Scout Notes

The Robertson injury latest after Liverpool’s stunning comeback

Liverpool produced a memorable comeback in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final to overturn a 3-0 deficit against Barcelona and progress to the tournament final in Madrid.

The Reds did the job without the services of Mohamed Salah (£13.3m) and Roberto Firmino (£9.3m), while Andrew Robertson (£6.8m) was substituted at half-time of Tuesday’s thriller with a calf problem.

The Scot is set for a scan on Wednesday to determine the extent of the injury and the player himself said after full-time:

It doesn’t feel the best at the minute but I’ll get a scan tomorrow. They’re confident that it’s just a nerve or whatever and it can be maybe a couple of days, but we’ll wait and see. We can’t really comment until I get the scan, but I’ll be saying my prayers tonight.

Jurgen Klopp’s pre-Gameweek 38 press conference later in the week is eagerly awaited, with half a dozen of his players currently flagged in Fantasy Premier League.

The Liverpool boss revealed last night that Robertson wasn’t the only player to cause him concern against Barcelona:

Obviously, tonight was really intense and we started without Bobby, Mo and Naby. Ox was not available but only we rested him – he’ll hopefully be an option for the weekend.

Hendo got an unbelievable kick against his knee, he didn’t feel his patella, and Robbo got the heel of Suarez against his calf. You saw both limping; then Virg goes down, then Sadio goes down, and you think, ‘OK, it would help if we could finish the game with 11!’

So we will see, we’ll again try to collect the bones and go again against Wolves.

We analyse the game itself in our Scout Notes article below.

Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona

  • Goals: Divock Origi (£5.0m) x2, Georginio Wijnaldum (£5.5m) x2
  • Assists: Jordan Henderson (£5.3m), Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.7m) x2, Xherdan Shaqiri (£6.8m)

Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s (£5.7m) superb run of form continued at Anfield on Tuesday evening.

The Liverpool right-back has registered three consecutive double-digit hauls in FPL and he would have had another had the Reds’ 4-0 victory over Barcelona been a Premier League match, banking a clean sheet and two assists in the comeback win.

Already owned by over 24% of FPL managers at the time of writing and the most-bought defender of Gameweek 38, Alexander-Arnold’s popularity will surely only increase further should Robertson be ruled out of Sunday’s game against Wolves (a large chunk of the Scottish full-back’s 2.3 million owners perhaps needing to look elsewhere).

The frequency of Liverpool goals from open-play crosses or dead-ball deliveries has increased in recent weeks, with Alexander-Arnold and Robertson sharing three assists in the 5-0 win over Huddersfield and all three of the Reds’ strikes against Newcastle coming from crosses.

Three of Liverpool’s goals against Barcelona were similarly sourced, with substitute Georginio Wijnaldum (£5.5m) converting whipped deliveries from Alexander-Arnold and Xherdan Shaqiri (£6.8m) before the Reds’ right-back brilliantly set up Divock Origi (£5.0m) with a quickly taken corner-kick for Liverpool’s fourth.

Klopp said of his young full-back’s ingenuity:

We all know you need luck in this situation [3-0 down] or a genius moment like Trent Alexander-Arnold. I saw the ball flying into the net and I had no idea who took the corner and who scored because it was too quick for me. Now I saw it back and it’s just incredibly smart, two players connected – in this moment it was enough. My God, genius.

Alexander-Arnold set up Virgil van Dijk (£6.7m) for Liverpool’s first goal last Saturday and he almost repeated the trick again last night, with the Dutch centre-back drawing a save from Marc-Andre ter Stegen with a flick from six yards out on 50 minutes.

No defender has delivered more successful crosses or supplied more big chances than Alexander-Arnold in the Premier League since his return from injury in Gameweek 28.

With Salah and Firmino sidelined, Origi and Shaqiri were chosen to join Sadio Mane (£10.2m) in Liverpool’s makeshift three-man attack.

The Swiss winger played his part with an assist for Liverpool’s third goal but looked out of sorts before the interval, understandably so given how peripheral he has been this calendar year.

Origi’s brace (and a winner against Newcastle) should stand him in good stead for a start in Gameweek 38 should Firmino be ruled out, with Daniel Sturridge (£5.6m) not really having convinced at St. James’ Park last Saturday.

Origi is flagged in FPL after limping off on Tuesday but it is thought the Belgian striker was only suffering from cramp.

Speaking after the match, Origi said:

We did so well, we fought and we knew it was going to be a special night. We wanted to also fight for the injured players.

We fought so hard. Robbo’s a fighter and we knew it could have an impact on the players. Even me at the end, I had some cramps.

As was the case on Saturday, Mane emerged from this match without an attacking return to his name.

The Senegal international was magnificent against Barcelona, however, and it was his anticipation in intercepting a Jordi Alba header that led to Liverpool’s first goal.

A constant menace to the Barcelona backline down the left flank, Mane had a first-half penalty shout turned away and set up two early chances – although didn’t manage a single shot on goal himself.

As the FPL midfielder who has recorded the most headed attempts on goal this season, there is every chance that it could be the former Southampton winger getting on the end of an Alexander-Arnold cross on Sunday afternoon.

Sadio Mane’s touch map v Barcelona. Despite no attacking returns or shots, the Senegal international hit double figures for penalty box touches (source: WhoScored.com)

Jordan Henderson (£5.3m) reprised his role as a more advanced “number eight” on the right of Liverpool’s midfield three and it was the former Sunderland man who claimed the Fantasy assist for the Reds’ opener when his saved shot (from inside the box, underlining his freedom to get forward) was followed up by Origi.

Since his conversion into this more forward-thinking midfielder at the beginning of April, Henderson has one goal and five assists in all competitions.

Jordan Henderson’s touch map v Barcelona, with his more advanced role on the right of Liverpool’s midfield three allowing more touches in the final third and box (source: WhoScored.com)

Liverpool’s backline kept another home clean sheet but Barcelona had their chances, as Klopp acknowledged after the match:

We thought our performance was better than 3-0 at Barca, and tonight probably Barca’s performance was better than the 4-0 here – but it’s a competition where you have to score the goals. They didn’t, we did tonight, we scored one more.

Alisson (£5.9m) was called into making smart (if not spectacular) saves from Lionel Messi, Alba, Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho, and Klopp paid tribute to his Brazilian goalkeeper after the match:

And the goalkeeper at the back who makes all these saves! There may be more spectacular goalkeepers out there but he is unbelievable. You think, “how is he there?”

What a performance. They had all these chances, he was always with the body behind the ball. I don’t know how he does it.

Joel Matip (£4.9m) was recalled at centre-half after missing out in Gameweeks 36 and 37, with James Milner (£5.6m) filling in at left-back when Robertson couldn’t continue.

Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson (Wijnaldum 46′); Fabinho, Milner, Henderson; Mane, Shaqiri (Sturridge 90), Origi (Gomez 85′).

618 Comments Post a Comment
  1. 007 [RoboKlopp]
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    A or B?
    A. Mane, Pogba, TAA
    B. Salah, Redmond, Robbo/Doherty

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

      B but still prefer TAA

  2. FantaCity
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Jimenez to Wilson or Arnie (or other similar price), and why please

    1. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I'd go Wilson over Arnautovic. West Ham don't score enough away from home, I think its only 5 goals in their last 10 games.

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

        thanks, I might well do so

    2. Tev
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Wilson has been tremendous away recently. Up the City btw.

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

        🙂 CTID

  3. FPL price manipulators are …
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Imagine this place this time next week. Pages will last for hours

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

      Days

  4. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone else feeling very impatient? Just want to make my bloody transfer and watch soccer saturday already!

    1. Mo Mané Mo Problems
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Why what's happening on Saturday?

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

        soccer....sunday?

      2. Mo Mané Mo Problems
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Ohhhhh Kilmarnock vs Hibs.

        Yeah me too. Can't wait!

      3. Pillson
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Response of a pedantic gimp

        1. Mo Mané Mo Problems
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Why thank you. Most kind.

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Yup.. Im on FH tho

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

    Captain Salah or Pogba?

    1. Lazaretti
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Salah

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

      Absolutely everything points towards Salah. But I wouldnt be surprised if Pogba randomly shows up with a brace or something

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

        Hit the post twice last game.

    3. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Is this a serious question? 🙂

  6. Pilgrim62
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Who would you start:
    Llorente or Jimmy ?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Llorente

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

    Re my team below, which do you think is the best option with my 2 FT's? (Third option added, thanks for replies earlier).

    Robbo, Son & Jimi to Aguero, TAA and fodder (-4)
    or... Robbo and Son to TAA and Bilva.
    or... Robbo and Son to Bednarek and Hazard.

    Boruc
    Robbo* - Laporte - AWB
    Salah - Mane - Sterling - Son* - Jota
    Jiminez - Wilson

    Ryan / Kola - Pereira - Barnes

    Cheers all

    1. Tev
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      A looks nice if a bit risky, Aguero I can see bagging a couple and I wouldn’t mind playing any of your bench tbh.

      1. avfc82
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Can't see an Aguero brace myself. He's only scored more than 1 goal on 3 occasions this year, all at home.

        1. avfc82
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Sorry, that was meant to say this season, not this year.

  8. Tomas_brolin
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    I’m a bit shell shocked after a worst ever score of 24 in GW37

    Lloris
    Robbo Valery shaw (dunk, Bennett)
    Mane Son Camarasa Sterling Pogba
    Jimi Aguero (gray)

    Thinking Son and Gray out for Redmond and Vardy. Or son out and upgrade to city defender?

    Help please, lost a 60pt+ ML lead in 2 weeks and cash on the line

    1. Tev
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Robbo might be out which is a problem, maybe Robbo and Son to City def/ Pogba or something.

    2. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Not sure if double Sou defence floats your boat, but you could try Robbo/Son to Bednarek & Hazard. (Considering that move myself if Robbo injured).

    3. suddenorgan
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      think you need to upgrade Gray to avoid playing Camarasa (who's injured anyway?)

  9. simong1
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Captain Mane, Aguero or Sterling?

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

      Good question....

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Aguero

    3. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I like Mane out of those options.

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

        Salah ahead of Mane as cap?

        1. avfc82
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Yeah for sure.

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

            Thanks mate.

  10. suddenorgan
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    so I'm fairly set on Gray -> Vardy, to afford it should I do Son ->
    Fraser
    Redmond
    Deulofeu
    Henderson (!?)

    1. Tev
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Redmond I’d say. Looks tasty, wish I had the option.

      1. suddenorgan
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        will he start? bit concerned they're on the beach

        1. Tev
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Should do, came on at HT and made a difference last time out, just won their POTY award.

    2. OldBenKenobi
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Redmond or Fraser

    3. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Why was Redmond benched last GW?

    4. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Ralph H said he wanted to experiment/rotate players now they're safe.

  11. Daghe Munegu
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Any suggestion please guys?

    1 ft 0.1 itb

    Lloris
    TAA Shaw Valery
    Salah Sterling Jota Jwp
    Kun Jimenez Gray

    Foster Son* Doherty Dunk

    A Son to Bilva/ Redmond/ Babel
    B Jota to Redmond/ Babel
    C Doherty to Kompany
    D Son and Jota to Bilva and Redmond/ Babel - 4
    E Son and Jimenez/Gray to Bilva/Redmond and Wilson/Mitrovic/ Arnie - 4
    F anything else

    1. All For One
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      A Redmond or c

  12. All For One
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Start Lloris or Forster?

    1. simong1
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Lloris

      1. All For One
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        you reckon he will keep a clean sheet?

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Lloris - doubt Forster plays for them again

      1. All For One
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Foster I meant, my bad lol

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Foster might be benched to give Gomes a final home send off.

          1. All For One
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            cool, thanks

  13. StayoutheSpiceZone
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Redmond captain anyone?

    1. All For One
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      tempting but I'll go for Aguero

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I would if I were chasing more aggressively than I am

    3. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Yep. ML wrapped up and OR 20k so I'm looking for differentials. Wouldn't do it otherwise, it's v risky

    4. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      It’s a desperate thought.

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

      Even if I knew he was starting I probably wouldn't.

  14. Mixed Bag
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Help me please. I have 3 points to make up in my cash league and 1FT. Money isn't an issue. Here's my team:

    Leno
    Robbo / TAA / Bednarek
    Mane / Sterling / Pogba / Hojberg
    Zaha / Aguero / Jimmy

    Subs: Ryan / Kola / Duffy / Son

    Should I do:
    A) Son > Bilva
    B) Leno > Ederson
    C) Son + Leno > Bilva + ?? (-4)

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      A

  15. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Thoughts on what to do here with 1FT and 0.6 ITB

    Fabianski
    Robbo* TAA AWB
    Salah (c) Sterling Hazard Pogba
    Rashford Jimenez Deeney

    Etheridge Brooks* Doherty Duffy

    A) Robbo to Laporte
    B) Brooks to Redmond

    1. Mixed Bag
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Wait on Robbo news. If he's still a doubt near the deadline, A.

  16. All For One
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    A - Laporte, your midfield looks fine

  17. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Is Salah actually hurt or is it just procedure stopping him from playing? Was he actually diagnosed with concussion?

    1. Mixed Bag
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Just concussion guidelines.

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

        So was he showing symptoms of concussion then or do you just have to follow them just incase

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Think it was the latter

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I don't think he was allowed to play

  18. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Advice please

    A keep eriksen : son and Jimmy to Redmond and vardy

    B keep Jimmy : son and eriksen to Redmond and sterling

    Both for free

    Thank you 🙂

    1. Mixed Bag
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Keep Jimmy. He has a good record against big teams.

      I bet Spurs will be dead on their feet at the weekend and are pretty safe for 4th.

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks makes sense

  19. All For One
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    B

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Is that for my question is take it ?

      1. All For One
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Yes was for your question, don't know why my comment got moved down

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Thanks Liverpool !

          1. All For One
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            Good luck to Ajax 2nite!

            1. Ajax Hamsterdam
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 10 months ago

              Haha thanks but I don't support them just like the name ( reference to the wire 😉 )

              Thanks anyway !!

              1. All For One
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 10 months ago

                Lol who do you support? The Wire is one of best shows a classic

  20. ★Kuntheman★
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    How’s she looking?

    Gunn (Ryan)
    Laporte TAA Valery (AWB, Bennett)
    Salah Sterling Hazard Mane (Brooks)
    Aguero Zaha Long

    1. Mixed Bag
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Very nice. I think you know that though. 🙂

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Pretty good GL !!!

    3. All For One
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      looking great!

    4. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Woah

  21. simong1
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Are City or Liverpool more likely to score big this week? Struggling to decide which attacking player to captain! Between Mane and Aguero atm

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      City haven't exactly been on fire and pool just trashed Barca 4 0

      Id stay pool

      1. Party time
          4 years, 10 months ago

          This

    2. Rhodes your boat
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      2ft 0.3 itb suggestions please!

      Lloris
      Taa Doherty bednarek
      Salah sterling son Jota
      Aguero jiminez llorente

      Foster hojberg Duffy dunk

      1. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Son to Silva, and then Hoj to Redmond or Llorente to Rondon?

        1. Rhodes your boat
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Like the idea but do I need to replace a wolves player, don’t fancy all 3 against pool

    3. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Looking for something spicy, is this pushing it?

      A) Haz and Jimmy -> Gini/7mil and Auba
      B) Haz and Jimmy -> Salah and Quaner (play Jota)

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

        I like b

        1. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Cheers, me too. I'd do it for sure if I was captaining Salah

      2. Dthinger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        I think that's going to give you heartburn

        1. Wild Rover
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          😀

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

      Son to

      A Redmond
      B Fraser
      C Pogba
      D Siggy

    5. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Team value really does mean fek all. I'm looking at finishing top 5k and my TV is 103.3m. Pretty appalling team value!

      1. FPL Pillars
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        You just got to use what you have the best you can. TV really doesn’t mean much, overall rank is king.

      2. OldBenKenobi
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        102.8 and hopefully be one of my best seasons for a while.
        Been way more patient this season

    6. simong1
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Rival has Jimenez and is 8 points ahead of me. I have Jimenez and Jota and need to play one. Which should I pick?

      1. All For One
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        I've gone for Jota has looked much more dangerous but Jimenez loves scoring against big teams, tough choice to make

      2. OldBenKenobi
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Pretty obvious really.
        You can’t catch him using the same players

    7. Gringo Kid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Lloris/Gunn
      Robbo/Laporte/Shaw/Doherty/Dunk
      Mane/Pogba/Deulofeu/Eriksen/Jota
      Jimenez/Kun/Firmino

      0 FT

      What would you do with Firmino and Robbo, I've already ditched Son to Pogba

    8. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Kompany fairly safe to start final GW?

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

        I would think so, they'll want their captain out there on the final day to potentially lift the trophy too.

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Didn't stop John Terry in the past

      2. avfc82
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Should do. Can’t see Pep using Stones against Brighton.

    9. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Foster
      Robertson Trent Laporte Bednarek
      SalahC Sterling Mata Pogba
      Wilson Aguero

      Patricio Jota Duffy Quaner

      Jota will come in for Robertson if out, stick with mata and Pogba but hopefully they should do ok, chasing 32 points

    10. Emm7980
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Play JWP or Jimenez?

      Have Valery but no other wolves.