Dugout Discussion

Fabianski fit to play but Arnautovic misses out through injury

West Ham United take on Liverpool at the London Stadium this evening in the penultimate match of Gameweek 25. Kick-off is at 20:00 GMT.

The injury-hit Hammers will be without Marko Arnautovic (£6.9m) tonight, with Javier Hernandez (£6.1m) being given the nod to lead the line for the home side.

Lukasz Fabianski (£4.8m) has recovered from the arm injury he sustained in the defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers, though, and maintains his ever-present record in the league this season.

Manuel Pellegrini has also made changes in the full-back positions, with Aaron Cresswell (£5.0m) and Ryan Fredericks (£4.5m) – in for his first Premier League start since Gameweek 4 – earning a recall.

Mohamed Salah (£13.6m), Roberto Firmino (£9.3m) and Sadio Mane (£9.5m) all start up front for Liverpool for the ninth league match in a row.

Jurgen Klopp has made three changes to his starting XI from the side that drew with Leicester City, as Fabinho (£5.5m), James Milner (£5.6m) and Adam Lallana (£6.9m) replace Jordan Henderson (£5.3m), Georginio Wijnaldum (£5.5m) and Xherdan Shaqiri (£7.1m).

Henderson, Wijnaldum and Dejan Lovren (£4.9m) miss out through injury while Shaqiri drops to the bench.

Lallana is making his first league start since the victory over Cardiff City in October.

The reverse fixture of tonight’s match was contested in Gameweek 1, with Liverpool running out 4-0 winners in a game that saw Salah, Mane, Firmino and Andrew Robertson (£6.8m) all deliver attacking returns.

No FPL asset scored more points than Mane on the opening weekend of the campaign.

West Ham United XI (4-2-3-1): Fabianski, Cresswell, Ogbonna, Diop, Fredericks, Rice, Noble, Snodgrass, Anderson, Antonio, Hernández.

Liverpool XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson, Milner, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Keita, Lallana, Salah, Mane, Firmino.

1,244 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Syd.
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    C'mon you old Vampire

    Sink your teeth into those Liverpool nuts 🙂

    1. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      come on Fabianski

      will settle for a hatty of penalty saves from Mane
      then for you to score a winning overhead kick

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

        Gotta be overhead. More FPL points for that

  2. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Sterling capper but Salah owner.. i should be praying for a blank right? 😀

    1. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      No

      1. Chucky
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        His EO is above 100....

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

      Yes

    3. Volley127
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      yes

    4. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I want all my players to score. I am like the best overall points 🙂

  3. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    In Fantasy iTeam should i captain Salah tonight or wait to cap a city player vs Everton?

    Thanks 🙂

    1. TheTinman
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Salah

  4. Thick Of It
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Am on 121pts with Salah, Firmino, Laporte and TC Aguero to play, any chance that I can hit 150?

    1. Chucky
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      🙄

    2. Pishpott
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Oh I really hope so, then I could throw you a big party and no one would come.

      1. Thick Of It
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        The story of my life.

    3. Werkself
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      No.

    4. Greko82
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I would fancy your chances

    5. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Of course

    6. elchilangles
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Are you serious? If so did you triple captain Aguero?

  5. #FPLBhuna
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    14/1 on skybet

    Salah 3 shots on target
    VVD 3 tackles

    Get involved

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Are they offering odds on how many dives Salah will take?

      1. Werkself
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        even adding 3 dives it seems a pretty good bet. 🙂

    2. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Nah, you're good

    3. Tufnell-Chimes
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah, thinking I’ll just keep my money for food and the kids, rather than chuck it at Murdoch.
      Cheers anyway.

  6. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Why do they think Lallana is playing wide rather than cm?

    1. Dirty Harry
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      No spot for him to play CM when Keita/Fabinho are starting. Firmino is boss sitting behind Salah.

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Guessing Klopp is playing 4-2-3-1 and not 4-3-3.

      Could easily but either, fluid through the 1st half I'd imagine.

      1. Skonto Rigga
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Aye, could be either. Klopp has mostly played 4-2-3-1 of late and Lallana played out wide on his last league start (and when replacing Shaqiri on Weds).

    3. Mysterion
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Drifting inside with Milner on the overlap

      1. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Thats a long overlap from right back

        1. Mysterion
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Pool fullbacks are wingers when in possession

          1. Dthinger
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            I think they mean it would be long because Milner is on the Right and Lallana is on the left.

            1. Mysterion
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Doesn't look like Lallana's on the left to me... maybe my stream is dodgy

              1. Dthinger
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                tbf it doesnt look like anyone is playing on the left

                1. Mysterion
                  • 6 Years
                  5 years, 1 month ago

                  Yup it's all Robbo

          2. My Name Is Pepu
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            He meant they're playing on the opposite flanks.

  7. El-Kloppico
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Why not play Fabinho on RB, a position he used to play and Milner in MID. Lallana and Milner on the left will give Anderson a field day.

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Because Fabinho is the best CM.

      1. El-Kloppico
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Whats the use when you giving the opponent the right side to hammer you, like CRY did with Zaha

  8. GE
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Need a Salah-hattie to save my GW!

    All above in my mini league went Aguero (C)

    1. Thick Of It
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Depending on what Kun does against Everton even that may not be enough.

  9. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    I believe all men are equal and that includes women.

    1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      And all the rest in-between.

      1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        People are people

        1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Except the psychopaths
          They are people but have no concept of guilt or emotion.

          1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            And a large proportion of them thrive in politics, Law and Media.

          2. J T
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Are you ok?

            1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Yes, I just needed to say that.

              Thank You.

    2. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Not sure Liam Neeson agrees with you!

  10. Red Rock
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Is my defence right for the weekend, feel as though i'm going fullbacks instead of fixtures?

    Doherty / Digne / Kolasinac

    Bench: Lindelhof / AWB

    1. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      very nice

      maybe promote Obi Wan above Lindelof for bench

      1. Red Rock
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks Smee, I've promoted Obi Wan 🙂

  11. TRIPOS TOPPER
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone looking at Rice as a 4th/5th Defender?

    West Ham got good fixtures for the first two blanks (27, 31) so will provide nice cover I think for 4.4

    1. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      also playing OOP

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

      They do struggle to keep clean sheets

      1. TRIPOS TOPPER
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        they do but those weeks they have FUL and HUD at home

    3. Thick Of It
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I don't fancy the WHAM defence currently whatever the fixture.

    4. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Rather a Cardiff one at 4.4m.

    5. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      cheers all

      in two minds now especially as I have Flappy in goal

    6. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I think they are worth a look yes, but I'm getting a Newcastle or Bournemouth option I think. Leaning towards Lejeune.

  12. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone else hoping Sane doesn't play on Wednesday?

    Im pretty sure he will though.

    1. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      o/

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      He better play at least 1 minute 😀

    3. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      He should start yes, likely to score points as well.

    4. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      No

      1. Joyce1998
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        No as I've son vc

    5. YEAH PITCH!
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yep. He will though. I can't see a reason why he won't.

      1. Joyce1998
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah it's guaranteed he will start

    6. Werkself
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Only if he's not in the squad. I wouldn't be able to sit through the 90+ minutes of hoping.

    7. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I am. Hazard is my V.C.

    8. elchilangles
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Hoping he starts and gets 5 goals whilst aguero gets a red card after 5 minutes!

  13. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Where tf is Lovren?!

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Who tf owns Lovren?

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Same PpG as Robertson. H was great for me for a while, but at 4.9m he's not really been a priority to remove. So just waited for him to be fit.

        Was meant to be fit again...

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Injured. So are Wijnaldum, Gomez, TAA and Henderson. Liverpool squad being stretched to its limit.

    3. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Out with a "slight muscle issue".

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Dammit, thanks you two...

    4. elchilangles
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Injured

  14. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Rob Hawthorne and Alan Smith. Much better commentary team than Martin Tyler and Gary Neville.

  15. Dr Dream
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Salah, Firmino, Mane is like the antidote to Pep and his endless rotations...

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Out of the FA Cup and EFL Cup early makes a difference.

      1. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Aye...also means no blanks.

      2. El-Kloppico
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Dont have the squad depth for all competition. Prioritising the 2 best.

    2. SuperMane Returns
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      *claps*

  16. SuperMane Returns
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Let's Go Mo!

  17. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Hope this isn't one of those games where West Ham decide to turn up.

    1. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Declan Rice masterclass incoming.

  18. The Enlightener
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    4-0 to the Pool I see happening here

    1. El-Kloppico
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      As long as liv gets a CS, am good.

      1. Mo Mané Mo Problems
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Don’t get your hopes up. No GK cleansheet since GW13 here.

  19. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Sooooo it is a 4-3-3 then. MNF used to be tactically astute

  20. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Please haul Mo

  21. DR0GBA
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Chicha nearly scored

    1. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Liverpool all over the place.

    2. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      West Ham players aren't allowed in the Liverpool penalty area tonight. In fact they're not allowed in Liverpool's half. Either that or they ALL have to stay in Liverpool's half. That would make it interesting

  22. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Blimey

  23. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Chicharito early chance. Fabinho isn't doing his job of protecting Milner and Matip. That is the weak side of the defence - it needs reinforcing.

  24. Twisted Saltergater
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Love youtube for the most part, but I can't stand that every numpty can voice their opinion. Was watching Arsenal Fan TV earlier, and there's this bloke singling out Iwobi and effing and blinding just for effect. Granted, I probably shouldn't be watching Arsenal Fan TV if I want to avoid tools like him, but it's crazy he gets a voice at all. Freedom of speech gone mad.

    Twitter's probably worse, but I don't really follow anyone so I'm screened from it. Also the irony of posting this isn't lost on me!

    1. Dont_Win_Friends_With_Salah…
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Isn't YouTube just videos of funny cats?

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Probably suggestions based on your search history.

        1. Old Man
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          oh dear ....

          1. Twisted Saltergater
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            what can the matter be?

      2. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Best things on YouTube

    2. My Name Is Pepu
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Herd mentality on the internet is the reason.

      If one person criticises Iwobi, suddenly hundreds of others will do the same. One calls Llorente a donk, everyone else says the same because it's 'funny' and it gets them 'retweets' and 'upvotes' or anything on those lines.

    3. Werkself
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      "...I can't stand that every numpty can voice their opinion". What the hell are you doing here? 🙂

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I'm on much less these days 😀

        But I have a few favourite posters that I find knowledgable and/or entertaining.

    4. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Freedom of speech is actually under grave threat and needs to be protected at all costs.Some country's are making laws to make you use certain words in certain situations and making forums liable for what people say on there platforms which is wrong because it closes down debate and serious discussion.

      So the next time you here an Arsenal fan making a fool of himself you should turn up the volume and rejoice in the fact they you still live in a world where anyone can speak about anything without recourse.

      1. +
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        We don't "live in a world where anyone can speak about anything without recourse", we never have and thankfully never will.

        1. Ógie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Well in my part of the world we are pretty free to express yourself still for the time being at least and long may that last.

      2. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Yes sIr.

        At least you can see the truth evaporate before your very eyes as they are doing it incrementally and stealthily.

        Stay awake my friend.

      3. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Can you link me to the countries that are doing this?

        There's pro and cons to everything. I'd rather than people's views filtered before I go looking for them, so I don't have to suffer 99% of the stupidity and ignorance before I find the gems.

        1. Ógie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          I will give you two examples of such crimes against freedom of speech in recent times:

          https://nationalpost.com/opinion/bruce-pardy-meet-the-new-human-rights-where-you-are-forced-by-law-to-use-reasonable-pronouns-like-ze-and-zer

          https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/europe/2017-12-18/how-europes-new-internet-laws-threaten-freedom-expression

          Just for the record i have noting against community LGBT and have voted yes to the gay marriage referendum and voted for a gay man to be the president of my nation at one point.

      4. My Name Is Pepu
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        "This is embarrassing Robbie.."

  25. Syd.
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Jimmy a very lucky boy not to get booked

  26. My Name Is Pepu
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Yawnfest. I'd rather watch Burnley vs West Brom highlights from last season.

  27. Dr Dream
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    How is it possible that Salah can be so bad at corners sometimes....hardly the hardest skill in the world of football.

    1. My Name Is Pepu
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Remember the 'goal' he scored from a corner kick for Egypt?

      1. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Aye. What I want is one on VVD’s head....dunno why he bothers going up sometimes.

        1. My Name Is Pepu
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          All that height and strength for nought.

          1. Dr Dream
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            He should score half a dozen a season if he had deliveries....even Robertson turns to mush on corners very often when he has a go.

            1. Old Man
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              The much maligned Beckham knew how to take a corner.

            2. My Name Is Pepu
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              TBF Milner's delivery from corners is pretty good. Why Salah wants those set pieces for himself is understandable though.

    2. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Hard to believe these millionaires can't clear the first man compared to say the precision of a Johnny Wilkinson kicking penos.

  28. DR0GBA
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    West Ham so close again jeez

  29. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    West Ham with the better chances. Liverpool not at the races.

    1. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Cue Liverpool goal

  30. Zilla
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Liverpool will probably concede