Scout Reports

Why Naby Keita could be FPL bonus points magnet at Liverpool

Liverpool’s latest summer signing, Naby Keita, has the potential to eclipse his new team-mates when it comes to bonus points on Fantasy Premier League season.

The central midfielder’s style of play is suited to success on the Bonus Points System (BPS), which will combine very well with his goal involvement potential too.

We’ve assessed his chances of earning a place in our FPL squads in 2018/19.

THE HISTORY

Busy midfielder Keita has been described as a complete midfield player capable of big things. He can play a good pass, runs and dribbles very quickly, and helps win possession back too. His exceptional ability has ensured that in just five years he has gone from playing in his home country of Guinea to the Bundesliga, and now the Premier League. In that time his qualities have seen him make his international debut for Guinea and score five goals in 28 caps.

However, Keita is more than just another midfield general to go unrecognised by Fantasy football points-scoring. In 59 league appearances for Red Bull Salzburg he found the net 17 times and assisted another nine goals. In his final season with RB Leipzig Keita registered six goals and five assists, more than any of Liverpool’s central midfielders in 2017/18.

Keita’s most recent campaign saw him deployed in various different positions within the midfield, showing his versatility. He played 17 matches in all competitions as a defensive midfielder, still recording three goals and three assists from that position. 12 matches saw him as a standard central midfielder (two goals, three assists), while another four had him as a more advanced attacker (two goals, one assist).

THE COMPARISONS

Player

Shots

Key passes

Dribbles

Tackles

Keita

1.6

1.4

2.5

2.4

Wijnaldum

1.2

0.7

1.3

1

Chamberlain

1.2

1.1

1.3

1

Can

1

1

0.9

2.6

Lallana

0.9

0.6

0.5

0.3

Milner

0.7

1.1

0.4

1.8

Henderson

0.6

1

0.3

1.9

Keita had more shots on goal than any of his new team-mates, registering 1.6 per match; Giorginio Wijnaldum and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were the next best with 1.2.

Only Oxlade-Chamberlain (1.1) came close to Keita’s key passes per match of 1.4. For dribbles, Keita nearly doubled Wijnaldum and Oxlade-Chamberlain’s 1.3 per match with his 2.5.

Defensively, Keita’s performances were strong too, registering 2.4 tackles per match. Only Emre Can bettered that in the Liverpool midfield in 2017/18.

THE PROSPECTS

We can expect to see the best of Keita from a Fantasy perspective in 2018/19. The Guinea international should push for a start at Liverpool with his key statistics last season considerably better than anyone else who operated for the Reds in central midfield.

Fellow new recruit Fabinho looks set to provide protection for the defence in a deeper role in Jurgen Klopp’s favoured 4-3-3 system, allowing Keita to play slightly further forward. Based on his past record and playing style, we can expect him to contribute to goals and assists.

But where Keita really stands out is his potential for bonus points. The aforementioned actions (shots, key passes, dribbles and tackles) all contribute to a player’s BPS score for matches. If Keita continues success in those areas into the Premier League then he will amass plenty of bonus points, especially if he is scoring and assisting goals too.

With Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane still expected to be the main source of goals and assists in the Liverpool team, Keita will probably be more of a mid-price midfielder, increasing his potential value even more.

523 Comments Post a Comment
  1. tm370
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    A) Kane and Paulinho
    B) Neymar and Lingard

    1. Sharkytect
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      i habe gone with B.

      so A, probably

      1. tm370
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Haha - I fancy B more, as I think Brazil will destroy Mexico. But Kane is 1 cheaper...
        I'm expecting people to favour A

        1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Brazil manager said Neymar is one game away from full sharpness . That was before the last game.

          Colombia vs Kane .. could go either way.

    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      A

      1. tm370
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        cheers buddy

    3. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      A

    4. Pirlø's Pen
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      B

    5. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      B easily .

      1. tm370
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Cheers guys.

        Paulinho does have 7 in his last 16, which is tempting me slightly, but I want Neymar...

  2. WE ARE RANGERS
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    GTG???

    Olesen/Subasic
    Granqvist Godin Miranda Strnic Meunier
    Paulinho Isco Modric Cassasco Inui
    Costa Kane Lukaku

  3. Hulk Smash
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    If you've already used WC and BB is the logical strategy to abandon your bench and invest primarily in your starting 11?

    1. tm370
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I wouldn't abandon it as it's still a means of getting surprise/extra points. But I'd definitely look at cheap mids and perhaps the Japanese gk

    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Concentrate on 11 yes, doesn't mean abandon the bench though

    3. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Abandon too strong a word, just meant don't spread funds as much to the bench, right?

  4. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Any Telegraph players care to share team? I am looking at starting with

    Muslera
    Gimenez Ramos Carvajal J Alba
    Modric Lingard Isco
    Suarez Mbappe Costa

    Day 3 transfers x 5
    Suarez to Neymar
    Modric to Coutinho
    Ramos to Meunier
    Coutinho to Hazard
    Neymar to Lukaku

    Day 4 transfer x1
    Lukaku to Kane

    Leaving 14 transfers for rest of tournament. I have no idea if should be using less at this stage!

    1. DJDave1979
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Not decided but I will say you really shouldn't move on any players that advance.

      1. dunas_dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks. Sounds sensible. I will keep that in mind.

    2. tm370
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      My advice, as a long time telegraph player, is that if you want to really do well you have to risk the block defence.

      I think the bold player, and something I'm considering, is a block Spain followed by either a block Brazil or even England, as the differential.

      1. tm370
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        I'd personally play 5 at the back too as the overall team is better and value is in defence

      2. dunas_dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks appreciate the advice. As you say bold but worth at least 70 points if you get it right ( and 20 if wrong!)

        1. tm370
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Yeah exactly - I'm top 30 and want to win, so I'm going bold. I've been in this situation a couple of times before and played it safe and it has cost me.

          1. dunas_dog
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Hope you don’t mind me asking but is this a better approach and once Spain played decide on block transfer to England Belgium or most likely Brazil probably. And try and restrict other changes possibly to Kane/Lukaku/Coutinho

            DDG
            Carvajal Ramos Pique J Alba T Silva
            Isco Modric Lingard
            Neymar Costa

            1. tm370
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 9 months ago

              Looks good to me. Just consider how you will accommodate, in terms of price, the players you want to bring in later.

              1. dunas_dog
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 9 months ago

                Cheers. The other consideration is that for next round your starting defence block has good fixture which tends to suggest England as Brazi/ Belgium could have goals between them.

    3. Wetdream
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Im playing but havent done my transfers yet.Going to have a look tonight.

    4. Monkey Hanger
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Telegraph games, whether it be football or cricket invariably are won by the same people again and again who enter a large number of teams. Only going in with one or two teams you are generally fodder for those with lots of teams.

      1. DJDave1979
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        I did find the leaderboard a depressing read after the first week. These people must play this full time.

  5. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Im killing myself with Costa vs Hazard choice...

    Hazard means 4.0 2nd GK but maybe it is good cuz I avoid potential transfer out and can change Hazard to anyone easily?

    1. tm370
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Are you sure you can't save anywhere else?

      1. Atimis
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Im good with non playing 2nd gk, just cant decide between Costa and Hazard...

  6. Pirlø's Pen
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    How many penalty takers are in your team?

    I’ve tried to max out to an extent and have 6.

    1. Atimis
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      These are?

      1. Pirlø's Pen
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Granqvist, Ramos, RiciRod, Kane, Neymar & Hazard.

        1. Atimis
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Impressive!

    2. DJDave1979
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      As it stands, I've only got four. Making me consider sacking off Lukaku...

      1. tm370
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        The pen thing makes clear sense obviously, but it's also worth saying that there won't be penalties all the time and players will miss. If anything, I think VAR increases the pressure on the taker, which will be worse in the knockouts. I think this pen thing may be producing unusual decisions. For example - many seem to be picking Hazard with his 7 goals in his 11 appearances in 2017 and 2018 over Lukaku with 18 in his last 15 games in 2017 and 2018. I'm not sure about that.

        1. Louis_Sans_Balls
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Agree, putting way too much stock in it and never a gaurantee

      2. Godfather Bandit 42
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Get his consent fist,,,,,

        1. Godfather Bandit 42
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          *first lol

        2. Godfather Bandit 42
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Forgive me, I have no idea neither!!!

  7. ooooo
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    No BB or WC and 0.6mil itb. Any changes?
    Courtois
    Carvajal Trippier Granqvist
    Coutinho Isco Shaq Quintero
    Kane Costa Lukaku

    Kawashima Miranda Lovren Claesson,

  8. Scotty B
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    BB team g2g?

    Muslera
    Miranda Lovren Carvajal
    Quintero Coutinho Modric Isco
    Costa Kane Lukaku

    Sommer Claesson Granqvist Akanji

    1. Scotty B
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Young for Akanji sorry

    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I thought you were choosing between Young and Maguire. Do you just post random names?

      1. Scotty B
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        I am. Is young nailed?

        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          He looks like he's a first teamer, but performance wise it wouldn't be surprising to see him dropped.

          1. Scotty B
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Maguire then?

          2. Syd.
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Agreed he hasn't been great but he could still start or get dropped

        2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Don't you go taking any silly risks with our ffs community team or we will get Robin to take over

  9. Syd.
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Who is going to win Wimbledon?

    1. Red Dagger ✪
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Harry Kane.

    2. Reggie Nainggolan
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Federer GOAT

  10. Louis_Sans_Balls
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    As even as expected - 10-7-10 No recent fixtures tho

    https://www.11v11.com/teams/sweden/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Switzerland/

    Btw, those that are thinking Brazil will just run a muck against Mexico are once again making the same mistake they did with Germany. These are pretty much the same 2 teams that drew last year in the group stages. And I think this current Mex side is better
    In the end I think someone like Coutinho will be the difference maker as he's been thus far

    1. tm370
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Except this Brazil side is much better than Germany, and play in an entirely different style. And Mexico just got beat by 3 goals against Sweden, and that will have affected their confidence.

      1. Louis_Sans_Balls
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        How is the style different?
        Exactly! Sweden is an entirely different opponent perfect for the loss that Mexico suffered, I saw that coming a mile away.

        1. Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Link to your prediction please 😉

          1. Louis_Sans_Balls
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            I wasn't asked 😉

        2. tm370
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          How is Brazil different?!

          For one, they have Neymar, who is by far the best attacking player in either team. They have strength and pace in the middle of the park with Casemiro and Paulinho, and Fernandinho could yet drop in too that increase that more with Coutinho moving up. Khedira on contrast looked woefully off the pace. In Coutinho and Neymar they have two pacey attackers who can act as playmakers too - not an out of sorts Ozil, or a deep lying Kroos forced to drive forward because of the ineptitude in front of him. Their wide players also give them width (And Willian offers another source of creativity) - they don't come drift inside because they'd rather play centrally. They've also not been caught anywhere near as much on the counter as the German side have been, because of clear issues with the system. They are also not dealing with the internal problems clearly causing issues with the Germany camp.

          I'm not sure which teams you've been watching if you think they are alike.

          1. Louis_Sans_Balls
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            To me Germany and Brazil play the same attacking style, personnel different of course and you really didn't need that entire paragraph to make that one simple pt. No one is denying Brazil's ability.
            An opponent like Sweden on the other hand, is worst for Mexico they play a defend first and counter second type style which a team like Mexico often struggles with.

            1. tm370
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 9 months ago

              But they don't play the same style...as above.

    2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      That's what I said. I'm wondering if it's mental tripling up on any team in a world cup where anything can happen

      1. Louis_Sans_Balls
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        This Cup is very similar to 2002 with the exception of Senegal not going through, in that one Sweden also went pretty far and so did Japan. When the defending champ goes out it certainly opens things up a bit

        1. willl
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Yeah very similar if you ignore where it's different.

          Spain got knocked out in the group stages last time and it wasn't that open.

    3. Jesus Wept
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Of the last 16 teams: Tournament so far:
      Brazil. Shots 57 (the most). Shots on target 21 (2nd only to Belgium's 22).
      Mexico. Shots against 58 (the most and 10 more than anyone else). Shots against on target 20 (the most and 6 more than anyone else).

      1. Louis_Sans_Balls
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        that's fine but you have to take into account opposition. Just to be clear I'm not expecting Mexico to win but wouldn't be too shocked if they did. It will be close and Brazil should get the nod in the end

  11. You never give me your Man&…
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Kompany playing 15 min + OT, is that really a threat to Boyata starting? If so, its back to the drawing board for me...

  12. AnfieldLad
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Whts the best strategy if you still have your wildcard?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Plan for 1 round at a time.

    2. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      You cant have a strategy when your entire team is liable to get knocked out each round. Gotta play on the fly.

  13. BlzE_94
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    I'm surprised a lot of people on here think Uruguay will beat Portugal

    1. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      1-0 Uruguay, Ronaldo to get food poisoning day before kick-off.

    2. Nascimento
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I'm surprised not more do.

  14. WE ARE RANGERS
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    opinions?
    Olesen/Subasic
    Granqvist Godin Miranda Strnic Meunier
    Paulinho Isco Modric Cassasco Inui
    Costa Kane Lukaku

  15. Champione
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Marcelo likely to play next game? And who’s on pens for Spain; Ramos, Silva or Costa? Cheers

    1. Tempestic
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Not sure about Marcelo, but Ramos should be on pens.

  16. squ1rrel
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    I feel like Modric is a bit overrated...maybe it would be a good idea for me to go with someone like Pogba instead?

    1. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      You're overrating Pogba right now

    2. yakirh
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Corners+Pens+Long shots
      Sounds good to me

    3. Nascimento
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      You don't get points for dabbing. Stick with Modric.

  17. Costa Nostra
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Struggling with one decision. Messi vs Neymar. If I go Messi it gives me a captain on that day...without...nobody is playing. I want to go Neymar but owning Hazard or Lukaku and Coutinho gives me a captains headache for that day. Any sound advice welcome.

    1. Who are all Lukakus
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Griezmann and upgrade somewhere?

  18. -GK22-
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Sticking to a few teams as no B.B. or WC. Marks outta 10?......

    Subasic, Olsen
    Granqvist, Carvajal, Lovren, Trippier, Ignashevic
    Rakitic, Isco, Coutinho, Lingard, Claesson
    Lukaku, Kane, Costa

  19. Nascimento
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    James Maddison could be an interesting option for FPL next season - mate of mine who used to support Utd and now supports Leicester (so should know both players really) says he's the closest thing to Beckham he's ever seen.

  20. FPL Mentor
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    RMT

    MUSLERA[1]
    RAMOS GRANQVIST R.RODRIGUEZ PAVARD
    ISCO MODRIC COUTINHO
    D.SILVA[2] NEYMAR[3] HAZARD

    OLSEN, QUINTERO[4], MOJICA, INUI.

    Hows it look? G2G?