Opinion

The Knee Jerk – Gameweek 1 – Saturday

A classic knee jerk in the making, Mohamed Salah owners were already fidgeting by half-time at Vicarage Road.

Fresh from four goals in pre-season, he had endured an inauspicious start to life back in the Premier League. A toe-poked skyward effort when through on goal, packaged up with several over miscues and errant first touches totalled a miserable first 45 minutes for Salah.

In contrast, Sadio Mane had sparkled and smartly converted Emre Can’s flick to peg back a plucky first half Watford showing.

Shifted to the left flank by Salah’s arrival, it looked as though Mane had adjusted to already demonstrate that he was back as the go-to guy among the opulence in Liverpool’s attack.

But things were to turn dramatically.

Just through sheer pace and endeavour, Salah first won a penalty via Heurelho Gomes’ clumsy telescopic arms and then sprinted to convert Roberto Firmino’s chipped effort from two yards out.

He ended on 11 points and was quickly installed as the top transfer target from those in action on the day.

He tallied five shots, all in the penalty area and eight touches in the box – more than any other midfielder in Gameweek 1 so far. Just as we expected, the statistics are Salah’s friend and will likely reinforce his case throughout the season.

Mane, who picked up a booking, was left trailing and, on today’s evidence, will clearly have his work cut out to justify his billing as the most expensive option in Jurgen Klopp’s armoury.

Owned by 23.5% to Salah’s 23.3%, that narrow gap is closing as Philippe Coutinho owners bail out, turning to the Egyptian as their replacement.

It is, of course, early days and it’s back at Anfield where Mane has previously been so potent.

Nine of his 13 goals arrived on Merseyside last season and he will have Crystal Palace in his sights for Gameweek 2.

Firmino also deserves our recognition. With Klopp relegating James Milner to his bench, the Brazilian was again on penalty duties and expertly converted following Salah’s tumble.

With the assist to follow, Firmino waltzed his way to the maximum bonus points, already benefiting from his new classification as a forward.

If Milner is to remain out of favour – presumably now discounted as a left-back – then Firmino will surely prosper.

Liverpool won eight penalties last season, with all but one converted by Milner. Firmino scored 11 goals regardless.

We have no reason to expect that Liverpool’s penalty count will regress. Indeed, with Salah adding his pace to Mane’s bursts, there’s every chance it will be maintained or even increased.

The conclusion is that Firmino’s stock is on the rise and that suddenly, Mane is in danger of slipping further down our Liverpool attack pecking order.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

4,257 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Weasel51
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Forster
    Alonso, Stephens, Daniels
    De Bruyne, Salah, Willian, Redmond, T.Carroll
    Lukaku, Kane

    Elliot, Suttner, Long, McBurnie

    G2G for next week or shall I use my FT?

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      G2G.

    2. Unsuccessful
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Yup hold hold hold.

  2. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Dafuq? Highest points scorer has Cahill first sub and Lukaku second. And he's coming on 😀

    1. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Lol, just proves that the GW1 table id never, ever, topped by anyone who knows what they are doing!

      1. Make Arrows Green Again
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        *is

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Ha ha, what a fluke!

    3. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Cahill comes on

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        I know, maybe my post wasn't clear 🙂

  3. Tabbara
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Guys
    Mounie price seems to be raising tonight,i'm thinking to bring him in for Abraham.To do that i have to get rid of Danilo
    So Cedric and Mounie for Danilo and Abraham
    Worth the hit ? or hold?

    1. FISSH
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      You had weeks to make a a team. Stick to it

    2. twoplustwo
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      At least watch today.

      Wouldn't be taking -4 for an unnailed defender and Championship striker.

    3. Bafana
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Very tempting, but dangerous to already let the FOMO play with you

      1. Tabbara
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        yeah i made the promise this year that i wont be taking many hits i dont know that promise seems to be gone .I'll think i'll hold my free transfer this week

        1. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          Devil's advocate... if you were to take a hit.. that would be good transfers; Mounie and Cedric have great fixtures

          1. Tabbara
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            the problem is danilo after yesterday i doubt he starts next week,i knew he was a short term option but thought he'll do an assist at minimum yesterday,

    4. FantasyNik123
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Mounie will not be rising tonight, maybe midweek but not today according to fpl statistics.co.uk

  4. immybob
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Who's best replacement for Fabregas.? I was looking at Ramsey or possibly Willian.?

    1. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      ritchie?

  5. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    is it worth getting a -4 to get the price risers?

    1. Business Cat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Only if it drastically improves your team

    2. Unsuccessful
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Hold a transfer will give you three (-4) bandwagons to jump on next week if you need to

      1. Shearer & Sutton
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        This

    3. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      No

    4. HVT
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      I have no problem with it, a good time to take a hit imho.

  6. Better Call Paul
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Danilo stick or twist?

    1. Pino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Stick

      1. Better Call Paul
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Was concerned he may not play next match

        Then again I have mee on the bench to come on if not

        1. twoplustwo
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          Exactly

    2. TFP
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Stick, unless possibly Trippier turns out to be fit for spurs and they do very well.

      Danilo is a risk of course but not big enough to justify a hit right now.

      1. Better Call Paul
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        I have free transfer lol

        1. TFP
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          Not really, if you use it now you'll have one fewer potential transfers next week , think about opportunity cost.

    3. Dr Van Nostrand
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Deffo stick got you a cleanie didn't he

  7. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Going to try very, very hard to save my FT this week. 2 FTs going into GW3 would be lovely.

    1. Better Call Paul
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Agreed

    2. Unsuccessful
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Stay strong!

  8. Manumana
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Best replacement for Iwobi ?
    5.5

    Thx

    1. Better Call Paul
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Xhaka looked good

    2. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Not sure about best but I'm looking at Gross, Brady and perhaps Mooy

    3. Bafana
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Definitely Mooy. He does everything on the pitch: creates chances but also has loads of defending qualities. Immediately put him on my watchlist after seeing his first 60 minutes

    4. Unsuccessful
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      See how Atsu (5.0) looks later

      1. S.Kuqi
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        This. Fixtures favors Newcastle aswell.

      2. Manumana
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Yes. I will make a desicion after the newc game. Thx

  9. Pino
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Did you miss on a draft league and want to join?

    FPL "Football Manager" Draft league starts from GW2: 732056-166971

  10. Stoneytq1
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Just done Iwobi > Groß, Iwobi was dropping fast and no money ITB. Decent trade?

    1. twoplustwo
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      No, but Iwobi was your first error

      1. Stoneytq1
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Can't see anyone better at 5.5 and I'm not taking a hit.

        1. twoplustwo
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          Might as well go 4.5m then?

        2. william prunier
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          Why not wait for today's games?!

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Pray for no midweek injuries, or do u have a strong bench?

    3. Legomane
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Price changes only happen overnight..no need to rush into a morning with matches to play in the afternoon IMO. Fingers crossed you don't get any injuries in your XV today.

      1. Legomane
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        *morning 'transfer'

        1. Stoneytq1
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          Yeah I should have waited really! Hopefully no injuries to Kane or lukaku!

          1. Legomane
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            Learn to control the jerk 🙂

    4. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Oh dear. Better hope there aren't any injuries to your other players.

  11. twoplustwo
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    The fixtures we selected our teams based on (at least in part) look so good in the next few weeks. Stick with them and save an FT this week unless you've got a Fab-shaped gap.

  12. @fpl_phenom
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Tonight's transfers:

    Luiz & Quanar > Hegazi & Mounie

    Transferring in for form and fixtures for next few weeks...

    DDG (Elliot)
    Kolasinac Luiz Danillo Yoshida(Long)
    KDB Salah Willian Milivojevic (Carroll)
    Kane Lukaku(Quanar)

    1. twoplustwo
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Hit for a West Brom player???

      1. @fpl_phenom
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        And Mounie... gives me an extra playing player too

    2. william prunier
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Hegazi ain't nailed buddy

      1. @fpl_phenom
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        He is until the int break.

        Playing well so I doubt Macauley walks straight back into the team...

        Or does he in your opinion?

    3. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      This is ridiculous.

      Luiz?! He scored! You've got Danilo who's about to be benched. Palace were trying a new system and got found out- no way Mounie is getting a brace every week. Hegazi isn't a bad transfer in though.

      Danilo->Hegazi if you must.

  13. Better Call Paul
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Where are the price risers website?

    1. @fpl_phenom
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      FPLSTATISTICS

    2. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      http://www.google.co.uk

  14. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Hegazi speaks good English. That'll be good for WBA. Need good communication in defence.

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      By all accounts it sounds like he had a great game & Pulis could have made a great find with him. 4.5 is a lovely price point in FPL too, esp with those fixs

  15. Beatle
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Everyone needs to chill with making rash transfer decisions based on 1 game. Should give it another week imo

    1. Alan_T
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      You say that, but at the start of the season it's more justified IMO

      We may have drafted a player that'd not a starter, or drafted someone who is playing reverse OOP.

      Or a palace defender!

      1. Beatle
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Appreciate that but I'm taking more about the muted 8/12 point hits

    2. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Yes agree

  16. HNI
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Need list of League codes for public leagues like FFS , LMS etc

  17. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Points predictions today - 24 about right for these lads?

    DDG - 7
    Kane - 8
    Lukaku - 9

    1. HNI
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      I see Lukaku scoring and assisting...11pts....DDG may just get 6 as dont see WHAm troubling Manutd without Antonio...Kane score a goal or two so could be 6 or 13 pts

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        I'd be happy with that... to be honest I'd be happy with 2's from Kane & DDG, if Lukaku were to get a brace. He needs to score today to stave off transfer talk with every other striker in the game it seems doing well

    2. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      😆

    3. There's Always One!
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Hopefully AllI does something too. It was him or Salah for me!

    4. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Haha. 2 2 2 more like.

  18. There's Always One!
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Whats the Best price tracker to use?

    1. Deus
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      fplstatistics.co.uk
      http://fantasyfootballfix.com/price/

      1. There's Always One!
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers

  19. Ibracadebruyne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    What to do with Iwobi?

    A. Keep (then I have to play either Iwobi, Mee or Carroll)
    B. Sell for other 5.5...

    Cheers!

    1. thepeen555
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Well iwobi isn't dropping yet so I wouldn't worry too much ATM

  20. thepeen555
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Just looking at FPL stats site and Costa gone down 52.8 - why did people actually have him in their teams?

    1. william prunier
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Auto select?

      1. thepeen555
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah poss but if u auto select then why make transfers after

    2. HNI
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      He is class player and people thought Conte would know to manage better as he is still Chel player and can utilize him

      1. thepeen555
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        That sort of thing would happen cause it makes sense - they don't see sense

    3. @fpl_phenom
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Casuals and idiots

      1. Kane Train
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        where did u finish overall last season Dare2Zlatan

    4. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Casuals

  21. Oddjobleff
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    I see BBC have jumped on xG now too. How do we use it again? Are we hoping it predicts upturns in form and imminent regressions?

    1. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Statsbomb.com should answer it all for you.

      1. Oddjobleff
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Noted. Thanks

  22. Alan_T
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Which of the following denders would you downgrade for a draft league?

    PVA or Trippier?

    Need to think long term ideally

    1. william prunier
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Pva then

    2. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Trippier

    3. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Sorry misread it. PVA

  23. Mr Wizard
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Just watched the highlight of the West Brom game.

    Hegazi... thoughts?

    Unit. Can see him being the target at all set pieces. 4.5.

    Francis > Hegazi?

    1. william prunier
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Beware of Johnny evans

      1. Mr Wizard
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Oh! Your right. Forgot about him. Haha

    2. @fpl_phenom
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      I liked him, but some saying he will lose his spot when McAuley returns.... any baggies fans give their opinion?

      Can't see him losing his place if he's playing like that though!

  24. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    is fpldicovery starting at some point? is there an alternative?

    1. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Give it a week or so and it should be up and running is what I've seen banded about here.

      1. Lord Flashheart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        ok

  25. GE
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Early thoughts: Worth changing from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3 before GW3 (2FT) by doing these moves (just a plan, can change)?? 🙂

    Kdb -> RLC
    Quaner -> Firmino

    Leaves me with:

    Foster
    Alonso/Kompany/Stephens/Daniels
    Alli/Willian/Zaha
    Lukaku/Jesus/Firmino

    Bench: Elliott, T. Carroll, RLC, Mbamba

    1. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Lol. You had me at KDB->RLC.

      1. GE
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        I know it's lol 😉

  26. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Saving FT really does look the way to go, with BOTH the transfer deadline & international break approaching.

    E.g. If you save the FT, after the game updates next Saturday morning you will have 2x FT's usable for GW3. If you only use one (before GW3 deadline), then you will have 2x for use between 27th Aug & 9th Sept.
    , to try account for international injuries or good/bad transfer dealings by he clubs

  27. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Just seen a rumour that Spurs want Martial. Might we see a swap deal involving Rose?

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Spurs can't afford to lose any first team players. They've got money and Martial is a bit peripheral at United.

      1. internal error
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Just wondering what their stance is on Rose. Will they let him go for 50-60mil given his outburst this week?

        1. Differentiator
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          No

    2. There's Always One!
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      If José sells martial he wants a kick in the hole!

      Martial is far better than Rashford and Lingard

      1. internal error
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        He is but he doesnt rate him

    3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Possibly... maybe more likely Utd sign Prerisic with Martial funds

  28. Aarono23
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    52 with a failed Jesus Captain isnt too bad. Kaku and Eriksen left. Need Kane to keep quiet

  29. Beatle
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    How did Cedric play yesterday? Offer much going forward??

  30. Up the tics
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    What to do with PVA?

    1. Differentiator
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Need more evidence. Keep and play vs Pool