Scout Notes

Liverpool to face Barca five days after GW36 match with Huddersfield

Following our write-up of Manchester City 4-3 Tottenham Hotspur earlier, we now turn our attention to Liverpool’s latest UEFA Champions League exploits.

The Reds coasted through to the semi-finals of the competition after a 6-1 aggregate win over Porto, with Jurgen Klopp’s side finishing the job in comprehensive fashion on Wednesday night.

The Merseyside club will now face Barcelona in the semi-finals, with the positive news for Fantasy owners – particularly for those who are considering using their Triple Captain chip on a Liverpool asset – being that the match in the Nou Camp will take place on Wednesday 1 May, a full five days after the Reds entertain Huddersfield Town in the league.

Rotation would by no means be a certainty in any event, what with Liverpool’s Premier League title push ongoing, but the extra day’s recovery adds a little more reassurance in that regard.

The Gameweek 37 trip to Newcastle, however, is the second of three games in the space of seven days.

Liverpool’s remaining schedule looks as follows:

Sunday 21 April: Gameweek 35 – Cardiff City (a)
Friday 26 April: Gameweek 36 – Huddersfield Town (h)
Weds 1 May: Barcelona (a)
Saturday 4 May: Gameweek 37 – Newcastle United (a)*
Tues 7 May: Barcelona (h)
Sunday 12 May: Gameweek 38 – Wolverhampton Wanderers (h)

*currently scheduled for Sunday 5 May but now almost certain to be brought forward by a day.

Porto 1-4 Liverpool

  • Goals: Sadio Mane (£10.1m), Mohamed Salah (£13.2m), Roberto Firmino (£9.3m), Virgil van Dijk (£6.6m)
  • Assists: Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.5m), Jordan Henderson (£5.3m), Sadio Mane

Mohamed Salah (£13.2m) and Sadio Mane (£10.1m) matched each other for attacking returns in Portugal on Wednesday, with each banking a goal and an assist in Liverpool’s 4-1 win over Porto.

Mane turned in Salah’s chipped ball to put Liverpool 1-0 up (after VAR intervention) before the Senegalese winger set up Virgil van Dijk‘s (£6.6m) headed fourth by flicking on James Milner‘s (£5.6m) corner.

Yet again Salah dominated the shot count, registering seven of Liverpool’s 13 attempts on goal.

Mane, by contrast, only had three shots, although missed an absolute sitter when presented with an open goal late on.

The pair were at the centre of some interesting tactical tweaks by Jurgen Klopp.

Mane began the match at the centre of a front three, with Divock Origi (£5.0m) – playing instead of the benched Roberto Firmino (£9.3m) – patrolling the left flank.

Porto dominated for much of the first half, though, compelling the Liverpool boss to switch to a 4-4-1-1 at half-time with Salah up front and substitute Firmino tucked in just behind.

Mane switched to a more orthodox wing role, meanwhile, with Milner used on the right flank.

Klopp explained:

We tried to change the system a couple of times and finally, we changed at half-time, 4-4-1-1, and it helped because then we closed the centre better. We could keep them on one side and they couldn’t switch the sides like they did before with a lot of direction in the game.

We had to defend in the first half an hour a lot in the last third. That’s OK, it’s no problem, it’s the work you have to do in a football game. The boys did that and a big difference to the past is that it doesn’t cost us confidence, if we have to do it then we do it. If we are under pressure, no problem, we have to defend there and then after that, we know we will get chances. We had them, we scored a goal, had a big chance before half-time.

Second half, it was clear Porto would come out again with high intensity, but they then cannot keep the level until the end, so moments for us would come again.

The in-form Firmino made a big difference on his introduction, with his link-up play and pressing in the “hole” causing Porto problems.

The Brazilian continued his purple patch in front of goal by nodding in a Jordan Henderson (£5.3m) cross to put Liverpool 3-1 up.

On his decision to start Origi, Klopp added:

Bobby had absolutely no fitness issues and that he doesn’t get any, that’s why we started with Divock. Then because we defended as a unit in the first line not too good, we had to change it at half-time. It’s no problem, it was nothing about Divock.

Div in training, he’s in unbelievable shape and shows that all the time. How the game developed was not the most thankful game for a striker, but that’s how it is. He has no issues.

Henderson’s rich vein of form in the “number eight” role continued, with the England international coming off the bench and taking up that more advanced central midfield position.

The former Sunderland star provided a perfect delivery for Firmino’s goal and would have had a second assist had Mane not missed that aforementioned sitter.

Henderson recorded four key passes in a 20-minute cameo – twice as many as any of his teammates managed all game.

We will take a look at Henderson’s evolving role in a Members’ article next week, ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Huddersfield.

Van Dijk scored yet another set-piece goal but, much like in the first leg, he and the Liverpool defence were occasionally exposed by the Porto attack, especially in the first half an hour.

Porto registered 13 attempts on goal before Mane opened the scoring in the 26th minute, with Moussa Marega again profligate in front of goal and Alisson (£5.9m) called on to make seven saves across the game.

Andrew Robertson (£6.8m) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.5m) were given welcome breathers in the second half as Joe Gomez (£4.8m) was handed some much-needed minutes after four months on the sidelines.

While enduring a tough night from a defensive perspective, Alexander-Arnold recorded yet another assist (providing a fine through-ball for Salah) after the interval having nearly done so for Milner in the first half.

Looking ahead to Sunday, Klopp added:

In the last third of the season, we see the finish line already and you need to have a little bit of luck with injuries and stuff like that, it’s very important.

Now, [we play on] Sunday, we have three days to recover, but we fly tomorrow and stuff like that and then make ourselves ready for another very, very intense football game.

Cardiff are completely back in the race with the result from yesterday, so they will fight for it. I don’t think it will be less intense than tonight, so that’s the next job to do.

Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold (Gomez 66′), Matip, van Dijk, Robertson (Henderson 71′); Milner, Fabinho, Wijnaldum; Salah, Origi (Firmino 46′), Mane.

325 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    If you could only pick one:

    A) Son
    B) Jimenez

    Thanks

    1. trinzoo
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      B

    2. BigBillyBass
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Based on current form A, but he might be rested for Brighton (owner of both)

      1. popey
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        is he not suspended first leg of CL semi? if so, rest is then?

    3. All For One
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      A

    4. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      A by a mile

    5. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      extremely close, right now I'm leaning towards TC'ing Son over Jimenez so probably him

    6. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Got to be Jimbo with the gtd minutes?

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks all, so very tough. If it makes a difference, if I go B I'll have Lucas for 'coverage'

    7. majishun
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Jimenez

    8. BigBillyBass
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      How's this looking lads?

      BB active

      Foster
      Vertonghen Laporte Doherty TAA
      Sterling(c) Son Eriksen Mane
      Aguero(v) Jimenez

      Bench: Long Redmond Valery

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        V nice. Who’s yous other keeper? Your bench boost highly relies on Soton doing well. 1-0 Rondon in the first game is going to hurt 🙂

        1. BigBillyBass
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Cheers mate! Other keeper is Ryan. I'm a toon fan as well so it pains me to have all 3 in my team ha!

    9. trinzoo
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      When is Watford press conf?

      1. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        17.00 UK time today

        1. trinzoo
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Thanks!

    10. majishun
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Best defender for 5.1m and under for DGW35?
        A. Yoshida (SOU)
        B. Cathcart (WAT)
        C. Other (any suggestions?)

        1. dbeck
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          bertrand- just to be different

          1. majishun
              4 years, 11 months ago

              Would you still pick Bertrand if you already had the following?
              Robertson, Valery, TAA and Doherty

          2. Hktrader88
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            What about Kiko? More chance of attacking return than Cathcart and cheaper

        2. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Best 5.5 defender? Thinking Monreal or Kosh.

          Although a Kosh red on the last day of the season 2 years ago cost me a top 100 finish so that still hurts haha.

          Got Doherty, Laporte, TAA and Bedna

          1. mikess
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Have you done a goal threat comparison? What are baps like?

            I'm thinking Duffy and Deeney > Koscienly and Llorente - 4

          2. BigBillyBass
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            I was strongly considering Kosh myself. Playing out of his skin lately. I'd go him

        3. Yoshioka
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Does this look ok to BB? 1ft and 0.5itb...

          Foster - Ryan

          Valery - Bednarek - Duffy - Laporte - Robbo

          JWP - Sterling - Son - Jota - Mane

          Vardy - Aguero - Jimenez

          Any obvious transfers to make? If not I was going to roll one to have 2ft so I can bring in Salah(tc) in GW36.

          1. BigBillyBass
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Fairly standard WC template team. It looks fine to me

        4. simong1
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Lloris – Foster
          TAA – Laporte – Doherty – Duffy – Valery
          KDB – Son – Eriksen – Jota – Siggurdson
          Aguero – Jimenez – Deeney

          1FT, 2.6 ITB, BB35, Current transfer plans for the next few wks is as below. Look good? Or would it be better to skip the Wilson transfer and go straight to Rashford?

          Pre GW35: Deeney > Wilson
          Pre GW36: Eriksen > Mane
          Pre GW37: Wilson > Rashford

        5. AzzaroMax99
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          G2G? BB active

          GKP: Fabianski (Speroni)
          DEF: Alexander-Arnold, Robertson, Duffy (Bednarek) (Cathcart)
          MID: Fraser, Sterling, Eriksen, Salah (Westwood)
          FWD: Wilson, Agüero (C), Jiménez (V)

        6. diesel001
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Go 3-0 up v Huddersfield by HT and sub-off the key players.

          1. goriuanx
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Klopp doesn't work like that. Front 3 will pretty much play every minute. Rotation in midfield and maybe 1 at RB/CB.

        7. OneDennisBergkamp
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          If you can choose 1 GK for the rest of the seasons GWs which would you choose and why?

          1. diesel001
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Lloris. Good fixtures and a DGW

          2. RAFA THE GAFFA
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            With no context it would be Ederson or Alison because they play in the best two defensive teams

          3. Collie01
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Alisson is best GK option with fixtures and form, but he is most expensive and ties up a Lpool spot.

            Maybe Foster for his price, reasonable fixtures and DGW.

          4. Fpl Richie
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Lloris for premium. Otherwise Gunn.

          5. BigBillyBass
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Lloris premium. Gunn budget

          6. OneDennisBergkamp
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            I don't understand the Lloris obsession. Only 2 clean sheets in last 8. Without his penalty save against Arsenal would have a very low average score..

        8. Ian Davis
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Worth holding onto Pogba or trying to get in KDB/B Silva for a -4?

          1. theodosios
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            I would go for KDB

          2. BigBillyBass
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            KDB is a fantastic differential

        9. trinzoo
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Who would you start:
          A) Gunn
          B) Boruc

          1. Fpl Richie
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            A easily

          2. Tshelby
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Gunn

          3. BigBillyBass
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Gunn by a mile. Fulham could easily sneak a goal

        10. theodosios
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Son's suspension for the first leg of UCL semi-final means he is great TC candidate vs WHU

          1. BigBillyBass
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            I can't disagree with that

        11. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Who are people with the TC left going to use it on? Another blow with Salah for 36 now. My original plan was Kane 38 but also gone now. Should we just burn it? Haha

          1. theodosios
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            What's wrong with Salah in 36? I'm on Jimenez at the moment

            1. RAFA THE GAFFA
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              Barca 5 days later. 2 or 3 up and he goes off early. Not ideal scenario for TC

              1. goriuanx
                • 13 Years
                4 years, 11 months ago

                Klopp doesn't work like that though. Maybe a sub at 80 mins ish.

                1. RAFA THE GAFFA
                  • 7 Years
                  4 years, 11 months ago

                  Ok thanks for the insight mate. That might help then

              2. theodosios
                • 6 Years
                4 years, 11 months ago

                There's always a gamble, whoever you pick for TC...Injury, red card, bad performance...Five days of rest are enough and Klopp rarely takes him of before 80.min..Look at my post above yours 🙂

          2. Do I Not Like Orange
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Probs Sterling or Kun in 37 or 38.

            1. dbeck
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              lukaku in 37

              1. RAFA THE GAFFA
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 11 months ago

                Couldn’t bring myself to that

          3. RealSocialDads
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Got it on Aguero this week

          4. diesel001
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Kun or Sterling this GW IMO.

          5. BigBillyBass
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Son against West Ham. See above post.

            1. RAFA THE GAFFA
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              Good shout mate

          6. good biashara
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            I think I'm talking myself into Auba this week...

        12. trinzoo
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          On a WC, no bench boost, how does it look?

          Boruc
          TAA / Doherty / Cathcart
          Salah / Mane / Sterling / Son
          Kun / Jimenez / Llorente

          Gunn - Dunk / Valery / Puncheon

          1. trinzoo
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Puncheon is CHO

          2. Kuzser
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Good, but boruc can easily loose his place again

        13. amplifiedAnt
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Lloris, Foster
          Robertson, Doherty, Duffy, Dunk, Valery
          Mané, De Bruyne, Eriksen, Son, Jota
          Aguero, Jimenez, Deeney

          0.2 ITB, aiming to BB. No ideal solution tbh.

          A. Deeney > Gray/Ings/Rondon
          B. Deeney + Duffy > Wilson + Yoshida (-4)
          B. Deeney + Dunk > Long + TAA (-4)

          1. majishun
              4 years, 11 months ago

              B. Wilson + Yoshida

          2. Kuzser
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Whats is the best move before I BB in gw35? All for -4
            1) Deeney Siggi -> Wilson Redmond
            2) Deeney Siggi -> Ings/Rondon Deulofeu (if fit)
            3) Deeney Duffy -> Ings/Rondon Cathcart
            4) Deeney Duffy-> Wilson Bednarek

            Foster Ryan
            Valery Duffy Doherty TAA Vertongen 
            Son Eriksen Salah Jota Siggi
            Jimenes Aguero Deeney

            1. Wheyyyy
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              A

            2. BigBillyBass
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              1

          3. Ungaio
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Which one will score more?

            A) TC Sterling
            B) Ryan, TAA, Duffy, Murray

            1. KingOllie
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              a

              1. KingOllie
                • 8 Years
                4 years, 11 months ago

                But you dont want to look at it like that its:

                A) Sterling + Sterling + Sterling
                B) Sterling + Sterling + bench

                so i think B

            2. Klein
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              Surely you cant have TAA on bench vs cardif? Dont think murray and duffy are gonna get any points.

          4. KingOllie
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Captain:

            A) KUN
            B) SON
            C) JIMENEZ
            D) KDB

            1. RealSocialDads
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              A

            2. diesel001
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              A

            3. Krafty Werks
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              C

            4. BigBillyBass
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              A or D

          5. majishun
              4 years, 11 months ago

              JWP (SOU) or Hughes (WAT)?

            • Daghe Munegu
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              BB 35

              Lloris Foster
              TAA Doherty Valery Dunk Duffy
              Salah Sterling Moura Son Jwp
              Kun Jimenez Deeney

              Deeney Moura Duffy to Llorente Deulofeu (if fit) VVD -8

              Yes or no ?

              1. BigBillyBass
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 11 months ago

                Why would you take Moura out?

            • cigan
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              Any news on Deulofeu?

            • RAFA THE GAFFA
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              Gray or Llorente and why? Cheers 🙂

              1. Krafty Werks
                • 9 Years
                4 years, 11 months ago

                Gray firstly because i already have 3 Spurs, secondly because he'll likely get more minutes than Llorente, thirdly because the fixtures are better and could really do with Watford attacking coverage and fourthly because he could well be on pens?

                1. RAFA THE GAFFA
                  • 7 Years
                  4 years, 11 months ago

                  Nice summary mate. Thanks for the input

            • Tmel
              • 13 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              Gray, Llorente or Wilson?

            • Bubz
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              Would you do Pogba ----> Son (-4)?

              1. goriuanx
                • 13 Years
                4 years, 11 months ago

                Tough one. He is reliant on penalties at the moment but United have been awarded the most so wouldn't bet against it.

                I would do it. I think Son outscores him by 4.

              2. badgerboy
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                4 years, 11 months ago

                Yeah, making that move myself. The yellow last night, Brighton falling apart, West Ham at home in GW36 and his higher ownership in the top 10k and Pogba's points in the last few weeks swung it for me.

            • Tsssst
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              Chances of Jiminez starting both games in the DGW? Who else could come in for him?

            • manu4life99
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              Have to sell 1 of Vardy or Eriksen to fund replacements for Camarasa and Deeney

              A) Sell Eriksen (then vardy > Firmino gw36)
              B) Sell Vardy (only Mane/TAA gw36)

              1. bigbudgie
                • 9 Years
                4 years, 11 months ago

                If you have Son then I would go A

            • bigbudgie
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              A) Salah or Sterling (pick one for the rest of the season) -4
              B) Firmino for free, with no route back to A

            • Wheyyyy
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              Thoughts on the below options?

              A- Ryan to Foster -4
              B- Eriksen to Sterling -4
              C- Both for -8

              Chasing ML leader, behind by 53pts. Need to be aggressive. Will allow a BB of Foster, Douc, Duff, Val.

            • cigan
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              Good for BB or would you change sth?
              Duffy the obvious candidate and there's some uncertainty over Deulofeu
              but saving FT could help me transform this team nicely for free or -4 next week (=get more LIV)

              Lloris / Foster
              Laporte / TAA / Doherty / Valery / Duffy
              Sterling / Son / Eriksen / Deulofeu / Hojbjerg
              Aguero / Vardy / Jimenez

              1. fenixri
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 11 months ago

                Gtg , great team.

                Who is your C?

                1. cigan
                  • 5 Years
                  4 years, 11 months ago

                  Thanks!
                  Undecided between Jimenez, Son and Sterling