Scout Notes

More anguish for Salah’s owners as Mane and Liverpool defence excel

Almost a year since Liverpool dismantled Watford 5-0 in a memorable Blank Gameweek 31, the Reds repeated the trick at Anfield on Wednesday evening.

The corresponding fixture in 2017/18 was famous for Mohamed Salah‘s 29-point haul but the Egyptian was to take a back seat this time around, not registering a single attacking return as Javi Gracia’s hitherto in-form side were completely blown away by the Premier League leaders in what was probably the Reds’ best display of 2019 so far.

Sadio Mane, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andrew Robertson and Virgil van Dijk all produced excellent performances and double-digit Fantasy Premier League returns as Jurgen Klopp’s side ran riot – but this was a fourth blank in five Gameweeks for Salah and his legions of owners.

We discuss the Reds’ scintillating display from a Fantasy perspective below.

Liverpool 5-0 Watford

  • Goals: Sadio Mane (£9.7m) x2, Divock Origi (£5.0m), Virgil van Dijk (£6.5m)
  • Assists: Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.3m) x3, Andrew Robertson (£6.8m) x2

It’s not often that an FPL asset scores two goals and emerges without any FPL bonus points to supplement his score, but Sadio Mane (£9.7m) achieved that “feat” in Gameweek 28.

The Senegal international and his owners were forced to make do with 13 points due to the heroics of three of Liverpool’s defenders but other than that smallest of gripes, this was another satisfying evening for those Fantasy bosses who backed the premium midfielder.

Mane now has six goals in as many Premier League matches, twice as many as Mohamed Salah (£13.6m) has managed during that time and indeed more than any FPL midfielder over the same period.

No player in Mane’s position can match him for shots in the box or efforts on target over those half-dozen Gameweeks, either.

Returning 16.3 FPL points per million spent, Mane is now providing better value for money than Salah (14.8) over the course of the season.

With Roberto Firmino (£9.2m) sidelined with an ankle injury, the Senegalese winger was moved into a centre-forward role for the visit of the Hornets, with Salah stationed on the right flank and Divock Origi (£5.0m) brought into the side on the left.

The tactical tweak was a near-immediate success, with Mane first heading a superb Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.3m) cross past Ben Foster (£4.6m) and then doubling Liverpool’s lead when brilliantly backheeling another delivery from the England right-back past the Watford goalkeeper.

Alexander-Arnold had almost provided another assist for Mane in between those two goals, while the former Southampton winger was denied a hat-trick in the second half when Craig Cathcart (£4.6m) blocked his goalbound effort.

Mane would have earlier had a tap-in to complete his treble, too, only for Andrew Robertson (£6.8m) to miscue what should have been a fairly straightforward ball across the six-yard box.

It could be argued that Mane looks a much better fit than Salah as the spearhead of the Liverpool attack, while Klopp said:

It was the first idea, the first thought, and we didn’t change it. In that position, you need someone who is able to play in the small space, who can give you as well offers in behind, who adapts to the defensive situation, who is football-smart, all that stuff.

We have other players who can play there but not in combination with the speed of Sadio, obviously. Sadio played different positions in his life and for us as well, so I was in no doubt that he would play there.

How he did it then when he came off with Adam [Lallana] in this advanced position, that is something that can work as well, with Daniel [Sturridge] it can work as well of course, but for tonight we thought that was the solution. It was the first and last [solution].

[It was a surprise] scoring-wise, of course, performance-wise not. That’s what we expect, that he plays like this, that he offers these things.

You don’t train when you play Sunday and Wednesday obviously. We still did yesterday something but it was very, very low intensity. But we could show him at least where we want him to go, where we need him to run and yes, he did it better than we expected of course because who can expect two goals from a player? But the performance, I am not surprised. That’s Sadio’s level.

Klopp also had positive words to say about Salah’s contribution:

How Mo played, come on, that was unbelievable! He was pretty much unplayable tonight. In a game without scoring, I think this kind of performance is exceptional. 

Though he occasionally frustrated with his tendency to dribble into cul-de-sacs and take heavy touches, this was a much more dynamic showing from Salah after the anonymous display at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The Egypt international attempted more take-ons in this one match than all bar four FPL midfielders have managed in the last four Gameweeks combined, giving Adam Masina (£4.3m) a torrid evening at right-back.

Salah tested Foster from range and then struck the post via the former West Brom custodian’s body, while the Egyptian recorded more than twice as many penalty box touches than anyone else on show at Anfield.

The reinstatement of Alexander-Arnold at full-back for the first time since Gameweek 22 looked beneficial not only to Liverpool as a whole but to Salah individually, with the defender’s menacing presence down the right flank drawing some of the attention away from Salah.

Alexander-Arnold crowned a fantastic display with three assists, the “hat-trick” being completed when his teasing free-kick was nodded in by Virgil van Dijk (£6.5m).

This was one of the finest displays of crossing seen all season, with another one of his superlative first-half deliveries flashing across the Watford six-yard box and only just eluding Salah and Mane.

Klopp said of Alexander-Arnold’s display:

He didn’t play on Sunday [but] I don’t think about last games. Trent was injured, played a game and then it was clear we have to make a decision, can he play three games in a week? We were not sure and that’s why he didn’t play against United, that was the only reason.

So now it was clear he would play today, he was rested and could start and he played an outstanding football game. And obviously he is fit, if you see how he was chasing back in all the counter-attacks of them and was involved in pretty much each offensive situation.

It was a brilliant performance. The crosses; the first corner was not exactly how we wanted to have it, it was pretty flat and we wanted to have it higher, but all the rest crossing-wise was just outstanding. I don’t say it was easy to finish with these situations but the crosses made it easier, at least.

Robertson himself banked two assists on the opposite flank without perhaps reaching the same levels as Alexander-Arnold, though his cross for van Dijk’s second goal was worthy of high praise and another ball he flashed across the Watford goalmouth went unrewarded early in the second half.

The Scotland international already has nine assists for the season, more than any defender has managed not just in 2018/19 but in every one of the previous three campaigns too.

Van Dijk’s two goals (his second and third of the season) were all about the deliveries but were reward for a year of penalty box prominence at set plays.

Klopp said:

It’s massive when the big boy is jumping that high and finishing off like that. It’s difficult for Virg because the refs allow a lot in these box challenges with him. Defensively they try and block him out, offensively they tried everything to keep him away from the ball actually.

It helps a lot having the second or third threat around him because he is very often not marked but stopped, or whatever you can say. And now coming in these moments, being there, was really, really nice to see and of course, the crowd enjoys it.

Watford were soundly beaten and only sporadically threatened, with substitute Andre Gray (£5.9m) wasting the best of his side’s few chances when his close-range volley was deflected over by Alisson (£6.0m).

Troy Deeney (£5.9m) was also unable to turn Gerald Deulofeu‘s (£5.6m) low ball past the Brazilian goalkeeper but this was a fairly comfortable clean sheet for Liverpool’s backline, five days after the Hornets had themselves put five goals past Cardiff.

Owners of the likes of Harry Maguire (£5.4m) and set-piece specialist James Maddison (£6.6m) will have been encouraged ahead of Sunday’s meeting between Leicester and Watford, as the Hornets shipped another three headed goals from crosses.

Gracia’s side have conceded more headed opportunities and chances from set plays than any other Premier League side in 2019.

The Watford head coach said of his team’s display:

Today doesn’t change my opinion about my players, it doesn’t change the confidence I have in all of them. Today’s a bad day for all of us. They have good players and are a very good team, they played well, they deserved to win and we’ll try to do better next time.

After we conceded one early goal it was very difficult for us to compete. Today we have conceded more goals from lateral crosses, we’ve not defended the way we usually do but [there were] different players like Matip, Van Dijk, Matip, Origi today and Mane, we know it’s demanding.

Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Milner (Henderson 70′), Fabinho, Wijnaldum (Keita 84′); Salah, Origi, Mane (Lallana 78′). 

Watford XI (4-4-2): Foster; Janmaat, Cathcart, Mariappa, Masina; Pereyra (Sema 84′), Capoue, Doucoure, Hughes; Deeney (Gray 73′), Deulofeu (Cleverley 73′).

1,601 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Dave Dreamer
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 29 days ago

    Either worth a minus 4?

    A. Pogba > Hazard
    B. Rashford > Higuan
    C. Save

    1. Kuzser
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 29 days ago

      C

    2. FPL_DON
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 29 days ago

      rash > vardy

      1. Dave Dreamer
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 29 days ago

        Already got Vardy in for Aubam

    3. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 29 days ago

      Rash > Vardy

  2. HTL
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 29 days ago

    Took a -4 but having brought Rondon in last week, he's gone straight out for Vardy as had exact cash.

    Still regretting not going Son > Mane last week, so that's happened to make amends.

  3. Kuzser
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 29 days ago

    What should be a priority here? 1ft,1.7itb
    1. Transfer for gw29
    a. Auba->Higuain
    B. Awb/Schindler->Luiz
    C.save

    2. Play
    A.barnes (wat)
    B. McNeil (CPL)

    Team:
    Fab
    Pereira robbo Lejeune 
    Salah Anderson pogba McNeil 
    Auba Jimenez Aguero

    Subs: Barnes, schindler, awb

    1. caldracula
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 29 days ago

      B2 bench Pereira

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 29 days ago

      A1

  4. el polako
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 29 days ago

    Son, Kola & Perreira out
    Sterling, Diop & Schar in

    Will cost me -4 but should pay off right ?

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 29 days ago

      I reckon so

    2. twoplustwo
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 29 days ago

      Diop and Schar are rank transfers

      1. el polako
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 29 days ago

        I could just go Son & Perreira to Sterling and 4.0 def for free.

        1. twoplustwo
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 29 days ago

          A bit better. Do you have Aguero? I fancy Son to do well against Arsenal's defenders.

          1. el polako
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 29 days ago

            No City at the moment.

            1. twoplustwo
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 29 days ago

              I would be tempted to go without. Kola out this week ahead of GW31 would be start given you have 2 FTs.

              1. el polako
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 29 days ago

                I do, food for thought.
                Thanks

    3. Dave Dreamer
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 29 days ago

      Not a fan tbh

    4. *sigh*
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 29 days ago

      Son in red hot form though.Id hold for now.

      1. el polako
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 29 days ago

        Didnt look great last night.

      2. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 29 days ago

        How long do you have to be anonymous before considered not in red hot form?

        That is 2 games.

  5. Weak Become Heros
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 29 days ago

    Approximate date the first lot of DGW will be announced?

    1. Richd
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 29 days ago

      It was announced ahead of 27

      Lock down your aerial

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 29 days ago

      All the remaining fixtures should be announced just after GW31 finishes

  6. JELLYFISH
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 29 days ago

    Bottomed....Which pool DF is the best pick going forward? TAA is the tempting option given his value, and Klopps comments hint at more regular games now that he is through his injury....but VVD is the one that is drawing me in

    1. MTPockets
        5 years, 29 days ago

        Robertson. Haven't had him all season - mistake

      • Richd
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 29 days ago

        Depends on team and budget.
        I got rid of Robbo GW3 and have mainly had TAA since. I like the kid.

        1. JELLYFISH
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 29 days ago

          I had Robbo but binned him around gw15 when I WC.

          Current squad is as follows (2m banked)

          Fab
          Luiz Kola Doherty AWB Bednarek
          Salah Mane Son Pogba Camarasa
          Rash Kun Jimmy

          1. JELLYFISH
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 29 days ago

            Oh and 2FTs

    2. Atimis
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 29 days ago

      Son to Hazard or some other move?

      Fab
      Pereira/Doherty/Shaw
      Salah/Mane/Pogba/Son
      Kun/Barnes/Jimenez

      Hart/Bednarek/Puncheon/WB

      1. antis0cial
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 29 days ago

        I've done that move, I think Son will do well but so should Hazard and I'm building for gw 31/33

    3. Plymouth
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 29 days ago

      Son - Haz for free?

      1. Richd
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 29 days ago

        I like Son v Arsenal but also 0.1 short of that move 😉

        1. Plymouth
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 29 days ago

          I like it too. But yeah

      2. twoplustwo
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 29 days ago

        Got to be

      3. Zladan
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 29 days ago

        Nice move

      4. Amey
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 29 days ago

        Yep

      5. Greek Flair
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 29 days ago

        mane/sterling as other options, causing me a right headache

        1. Plymouth
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 29 days ago

          Got Sterling and three pool already

      6. Dave Dreamer
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 29 days ago

        Definitely

      7. Longlatini
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 29 days ago

        Like it

      8. antis0cial
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 29 days ago

        I've already done this move this week. So yes from me

      9. Shineonme
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 29 days ago

        Makes sense but wouldn't surprise me I'd son out scores hazard this week ge

    4. kime67
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 29 days ago

      are you giving son one more chance?

    5. Totti
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 29 days ago

      Reposting looking for replies

      what to do with that lot?

      fabianski
      TAA kolasinac doherty laporte femenia
      salah pogba siggy fraser hayden
      aguero auba jimenez

      any suggestins guys?

      1. Zladan
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 29 days ago

        Auba out to Higuain/Vardy/Arnie

    6. ShaunGoater123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 29 days ago

      Hi guys,

      Already got in Higuain for Auba, is it worth getting in Sterling for KDB aswell for a -4?

      I'm chasing a big lead so need differentials and leader doesn't have Sterling as it stands, although it goes against building for 31 which I'm trying to do.

      Current team:

      Lloris / Button

      VVD / Jonny / Doherty / Maguire / Bednarek

      Mane / Salah / Pogba / KDB / McNeil

      Rondon / Arnie / Higuain

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 29 days ago

        Get a playing keeper for 31?

        1. ShaunGoater123
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 29 days ago

          will likely get Boruc if i have a free transfer

    7. Tabbara
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 29 days ago

      Azpi our David Luiz as a potential replacement for Laporte

      1. Longlatini
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 29 days ago

        Luiz better value

      2. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 29 days ago

        Luiz

    8. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 29 days ago

      Do we think Sterling can outscore Hazard by 4 points over next 2 fixtures ??

      1. MTPockets
          5 years, 29 days ago

          Will he play both?

          1. Amey
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 29 days ago

            He should now after having rest in last match ??

      2. RustyBz
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 29 days ago

        Son + Auba -> Vardy + Hazard on a free. Yay or nay?

        1. Dave Dreamer
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 29 days ago

          oh Yay

        2. Amey
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 29 days ago

          Yes if you already own Aguero/Raz.
          Otherwise add one of them in the mixture

      3. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 29 days ago

        Who's doing the Salah to Sterling hokey cokey this weekend?

        Who do you see as the must haves for next 2-3 weeks?

        1. Maddamotha
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 29 days ago

          I wouldnt and im the king of hokey kokeys

        2. antis0cial
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 29 days ago

          I've got both (no Aguero). I lost so much ground when I dumped Salah on WC earlier in season, keeping till the bitter end now.

      4. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 29 days ago

        Captain:

        1-Pogba
        2-Sterling
        3-Hazard

        Play:

        A-Rondon
        B-Pereira

        1. RustyBz
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 29 days ago

          1 & A

        2. Amey
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 29 days ago

          2
          A

        3. el polako
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 29 days ago

          3A

        4. antis0cial
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 29 days ago

          2A

        5. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 29 days ago

          2A

        6. Shineonme
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 29 days ago

          1+A

      5. John Colby (Capt)
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 29 days ago

        Anyone considering bringing in Lanzini. 45 mins under his belt last night.

        1. *sigh*
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 29 days ago

          Major differential mentioned on FML FPL podcast last night.Shhh it’s a secret.

          1. John Colby (Capt)
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 29 days ago

            Didn’t realise lol. Cheers.

            1. *sigh*
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 29 days ago

              Their podcasts always worth a listen if you don’t already Colby.

        2. Maddamotha
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 29 days ago

          No

      6. antis0cial
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 29 days ago

        G2G?

        Fab
        Robbo Doherty Lascelles
        Sterling (c) Salah Hazard (vc) Mane Pogba
        Jimi Barnes

        Pereira Digne Kama

      7. Snevitz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 29 days ago

        All set up ok?

        Fabianski
        Robertson, TAA, Luiz, Doherty
        Salah (VC),Hazard (C), Son, Pogba
        Vardy, Jimenez

        A.Barnes, McNeil, Pereira

        No FTs and £0.2m ITB

        1. Eat my goal!
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 29 days ago

          Looks like you need to take some hits!

      8. Tsssst
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 29 days ago

        Which 4 for the next 4?

        Hazard ful WOL eve car
        Salah eve BUR ful TOT
        Mane eve BUR ful TOT
        Pogba SOU ars BLANK WAT/wol
        Fraser MCI hud NEW lei
        Anderson NEW car HUD EVE
        Antonio NEW car HUD EVE

        1. caldracula
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 29 days ago

          Haz, Salah, Mane, Pog

      9. Cojones of Destiny
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 29 days ago

        son -> sterling for free? got kun

        1. twoplustwo
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 29 days ago

          Nah too much for my liking with blank GW

      10. *sigh*
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 29 days ago

        Play?
        A) Pereira [Watford Away]
        B) Mooy [Brighton Away]
        C) Brooks [Man City Home]

        1. twoplustwo
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 29 days ago

          Mooy there easily for me

        2. dbeck
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 29 days ago

          C

      11. twoplustwo
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 29 days ago

        Sorry chaps report: play Kola (Spurs) or Pereira (Watford) this week?

        1. twoplustwo
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 29 days ago

          Also have Diop (Newcastle)

        2. dbeck
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 29 days ago

          I think neither will keep a cleanie. Kola edges it on assist potential

          1. F_Ivanovic
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 29 days ago

            I think isn't really any good indication of anything. Arsenal have about 18% chance of a CS and Leicester have 25%. Arsenal are also more likely to concede more than 1 rendering negative points for the defender too.

            Overall assist/goal potential is around similar (Kola normally slightly higher but more difficult fixture) So for me Pereira is the better one to play.

      12. dbeck
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 29 days ago

        best combo:

        A) Hazard, Chilwell and Rondon/King
        B) Higuian, Luiz and Maddison
        C) Vardy, Luiz and Anderson
        D) other combo- 23m to spend

        This is two replace Auba, Tomkins and JWP over the net two weeks to build for 31

        Current Team
        Fab Button
        Doherty TAA Robbo Lascelles Tomkins
        Salah Sterling JWP Pogba Puncheon
        Jimenez Auba Barnes

        1. dbeck
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 29 days ago

          realized with A, Arnie is an option as just saw he was only ill

      13. luisgarcia
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 29 days ago

        hi folks, there was a table containing all the blank and double gw fixtures, where can i find it? thanks in advance

        1. potatoace
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 29 days ago

          @BenCrellin

      14. Gooner97
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 29 days ago

        Auba to Aguero?

      15. gunner1994
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 29 days ago

        Salah & Barnes ----> Mane & Lacazette for no hit

        Yay or nay?

        1. Longlatini
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 29 days ago

          Nope