Dugout Discussion

Starts for Salah, Firmino and Mane in Liverpool’s season opener

As expected, there are starts for Liverpool’s attacking trio of Mohamed Salah (£13.0m), Sadio Mane (£9.5m) and Roberto Firmino (£9.5) as the Reds welcome West Ham United to Anfield this afternoon.

Fabinho (£6.0m), who missed a penalty in the Tuesday night friendly win over Torino, is only fit enough for a place on the substitute’s bench after struggling with illness this week. James Milner (£5.5m) however has recovered from a head injury to take his place in the three-man midfield alongside Georgino Wijnaldum (£5.5m) and Naby Keita (£7.5m).

Joe Gomez (£5.0m) has won his own fitness battle to line up in the Liverpool defence, which is otherwise at full strength. Alisson (£5.5m) makes his league debut for the Reds between the sticks.

Having missed West Ham United’s final pre-season fixtures with a hip injury, Andriy Yarmolenko (£7.0m) only features as a substitute for the Hammers today. Michail Antonio (£7.0m) takes his place on the right flank.

Declan Rice (£4.5m) looks set to feature out of position in the West Ham midfield, while there are competitive Irons debuts for Lukasz Fabianski (£4.5m), Ryan Fredericks (£5.0m), Fabian Balbuena (£4.5m), Jack Wilshere (£5.0m) and Felipe Anderson (£7.0m).

In the other 13:30 BST kick-off, Cedric Soares (£4.5m) has been passed fit to play at wing-back after missing all of Southampton’s pre-season.

Jack Stephens (£4.5m) gets the nod over Jan Bednarek (£4.0m) in central defence, while Manolo Gabbiadini  (£6.0m) is only among the substitutes – along with Danny Ings (£5.5m).

Charlie Austin (£6.0m) is supported by Nathan Redmond and Stuart Armstrong (both £5.5m) in attack.

Matthew Lowton and Stephen Ward (both £5.0m) return at full-back for Burnley after being rested for the Thursday night Europa League fixture in Istanbul, while Chris Wood (£6.5m) is the sole striker in the attack.

Joe Hart (£4.5m) makes his Burnley league debut, with Tom Heaton (£5.0m) watching on from the bench.

Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, van Dijk, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Milner, Keita; Firmino, Salah, Mane

West Ham XI (4-3-3): Fabianski; Fredericks, Ogbonna, Balbuena, Masuaku; Noble, Rice, Wilshere; Arnautovic, Antonio, Anderson

Southampton XI (3-4-2-1): McCarthy; Hoedt, Vestergaard, Stephens; Soares, Romeu, Lemina, Bertrand; Armstrong, Redmond; Austin

Burnley XI (4-4-1-1): Hart; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Ward; Gudmundsson, Westwood, Cork, Lennon; Hendrick; Wood

2,783 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Bubz
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Dreamland

  2. Differential C (Mark)
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Robo to Salaaaaahhh

  3. VS10_
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    And we celebrate.

  4. The Enlightener
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Salah G Robbo A

    1. JamTart
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      The perfect combo for me!

  5. stachman
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Robbo 🙂

  6. My Name Is Pepu
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Mo Mo scores

    Robbo assist

  7. Les Bleus
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    What a perfect goal!

  8. sambyy
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Perfect

  9. Rainer
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    MAGIC!

  10. Petrichor II
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Mohammad Salah.. The Egyptian King!

  11. Meinhoff
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    SALAAAA

  12. Royal5
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Boooooooom

  13. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Wowowowowowowowohooooo

  14. Differential C (Mark)
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    VvD owner here,.fairplay Robbo owners!

    1. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Same here

  15. Rainer
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Brilliant from Keita

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Yup, he's gonna make the front trio even more powerful

  16. TOBY1
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Was just questioning my Robbo over TAA pick - Boom!

  17. TAT
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    YESSS!!!

  18. the snazzy viking
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    it took until Sunday to get a first goal for my FPL team lol

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

      This

  19. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Gorgeous

  20. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
    • 15 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Pity everyone and his dog owns them

  21. Ady87
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Needed that with no Richarlison!!

  22. surrallt
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Yes

  23. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Salah Triple (c).

    Another 3 goals please.

  24. ★Kuntheman★
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    No Salah owners, Oh ye of little faith...

  25. Brosstan
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Robbo my man

  26. mattk lfc
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Well the no-Salah teams lasted 18 minutes. Enjoy using your wildcard

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

      😆

    2. HNI
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Dont think any non salah owners exist among serious managers due to lack of heavy hitters like kane kdb lukaku taking away money

  27. iteotwdykty
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Feels good man

  28. My Name Is Pepu
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Mane's turn to score now 😉

    1. HNI
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      More like firmino. Mane is flat truck bully

  29. Bambi
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Robertson assist as well!!!!

  30. Rainer
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    ONE CROSS IS ALL IT TAKES 😎