Scout Notes

Salah injury latest after Newcastle outing cut short

Newcastle 2-3 Liverpool

Goals: Christian Atsu (£5.1m), Salomón Rondón (£5.9m) | Virgil van Dijk (£6.7m), Mohamed Salah (£13.3m), Divock Origi (£5.0m)

Assists: Rondón, Javier Manquillo (£4.3m) | Trent Alexander-Arnold x2 (£5.7m), Xherdan Shaqiri (£6.8m)

Mohamed Salah (£13.3m) owners are now faced with a week of uncertainty as he was taken off with a head injury in Liverpool’s win over Newcastle. After making it six consecutive Gameweeks with attacking returns, the Egyptian was floored in a collision with goalkeeper Martin Dúbravka (£5.0m) and his awkward landing exacerbated the problem. He was down receiving treatment for some time before being taken off the pitch on a stretcher.

Thankfully, there will be regular updates on Salah this week as Liverpool prepare for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final with Barcelona. The corresponding press conference will likely take place on Monday given that the match is scheduled for Tuesday night. Furthermore, we should know more about Salah’s situation after the game depending on the role he plays against Barcelona.

“What I heard, he got the hip of the goalie on his head. He was then on the ground and the doc had to make a decision ‘on the pitch or off the pitch’, and the decision was off the pitch. We accept that of course. When he came in he was sitting in the dressing room watching the game on television. So he was then fine, but of course, we have to wait. He got a proper knock, obviously, in that situation.” – Jurgen Klopp

Whether Salah can be fit for the final day of the season visit of Wolves could prove pivotal for Fantasy managers. He was Liverpool’s primary goal threat against Newcastle, registering more shots and more efforts in the box than any of his colleagues. His deft first-half finish extended his lead at the top of the Golden Boot charts and means he has five goals in as many Premier League outings.

By contrast, Sadio Mané (£10.2m) was largely anonymous, as has often been the case in away matches this season. He had just one shot on goal all evening and was unable to be the chief beneficiary of Newcastle’s vulnerability in the air, despite registering more headed attempts than any other midfielder this season.

Despite winning the game in dramatic fashion, Liverpool were not quite at their ruthless best, actually emerging from the trip to Newcastle with a lower expected goals (xG) score than their hosts. That may have been down to Roberto Firmino‘s (£9.3m) latest absence. After missing Gameweek 36 and then only playing a small part in the defeat to Barcelona, the Brazilian could not overcome the muscle injury he has been dealing with of late. Klopp has already ruled him out of midweek Champions League action and must wait and see if he can feature against Wolves on Sunday.

“(Firmino) will not be ready for Tuesday and the rest we will see.” – Jurgen Klopp

Part of what caused Liverpool problems in Firmino’s absence has been the role Daniel Sturridge (£5.6m) has played in the last two matches. He started up front in both Gameweek 36 and 37, but in neither match did he get close to replicating what Firmino brings to the team. The Brazilian has been an excellent link-up man for Liverpool this season, while Sturridge has proved to be more of a one-dimensional forward, largely looking to shoot on sight. Despite his selfish tendencies in front of goal, seven players have registered a higher expected goal involvement (xGI) score in the last two matches than the Englishman, even Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (£6.4m).

It will be interesting to see who is given the nod to start up front against Wolves if it looks like Firmino cannot play. With Sturridge not particularly impressing, Divock Origi (£5.0m) might fancy his chances after he got the all-important late winning goal for Liverpool. The last time he started at home in the league he featured on the left of the front three, allowing Mané to play through the middle, and got himself a goal too. However, that was, admittedly, against Watford, who have been much worse against top six sides this year than Wolves.

Xherdan Shaqiri (£6.8m) may also be in contention given his role in the team earlier this season, and an assist for the winner at Newcastle. When Salah was being played as the centre-forward in the 4-2-3-1 system, Shaqiri occupied the right attacking-midfield position and could play there again if Klopp opts to change formation for the final day of the campaign.

“We have fresh players on the bench, try to have an impact – and they had [an impact]. It was a wonderful free-kick from Shaq and sensational header from Divock and we win the game. We are now qualified for the league final, which is brilliant. So crucial. What can I say? It is just brilliant, it is like a fairy tale. You can say whatever you want about me – they don’t play often enough, Shaqiri not often enough. I make this decision. It is great that they do it, I love it. That was really a big moment.” – Jurgen Klopp

It was a mixed evening for Liverpool defensive assets as their fortunes were decided on their attacking capabilities rather than clean sheet potential. As previously mentioned, Newcastle certainly deserved their goals based on the quality of their chances, which will be of some concern ahead of a clash with top-six specialists Wolves on the final day.

“Credit to Newcastle, that was, wow… any people who doubt or whatever that teams don’t play for anything anymore, or maybe are halfway on the beach already, they were really the opposite. Is there any history between Newcastle and Liverpool that I don’t know about? The atmosphere was like there was something that happened in the past. The boys, again, were ready to face it, ready to deal with it and that’s brilliant.” – Jurgen Klopp

It was the Magpies’ weaknesses that dictated which of the Liverpool defenders were able to pull in offensive returns. They have been particularly vulnerable to players with aerial threat and set pieces this season, which is why Virgil van Dijk (£6.7m) was able to convert perhaps the easiest header of his career into the net, completely unmarked, in the 13th minute.

Also benefitting hugely in this department was Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.7m) who took the corner for that opener. His ability to cross the ball in early from wide areas helped him to his second assist of the night when Salah converted his 28th-minute chance.

His pair of assists on Saturday night helped make Premier League history, in fact. The England international has now provided 11 of them this season, and is just one short of colleague Andrew Robertson (£6.8m). Crucially, those who have opted to own both of the two full-backs have been handsomely rewarded this season, as they have arguably been the most effective defensive double-up in FPL history. The efforts of Alexander-Arnold and Robertson mean that it is the first time in Premier League history that two defenders from the same club have produced more than 10 assists in a campaign.

“The first goal, Pete Krawietz and Greg and James, our analysts, what they do around set-pieces is unbelievable. It is really nice to see. Having Virgil van Dijk completely free in the box is pretty rare, it was a wonderful routine.” – Jurgen Klopp

However, it must be said that Alexander-Arnold was hugely fortunate to last longer than 20 minutes at Newcastle. He was the last bastion of defence for one of Newcastle’s first-half counter-attacks, blocking Salomón Rondón‘s (£5.9m) shot with his elbow, before it was converted by Christian Atsu (£5.1m). Had Liverpool been able to clear their lines, it is likely that they would have conceded a penalty for the handball and Alexander-Arnold would have been sent off.

In scoring twice, Newcastle demonstrated that their offensive potential is not necessarily dependent on Miguel Almirón (£6.0m). The Paraguayan international transformed the pace of their attack since signing in January, and also brought out the best in Ayoze Pérez (£6.1m) in recent weeks. It had been thought that going up against Liverpool without Almirón might see the Magpies offer little in the way of goal threat, but they asked Liverpool plenty of questions.

Rondón, in particular, was a constant menace, not only with his characteristic running and pressing off the ball but with his efforts on goal too. No player on the pitch had more shots in the box, either total or inside the box, than the Venezuelan international, suggesting he could act as an effective differential signing for the Gameweek 38 trip to relegated Fulham.

Newcastle United XI (5-4-1): Dúbravka; Ritchie, Dummett, Lascelles, Schär (Muto 90+1′), Manquillo; Atsu, Ki, Hayden, A Pérez; Rondón.

Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Robertson, van Dijk, Lovren (Milner 66′), Alexander-Arnold; Wijnaldum (Shaqiri 66′), Fabinho, Henderson; Mané, Sturridge, Salah (Origi 73′).

960 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Ravager
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Hazard of Sterling for next week?

    1. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Dukes of Hazard for next season?

      1. Ravager
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Lol or* but yes

    2. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Sterling if choice is between the two.

    3. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      They both have a game before then.

      1. Ravager
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        True. Not rushing a transfer...just curious how persons would lean.

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          One will be a popular captain is normally a clue.

          1. Ravager
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            Cheers TM

    4. acidicleo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      S

  2. Firminooooo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    13 points,GR 6148889, OR 918

    1. McEwan
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      That’s painful. Amazing how the dynamics work, if you had scored 55 points to hit overall rank 918, would look great.

  3. acidicleo
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    For GW38:
    17.9m to spend on 2 players.

    Best striker and midfielder combo?
    (Already have Mane, Sterling, Hazard and Kun)

    1. Crazygopher
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Rondon fraser

      1. acidicleo
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        thanks..
        how about pogba vardy?

    2. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Bilva, vardy

  4. HD7
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Best duo for 38?

    A)Babel Vardy
    B) Pogba Rash
    C) TAA Rash
    D) TAA Zaha
    E) Pogba Wilson

    1. Crazygopher
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I'm doing pog rash

    2. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      How about Pogba, Zaha?

      1. HD7
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Its also in the huge variatiaon yes

    3. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      surely united "assets" are at risk for gw38 with nothing to play for other than final home game. could be some rotation to give reserves a run.
      would think the same for spurs/arsenal now with Europe the only focus

    4. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Greenwood and Chong

  5. 007 [RoboKlopp]
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Early thought, who is better for gw 38?
    A. Haz, Long
    B. Pogba, Zaha
    C. Moura, Higuain
    D. Mili, Laca
    E. JWP, Auba
    Ta.

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      B out of those

  6. Ziyech on the Bench
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    A) Son, King => B Silva, Zaha -4

    B) Son => Delle Alli

    C) Son, King=> Redmond, Vardy -4

    Cheers 🙂

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I'm looking for C myself

    2. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Vardy for a hit?

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        You don't think it's a high scoring game ??

  7. Amey
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Mane or Vardy or Pogba for last gw ??
    Thank you !!

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      A. Mane + Redmond (-4)
      B. Vardy + Redmond (-4)
      C. Pogba + Jota

      1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        A)
        I would do Zaha and Redmond if I were you though.

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Cheers mate.
          Already have Zaha

          Lloris
          Robbo Taa Doherty
          Hazard © Raz Son Jota
          Aguero Jimenez Zaha

          Foster Deulofeu Yoshida Valery

  8. SomeoneKnows
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Assuming Salah is fit, which transfer would you prefer as replacement for Son + Firmino ?

    A) Salah + Long
    B) Vardy + Pogba/Fraser
    C) Hazard + Zaha

    1. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      B) Vardy+ Fraser (or Tielemans)

  9. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Hahaha Hazard is a lad !

  10. rainy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Price Changes - 6th May 2019

    🔻  Son (8.7)

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Cheers Rainy !!

      Tired of Son misbehaving 😕

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Don't want another drop 🙁

    3. marquinhos
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      name has been missing on fplstatistics :/

      cheers rainy

    4. fclackless [Brazil Nuts]
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      cheers

  11. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Who wins LMS?

    The Pepsi Challenge : 17 + Laporte + Sterling + Aguero
    Gussy : 19 + Laporte + Sterling(c)
    Villawaeel : 26 + Laporte + Aguero
    Ronin13 : 31 + Sterling

    Laporte 3, Sterling 9, Aguero 11 would make all 4 on 40

    Gussy would win on overall rank.

    1. rainy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      How often does it happen that rank is the decider?

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Never has.

    2. EMERGING STAR
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Gussy would win i feel

    3. Ragabolly
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Think it's between Gussy and Villaweel

  12. Steiger
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Assuming Salah is fit, I'm considering these moves for -4.
    Also have Mane and Aguero.

    Son>Sterling
    Jimmy>Long

    Good moves or not..?

    Thanks.

    1. bigbudgie
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I would have done that if I could afford it

  13. rodragon
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    1.Aguero+Jiminez + JWP(bench jiminez)
    2.Vardy+Laca+JWP(bench jwp).
    Which is better?

    1. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      1

  14. Richd
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Red arrow with 33 points. Just hoping Aguero (c), sterling and Laporte can change that. But all highly owned

  15. davies
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Best defender for 4.8 for next week?

    1. Richd
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      It’s so tough. Maybe just go Valery

      1. davies
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        I’ve got him already

        Looking to downgrade Kola to fund Rashford

    2. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Double up on Soton?

      1. davies
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Already got 3 from Soton

  16. Albrightondknight
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Play Gray or Jimenez?

    1. golden skulltula 69
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Gray

      1. Albrightondknight
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers

  17. golden skulltula 69
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Hi! My team as it stands:

    Lloris Foster
    Laporte Robertson Boly Valery Dunk
    Mané Son Eriksen Jota Redmond
    Agüero Jiménez Vardy

    2FT

    A. Son & Eriksen out, Sterling & Fraser in 0.1 itb
    B. Son Eriksen & Vardy out, Sterling Pogba & Wilson in (-4) 0.0 itb
    C. Another option: ________.

    All comments will be appreciated!! Thanks!!

    1. bigbudgie
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Easily A

      1. golden skulltula 69
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Thank you!

  18. Hart-ake
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Deulofeu looks a potentially good option for this week.

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      or saved for the FA Cup

      1. Hart-ake
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Good point. May be heavy rotation at Watford...

        The midfield options to replace Son really are thin on the ground.

  19. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    1. Doherty >> TAA (and play instead of Son)
    2. Son >> Pogba (or others)

    Thanks...

  20. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    19 points behind ML rival so need differentials, which means no Valery, Pogba, Laporte or Hazard. Best move here?

    A) Doherty & Son -> Kiko & Sane
    B) Doherty & Son -> Shaw & Bilva
    C) Son & Jimenez -> Sane & Mitro
    D) Son & Jimenez -> Bilva & Rashford

    Current differentials are in CAPS*

    Foster
    VIRGIL*, Trent, Doherty
    STERLING*, Son, Mane, REDMOND*
    Aguero, WILSON*, Jimenez

    Ryan, Jota, Duffy, DUNK
    Bank 0.0m, 2FT

    1. FCSB
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      D

    2. bigbudgie
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Thinking Son/Jiminez to Sane + undecided. I'm 0.1 short of Zaha. Other candidates are Batsman and Arnie. Rashford really didn't convince me yesterday. Do you see United scoring 3/4/5 goals?

      1. Jinswick
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Arnie could be a good shout - perhaps a bit of rotation in the WAT team prior to the FA Cup final. If I go Sane then I only have 6.2m for a Jimenez replacement - not much there. Perhaps Barnes given how dire we are at the back and focus will now be 100% on Europa

    3. Marv25
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Are people still looking at utd assets?

  21. FPL_Crisis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Gunn and Foster
    What are the chances i don't have a keeper to play this weekend?

  22. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Which one ??
    A) Jota vs liverpool
    B) Redmond vs hudd for -4

    Son to pogba another transfer

  23. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    I'm 6th in my ML, 30 points between myself and 1st.... everyone has similar players in the game tonight... so its going to go down to GW38... have I got a chance of winning it?? [still have TC]

  24. JustPark
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    They all should not even be offered massive wage!

    https://twitter.com/obsessfooty/status/1125227061617078274?s=19

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Its pretty obvious that entire squad need overhauling rather than than managers getting changed every other year. Clear evidence of attitude problem since few years and player thinking they are above the team and manager. Sacking of managers only increase their ego and not really solves the basic problem.

      I still feel they could have done pretty well under Mourinho with different group of players. Same is likely to happen with Ole if players are not sorted asap.

  25. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Why is rashford still flagged?

  26. Sandy Ravage
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Son + Llorente > B.Silva / Fraser + Perez / Wilson

    1. bigbudgie
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Why not Zaha

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Check out how many goals Palace have scored at home this season - 14. It's a bit like picking Karlan Grant.

        1. bigbudgie
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Yeah good point. But only Huddersfield and Fulham have conceded more on the road than Bournemouth...just to throw that in there

      2. Sandy Ravage
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        already have Milivojevic

  27. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Will Gray start vs West Ham?

    1. bigbudgie
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Well...he didn't start yesterday did he? Is there a clue there?

  28. Francescoli
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Start Doherty or Bednarek next GW?

  29. Murder On Zidanesfloor
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Stuck with a major benching headache in draft, need your help.

    Start 4:
    A) Higuain (lei)
    B) Deulo (WHU)
    C) Henderson (WOL)
    D) Ings (HUD)
    E) Digne (tot)
    C) Coleman (tot)
    F) Luiz (lei)

    Will need to start one of the defenders, so please pick 3 out of the rest.

    Thanks!

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Hendo and the 2 toffees surely

    2. Klein
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      C for sure
      Rest is coin toss. One of digne/coleman to reduce risk maybe. One of luiz/deulo

  30. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone care to guess how many goals Zaha has cored at home this season?

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Guessing it is ridiculously low or you wouldn't have asked 😉

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Only Vardy and Kane have scored more away goals. He's got 10 goals overall and 9 away.

        If you were put off Wilson last week then he's a complete no no - more so given Palace have scored just 14 at home all season

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      how many goals he has scored overall?