Scout Notes

Injuries build for Liverpool as Blank Gameweek 31 fixture confirmed

Liverpool’s defensive injury crisis took a turn for the worst as a rotated side was knocked out of the FA Cup by Wolves.

Jurgen Klopp’s options at centre-back are becoming increasingly limited as he hopes to guide the Reds to a first ever Premier League title win.

However, there were still some encouraging signs to come out of the Molineux tie for Fantasy managers as they eye up future blank Gameweeks.

Wolves 2-1 Liverpool

Dejan Lovren (£4.9m) was added to the injury list at Molineux on Monday night as he came off with a hamstring in the sixth minute. At this early stage, there is no word on how long the Croatian international could be absent for. That is obviously made all the more frustrating by the fact that Joe Gomez (£4.9m) and Joel Matip (£4.9m) are still out of action too, presenting Klopp with some serious potential problems at the heart of his defence.

“Hamstring [is] what I heard. Without any signs before. I asked everybody – no signs, nothing, just out of the blue. Did you ever hear a manager who can tell you that right after the game? No. I don’t know. You have to wait. I want to know, believe me, but I don’t know in this moment.” – Jurgen Klopp

After the game, Klopp said he hadn’t even intended to start Lovren but had his hand forced by other problems, including having to leave Virgil van Dijk (£6.4m) at home for precautionary reasons. Jordan Henderson (£5.3m) and Adam Lallana (£6.9m) were also cited by the German as players who were initially going to be involved before sustaining injuries, with some members of the national press suggesting the former might have been used in defence.

“Yesterday, Adam (Lallana) was in our plans, like Hendo (Jordan Henderson). Dejan was not in the plans – he should have only been on the bench. It happened what happened. We had to make a few changes already, it was clear. Virg cannot play; he is at home and hopefully, it is nothing, but he has played all the games so far.” – Jurgen Klopp

With only little information on the reasons behind van Dijk’s absence, as well as other the build-up of injuries, there is a lot currently up in the air about Liverpool’s back-line. Some Fantasy managers had been considering a double-up on their defence in the coming weeks, Andrew Robertson (£6.6m) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.2m) the targetted pair in many cases, but those plans may well be shelved now. The fact that Liverpool were forced into playing most of their FA Cup tie at Wolves with Fabinho (£5.5m) and 16-year-old Ki-Jana Hoever, Lovren’s replacement, at centre-back may not provide the required confidence in their back-line to justify doubling up.

“I’m not sure what you all would have said if we bring immediately from the beginning, with our centre-half situation, is Fabinho and Ki-Jana. Then probably a few smart people would tell me that I don’t respect the competition or whatever. It doesn’t make sense to bring in a 16-year-old boy (Hoever) from the start. You don’t bring him, you wait until he is completely ready, but he did well. That’s how it sometimes starts – when you are really needed, then it is only about if you are good enough – and not how old you are.” – Jurgen Klopp

However, it is worth noting that teenage debutant Hoever was actually one of the better performers for Liverpool at Molineux. The player is not yet available to sign in Fantasy Premier League, but the next few days could prove crucial as to whether the youngster is required in the first team for league matches, with the Gameweek 22 press conference coming on either Thursday or Friday. If Hoever is subsequently added to FPL because of injuries to other centre-backs, it seems unlikely he will be priced higher than £5.0m, so he could prove a potential bargain at some stage.

In truth, Liverpool’s defence was hardly left exposed on a regular basis in its makeshift state against Wolves. The hosts had offered little threat before Raúl Jiménez (£6.4m) pounced on a James Milner (£5.6m) error in midfield, pushing into the space vacated by Alberto Moreno (£4.1m), and slotting past Simon Mignolet (£4.8m) unchallenged. Meanwhile, Wolves’ second goal was a typical Ruben Neves (£4.9m) wonder-strike from range than swerved and dipped before nestling in the bottom corner. There was little the defence could have done to stop the effort and it would be harsh to blame the defeat entirely on Liverpool’s back-line.

Klopp was especially slammed by portions of the national press for using so many youngsters in the game, 17-year-old midfielder Curtis Jones and 18-year-old right-back Rafael Camacho starting the game. but they actually largely outshone their more senior colleagues. The German seemed especially defiant over the involvement of the young

“We are not here to be new world-record holders for the youngest team. It’s nice. The boys are around, the boys train with us. That’s why they train with us because we think they are good enough. We play 10v10, they are on the other team and believe me, they play much better than they did tonight. Just tonight it was not possible.” – Jurgen Klopp

Where the Reds looked significantly below par was further up the pitch with the front pairing of Daniel Sturridge (£5.7m) and Divock Origi (£5.0m) struggling to gel. They only completed one pass between them in the first half and a combined total of just one touch of the ball in Wolves’ 18-yard-box. In fact, Sturridge and Shaqiri were the only players to have possession in the hosts’ penalty area. Origi’s 51st-minute goal represented Liverpool’s first shot on target in the match. Shaqiri’s free-kick, tipped onto the post by John Ruddy (£4.3m), was the only other real chance Klopp’s men had. Mohamed Salah (£13.3m) and Roberto Firmino (£9.2m) entered the fray for the last 20 minutes but were unable to conjure up a fight-back.

“It’s my responsibility. It’s about rhythm, of course. You know they can’t have rhythm. Div, can he have rhythm? Not really. Daniel? Maybe, a bit more. Alberto? No rhythm. And that doesn’t help against an opponent in Wolves who we played here two weeks ago. They are really strong; we won but we knew it was really tough. (Wolves) didn’t change a lot, so it’s not easy. I always expect a lot more from the players, but could they have delivered today? I am not 100 per cent sure. It is not my job to say now ‘that was not good enough and that was not good enough’. I know they can do much better. We changed a lot because we had to, not because I just wanted to have a look. But the problem is that we have played with a similar line-up and in really tough games the last couple of weeks, so it was clear, we had to change. That’s all.” – Jurgen Klopp

Despite the discouraging factors we have already discussed, there are still positives for Fantasy managers looking ahead to future Gameweeks. Fulham’s FA Cup exit at the hands of League Two outfit Oldham Athletic means that Liverpool will play Claudio Ranieri’s men at Craven Cottage in Gameweek 31, when the two competitions clash for the first time. Currently Fulham v Liverpool is the only match confirmed for that weekend in the middle of March. Last season, the Reds were one of the few teams to present strong captain candidates in Blank Gameweek 31, with Salah scoring four times in a 5-0 win over Watford. Having their options available for Blank Gameweek 31 again this time around will certainly prove helpful to Fantasy managers, especially if they are facing a Fulham side that has struggled at both ends of the pitch at times this season.

Liverpool being out of the FA Cup is also good news for anyone worried about rotation during January and February. Klopp’s men will now get at least two free weekends surplus to their title rivals between now and Gameweek 31, on January 26 (FA Cup fourth round) and February 16 (FA Cup fifth round). It also means there will be a 10-day gap between the Gameweek 26 visit of Bournemouth to Anfield and Liverpool’s Champions League second round first leg clash with Bayern Munich.

In contrast to Liverpool’s approach, Wolves came into the FA Cup tie with fewer changes to their starting XI. Rui Patricio (£4.5m), Matt Doherty (£5.2m) were the only members of the regular starting crop to miss out on a place in the first XI, while Helder Costa (£4.8m) and Ivan Cavaleiro (£5.2m), and Doherty, were used as second-half substitutes.

The back-three comprised of the usual suspects, Willy Boly (£4.6m), Conor Coady (£4.5m) and Ryan Bennett (£4.1m), while Leander Dendoncker (£4.3m) caused Liverpool problems in a central midfield role.

Leading the line, as always, was forward Jiménez, who has attacking returns against Manchester United, Tottenham, Arsenal, Chelsea and now Liverpool this season. The Mexican seems to really relish matches against the big sides, suggesting that he should have the benefit of the doubt when his owners have to decide whether or not to bench him for tougher fixtures. Wolves travel to face Manchester City this weekend, so Fantasy managers will be faced with that dilemma this weekend.

Diogo Jota (£5.9m) returned from his injury doubt to start the match, but was substituted in the 52nd minute to give him the chance to rest.

“It’s something that we had prepared (substitution). He’s coming back from the injury. He did fantastic in the first half, (that was) the way we worked on it in the training. He’s OK but he doesn’t have 90 minutes in his legs.” – Nuno Espirito Santo

Wolves XI (3-1-4-2): Ruddy; Boly, Coady, Bennett; Neves; Vinagre, Dendoncker, Moutinho, Jonny (Doherty 75′); Jota (Cavaleiro 52′), Jiménez (Costa 83′).

Liverpool XI (4-4-2): Mignolet; Moreno, Fabinho, Lovren (Hoever 6′), Camacho; Jones (Firmino 70′), Keita, Milner, Shaqiri; Origi, Sturridge (Salah 70′).

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752 Comments Post a Comment
  1. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    How does this look for GW 22?

    Fabianski
    Alonso - Trippier - TAA
    Hazard - Son - Richarlison - Anderson
    Kane - Vardy - Mitrovic

    Hamer - AWB - Bennett - Schneiderlin

    1.6m in the bank for Salah in next gw.

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      2
      7 - 2 - 6
      8 - 7 - 2 - 10
      5 - 2 - 9

      1. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        That'll certainly do. Cheers! 😀

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Unfortunately Salah scores 23 and most other people have captained him 🙁

          1. pundit of punts
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            🙁

      2. The Blackadder
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Oooh, I like these predictions, have a go at mine would you :0)
        Foster
        Alonso, Robertson, Digne,
        Anderson, Salah, Son, Richarlison, Fraser
        Wilson, Aguero (c)

        Fab, Jimenez, Doherty, AWB

        1. goriuanx
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          2
          7 - 7 - 2
          10 - 13 - 7 - 2 - 2
          2 - 12

          1. The Blackadder
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Excellent stuff. I’ll take those points now thank you very much.

  2. Threat Level Midnight
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Have exact funds for Martial/Wilson>Aguero/Hudson-Odoi…

    Mad to make the move? CHO and Camarasa would be my 4/5 mids...

    Team would be
    Lossl/Hart
    Taa/Robbo/Digne/AWB/Dhoerty
    Salah/Sane/Pogba/Camarasa/CHO
    Auba/Kun/Jimenez

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      You're selling a midfielder who will have BRI, bur soon whilst buying a midfielder who may be in Germany the next time he kicks a ball.

    2. OldBenKenobi
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      You might want to read some recent sports news before making those type of decisions...

      1. Threat Level Midnight
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Because they made a 3rd offer for him he's likely to go...?

        Pedro & Willian both knicked up. Not off-base in thinking his game time goes up especially after Sarri's recent comments.

        So to answer your question...yes I have read them.

        1. OldBenKenobi
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Too risky imo

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      He disappeared due to wind 😀

  3. Tickle Me Enzo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on holding Martial or transferring to a cheap (Camarasa) and third non-playing forward (Quan) to Rashf.?

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I would keep Martial. Brighton and Burnley at home after Spurs. And Ole seems to be fond of him.

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

      Keep Martial, he will score vs Spurs.

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

    Has anybody got a lawnmower that I could borrow?

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      In January?

    2. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I'll throw it over mate, hopefully the wind doesn't affect it.

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

        Yeah I heard that one last night

        1. goriuanx
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Saving the winter break one for this weekend 😉

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

            Can't see it mate, still rather be in your position.

            1. goriuanx
              • 13 Years
              5 years, 2 months ago

              Imperative we get 15 pts from 5 games before Utd away imo.

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

                United are trash, will be very surprised if you don't give them another lesson.

                1. goriuanx
                  • 13 Years
                  5 years, 2 months ago

                  They'll be up for it - we were majorly trash while they had Fergie and we still took points off them.

  5. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Best mid option for 4.8m or under?

    1. Ratatouille
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Redmond

      1. OldBenKenobi
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Isn’t he 5.2?

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Not if you buy used

          1. OldBenKenobi
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            😉

            1. Deulofail
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 2 months ago

              Black market on here opens at 03:15 GMT. Shhh

              1. Amey
                • 5 Years
                5 years, 2 months ago

                😀

              2. Amey
                • 5 Years
                5 years, 2 months ago

                I can do with one of Auba/Sterling.
                Do inform if any of above become available. 😛

                1. Deulofail
                  • 8 Years
                  5 years, 2 months ago

                  The winds are whispering that circumstances may turn in your favour

                  1. Amey
                    • 5 Years
                    5 years, 2 months ago

                    Ohh.
                    Good to hear that 😮

    2. Pilgrim62
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Camarasa

  6. OldBenKenobi
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Alder > TAA this week
    Then
    Pereyra > Eriksen next week?

    Fab
    Trippier (Alderweireld) Digne
    Salah(c) Sterling F.Anderson Pogba* Pereyra
    Mitro Wilson

    Hamer AWB Jimenez Bennett

    1FT 1.5ITB

    Only concern is I have exact funds for this now and any £ change leaves me outta reach

  7. Rash
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Would you keep Patrico & Fabianski or sell one?

    1. A.T
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I’d sell both. Fab first.

      1. Rash
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Anyone in particular for replacement?

        1. A.T
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Alisson if you can afford him. I’m going for Guaita

          1. Rash
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Eyeing him up myself & Etheridge

    2. OldBenKenobi
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      If that’s your only concern I think your good 😉

      1. OldBenKenobi
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        You’re*

      2. Rash
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Many concerns but keepers are really bugging me.

        1. OldBenKenobi
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Prob Fab then

          1. Too Many Hits
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Why is everyone so keen to ditch Fab?

            Always getting save points..

            Would sell him before Patricio though, Wolves have great fixtures after City

    3. Morph - Unbelievable Geoff
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I want rid of both. WHU defence is overrated, and I'm not comfortable with a Wolves double-up (have Doherty).

      I'll probably get Etheridge this week. Was originally going to sell Patricio but now I think that selling Fab and having the extra £s ITB is better.

  8. HD7
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Hi Managers!

    GW 22: Right order of starters and bench?
    Captain?

    Fab
    AWB Kola Robbo Digne
    Salah(C) Pogba Anderson Richa
    Kane Auba

    Subs: Button, Camarasa, AWB, Success

    1. OldBenKenobi
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I’d say so

    2. Pilgrim62
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      You have double AWB

      1. HD7
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Sorry, Doherty is on the bench. AWB starts

  9. Mo Mané Mo Problems
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Patricio, Hamer
    Alonso, Robbo, AWB, Digne, Doherty
    Rich, Son, Anderson, Pogba, Fraser
    Kane, Auba, Wilson

    0.7ITB, 1FT.

    No idea who to bench. Doherty, plus AWB/Digne, and Fraser/Wilson?

    1. Too Many Hits
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I would bench AWB for sure, then it's a toss up between Fraser-Wilson

      I'd keep Wilson and have Fraser 1rst sub

  10. Where dahoud at
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Thank this is pretty solid, maybe bar no city cover, other than that thank im gtg,

    Lloris
    Luiz, taa, Pereira, awb
    Pogba, salah,(c) hazard,(vc)
    Rashford, kane, Barnes

    Bench, hamer, camarasa, shaw, Torreira

    1. Rhodes your boat
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Gtg

      1. Too Many Hits
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Personally would start Camarasa over AWB

  11. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Current Team:

    Fabianski (Hamer)
    Kolasinac, Wan-B, Robertson (Doherty, Bennett)
    Pogba, Salah, Martial, Hazard
    Rondon, Jimenez, Aubameyang

  12. lindeg
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    is it a good or a bad sign for hudson odoi chances for a start at the weekend, if he starts tonight?

    1. A.T
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I think it will depend on whether Pedro is passed fit to play at the weekend.

    2. MysticMac17
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I'm tempted to start Hudson Odoi over Jimenez if there are strong suggestions that he will start

      1. Too Many Hits
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Jiminez has been scoring against the top sides this season, Hudson Odoi will probably get subbed even if he starts..

        I'd stick with Jiminez

  13. Too Many Hits
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Button (Fabianski)

    Robertson - Alexander-Arnold - Holebas - (Wan-Bissaka - Doherty)

    Hazard - Son - Sterling - Richarlison (Billing)

    Calvert-Lewin - Rashford - Kane

    Already - 4
    1.1 ITB

    Thoughts?

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      G2G mate.

  14. Usyismail
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Will appreciate any advice,
    Patricio,lossl
    Digne,,trippier,doherty,wan bissaka,pereira
    Hazard, sterling,richarlisom, martial,torreira,
    Kane, rashford, jiminez,
    2ft, 0.8mik int the bank.
    Was thinking torreira to paterson this week.
    And also thinking of what to do with sterling and martial in the coming days

  15. wormface
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Any ideas who to bring in for lovern . I've 5 mil .