Salah continues to deliver on strong underlying statistics

Mohamed Salah (13.1m) was the Fantasy Premier League talking point once again as Liverpool beat Wolves 2-0 at Molineux.

It was another Gameweek where the Egyptian’s ownership in the top 10,000 managers dropped, and he punished his sellers for the second match in three.

We’ve gone over what that means for the rest of the Christmas period in the latest Scout Notes article.

Wolves 0-2 Liverpool

Goals: Mohamed Salah (£13.1m), Virgil van Dijk (£6.2m)

Assists: Fabinho (5.5m), Salah

Salah delivered on his impressive underlying statistics as he recorded a goal and an assist at Molineux on Friday night. In the four Gameweeks prior to Gameweek 18, Salah had better minutes per chance and minutes per chance created than many of the other premium options in the latest debate, including Eden Hazard (£11.0m), Raheem Sterling (£11.6m) and Leroy Sané (£9.7m). That potential for goals and assists was realised perfectly as he notched one of each, also finishing top for both shots in the box and key passes played in Gameweek 18’s opening match.

However, there may be a little concern for Salah’s owners about whether or not he will start the Boxing Day visit of Newcastle to Anfield. Xherdan Shaqiri (£7.1m) remained an unused substitute at Molineux and both Roberto Firmino (£9.2m) and Sadio Mané (£9.6m) had their minutes managed. Meanwhile, Salah played the entire match. It is no cause for major concern with Liverpool’s next match five days away, but his owners might have hoped for him to get more rest in the bank, especially with the Reds 2-0 up for the closing stages.

“For the moment it’s really nice and now we have to make sure we have fresh legs as quickly as possible and get ready for Newcastle.” – Jurgen Klopp

It is still clear that Salah is the key attacking asset among Liverpool’s ranks. Mané was level with him for chances created but was a long way off for goal threat. Furthermore, Firmino could not follow up his nine-shot display against Manchester United, registering just two attempts at Wolves, both outside the box.

Some rotation looks more likely in central midfield on Boxing Day, as Klopp made another change there on Friday night. Jordan Henderson (£5.3m) came in for Georginio Wijnaldum (£5.5m) and played alongside Fabinho (£5.5m) and Naby Keita (£7.2m).

“Gini was now just ready for a rest, that’s how it is. Hendo and Fabinho, of course, they can play together – and today it was a very, very physical game, so we needed proper bodies.” – Jurgen Klopp

The defensive returns just keep on coming for Liverpool as they recorded their 11th clean sheet of the campaign. They were perhaps a little fortunate not to concede with Wolves’ putting together some decent opportunities in the first half. The hosts had the same number of shots inside the box as Liverpool, and recorded an expected goals total of just below one as well.

That is not to say that it wasn’t an excellent defensive performance from Jurgen Klopp’s men, especially for Virgil van Dijk (£6.2m). He was immense at both ends of the field at Molineux. He finally delivered on his set piece threat, by latching onto the end of Salah’s ball into the box to give the Reds a 2-0 lead. But he managed to earn three bonus points for more than that, starring at the back too. There was a moment in the second half when van Dijk faced a foot race with the rapid Adama Traoré (£5.2m) and was able to not only keep up but muscle the winger off the ball. Crucially, van Dijk’s advantage over the other outfield defensive assets is the fact that he is truly nailed on and should play every single Christmas fixture given the centre-back injuries right now.

“Yeah, together with all the other boys around he is much better. He had to improve, he is still improving, but he is an outstanding player. He helps so much, but you also see how we do it around him. Virg is the player we saw in him, so that’s cool.” – Jurgen Klopp

The game did indeed come too soon for Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.2m), as predicted by Klopp. The right-back was pictured training this week but was not named in the matchday squad.

However, Nathaniel Clyne (£4.6m) did not keep his starting berth from Gameweek 17, with James Milner (£5.6m) overcoming his injury doubt to feature at right-back.

Keita picked up a knock in the second half and was immediately substituted, Klopp not wanting to take any chances over the busy winter period. It was Adam Lallana (£6.9m) who came on for him, although Klopp was already positive about the knock after the match.

Klopp confirmed Liverpool players would be training on the morning of Christmas Day ahead of the Boxing Day visit of Newcastle to Anfield.

It was not Wolves’ night, although they could have easily scored in the first half. Doherty was especially dangerous, having two excellent efforts on goal well saved by Alisson (£5.8m). There was absolutely nothing in the result that suggested his Fantasy appeal was dwindling. If nothing else, it was a performance that demonstrated why he is such an important asset this season.

“We could have done better in the final third and with final decisions. We arrived at the box and there was a lack of composure. Maybe [we were] rushed, but it takes time.” – Nuno Espirito Santo

While the defeat can easily be excused given the quality of opposition, Nuno Espirito Santo admitted that he would have to analyse how his team dealt with set pieces in the match. Both goals resulted from a lack of concentration in the second phase of dead ball situations. It will be interesting to see if Wolves’ defence proves vulnerable to teams who excel at set pieces in the coming weeks, or if Nuno is able to tighten things up in time for the Boxing Day trip to Fulham.

“The only thing that gives me something to think about is the way we conceded. After a set-piece, a second ball, it’s a total lack of focus that we lost in that moment so we have to look at that and analyse that moment.” – Nuno Espirito Santo

Nuno went for the 3-4-1-2 formation used in the 2-0 win over Bournemouth.

Traore came in for the injured Diogo Jota (£5.9m) and played up front alongside Raúl Jiménez (£6.2m) while Joao Moutinho (£5.2m) operated further forward than usual, in the number 10 role.

Romain Saïss (£4.2m) replaced Morgan Gibbs-White (£4.3m) in central midfield and there was another start for Jonny (£4.3m) who made a surprise return from injury in Gameweek 17.

Moutinho and Traoré’s minutes were managed around the hour-mark, suggesting they are in line for Boxing Day starts. They were replaced in like-for-like changes by Gibbs-White and Ivan Cavaleiro (£5.2m) respectively.

Wolves XI (3-4-2-1): Patricio; Boly, Coady, Bennett; Jonny (Vinagre 81′), Saïss, Neves, Doherty; Moutinho (Gibbs-White 63′); Traoré (Cavaleiro 63′), Jiménez.

Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Robertson, van Dijk, Lovren, Milner; Keita (Lallana 58′), Fabinho, Henderson; Firmino (Wijnaldum 76′), Salah, Mané (Clyne 87′).

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