Scout Notes

Salah blanks as mediocre Liverpool concede again

Southampton 1-2 Liverpool

Goals: Danny Ings (£6.0m) | Sadio Mané (£11.5m), Roberto Firmino (£9.5m)

Assists: James Milner (£5.5m), Mané

Bonus Points: Mané x3, Firmino x2, Ings x1

Liverpool’s performance at Southampton on Saturday proved right those Fantasy Premier League managers who had concerns after the Super Cup final.

Having played 120 minutes in Istanbul midweek, the Reds probably did not deserve to take all three points from the Saints as they did not play to their usual high standards.

That led to Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) recording his first blank of the 2019/20 season at just the second hurdle.

The Egyptian was largely anonymous at the St. Mary’s Stadium, only finding himself presented with one decent chance on Saturday afternoon.

After making a trademark run cutting in from the right, Salah bore down on Angus Gunn‘s (£4.5m) goal, only for Southampton’s shot-stopper to deflect the effort away with his feet.

Salah was pulled off in the 78th minute at Southampton

Despite Klopp’s insistence that a 120-minute outing would not hamper Salah in Gameweek 2, Liverpool’s manager took the player off in the 78th minute and replaced him with Divock Origi (£5.6m).

Whether Fantasy managers should have any lasting concerns about Salah remains to be seen though.

It will not be every week that the Egyptian will be forced into extra-time midweek before a Saturday Premier League match.

Furthermore, with a home match against Arsenal next, a side who Liverpool scored five against at Anfield last season, it probably does not serve well to make any kneejerk reactions to Salah’s Gameweek 2 blank.

However, a 14-point haul for Sadio Mané (£11.5m) might just give some Fantasy managers itchy feet.

The former Southampton man returned to the starting line-up after his late return from African Cup of Nations action over the summer and got himself a goal and assist against his former employers.

The Senegalese international played only 103 minutes in the Super Cup final, which might have helped his cause, although in truth he wasn’t any more involved in the Liverpool action than Salah.

Yes, it was his excellent curled effort from range that gave Liverpool the lead, but he, like Salah, was also not at his best in a game largely dominated by Southampton.

Firmino scored what proved to be the winner for Liverpool but they were far from their best at Southampton

The same goes for Roberto Firmino (£9.5m), who outscored Salah in this game but did not necessarily offer much more than him across the course of the game.

We pointed out in Gameweek 1 that the Brazilian had registered more shots than Salah against Norwich, but it was the Egyptian who had more efforts on goal in this game.

Southampton asked plenty of questions of the European champions in the opening 45 minutes, Nathan Redmond (£6.5m) exploiting space on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s (£7.0m) side of the pitch.

The former Norwich midfielder saw a fierce effort go wide early on before Che Adams (£6.0m) dragged just beyond the far post from a corner.

Goalkeeper Adrian (£4.5m), who came through an ankle injury scare, was very much at the heart of Southampton’s attacking play for much of the game.

Early on, his clearance was charged down by James Ward-Prowse (£6.0m), setting the tone for the afternoon.

For long periods, the former West Ham man kept his side in the game, his most impressive save a point-blank stop from a Maya Yoshida (£4.5m) header after a Southampton corner.

Adrian was at the heart of the narrative for Liverpool’s win over Southampton

Adrian also made some good saves in the second half too, but ultimately it was exclusively his fault when Danny Ings (£6.0m) scored in the 83rd minute.

In almost a carbon copy of what happened with Ward-Prowse in the first half, his attempted clearance was charged down by the forward, who did not have to add a second touch to see the ball roll into an empty net.

“Yes (I have spoken to Adrian): ‘You finally arrived, welcome!’ Ali did the same. Obviously, it’s a goalie thing at Liverpool, no problem with that as long as we win the games. All good.” – Jurgen Klopp

The fact that Adrian allowed himself to get closed down on two occasions will not inspire confidence in owners of Liverpool defensive assets, especially those with a double-up in this department. That said, Klopp did insist that his team played him too many short passes today, in light of his recent injury. Maybe a return to full fitness for Gameweek 3 might help Adrian somewhat.

“Adrian had a swollen ankle and we played too many balls back to him in that period. I was happy with everything he did today, all the saves, all that stuff. The other players have to then feel more the responsibility for the build-up and cannot give all the balls back to him and hope the pain killers still help or whatever. I don’t think the goal was because of that, but a few other balls were. He is completely good with his feet. If you would have seen his ankle on Thursday after we left the plan then you would say even the pass before the [Southampton] goal was better than you would have expected! It is all fine.” – Jurgen Klopp

Owners of key Liverpool defensive assets were left disappointed on Saturday afternoon

Southampton burst into a late fight-back and probably should have levelled things up, Ings screwing wide from short-range shortly after busting Liverpool’s clean sheet.

Either way, after what Norwich achieved at Anfield in Gameweek 1, Southampton’s domination of this game will add further worry to those with Liverpool defenders.

Unfortunately for those invested in Andrew Robertson (£7.0m), Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk (£6.5m), or a combination, Liverpool did not get enough going to soften the blow of losing the clean sheet with some attacking returns.

Those concerned about the double-up especially will perhaps not be too excited about Arsenal coming to Anfield in Gameweek 3.

Members Analysis

Lessons learned from Gameweek 2

1,924 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Totti
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    guys would you wildcard this?

    Ryan Button
    TAA VVD Digne Walker-peters Rico
    Salah Sterling Moura Fraser Dendonker
    King jimmy greenwood

    2 FT And 0.5 ITB

    your replies would be highly appreciated
    thanks

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      No

      King -> Pukki
      Fraser -> Martial (maybe)

      Or take a -4 and do Fraser -> Son/ KDB and downgrade TAA

      1. Totti
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        and kane?
        forget about kane?

        1. Klaren
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Pray that he doesn’t score

    2. FantasyHero
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Don't think it's worth to wildcard just cause of kane. It's a risk but if you bring in Kane you will either transfer out Sterling or salah or 2-3 other players which imo isn't worth it.

  2. TheBrazilianRonaldo
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    This will be the first season I don’t wildcard early. This will be the first season I don’t wildcard early. This will be the first season I don’t wildcard early..

    So far so good. Repeats

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      When the time is right to wildcard you will know.

      Wildcarding early is removing the ‘safety net’ a bit like Batman in the dark night rises - remove the rope and let fear find you.

      In conclusion - if you wildcard early you are basically Batman

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        nah you're a joker

        1. TheDragon
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          * The Joker

      2. TheBrazilianRonaldo
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        If playing the wildcard drops my accent a few times and I get buff I’ll consider it

  3. Greek Flair
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Got 2FT’s and looking at either

    KDB or Kane?

    Who do you reckon for the next 5 games or so?

    1. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      KDB + 1.5m

    2. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Look at city’s fixtures

      Kane is good for Newcastle but other than that it’s KDb for me

    3. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I have KdB and so far very happy.

    4. cravencottage
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      KDB

    5. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      both

    6. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Kane - potential hauls and captaincy option whereas KdB only adds to Sterling.

      I’m also.a little wary of those good fixtures falling around CL start - I suspect I know what’s going to happen

      1. FPLGeezer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Leaning to Kane too!

  4. andres
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    So when you think about Ars and Tot, what are the starting line ups... in particular:

    1 ceballos - will he be nailed on when other are fit and available (ozil, pepe)

    2 son - who will make way?

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      1 Yes. He should start but might play deeper if Ozil gets the nod.
      2 Lamela probably makes way.

    2. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      1. Will be rotated sometimes at least. Oil will never be fit and available. Pepe will take a while like Torreira last year.

      2. Lamela

  5. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Too much to ask for an app where I could see my whole teams price change percentages? Ragabolly?

    Would be cool.

  6. RyanKent14
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    You think it’s worth taking a risk and going for nailed rotating 4.5 defenders and spending attack? Is anyone doing this?

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Where is the risk?

      1. RyanKent14
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        A lot of people saying Liverpool defence a must have, not looking that way so far, but just think having defence that play hopefully will be enough

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

    Puscas with a beauty vs Cardiff. How did bankrupt reading pull him off
    https://twitter.com/charleslevitt_/status/1163050050542612480?s=21

    1. Bolivian Seaman
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Bankrupt reading did what?

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

    There is usually a drop down box onyour mini league page where you can see your performance month on month....

    Does it usually appear as we tick over into september?

  9. HollywoodXI
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I think Palace are going to win this game 3-0 with Zaha having a blinder. Reality check for United.

    1. yakirh
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Boring 0-0 incoming

    2. Andy'81
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I hope so, really bad GW for me so far.

  10. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Would it be a mistake to have Lanzini on WC now and switch over to Pukki around GW 6.

    Lanzini has amazing fixtures in the next 3 while Pukki's fixtures look bad.

    Always prefer to hop on the next bandwagon early than chasing the already cruising one. Thoughts?

    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Your views on fixtures are eccentric, to say the least.
      NOR : NEW 55 CHE -96 whu -41 MCI -466 bur 90 cry 39 AVL 95
      WHU : bha 68 wat -37 NOR 41 avl 2 MUN -91 bou -67 CRY 32

      Oh, and:
      BUR : ars -493 wol -280 LIV -470 bha -15 NOR -90 avl -81 EVE -129 lei -214 CHE -175 shu -179

      1. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Hmmm....cheers Doos!

        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          🙂

      2. Bolivian Seaman
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I think pukkis fixtures are good if you take out man city

        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Correct!!!

  11. Party time
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Who is the best captain for round 3?

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Mané or Kané ... 😉

        1. Party time
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Thanks buddy. It comes down to a coin toss then 🙂

            1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              Sniff it closer to the game. 🙂

              1. Party time
                  4 years, 7 months ago

                  I will do just that 🙂

        2. Gnu
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Andy Social. you around?

          1. Gnu
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Scribble down the e-mail address in my username , let me know and then I'll explain.

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

              done

              1. Gnu
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                4 years, 7 months ago

                Good man, I reckon this'll be interest, you may or may not know that some of the 'old heads' around here have a members only site.
                If you're interested you are welcome to join. Think you'll like it.
                Just e-mail the link and say who you are and that I in=vited you and you'll be sent a password.
                Simple as that, if you want more info, just ask.

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

                  I've actually been around here over 10 years - changed my email and got reset at some point.
                  Hang on ....

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

                    I see what you did there. U got mail 🙂

                    1. Gnu
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 14 Years
                      4 years, 7 months ago

                      Replied, should be sorted by bedtime in Cambodia. 🙂

        3. have you seen cyan
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          If vardy scores don’t celebrate too score, he been offside a lot today VAR will rule it out no doubt 🙁

        4. etown
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Good evening everyone, looking for your opinions on which moves to make for GW3.

          1) Auba to Kane & Wison to Pukki for free.
          2) Wilson to Pukki & Fraser to Martial.
          3) Auba to Kane, Wilson to Pukki and Fraser to Martial/pogba for -4.

          Thanks!

        5. AFCB2019
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Bad week (34 points) and changes are needed.

          What are peoples thoughts on Robertson, Perez, Robinson OUT and Walker-Peters, Trossard, Martial IN

          1. George Sillett
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Robertson is a keeper for me.
            Just get rid of Robinson . I'm giving Perez the next 2 .

            1. AFCB2019
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              I already have VVD and don't think double Liverpool defence is needed. Ditching Robertson provides funds for the other moves. Much prefer Martial and Trossard to Perez, both on fixtures and form. Tottenham fixtures fairly good too so decent clean sheet potential for Walker-Peters. That's the thinking!

        6. _nod
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Pope
          TAA \ VVD \ Laporte \ Zouma
          Sterling (C) \ Son \ Martial \ Pérez
          Aubameyang \ Pukki

          Woodman \ Lundstram \ Greenwood \ Dendoncker

          Any other changes needed? I'm not convinced with double Liverpool deference, especially going in to this game, but willing to give it a couple of games. Same with Pérez and Zouma.

        7. migas2k7
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          strugling betewn salah and mane... with KDB form the 1.0 difference is huge.

          What do you think salah or mane? and why?

          1. Any Laporte in a Storm
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            I've gone Mane. Finished last season well and has started well again this one. Also did good in Africa.

        8. Mr. Mystic
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Pope Heaton
          VVD TAA Digne Lundstram Kelly
          Salah Sterling Perez Siggy Martial
          Ings King Greenwood

          2FT’s:
          Perez&Siggy -> KDB&Cantwell?