Awards

Team of the Season – Alisson

The first name in the starting XI in our user-nominated Team of the Season is Alisson (£5.9m).

The Liverpool goalkeeper finished 2018/19 as the highest-scoring Fantasy Premier League player in his position and as the most-owned shot-stopper in the game, too.

Alisson gained a 41.18% share of the vote in our end-of-season poll for Goalkeeper of the Year, finishing comfortably clear of Neil Etheridge (£4.6m) and Ederson (£5.7m).


PlayerShare of vote
Alisson41.18%
Neil Etheridge25.16%
Ederson14.82%
Lukasz Fabianski9.03%
Jordan Pickford4.54%
Vicente Guaita4%
Hugo Lloris1.26%

The Statistics

Based on the raw numbers, it is perhaps no surprise that Alisson was handed the accolade by the users of our site.

The Brazil international was the Golden Glove winner for 2018/19, registering 21 clean sheets in 38 Premier League appearances.

The last goalkeeper to beat that tally was Petr Cech (£4.7m) back in 2004/05.

Liverpool’s backline was also the best in the division in 2018/19, with the Reds shipping only 22 league goals all season.

Jurgen Klopp’s side conceded on just ten occasions at Anfield, with 12 of Alisson’s 21 shut-outs coming on home soil.

Last season’s Golden Glove winner, David de Gea (£5.7m), also happened to be voted as our Goalkeeper of the Year in 2017/18.

De Gea’s FPL points total in that season (172) was similar to Alisson’s (176) in 2018/19 but it is fair to say that the Liverpool custodian didn’t have to work as hard for his returns as the Manchester United goalkeeper did.

Only in 11 of Alisson’s 38 appearances did the Brazilian register a save point in FPL and the Liverpool number one didn’t make more than five stops in a single league match all season.

Alisson’s total of 76 saves in 38 starts was some way short of de Gea’s tally in 2017/18 (115 saves in 37 appearances).

A lack of saves and the attacking contributions of the players in front of him cost Alisson on the Bonus Points System, with eight Premier League goalkeepers finishing 2018/19 with more bonus points.

It should be said, though, that de Gea only ended up with one more bonus point (ten v nine) in 2017/18 despite the Spaniard’s heroics.

That tends to be the lot of the premium goalkeeper in FPL, given the number of points being scored by their teammates elsewhere on the pitch: not one Premier League goalkeeper priced at £5.0m or more registered in excess of ten bonus points in 2018/19.

When Alisson was called into action, he was a reliable pair of hands: his save percentage of 79.2% was the best in the division among first-choice goalkeepers, while only Hugo Lloris (£5.4m) and Lukasz Fabianski (£4.7m) had better expected goals prevented (xGP) figures than Alisson’s +5.50.

Season Recap

Alisson had the best FPL points-per-match average (4.6) of any first-choice goalkeeper in 2018/19 and consistent returns were the hallmark of his season.

The Liverpool goalkeeper started off his debut Premier League campaign with three clean sheets and no save points – his 2018/19 in a microcosm.

The Brazilian registered six FPL points on 13 occasions over the year.

Alisson never went more than two Gameweeks without a shut-out in the first half of the season, although there were some relatively dry spells thereafter: Liverpool recording only clean sheet between Gameweeks 20 and 25 and conceding in every match between Gameweeks 30 and 33.

Twelve of Alisson’s 21 clean sheets came in the first half of the season.

The Liverpool goalkeeper and his backline finished 2018/19 strongly, however, recording four shut-outs in the final five Gameweeks.

Alisson’s spell from Gameweek 26-29 was his best of the season, with clean sheets banked in all four matches and save points registered in three of those fixtures.

The Brazil international’s Gameweek 27 score of ten points (Alisson gaining a save point and maximum bonus in the 0-0 draw with Manchester United) was his highest of the season and the only time he hit double figures in 2018/19.

Ownership

The early-season hat-trick of clean sheets propelled Alisson’s ownership past the one-million mark, where it remained for the rest of 2018/19.

Alisson’s popularity peaked in Gameweek 23 when he found himself in 1,554,592 FPL squads going into the 4-3 win over Crystal Palace.

The Liverpool goalkeeper’s price rose to £6.0m for the first time in that very same Gameweek, having steadily increased from a starting price of £5.5m.

Given the form of the defenders in front of him in the second half of the season, it is perhaps no surprise that Alisson’s popularity and price dipped slightly towards the end of 2018/19, although he still finished the campaign as the most-owned goalkeeper in FPL (on 23.4%).

The attacking returns recorded by Andrew Robertson (£6.7m), Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.8m) and Virgil van Dijk (£6.7m) this calendar year came at the expense of Alisson in terms of ownership.

All of these defenders offered the same route to clean sheets but the attacking ambition of the Reds’ full-backs, in particular, provided other avenues for points.

The Gameweek 38 ownership figures among the top 10k – a more reliable barometer given the millions of inactive teams in FPL overall in May – showed just how much more popular van Dijk, Robertson and Alexander-Arnold were by the season’s end:

Source: www.livefpl.net

The Prospects

We will surely see a rise in Alisson’s FPL starting price next season, most likely to £6.0m based on the cost of de Gea at the beginning of 2018/19.

The rest of Liverpool’s first-choice backline will follow suit, with van Dijk, Robertson and especially Alexander-Arnold set for significant price rises.

Alisson may well start off a full million cheaper than Alexander-Arnold and Robertson in 2019/20 but we could well see the Liverpool goalkeeper’s overall popularity dip next season based on the late-season exploits of those two forward-thinking options.

With only three Liverpool slots permitted and the likes of Sadio Mane (£10.3m), Mohamed Salah (£13.2m) and Roberto Firmino (£9.3m) to consider further forward, will there be many FPL managers plumping for Mr Consistency between the sticks in preference to the more explosive Alexander-Arnold and Robertson in front of him?

As the below table shows, Liverpool’s three key defenders outperformed their goalkeeper for both value and average points per match in FPL this season:


PlayerPoints Per MatchPoints Per Million Spent
Alisson4.629.8
van Dijk5.531.0
Robertson5.931.8
Alexander-Arnold6.431.9

While the inevitable price rises for van Dijk, Robertson and Alexander-Arnold may level the playing field regarding value for money, it would be difficult to see Alisson overhauling the points-per-match averages of Liverpool’s two full-backs in particular.

Alexander-Arnold and/or Robertson may very well be the first names on the teamsheet in many Fantasy managers’ squads in 2019/20.

Should FPL have any price-related shocks up their sleeves when the game is relaunched this summer, of course, we might have to reassess the dependable Alisson’s worth as a route into the Liverpool backline.


75 Comments Post a Comment
  1. F0oTBall GuRu
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Zlaataaaaaaaaaaaaaaaann!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Best Footballer ever

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

      He was quality but Scholesy and Giggsy were better

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

        No disrespect if your reading Zlatan!!

        1. Tsssst
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          It is you off f365 isn't it?!

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

            Huh

            1. Tsssst
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 10 months ago

              There's someone on the F365 forum with the same name as you

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

                Never heard of the forum bro! He must have nicked my name

                1. Tsssst
                  • 12 Years
                  4 years, 10 months ago

                  Ha never mind

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

            Maybe it’s Porkpiesausageroll who used to post here a lot on here but another now rarely seen?

        2. F0oTBall GuRu
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          disrespect RESPECTS Zlatan!!

  2. Duffy Dunk
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Early thoughts but, how do you plan starting next season at GK?

    A) 6.0 + 4.0
    B) 5.5 + 4.0
    C) 5.0 + 4.0
    D) 4.5 + 4.5

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

      D

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      D

    3. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      4.5 + 4.0, always bench the wrong GK when I do x2 4.5m Rotation

    4. Tsssst
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      How do the fellows who picked D, decide who to start if its tough to call on fixture or form?

      1. Thomas Jerome Newton
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        I look up the betting odds for team clean sheet each week.

    5. zotter
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Default to D usually. Perhaps a 4.5 and 4.0 if any signs

    6. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      D for me

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

      D

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

      I’m still stuck on Ederson as an option. He could be the cheap route into nailed City defence and it was only the late season surge that took Laporte past him. Could be better value.

      So perhaps A

      1. Tsssst
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        I had Ederson for the majority of the season but if anything it put me off having him instead of one of their defs. Laporte is enough and gets the cs as well as bonus and goals, plus Bilva and Aguero.

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

      Ederson + Cheapie

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

    Expanding on this. Defence structure? I’m thinking a Liverpool full back. Laporte. Digne or Doherty. And 4.5. 4.0

    1. Tsssst
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I'd be content with a back line of Laporte / TAA / + 2 rotating 4.5s and a 4.0.

      I'm gonna end up needing that 1m or 0.5m difference elsewhere so likes of Digne, Doherty and WB might have to wait.

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      2 x Liverpool and 1 x City. Then just go cheap.

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

        I guess a lot of people are thinking that way.

        It could have an interesting knock on effect in midfield with a forced choice between Salah and Mane and that could skew ownership levels of those two

        If defence comes in with serious price hikes is Mane going to be the mid of choice assuming he’s going to be at least a mill cheaper than Salah?

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

      Taa Robbo Laporte Digne/Pereira/Doherty 4.0

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

      Probably doubling out on both Pool and City defenders. Worked out nicely last season.

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

        up*

  4. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Man Utd interested in Ryan Sessegnon.

    Perfect back up for Luke Shaw.

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

      Meh. His stats on FIFA are decent but we’ve got bigger problems than LB tbh. Get someone in to play RW for a start - a Sancho or a Dybala or a Zaha

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

        The board need to move fast for the Manager thats leaving Juve too - he’s a great manager

    2. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      He’s not a left back, he’s more of a winger now

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

    This season has to be unique with two awesome defensive options in City & Pool that almost guaranteed CS + some bonus attacking returns.

    Was there any season earlier where such thing happened ??
    Also, can City & Liverpool continue such solid performances ?? 😮

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

      There’s been more solid defences, just not sure if at the same time.

      Chelsea had some great ones for example.

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

        Cool.
        This is the first time i gained so many points from Defense so was interested.

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

    Curious what people think the future of Joe Gomez is. Is he going to be re-tooled as VVDs partner? If so he could be a great way into that defence.

    Could we see TAA genuinely oop as a mid? A lot of Liverpool fans I know do expect TAA to end up in midfield.

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

      I reckon Gomez will come in along side VVD next season. If he does he will be terrific value!

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

        How much is he?

    2. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      First half of the season Gomez played next to vvd and the back four were rock solid. Once he got injured then defensive "issues" came up for pool.
      I reckon he will be back next to vvd next year to offer one more solid option and more headaches on us.

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

    Marquis who just scored for Doncaster is surely the love child of Bale and Carroll 😀

  8. Bad Kompany
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Does anyone remember what teams rotated home and away this past season?

    Want to see how rotating two 4.5 gks did vs just a set and forget one

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

      Never works

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Look at Palace and Newcastle.

      I had AWB and Lascelles for a long time from GW1 and it worked okay.

      1. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        That wasn't home / away though - it was a pair that avoided Top 6 teams + Everton (I assumed Everton would finish 7th) to maximise CS potential.

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

      BHA-NEW, BOU-CRY, BUR-HUD, CHE-FUL, EVE-LIV, LEI-WOL, MCI-MUN, SOU-WHU.
      The following rotated 36 weeks out of 38: ARS-TOT, CAR-WAT (because the Spurs- Watford match in GW4 reversed venue in the expectation that the new Spurs ground would be ready to move into after that!).

      Etheridge (CAR) - Foster (WAT) was probably the best 4.5-4.5 combination, but not as good as Etheridge on his own. (He actually scored more points in away matches than when playing at home).

  9. Mork calling Orson
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Charlton v Doncaster - normally the end the penalty shoot out is taken is decided by a coin toss, but the local Charlton constabulary have just walked onto the pitch & told the ref the penalties have to be taken in front of the Charlton fans??? WTAF???

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

    Rowe Z 😀

  11. Legomané
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    What (on Earth) is the key to a fast start in FPL? 😯

    1. Thomas Jerome Newton
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Hotline to Mystic Meg.

    2. The Rumour Mill
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Pre season research, following clubs pre seasons, a knowledge of the fixture list, and a bit of luck.

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

      Wrong question. Like golf tournaments, no one wins on the first day, but you can lose on the first day. Populate your first week team with the top 25 owned defenders and midfielders, the top 15 forwards, and either the top 6 keeper with the best early fixtures or 2 cheap ones who rotate well. First week leaders often happen to have unsustainable first week performers.

      1. Legomané
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        The q wasn't entirely directed at GW1 per se, more a general fast start - I.e. Hitting top 100k within 4-5 GWs and pushing on from there. Last couple of season's I've been hammered early and once you reach GW6-ish, it feels very difficult to make significant gains through the season - not impossible of course, but it's very easy to become rank static wherever you are placed.

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

      Another strategy is to start GW2, it’s like a free wildcard.

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

        This kid is going places

      2. Peter Ouch
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Was thinking the same. So initially you are missing around 70 points but at the end of the year you can easily cover up having used 3 WC

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

          Take a few hits and you still have more than 0 points.

      3. Legomané
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        You can't start day 2 in a golf comp though 😉

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

      BB in first week

      1. Legomané
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        This is an intriguing option. GW1 has been quite bench friendly last couple of seasons IIFC

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

      I scored over a century in wk1 and 2, in the top 2k.
      Then I finished at 102k. Just a warning!

      1. Legomané
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Early success is certainly no guarantee to a good season.

  12. Thomas Jerome Newton
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    This season I avoided players in the latter stages of the World Cup.
    Next season I will take African Nations and Copa America into account.

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

    Carlos Vela has scored 13 goals in 13 games this season for Los Angeles FC over this side of the pond. If we can get him for less than 50m he’d be a decent option to rotate with Rashy and Lukaku

    1. Rotation's Alter Ego
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      "If we can get him for less than 50m"

      He's 30, playing in the MLS 😆

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

      sarcasm detected

      1. Peter Ouch
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Nope, he's actually serious

        1. Gnu
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          You're not from around these partsm are you.

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

    https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2011/07/21/first-impressions/
    Someone posted this earlier
    I don't see any of the posters of that time commenting these days
    Will most of us leave this community in coming years?

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

      Try Page 1.

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

      maybe, with change in time come responsibilities, priorities change, lack of time and so on...

      But as the old guys leave, new face will join as well.

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

        Yeah but I just can't understand how they handle fpl addiction. It's like not playing fpl. Impossible for me despite all those anger during some weeks

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

          They are probably still playing FPL but not posting much here. kind of lurkers.

    3. Saint Steve-O (@EliteFPL)
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Thanks for reposting this. Really interested seeing such high priced players. Baines 8.0! That's incredible. Even goalkeepers like Hart 7.0