Scout Notes

Away form a cause for concern for Liverpool’s attacking assets

The final match of a largely dispiriting Gameweek 29 was suitably underwhelming.

Many Fantasy managers endured an awful Saturday and there was to be little consolation on Sunday evening for those hoping for goals at Goodison Park.

While Liverpool’s defenders returned yet more clean sheet and bonus points for their owners in a goalless Merseyside derby, the Reds’ attacking assets once again flattered to deceive on the road.

The Reds’ next away match happens to be in Blank Gameweek 31, when many FPL bosses will be opting for a Liverpool double or triple-up – but there may be nagging doubts creeping in regarding the captaincy credentials of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane after this latest showing.

The fact that Fulham have conceded at least two or more goals in each of their last four home matches offers plenty of hope that Liverpool’s lean spell away from Anfield will come to an end, though the Cottagers did deliver a spirited showing in the west London derby on Sunday.

Liverpool’s form in their last five away league matches now reads: P5, W1, D3, L1, F3, A3.

The record of the Reds’ first-choice front three – Salah, Mane and Roberto Firmino – in those fixtures is exactly the same: five appearances, one goal, no assists.

Liverpool’s remaining four away fixtures (Fulham, Southampton, Cardiff and Newcastle) look a darn sight more appealing than the five they have just contested (trips to both Manchester clubs and a Merseyside derby among them) but their subdued attacking displays on the road in 2019 give legitimate cause for concern.

When all 20 top-flight clubs are filtered by their last four away matches, the Reds (who most recently faced Brighton, West Ham, an injury-hit Manchester United and Everton) sit in the bottom half of the table for goals scored, overall goal attempts and shots on target, while they sit tenth for efforts in the opposition box.

Their latest muted performance is the subject of our Scout Notes piece below.

Everton 0-0 Liverpool

Mohamed Salah (£13.5m) delivered his fifth blank in six Gameweeks on Sunday afternoon.

When penalties are stripped away, the Egyptian has three goals and two assists in the last 11 Gameweeks.

Salah’s only attacking return away from home in 2019 was indeed from the penalty spot in the victory over Brighton in Gameweek 22.

There is little wrong with the 2017/18 Player of the Year’s underlying stats, however, even on the road.

Salah sits top or joint-top among FPL midfielders for attempts in the box, shots on target and big chances over the last six away matches and completely outshines Sadio Mane (£9.7m), whose figures are only half as good as the Egypt international’s or worse over the same period.

Sunday’s showing at Goodison Park was another one of Salah’s “almost” displays.

Two of Liverpool’s best chances in the Merseyside derby fell at the feet of Salah, who spurned a one-on-one opportunity against Jordan Pickford (£4.9m) in the first half and then later dithered long enough in a similar situation to allow Michael Keane (£4.8m) to stage a last-gasp intervention.

Salah’s touch has always been inconsistent – even in his phenomenal 2017/18, the Egyptian’s tendency to get dispossessed, dribble down cul-de-sacs or waste “big chances” saw him repeatedly penalised on the Bonus Points System.

When Liverpool aren’t creating as many opportunities to mask those failings, Salah’s shortcomings are all the more apparent.

As one would expect, Jurgen Klopp defended the Egyptian after full-time:

When you see the situation, he’s doing everything right [until] the last moment. We had our moments. There’s no reason for taking it or not taking it.

There’s all different things. It’s really the pitch sometimes. The boys are able to score situations like this but it’s an inch on the boot.

On another day, he scores two or three and today not. That’s all that happened. Absolutely stay cool and play football, fight for everything and everything will be fine in the end. That’s how it is.

The time will inevitably come, perhaps in the next few Gameweeks, when Salah will convert a couple of those “big chances” into another double-digit haul.

The fear of missing out on those returns is what inevitably drives Fantasy managers to retain the Egyptian’s services in spite of the barren run, with Salah still the most-owned player in FPL.

Mane’s ownership has rocketed over the last few Gameweeks as his form at Anfield demanded attention but the Senegalese midfielder’s recent record on the road is just as bad as Salah’s: on Sunday, the former Southampton winger didn’t register a single shot or key pass and touched the ball just once in the Everton area, despite playing as the “centre-forward” in Klopp’s 4-3-3.

The contrast between Liverpool’s form at Anfield and their recent record on the road is stark but Klopp prickled when a reporter suggested that he may have shown more ambition on Sunday:

Do you think we didn’t take enough risks today? Was there any draw where we didn’t try to win? Bring on an extra attacker and football changes? It is not like that. We are offensive enough, football doesn’t work like that.

You need the right things in the right moment and that doesn’t only work if another striker [is on the pitch]. You cannot start with four or five strikers in a striker way with nothing else to do than to try to score. We are an offensive team and that’s absolutely OK – we take a risk, no doubt about it, but it is not like that.

You cannot play in the Premier League like that; we play next week against Burnley and if we play only offensive, they [will] kill us on the counter-attack, 100 per cent. We take all the risks, but you cannot take more than 100 per cent risk. It’s not about ‘going nuts’, it’s not about that.

Liverpool did have their openings on Sunday: as well as Salah’s two gilt-edged opportunities, Fabinho (£5.5m) should have done better with what Opta deemed a “big chance” from a set play, while Joel Matip (£4.9m) headed a corner wide and Mane could only nod a Roberto Firmino (£9.2m) cross back across goal when well-placed.

The fit-again Firmino was only among the substitutes for this encounter but, along with James Milner (£5.6m), was thrown on with 27 minutes to go.

Klopp explained his decision to start both players on the bench ahead of kick-off:

Millie just felt a little bit his hamstring. If Millie gives a warning sign… I think he would have been fine but the last two days he felt it still. So there is no reason for risk, especially when we have options on the bench, which we had in the last game.

Hendo is a very, very important player for us, so it’s good he can be back.

Bobby trained yesterday and it looked really good, so he is on the bench because he could be an option. I didn’t think it was necessary to bring him immediately after the good game we played on Wednesday.

While their attacking assets toiled, Liverpool’s defence racked up their 17th clean sheet of the season – as many as they registered in the whole of 2017/18.

Virgil van Dijk (£6.6m) was sublime at centre-back, while Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.4m) banked maximum bonus points despite his delivery from dead-ball situations being not quite as on-point as it was against Watford in midweek.

Not that Everton didn’t have their chances: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£5.3m) produced a tame header from a pinpoint Lucas Digne (£5.2m) corner, while Bernard (£5.9m) was inches away from connecting with a low Richarlison (£6.5m) centre as the hosts pushed for an unlikely winner.

Richarlison had been dropped to the bench for this encounter, with compatriot Bernard replacing him on the left flank, but looked hungrier than he did against Cardiff when thrown on as a second-half substitute.

This wasn’t really a match to gauge Everton’s attacking assets from a Fantasy perspective but Gylfi Sigurdsson (£7.2m) grafted admirably in “the hole”, while the Toffees’ backline were uncharacteristically solid after their recent struggles at home.

It’s back-to-back clean sheets for the blue half of Merseyside following their win in South Wales and Marco Silva was content at full-time:

In my opinion, in the second half we were better and in the final 20-30 minutes, we controlled the game.

We had a good chance with Bernard but so did they with Mo Salah. It was a very good moment for Michael [Keane] dealing with that.

We spoke at half-time about how we wanted to press higher and improve how we applied our pressure in midfield.

We had a few moments where had we had made a different decision in our attack, it could have give us the chance to win the match.

But it was a clean sheet in a tough match against a strong side. We did well, it is just unfortunate we couldn’t get all three points.

Everton XI (4-3-3): Pickford; Coleman, Keane, Zouma, Digne; Schneiderlin (Andre Gomes 76′), Gueye; Walcott (Richarlison 59′), Sigurdsson, Bernard; Calvert-Lewin (Tosun 74′).

Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Wijnaldum (Milner 63′); Salah, Mane (Lallana 84′), Origi (Firmino 63′).

1,314 Comments Post a Comment
  1. The_Fish
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 27 days ago

    I'm contemplating double West Ham defence for the next few weeks, Fabs and Rice. Am I mad?

    1. JELLYFISH
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      I was considering the same, but am reluctant as double defence generally fails spectacularly for me

    2. Macam Dave
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      Nope I had fab and rice and worked out nicely

    3. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      I won't double up Westham defence. 1 is enough imo.

  2. Godfrey
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 27 days ago

    Had Rondon for 2 GWs and gave him the armband versus Huddersfield but I want to ship him. Going for a Newcastle attacker seems pointless.

    Doherty & Rondon out
    King & Lejeune in

    1. McSauce
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      keep until after GW31

  3. McSauce
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 27 days ago

    1 FT this week 4.2m ITB so money not an issue

    a) Son --> Haz
    b) Jimmy --> Vardy (Will free hit jimmy back in for GW32)

    Bottomed!

    1. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      A

    2. JELLYFISH
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      A...I would if I could

    3. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      A

    4. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      B

      But it’s close. I’m assuming you’ll get both Haz and Vardy by 33. I think Son could well return this time and Vardy is more probable than Haz

  4. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 27 days ago

    Should I pull the trigger before price rises?

    Rich + Bennett >> Fraser + Rice for free

    1. TAArt
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      Look like good moves if free

  5. JELLYFISH
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 27 days ago

    Hi all, how’s this lot looking for gw31? Thinking it needs some more Chelsea and Bournemouth presence?

    Fab
    Luiz TAA AWB
    Mane Salah Pogba Son
    Jimmy Kun Vardy

    (Steele Camarasa Doherty Bednarek)

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      Question I suppose is Hazard or Higuain. I’m going Hazard.

      In your set up I’d be tempted by Clyne. Seems a certain 4 points with two homes and a possibility of a cs.

      That leaves you a choice of Bournemouth mid or attack or perhaps Lanzini.

  6. Runaway
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 27 days ago

    How is this team for 31-33?

    Fabianski
    Robbo TAA Pereira Lascelles
    Salah Hazard Lanzini Brooks
    Higuain Vardy

    Hamer Pogba Jimi Doherty

  7. gellinmagellan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 27 days ago

    Fabianski Bennett
    Robertson Kola Pereira Bennett AWB
    Sterling Son Salah Felipe Pogba
    Jiminez Rashford Success

    2 FT and 0.8 ITB

    I have the exact amount of money for Kola > Diop and Rashford > Vardy. Should I do it?

  8. FF Dirtbag
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 27 days ago

    I'm so confused with what to do!! Could I get some advice on what to do?
    1FT and 3.9 mill in the bank.

    A) Jimenez -> Vardy (leicester have fulham...)
    B) Jimenez and Camarasa -> Vardy and Brooks (-4)
    C) Son -> Hazard (but already have Higuain and think it will be tough vs wolves)
    D) something else?

    Did Hazard look that good?

  9. caldracula
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 27 days ago

    Bench two:

    Pereira (FUL)
    Wan-B (BHA)
    Ake (hud)
    Anderson (CAR)
    Barnes (FUL)
    Jimenez (che)
    Rondon (EVE)

    Currently on Jimenez and Ake.

    1. FF Dirtbag
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      Ake, Rondon.

  10. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 27 days ago

    Pogba to Haz this week or wait til next?

  11. Wolfman180
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 27 days ago

    Auba/Son/Doherty to Higuain/Hazard/Luiz for a -4? (FHing in GW32)

  12. Sz21
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Planning- FH 32.
    Fabianski.
    Pereira, AWB, TAA.
    Pogba, Salah, Felipe, Son.
    Vardy, Aguero, Rashford.
    Hamer, Doherty, Bednarek, Camarasa.
    1ft, 0.0m.

    1. Doherty + Son-> Luiz + Maddison.
    2. Doherty + Rashford -> Luiz + King.
    3. Doherty + Rashford-> Duffy+ King (Leaves 1.6m for next GW).
    4. Son + Rashford -> Mane + King. (Leaves just 0.1m)

  13. F_Ivanovic
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Question: I play in a ML where there is a monthly prize. I took an 8 point hit this month and scored 57 if you take away the hit but it's showing in the leader-board for March that I have 65 - surely it should show my score after the hits deduction?

    1. patricktaynz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Seems like start of month deducts from overall score but not monthly ... glitch?

    2. Danno - Emre Canada
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      The first game week in every month doesn’t take into account hits for the monthly leagues. So if you play monthly prizes takes hits then. It’s my pet hate.

  14. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Fab Hamer
    Alonso TAA Doherty AWB Pereira
    Salah Pogba Sterling Hazard Höjberg
    Barnes Jimenez Mitro
    1ft. 2,3m itb
    Save now and add 2-3 blankplayers next week, agree?

  15. Malkmus
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    A'noon all. I'm doing FH in gw32 so preparing team for gw31. Any thoughts? I'm def doing Son to Mane this gw. But any thoughts on options getting more gw31 players in?

    A - Bennet to Chillwell & Jimenez to King
    B - Bennet to Dec Rice & Billing to Brooks
    C - Other

    Will be WC34, BB35, maybe TC Salah 36.

    Ta!

    1. Malkmus
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Current Team:

      Fab (Hamer)
      TAA - Luiz - Doherty - Bennet - WB
      Son - Salah - Pog - Andersen - Billing
      Kun - Jimenez - Rash

    2. Bodie
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Jiménez to king
      Bennet to Rice...
      If you can?!

  16. squ1rrel
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    I've been traveling abroad and haven't been able to check my team for about three weeks...just went on yesterday and did Doherty -> TAA. Any suggestions for my last FT? Sane needs to go....

    Fab - Boruc
    Robbo - TAA - Shaw - AWB - Suttner
    Salah - Haz - Sane - Son - Pogba
    Jimenez - Rashford - Kamara

    1 FT, 1.0 ITB

    Thanks.

  17. FC Bazalona
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Vardy or King ??? Thanks

    1. Bodie
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      King
      And 2.5 in the bank

  18. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Thoughts on Shaw, Moutinho, Pierre to Clyne, Mane, King? (-4) leaves me with 2.5 ITB to get in Haz or Higuain for GW 31

  19. Kno
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    lacazette -> higuain, vardy or the king? Doing king would let me do something like f.anderson to hazard as well

    1. Bodie
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Higuain over vardy or hazard & king....

    2. scubasmithy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      King and Hazard
      or
      Fraser and Vardy/Higuain

  20. cattro
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Doherty>Rice anyone?

  21. rokonto
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Mane in for Son
    Or
    Trent A-A in for Bennet
    Have Robertson and Salah