Dugout Discussion

Salah and key defenders start for Liverpool as Mané benched

As expected, Sadio Mané (£11.5m) has been named on the bench for Liverpool’s opening Premier League match of the season.

The Senegalese international missed all of the club’s pre-season friendly campaign and was always a doubt to be involved against Norwich.

Jurgen Klopp did not appear too fazed by not being able to include Mané in the starting XI.

As had been predicted, Divock Origi (£5.5m) starts on the left flank of the forward line in the 4-3-3 system.

“I’m happy with how it is now. It’s not about me it’s about the players. If the player aren’t available or fit they are the things we have to deal with.” – Jurgen Klopp

The Belgian features alongside Roberto Firmino (£9.5m) in a central role while Mohamed Salah (£12.5m), the winner of the Gameweek 1 captain poll, is on the right flank.

There was keen interest in Liverpool’s defence over the summer and all three key individuals find themselves in the starting XI.

Andrew Robertson (£7.0m) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.0m) are on the left and right flanks of the back-four, with Virgil van Dijk (£6.5m) in the middle.

Paired with the Dutchman at centre-back is Joe Gomez (£5.5m), which comes as welcome news to those invested in Alexander-Arnold.

After the Englishman replaced his compatriot around the hour mark in the Community Shield final, with Joel Matip (£5.5m) starting that match at centre-back, there had been some concern over Alexander-Arnold’s role.

However, a home match against newly-promoted opposition was clearly seen as a different prospect to Manchester City at Wembley by Klopp, who clearly favours playing the more attacking full-back in this one.

Norwich line up in the 4-2-3-1 formation that Daniel Farke was so fond of on his way to securing the Championship title last season.

There was only one change to our predicted line-up provided by team news correspondent Neale Rigg.

Todd Cantwell (£4.5m) has been handed a start on the left side of attacking midfield, alongside Marco Stiepermann (£6.0m) and Emi Buendía (£6.0m).

That means Onel Hernandez (£5.5m) taking up a spot on the bench.

As expected, Grant Hanley (£4.0m) starts at centre-back alongside Ben Godfrey (£4.5m) with Timm Klose (£4.5m) and Christoph Zimmermann (£4.5m) injured.

Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Robertson, van Dijk, Gomez, Alexander-Arnold; Wijnaldum, Henderson, Fabinho; Origi, Firmino, Salah.

Substitutes: Adrian, Milner, Keita, Mané, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Shaqiri, Matip.

Norwich XI (4-2-3-1): Krul; Lewis, Godfrey, Hanley, Aarons; McLean, Trybull; Cantwell, Stiepermann, Buendía; Pukki.

Substitutes: Fahrmann, Byram, Roberts, Vrancic, Leitner, O Hernandez, Drmic

2,602 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Royal5
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Whats more annoying?

    A) This site having technical problems?

    B) No live points

    1. Green Arrow
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      B

    2. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Both. See below

      1. Royal5
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        100%

    3. Pinturicchio10
        4 years, 8 months ago

        C) dorks complaining

        1. Egg noodle
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          luls

      • HurriKane
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        C) I got only one liv def

        1. Royal5
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Understandable

      • HashAttack
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        You can see BPS against the individual player's info
        Origi 41, Mo 32, VVD 21, TAA 18

      • JustPark
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Global warming.

      • LangerznMash
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        C) The drama queens moaning about A & B.

        1. Royal5
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Log off then.

          1. LangerznMash
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Pipe down and get back to pumping F5 you bean.

      • Arse Craic
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        updated

        1. Royal5
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Yes 🙂 complaining worked.

    4. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      FFS and FPL doing everything they can to spoil what should be a magic time 🙁

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Ha ha

      2. Limbo
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Scaling websites for high traffic is expensive. It’s all guesswork

      3. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Doing a great job also, those fookfaces

      4. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        It’s basically an unorganised DOD attack which is happening to the FPL site currently. As I said previously no website can handle a 3million user DOS attack. Most crash around 300k and the website is totally unusable. Whenever hosts the fpl site is literally pushing the bounds of current tech to make it work at all

    5. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I asked about origi and everyone said to go another Liv player instead and I went for the absolute waste of space Robbo. Thanks a lot....

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        You’re welcome. Lol at you

        1. Egg noodle
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          No you didn't.. Guys we have the first loller of this season

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

          This

        3. Jambot
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          This made me laugh out loud

      2. Mumble Pie
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        How is he a waste of space ? Suck it up mate. Did you see the amount points he raked in last season. He'll do the same again this year. He's the best left back in the world imo ....

      3. Pumpkinhead
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Lol he’s on a clean sheet plus will play 38 games... pick your own team! Why you blaming people.

      4. potatoace
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        See lads, I told you he'll fall for it.

      5. ENZO SZN™
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Inb4 Robba bag a hattrick of assist in second half

      6. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Get rid of Robbo! But don’t cry GW38 when he’s top of the table

      7. Cok3y5murf
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        So many noobs took your bait 😀

        1. Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          😉 best part of the season

    6. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      So...my brother, who's never played fantasy PL before has Salah, TAA, and VVD (C). I might be in some trouble.

      1. Pumpkinhead
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        One week does not make a season

    7. Mumble Pie
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Personally think Robbo had a better half than TAA ...

      1. thepeen555
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Defo just the assist that make it look not as good

      2. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        100%. His open play and defensive shape is a million times better

      3. ENZO SZN™
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        That's because every Norwich attack came from Trent's side. So Robbo had more freedom

      4. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Definitely
        Great player
        Hopefully gets his assist

      5. vanishing spray
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Yup, many of Norwich's chances came through TAA. Not a good indicator when he was already considered a rotation risk.

        1. JBG
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Yeah TAA and Gomez not really the best in defence so far, IMO.

    8. JBG
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Is free hit gone this year? I'm using the website and I only have TC and BB... But my friend who uses the app has FH as well.

      1. thepeen555
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Nope it’s where you confirm transfers. It says as an option with the confirm button

        1. JBG
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Ah okey.. :/. Last year it was with the other buttons.

          1. thepeen555
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Yeah they moved it

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

        Probably show next week. Not going to play FH on week one.

        1. JBG
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Hahah no ofc not, but I just found it weird that I couldn't see it.

          1. thepeen555
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Where I thought it was right?

            1. JBG
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Jupp, thanks.

    9. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Michael Owen says Allison has done his Achilles and could be out for long time.

      All aboard Alisson train for those with 2 liv players?

      1. The Pesci challenge
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        *adrian

      2. Dr Van Nostrand
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Bugger Echo says a calf injury

      3. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Depends on Adrian's price. I still think TAA, Robbo, VVD could offer better value because of their attacking output and BPS potential.

        I would not be surprised to see Adrian priced at £5.5m if Alisson is out for a long time.

      4. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I’d still keep the ones I have

      5. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Could be calf or hamstring.. going to be out for a while regardless

        1. Dr Van Nostrand
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Looked like his calf. Best send out the bat signal for Karius

        2. The Suspended One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Its the achilles on the step back, bad injury for a gk

          1. Dr Van Nostrand
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Nah in the pics he's holding his calf

    10. NED KELLY
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Mate in Mimi league as triple cap'd Mo.. legend !!

    11. ENZO SZN™
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      500+ managers have transferred IN Allison. Why...

      1. Podge
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Minimum points leagues

      2. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

      3. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        For the lols

    12. Jebiga
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Need Robbo hatty !!!

    13. moment
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      OOH POINTS ARE IN

    14. Teahupo'o
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Origi expected be back on the bench next gw?

      1. Salarrivederci
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        That or GW3, but with 1 pointers every GW coming on from the bench in 75'ish

      2. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Seems harsh to bench him. He has been one of Liverpool's best players.

      3. thepeen555
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Whenever Mané is back

      4. Teahupo'o
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers. Still not too bad of a gw1 punt.

      5. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Probably

    15. Cube
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Oh, so hasn't Adrian been priced??

      1. Rasping Drive
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        He’ll probably be 5.5 now

        1. Cube
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          That will b a cheat....Cos he will hv been priced at 4.5

    16. R.C
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      POINTS ARE UPDATED

      1. R.C
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        No BPS yet though

    17. datamunkey
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Did no one see the memo?

      ‘...no live in game FPL updates available 20/21 season due to implementation of VAR. All updates applied within 2hrs of the final GW game.’

      Seems like we just need to chill, might mean actually enjoying football again folks; hey ho, silver linings... 🙂

      1. datamunkey
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Typical... updates as posting! 🙂

    18. blue book
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      We might see some early subs with Klopp looking to protect his stars for the Super Cup.

    19. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      POINTS!

    20. Lukey27
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      points are up now

      1. Lukey27
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        hope everyones happy now

    21. fatherted
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Just noticed Adrian isn't even listed(Mignolet is)...What's the guessing he'll now be 5m whereas without the injury, he'd have be 4.5 max.

    22. Hairy Potter
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Looks like whoever is in charge of the UI and UX at FPL has had a bit of a fail or there is something wrong with the back end. Either way, not too impressed especially as there is only one match tonight to update.

      Then again, it's a free bit of fun.

      1. Hairy Potter
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Scratch that, well done to the techies who have fixed whatever the issue was.

        1. Egg noodle
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          We still don't have the summary when you click the game in the fixture list at the bottom of the page

    23. NED KELLY
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      This is all going to plan.. FPL is to easy ha

    24. mxstro
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      LIVE POINTS!!

    25. Hits from the Bong
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      29 fat points good to be back

      1. mxstro
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        same

        TAA VVD (C)SALAH

    26. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Origi 3
      Salah 2
      VVD 1

      Bps atm

    27. tutankamun
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Any BAPS sites working?

    28. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      TAA is only 3 BPS behind VVD

    29. KGFC
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      No disrespect to Adrian, but does Adrian in goal mean less clean sheets for Liverpool? Alison injury seems like he will be away for quiet a while.

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

        I would think they're less likely now, but I think they'll be fine for the most part.

      2. Hits from the Bong
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Adrian is a great shot stopper just loses his mind and dribbles by the corner flag at times. If he behaves himself they’ll be fine

    30. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Why does warm pitta bread carry so much heat ffs I just want to eat

    31. amitmishr
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Points are updated now, but the bps stats are not available yet

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Scroll down

    32. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      BPS latest:

      Origi (41)
      Salah (32)
      van Dijk (21)
      Alexander-Arnold (18)
      Firmino (18)