Opinion

Why I’m considering a Liverpool defensive double-up

The festive period is always an exciting time of the season for FPL managers but boy was it hectic.

It feels good to return to normality now with more time to mull over our transfer decisions each week.

Time to double up on the Liverpool defence?

The Reds have been rock solid defensively this season with Virgil van Dijk (£6.4m) keeping everything under control and Alisson (£5.9m) performing much better than his predecessors.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have conceded just ten goals in their opening twenty-one matches and they face just one of the current top six in the next ten Gameweeks (Manchester United away in Gameweek 27).

A defenesive double up looks good on paper with any combination of Andrew Robertson (£6.6m), Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.2m), van Dijk or Alisson likely to bring home the clean sheet points for managers between now and the next international break (yes there is another one).

Will Eden Hazard troll his owners again?

The Belgian has frustrated his backers in recent weeks with three blanks in his last four appearances against Leicester, Crystal Palace and Southampton.

Patience is required with Eden Hazard (£11.1m) as often has been the case. He’s an FPL asset that must be held long term to reap the benefits as his hauls are unpredictable. Watch him bag a brace this weekend to stick it to the sellers.

Despite three blanks in the last four, Hazard ranks first alongside Richarlison (£6.9m) among midfielders for shots in the box (10) over the same period as well as creating ten chances for his team mates. Some would say he’s due…

Why sell Richarlison before Bournemouth at home?

The Brazilian is the second most-transferred out player ahead of Gameweek 22 with more than 110,000 sales. Only his fellow countryman Felipe Anderson (£7.4m) has been shipped by more managers this week.

Selling Richarlison ahead of a plum home tie is risky business. The Cherries have conceded eighteen goals in the last six Gameweeks!

The Toffees looked jaded in the 1-0 defeat to Leicester back in Gameweek 21, but a rest for some of their first-team players in the FA Cup should see them looking much fresher in Sunday’s matchup at Goodison Park.

Raheem the dream differential?

Raheem Sterling (£11.3m) has eighteen attacking returns (nine goals, nine assists) in eighteen appearances in 2018/19, yet is owned by just 10.2% of managers ahead of Monday’s home tie against Wolves.

For those managers who are down the rankings or are chasing a lead in a mini-league, the Englishman could prove to be a devastating differential over the coming weeks.

Manchester City gave us a timely reminder of what they can do to teams with a 9-0 thrashing of Burton Albion in the EFL Cup midweek. Sterling was an unused substitute in that match which makes him even more appealing for Gameweek 22, maybe even as captain.

Is Marcus Rashford being overhyped?

The young striker has been excellent since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took the reins at Old Trafford, scoring 31 FPL points, but is his place in the starting XI as secure as most people seem to think?

There’s a lot of competition for places at United. Romelu Lukaku (£10.7m) isn’t going to be content with a place on the bench and will be pushing for starts.

Will Solskjaer play them both up front together, or could we see Rashford moved back to the wing where he would be in competition with the likes of Anthony Martial (£7.3m), Alexis Sanchez (£10.0m), Jesse Lingard (£6.8m) and Juan Mata (£6.2m).

For now, Rashford looks to be Solskjaer’s number one striker but all it takes is a poor display or two and we could see some positional/personnel changes.

Aaron Wan-Don’t-Bench-Me-Bissaka

Arguably the greatest £4.0m FPL asset of all time has picked up three clean sheets in the last five Gameweeks.

Crystal Palace have looked a lot more stable defensively in recent weeks since Vicente Guaita (£4.2m) took over from Wayne Hennessey (£4.5m) between the sticks.

Five of the next six fixtures look good for  Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£4.5m) to get starts in our teams rather than having to look at his points on the bench.

The FPL General has three top-500 finishes in the last four seasons. You can follow him on Twitter HERE.

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418 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Cadenza
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Best set and forget GK sub 5.0?

    1. Boz
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I'm looking at shifting Fab this week and considering Etheridge

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

    Who do you think will win the League?

    A. Liverpool
    B. Man City
    C. Someone else

    1. Boz
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

      B

    3. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A

    4. Arch Stanton
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A

    5. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A

  3. Boz
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Play one, bench one:

    Awb / Jiminez

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

      Always play the attacker.

      1. Midlands Saint73
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Always this. It takes 90 mins for a clean sheet (60 in special circumstances) but only a few seconds for attacking returns

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

      Same issue here - I think AWB is a great first sub, can see Watford scoring though...

      1. Boz
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Hate seeing his points on the bench especially as he's a BP magnet. Jimi in form and scored against Liverpool albeit in the Cup. Tricky one...

        1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Yeah I think I'm on Jim for tactical ML reasons really, most rivals have him and i'd rather match them and let my other players play theirs...

  4. Benditlike
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Which front 7 looks best:

    A)
    Salah, Felipe.A, Richarlison, PEREYRA
    Kane, Rashford, AUBA

    B)
    Salah, Felipe.A, Richarlison, HAZARD
    Kane, Rashford, JIMENEZ

    1. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I prefer B.

    2. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      could go either way

  5. Saka Punch
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    If you had both, who would you captain this week:

    A) Auba
    B) Salah

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

      i have both, but i'm captaining Aguero :lol:, between those 2 for this week i'd probably choose Auba tho

  6. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Can't make myself captain Harry this week - bad track record at Wembley v minnows... 🙂

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

      Agree, that’s why I’m shipping Kane out for this GW.

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

        ... much better options elsewhere.

        1. SADIO SANÉ
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          kinda agree, getting back next week?

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

            Yup.

  7. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Arnie bandwagon derailed?

    https://mol.im/a/6578095

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Think he will go in the summer

      1. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Set himself up for life. Don’t blame him.

        1. Warby84
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          And totally forgotten about, Chinese League is a load of rubbish, he easily could have moved to a Champs league team..

          1. Whazza
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Too injury-prone

        2. The Big Fella
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          How much would he have got if he had gone to United though? Probably been about the same amount and he could have challenged for CL and maybe titles too.

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

      I'd say with his me me me attitude he is more likely to be shop-windowing....selfish is good in FPL...

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

    2 FT and no pressing issues. Might take a one week punt on Calvert-Lewin.

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      So you’ll have pressing issues next GW

      1. teneighty
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Exactly! 😀

  9. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    A. Eriksen/Richarlison

    B. Hazard/Redmond

    1. noonan357
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I'd go A based on fixtures

  10. Whazza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Is it safe to go with Guaita as your only playing keeper on WC?

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I did, not sure if safe is the right word but I think it's worth the risk

      1. Whazza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Will require money in the bank to get a playing keeper if he stops playing... Then there's the bench boost chip. Hmm

        1. SADIO SANÉ
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          yeah bench boost could be an issue (I got Guaita on my first wildcard) - maybe just get two playing keepers on 2nd wildcard so bench boosting is easy when the time comes

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

      No, but who wants to play it safe anyway?

  11. benched captain
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    This confirmed Holebas (out) to TAA (in), thank you!

  12. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Son + Balbuena -> Sigurdsson + TAA 2FT

    Son is going after this GW till February

    Balbuena is out for 6-8 weeks

    Yes or No

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

      moves look good

  13. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    best move this week?
    A - Schindler to TAA
    B - Son and Fanderson to Salah and Camerasa -4
    C - Hazard and Schindler to Salah and TAA -4?
    D - Hazard and Son to Salah and Sane -4?
    E - Son and Schindler to Sterling and TAA -4 (Hazard to Salah next week)

    Pat
    Digne AWB Schindler
    Pogba Rich Hazard Son FAnderson
    Kane Rashford
    Hamer Jiminez Doherty Zaba
    3.8ITB.

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

      Save, then do 'D' next week for free.

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

      Quite like B?

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

    2FT. Have exactly the money to do Anderson, Kamara > Camarasa, Rashford? Will probably be priced out next week, but not 100% sold on the transfers imo. Yay or nay

    1. Bruno Bruno!!
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      moves look good in the long run

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

    I'm torn this week. Not having Salah hurt me a bit, but I'm reluctant to ditch Alonso this week with Newcastle at home.

    Fab - Ryan
    Alonso - Robertson - WanB - Digne
    Sterling - Haz (c) - Richarlison - Brooks
    Kane - Rashford

    Snodgrass - Jimi - Doherty

    0.3ITB, 2FT

    A) Sterling + Alonso ---> Salah + Kolasinac
    B) Sterling + Alonso + Snodgrass ---> Salah + TAA + Camarasa (-4)
    C) Snodgrass --> Camarasa, and Sterling/Haz + Alonso to Salah + TAA next week?
    D) Any other thoughts?

    Thanks guys.

    1. BOATIES FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      C

  16. Giroud Depardieu
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Hi all,

    Quick(hopefully) question on Schindler's points last GW.

    He got 'awarded' -3pts

    Minutes Played (40) = 1pt
    Red Card 41st min = -3pts
    Goals conceded 2 (40th & 74th min) = -1pt
    Total = -3pts

    Why was he deducted a point for conceding 2 goals, when he was only on the pitch for 1 of them??

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      yeah, still get points deducted for goals conceded after a red card

      1. Giroud Depardieu
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Very harsh! There wasn't much he could do about the 2nd goal!

        1. SADIO SANÉ
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          haha true, but the goal may not have happened if was on the pitch - he should still be punished for it, think it's fair

          1. Giroud Depardieu
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            I agree, but surely -3pts is enough pain for Schindler owners!

  17. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone on the Ryan/Button combo? Bit painful for next couple of weeks but after that looks really good almost till last couple of games of season...

    1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      ...bar a change for BB chip I guess...

  18. phrampton534
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Who scores more this week:

    A) Alison & FAnderson
    B) Sane & Fabianski

    Thanks??

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

      A

    2. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      B

    3. fenixri
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      B) Fab sneaky penalty save to punish sellers 😉

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

    Martial to richarlison?

    Have Pogba & rashford.

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      yeah, Pog and Rash look better atm

  20. vardys party
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Lloris (Button)
    Rudiger Robertson Young Balbuena Bennett
    Hazard Richarlison Anderson Kenedy Hojbjerg
    Rashford Kane Aubameyang

    2FT
    0.4 itb

    What shall I do? I think I need salah

  21. T96
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Out of;

    Hazard - Eriksen - Pogba - Sane - Rich

    Which two would you consider dropping to fund Salah?

    Or, is it worth keeping that midfield and going without?

    Fab
    Alonso - Robbo - AWB
    (Above)
    Jim Aub

    Hamer Doherty Kamara Kiko

    1. Pinturicchio10
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Pogba

        1. T96
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Which TWO?

          Pogba and....

      • DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Erik

    2. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Fabianski
      Alonso Digne AWB
      Hazard Son Pogba Richarlison
      Kane Auba Jimenez
      Hamer Doherty Lovren Hojbjerg
      0.1 itb 1 FT

      A) Save
      B) Lovren and Fabianski to TAA and Foster (-4)
      C) something else

    3. noonan357
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Stumped....

      Fab/Ryan
      Digne/Maguire/Bennett/Zabaleta/AWB
      Salah/Dele/Pogba/Rich/FAnderson
      Jiminez/Kane/Quaner

      2.6 ITB 1ft

      Can take out Alli for Haz/sterling but like spurs fixtures. Same for pogba
      Or
      Save the 2.6 to upgrade Zabaleta to Trippier and keeper upgrade.
      Any other ideas or taughts

      1. CRO KLOPP
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Save

    4. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      WHU releases statement saying Arnie not for sale - Sky

    5. Saka Punch
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Best 4.9 defender for next 2/3 until Lovren/Gomez back?

      A) Kola
      B) Holebas

      Thanks

    6. Stimps
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Any update on Pogba and Arnie?

      1. Saka Punch
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        West Ham United say that Marko Arnautovic "has recovered from the minor back problem which saw him replaced midway through the first half against Birmingham."

        Not sure about Pog yet

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

        Arnie will be on strike soon. Or sulking for the rest of the season.

    7. Woody01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      TAA or Perreira?

      1. Saka Punch
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        TAA

    8. Ten Season Wonder
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Is Cedric nailed under new manager?

    9. T96
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Eriksen - Pogba - Fab

      TO

      Salah(c) - Camarasa - Guaita

      ?
      to give..

      Guaita
      Alonso-Robbo-AWB
      Haz-Salah-Sane-Rich-Cam
      Jim-Aub

      4.0 - Doherty Kamara Kiko

    10. tbhogal
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Guys, which moves are best for my team let me know pls? 2Ft's 2.3 itb

      A) Patricio for Guaita & FAnderson for Sane
      B) Lovren for TAA
      C) Lovren for TAA & FAnderson for Eriksen

      Patricio (Hamer)
      Digne, Lovren, Alonso (AWB, Bennett)
      Pogba, Anderson, Rich, Salah (Hojberg)
      Rashford, Kane, Jimenez

      1. CRO KLOPP
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        B