy? It's like playing CoD multiplayer lol.

  4. Nomar
    • 16 Years
    5 months, 16 days ago

    I resisted the urge to do Ekitike to JP, so glad it paid off for once!

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 9 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      Well done

    2. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      So did I. And was fuming all day after a few captained JP!

      Would’ve been so so good if JP just got a 1 point cameo and then I get him in next week, ah well.

  5. Machine Gun Skelly
    5 months, 16 days ago

    I was just celebrating the JP transfer...

  6. FC Hakkebøf
    • 9 Years
    5 months, 16 days ago

    Sold Ekitike and Gordon for Kroupi and Bruno.

    Should have done Palmer to Bruno and left it at that.

    1. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      Might be close to net zero if Bruno does well

  7. Gizzachance
    • 11 Years
    5 months, 16 days ago

    Gordon biggest troll, owned for weeks, gets nothin , get rid this week, now decides to score, away from home to

    Still glad got rid, won’t go there again!

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      He looks more like a rodent than a troll.

      1. The Night Trunker.
        • 2 Years
        5 months, 16 days ago

        No personal attacks please.

        1. The Night Trunker.
          • 2 Years
          5 months, 16 days ago

          Or we will beat you with rainbow flags.

          1. The FPL Units
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            5 months, 16 days ago

            Thats not how a rainbow is used

      2. LarryDuff
        • 10 Years
        5 months, 16 days ago

        Childish

  8. sminkypinky
    • 14 Years
    5 months, 16 days ago

    Rough with the smooth. Did Wirtz+Ekitike -> JP+Enzo. Still glad I did it.

  9. LarryDuff
    • 10 Years
    5 months, 16 days ago

    Ekiteke and Wirtz link up is wild, can read each others minds

    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      Exactly, clear they’ve played with each other before Pool

      1. Raoul Nogues
        5 months, 16 days ago

        They never did

        1. Fifa las vegas
          • 13 Years
          5 months, 16 days ago

          Well that’s embarrassing 😆

          I had in my head they both came from Frankfurt for some reason

          1. Raoul Nogues
            5 months, 16 days ago

            They must have created a german secret code just between them

  10. Warbling Wendy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 17 Years
    5 months, 16 days ago

    The torch has been passed at Anfield with that second goal. No longer looking to constantly feed Salah, Ekitike takes the moment for himself.

  11. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    5 months, 16 days ago

    Any word on Saka injury?

    1. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      Either way he needs to go. His positional rival is on fire

      1. Fifa las vegas
        • 13 Years
        5 months, 16 days ago

        As in Madueke? Or some FPL rival?

        1. Utopsis
          • 6 Years
          5 months, 16 days ago

          Yes Madueke. Even if Saka keeps starting, Madueke is gonna eat into those minutes much more

          1. Fifa las vegas
            • 13 Years
            5 months, 16 days ago

            Hard sell Saka so, even if not injured.

            Thing is do I get Rice or someone else

            1. Utopsis
              • 6 Years
              5 months, 16 days ago

              I don't think I'll be getting Rice.

              Enzo, Mbeumo, Wirtz now all options

              1. Fifa las vegas
                • 13 Years
                5 months, 16 days ago

                Could be right. I’m being blinded by the potential arsenal DGW

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      Arteta: "Saka he had a little niggle [in the warm-up]. He wasn't comfortable to start the game so immediately we made the decision to make the change and bring Noni in."

      1. The Night Trunker.
        • 2 Years
        5 months, 16 days ago

        Translation
        "Saka has broken every bone in his three legs and will have to take early retirement ".

      2. Utopsis
        • 6 Years
        5 months, 16 days ago

        The fact that Madueke was subbed at 60 with the game won indicates that Arteta wants to protect him in light of Saka's injury - so may miss a few games

  12. The Senate
    • 7 Years
    5 months, 16 days ago

    Constantly flip flopped all week on selling Saka or Ekitike

    Pulled the trigger last night on keeping Saka, injured in the warmup and his replacement hauls.

    Only upwards from here

    1. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      OK that's very unlucky

      1. Warbling Wendy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 17 Years
        5 months, 16 days ago

        It's not unlucky that Ekitike has braced - his data and performances have been good recently.

        Saka getting injured in the warm is of course unfortunate though.

        1. GreennRed
          • 14 Years
          5 months, 16 days ago

          Saka's FPL form hasn't been good though.

        2. Utopsis
          • 6 Years
          5 months, 16 days ago

          I can see why he sold Ekitike instead of Saka this week though - better fixture on paper and he is "due" for a player of his calibre

    2. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      Need a Senate inquiry, quickly!

  13. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    5 months, 16 days ago

    I have owned Ekitike almost the entire season. Sold him in GW 13 after a long run of mainly blanks. Missed the run of 1-1-13-13-9. Rebought for wolves and got 5-2-0-0-2-1 since then. Benched him this week as every other player in my team had a better fixture and he was looking at reduced minutes again. Lol@me and this joke game.

    1. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      Same game for everyone.

      1. Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        5 months, 16 days ago

        Same game with wildly differing luck.

        1. GreennRed
          • 14 Years
          5 months, 16 days ago

          Make your own luck. I'm 3m cos not paying much heed to it.

    2. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      You benched Ekitike? There is simply no excuse for that, none whatsoever. Extemely poor management! Season over!

      1. Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        5 months, 16 days ago

        No excuse for benching someone with sub 2 ppg over last 5 games and bound to play at most 70 minutes.

        1. The Knights Template
          • 12 Years
          5 months, 16 days ago

          No where to hide!

          1. Brosstan
            • 11 Years
            5 months, 16 days ago

            I'm not hiding. Unlike a lot of people on here I will post just as much when it goes poorly as when it goes well

            1. The Knights Template
              • 12 Years
              5 months, 16 days ago

              You do, that’s true. Now vqc49y quickly! You will be welcomed with open arms!

        2. MJF
          5 months, 16 days ago

          You can spin in that way or say he looked good midweek. Footy is hard to predict.

  14. GreennRed
    • 14 Years
    5 months, 16 days ago

    Could they not find enough ex-Liv

    1. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      ..erpool players for the BT studio analysis.

      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        5 months, 16 days ago

        Macca, “Salah has been slightly disappointing” 😆

  15. The Knights Template
    • 12 Years
    5 months, 16 days ago

    If I do Watkins > Ekitike right now do I get Ekitike’s second half points? Thankee.

    1. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      You can. Revolut me 50 quid and I'll sort it for you.

    2. The Night Trunker.
      • 2 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      You need to oil up and beat yourself senseless in your own dungeon.

    3. Captain Mal
      • 1 Year
      5 months, 16 days ago

      Sure. Wat kin go wrong?

    4. Goro Majima
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      It's an idea for FPL towers next season.

  16. Utopsis
    • 6 Years
    5 months, 16 days ago

    Selling Saka enables a front 3 of Haaland, Ekitike, JP

    Cue Thiago hattrick

    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      Ah god, don’t torture me with another Thiago hattrick

      1. Fifa las vegas
        • 13 Years
        5 months, 16 days ago

        He single handily changed my progress this season in two GWs

        1. Fifa las vegas
          • 13 Years
          5 months, 16 days ago

          *handedly

    2. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      May just sell Saka and Thiago tonight for Chelsea guy, worst case I hit WC.

      1. Atimis
        • 9 Years
        5 months, 16 days ago

        *guys

      2. Fifa las vegas
        • 13 Years
        5 months, 16 days ago

        I’m thinking about this too. Really don’t want to but price changes will be wild

    3. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      Thiago plays this team next after they have had Man City in the EFL semifinal a few days before, I still think he could be a decent hold

      1. pundit of punts
        • 13 Years
        5 months, 16 days ago

        Thiago is an easy hold for those who own

  17. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    5 months, 16 days ago

    Do we really think Rice is a good third Arsenal pick? 4 blanks now, why the hell he is going up in price tonight?! Prices are mad, way too far...

    1. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      Szobo going up is one of the strangest things I've sedn

      1. Atimis
        • 9 Years
        5 months, 16 days ago

        They should sort it out next season, makes the game worse.

      2. GreennRed
        • 14 Years
        5 months, 16 days ago

        He passes the eye test but not the FPL form test.

        1. Utopsis
          • 6 Years
          5 months, 16 days ago

          He has got 1 return between GWs 10-22. 1 double digit return in GW23 and a price rise - mad!

          1. GreennRed
            • 14 Years
            5 months, 16 days ago

            Very influential in every game, not reflected in FPL. Glad we beat Hungary in Budapest but he was unreal for them.

            1. Utopsis
              • 6 Years
              5 months, 16 days ago

              True - he's even had a good game from right back today, still no returns

      3. Utopsis
        • 6 Years
        5 months, 16 days ago

        seen*

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      0.22, 0.56, 0.58, 0.40 is decent xGI in those games tbf
      but yeah not great output after the hype!

    3. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      He's fine. He's a CM. He will have some games where it ends 3 or 4 nil and he gets nothing and then when they play Chelsea away he'll score the winner in a 1-0 and get 11 points. That's just kinda how it'll go. Gotta hold your nerve. He's got routes to points with the set pieces, late runs into the box and occasional DCs.

      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        5 months, 16 days ago

        This

      2. Atimis
        • 9 Years
        5 months, 16 days ago

        Sounds like we have better picks then, and the main (or only real now?) appeal is DGW.

  18. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    5 months, 16 days ago

    Liverpool should send Salah packing to Saudi with love and thanks, and buy Wilson for next to nothing.

  19. pundit of punts
    • 13 Years
    5 months, 16 days ago

    Saka may well be good to go at the weekend

    Twitter suggesting so

    Is he a must sell with a DGW in sight?

    Could be a huge differential

    1. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      Sounds like Foden case, cant keep them all

    2. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      I’ve a certain Egyptian that needs moving on first

    3. Raoul Nogues
      5 months, 16 days ago

      Injury means more minutes management

    4. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      No risks will be taken with Saka with Madueke available

    5. MJF
      5 months, 16 days ago

      The issue is he rarely gets more than an assist, even if fit I am not sure 10.0 is worth it. If he was 7.5 then yeah.

  20. The Night Trunker.
    • 2 Years
    5 months, 16 days ago

    All my remaining funds going on Newcastle or draw.
    I feel it.

    1. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      ah you've seen Liverpool's collapse against Bournemouth last week then.

  21. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    5 months, 16 days ago

    Salah lack of confidence showing again. No way he would’ve passed that last season, he would’ve teed it up on his left and curled it.

  22. Kaneyonero
    • 9 Years
    5 months, 16 days ago

    Salah is gone

  23. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 months, 16 days ago

    Salah has been poor enough

  24. fedolefan
    • 12 Years
    5 months, 16 days ago

    Omg Ekitike..lol

    1. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      Wouldn't been Szobo assist as well, I am crestfallen

      1. Utopsis
        • 6 Years
        5 months, 16 days ago

        Would've

        1. fedolefan
          • 12 Years
          5 months, 16 days ago

          He looked embarrassed by the miss.

          1. Utopsis
            • 6 Years
            5 months, 16 days ago

            Admittedly the angle was against him as a right footer

  25. Miguel Sanchez
    • 9 Years
    5 months, 16 days ago

    Bench one next GW:

    A) Rogers (bou)
    B) Rice (SUN)
    C) Wilson (EVE)

    1. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      One of the other 5

      1. GreennRed
        • 14 Years
        5 months, 16 days ago

        A

      2. Miguel Sanchez
        • 9 Years
        5 months, 16 days ago

        Haaland, JPedro, Ekitike, BrunoF or Enzo

        1. Utopsis
          • 6 Years
          5 months, 16 days ago

          Hmmmmmmm

          Haaland is a serious consideration for the bench.

          Not sure I'd want to double up Chelsea attack against a much improved Wolves either - if Palmer looks like starting, Enzo for bench

    2. Prinzhorn
      • 5 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      Wilson if you really have to

    3. JBG
      • 8 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      Maybe Arteta will do it for you...

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • 9 Years
        5 months, 16 days ago

        He doesn’t have my FPL password to the best of my knowledge

        1. JBG
          • 8 Years
          5 months, 16 days ago

          Good thing you understood what I meant

  26. Prinzhorn
    • 5 Years
    5 months, 16 days ago

    Should I kneejerk Pedro in for Evanilson? Complete wrong choice on WC.

    1. Sailboats
      • 10 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      Wait for midweek league cup game first.

    2. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      I did say that to you

      1. Prinzhorn
        • 5 Years
        5 months, 16 days ago

        Guess I just have to take the loss. I’ll need to stack FT’s now.

  27. GreennRed
    • 14 Years
    5 months, 16 days ago

    Chiesa for Saka soon enough. Hall has cleaned Mo out and looks fairly well over the hill now. Is Hall a realistic pick for England World Cup squad?

    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      We are not exactly blessed with left backs, we often play a rb there.

    2. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      I think he's on the plane.

      Probably between him and Shaw for the XI? O'Reilly an outside chance

    3. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      He should be the starting LB

  28. Biggsy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 months, 16 days ago

    Well I'm glad I held off Ekitike to JP this week

    But given JP has Wolves, guess it's time for Thiago to go.

    Or Haaland of course...

    1. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      Can't see myself keeping Thiago now, JP should outscore him next 3.

      1. Utopsis
        • 6 Years
        5 months, 16 days ago

        I think I agree with you

      2. Biggsy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 months, 16 days ago

        I think this is the way

        Guess I'm stuck with my awful backline for another week!

    2. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      Wolves not the soft touch of a few weeks ago. Same for Burnley.

      1. Biggsy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 months, 16 days ago

        Wolves look much improved, but still sucked vs a Bournemouth who also suck on their travels

    3. JBG
      • 8 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      Liverpool don't do CSs

      1. Biggsy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 months, 16 days ago

        I'm not keeping Ekitike for the CS points...

        1. JBG
          • 8 Years
          5 months, 16 days ago

          Haaland.... vs Pool... you... considering.... selling him...

          Hence my comment

          1. Biggsy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            5 months, 16 days ago

            Oh sorry, missed that.

            Not actually considering selling the robot. It was a humerous suggestion at the end of the realistic one hence why I totally missed your (valid) point.

    4. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      JP is the ultimate troll when I own him. Will blank in all the easy fixtures, score something like 1 goal in 9 games and be benched at least twice for 1 pointers.
      Then as soon as I sell him he will score a brace and get a double price rise.

      1. Prinzhorn
        • 5 Years
        5 months, 16 days ago

        That is Exactly the reason why I didnt get him, he has been so bad for me so many times and now he punishes me again. I hate him.

  29. ViperStripes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    5 months, 16 days ago

    How did DCL look earlier? play him vs NFO or Play Ekitike vs MCI

    1. The Night Trunker.
      • 2 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      Dom

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      Play Ekitike - looks very sharp last game and a half

    3. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      Ekitike

    4. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      MCI will give Ekitike space, don't bench him

    5. MJF
      5 months, 16 days ago

      Can’t bench Ekitike.

    6. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      I would play Ekitike

  30. Utopsis
    • 6 Years
    5 months, 16 days ago

    Wirtz touch and close control is unbelievable

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      5 months, 16 days ago

      He’s looking so good now