Scout Notes

Salah punishes doubters as Liverpool concede for third successive match

Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal

Goals: Joel Matip (£5.4m), Mohamed Salah x2 (£12.5m) | Lucas Torreira (£4.9m)

Assists: Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.0m), Fabinho (£5.5m) | Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.0m)

Bonus Points: Salah x3, Fabinho x2, Matip x1

The familiar story of Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) punishing his doubters came to pass once again as Liverpool beat Arsenal 3-1 on Saturday.

The Egyptian was the most-sold asset ahead of Gameweek 3, losing 398,638 owners in the process, but emerged with a 15-point haul.

Meanwhile, Sadio Mané (£11.5m) who was turned to as a replacement for many who Wildcarded, looked lively against Arsenal but blanked for a three-point score.

Liverpool dominated most of the fixture, registering a total of 25 shots against the Gunners, who have historically struggled to defend well at Anfield.

Salah was at the heart of that, and looked every bit the goal threat at home as he did last season, proving that the blank at Southampton was probably a blip caused by a Super Cup hangover. His remaining 39% ownership had to wait for the fruits of his efforts, both goals coming in the second half, but they were certainly deserved.

His first goal was further evidence of an advantage he has over all other Liverpool attacking assets this season.

Mohamed Salah got the better of David Luiz for both of his goals against Arsenal

Salah was fouled in the box by David Luiz (£6.0m), who pulled his shirt, and won his side the penalty. The Egyptian then stood up to take it, firing a fantastic effort high into the top corner. As had been referenced over the summer, reduced game-time for James Milner (£5.5m) this season, should mean more of these spot-kicks for Salah in 2019/20.

Salah’s second goal came from his brilliance as he skilfully turned past Luiz on the right flank and bore down on goal, placing his effort into the far corner.

The Egyptian now has six goals in five matches against Arsenal, more than against any other Premier League side.

With those Gameweek 2 doubts now allayed once again, Salah’s prospects look good in the coming Gameweeks with Burnley (away), Newcastle (home), Chelsea (away) and Sheffield United (away) his next four opponents.

Sadio Mané was replaced by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the 77th minute against Arsenal

As mentioned previously, Mané was probably unfortunate not to get any attacking returns in this one, considering how dominant Liverpool were going forward.

While he did not shoot as often as Salah, he took on the brunt of creativity in Liverpool’s team.

Meanwhile, Roberto Firmino (£9.5m) was also unfortunate not to come away with any attacking returns against Arsenal, a side he typically does well against.

He was inches away from getting on the end of an Andrew Robertson (£7.0m) cross in the opening minute which would have given Liverpool an early lead.

Roberto Firmino was also unfortunate not to get any attacking returns against Arsenal

Later on, he went close again, this time setting himself up with skill, scooping the ball over Dani Ceballos (£5.6m) and firing a volley at goal – only for it to be blocked.

There was further frustration for most Fantasy managers in possession of Liverpool defensive assets as they went a third Premier League match in a row without a clean sheet this season.

Perhaps this was an encounter in which defensive returns were unlikely though, given the way that Arsenal’s attack had started the season.

Indeed, the Gunners asked more questions than most sides had at Anfield in recent times.

While Liverpool were the side largely in control of this encounter, whenever Arsenal broke on them they looked dangerous.

“To be honest I didn’t expect the system they played. I’m not sure they played it in pre-season, I didn’t see it. It meant we had a lot of space on the wings, switching sides, the only problem was a little bit the movements in the box to make it a bit more tricky for the defending side. They won a lot of these challenges in the air, but we won a lot of second balls for that, putting them constantly under pressure without having the outcome we wanted.” – Jurgen Klopp

Nicolas Pépé (£9.4m) was the main dangerman for Arsenal, also becoming the first man to successfully dribble past Virgil van Dijk (£6.5m) in 50 Premier League games.

Nicolas Pepe and Virgil van Dijk was a pulsating contest in Liverpool’s win over Arsenal

He did this six minutes into the match, holding off the Liverpool man and running beyond him towards the opposition penalty box. Were it not for Pépé tripping over the ball, he would have been able to find Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.0m) in space.

11 minutes into the game, Pépé caused problems once more, chasing a ball played to him over the top of the defenders, forcing Adrian (£4.5m) to sally out of goal.

His clearance went straight to Aubameyang who, from outside the box attempted a lob but screwed it just wide.

In the 30th minute, Aubameyang set up Pépé on the edge of the box, who was afforded too much space by Robertson. His curled effort went just wide.

Arsenal’s best chance of the first half came after Jordan Henderson (£5.5m) gave the ball away in the breakdown of a Liverpool set piece.

That left Pépé with only Robertson to beat in order to get one-on-one with Adrian. Unfortunately for Arsenal, the former Lille man’s shot was tame, although Liverpool’s goalkeeper still struggled to keep hold of it.

In the end, Liverpool were beaten in the 85th minute, once it looked as if they had ridden the storm and banked the clean sheet, perhaps making it all the more frustrating.

Substitute Lucas Torreira (£4.9m) was the man to get the goal for Arsenal, firing in from 12 yards after nearly tripping over a square ball from Aubameyang.

“I would have loved to have (the clean sheet), to be honest, but when I see what the boys throw into a game like this, these things can happen. It’s a quality side Arsenal, they never give up, but I didn’t see that many chances. Today we were really in charge.” – Jurgen Klopp

That g ensured blanks for a selection of Liverpool defenders as the inquest into a double-up on this area of their team goes on.

With the in-form Ashley Barnes (£6.6m) the next striker to face the Reds’ back-line, concerns about the team’s clean sheet potential are sure to continue.

“We will have another week of training and then we go to a very difficult place, to Burnley. I couldn’t have more respect for what they are doing there. I will have the opportunity to watch them tomorrow but it will still be different because Burnley at home are another level, so it will be really tricky.” – Jurgen Klopp

Alexander-Arnold was one of two Liverpool defenders to get returns in Gameweek 3

However, we should point out that that least those on Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.0m) got something out of the game.

As expected, his crossing was excellent and his involvement in set-pieces was what led to his second assist of the season. The England international now has nine of them in his last 10 matches at Anfield.

It was not surprising that he was able to chalk another one up against Arsenal, as they had conceded more chances from set-pieces than any other side in the first two Gameweeks.

That’s why van Dijk owners can probably feel somewhat unfortunate to come away with another two-pointer. He was likely the intended target of Alexander-Arnold’s 41st-minute corner but he was fouled by at least two Arsenal players as he leapt to connect with it.

Joel Matip opened the scoring for Liverpool in the first half

This was what allowed Joel Matip (£5.4m) to nod home the opening goal of the match.

“It was a very determined header as well; I don’t know how many people held on Virg in that moment, it looked like they built something around him, but Joel was there – big Joel – and made a fantastic goal. I think it was a deserved result for half-time.” – Jurgen Klopp

Meanwhile, Robertson was also unfortunate not to get something too. As already mentioned, Firmino came close to converting his early cross and it must be said that the Scottish international continues to shoot with greater regularity than he did last season.

Members Analysis

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Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Adrian; Robertson, van Dijk, Matip, Alexander-Arnold; Wijnaldum (Milner 69′), Fabinho, J Henderson; Mané (Oxlade-Chamberlain 77′), Firmino (Lallana 86′), Salah.

Arsenal XI (4-3-1-2): Leno; Monreal, D Luiz, Sokratis, Maitland-Niles; Willock (Lacazette 81′), Xhaka, Guendouzi (Mkhitaryan 86′); Ceballos (Torreira 61′); Aubameyang, Pépé.

Lessons learned from Gameweek 3

4,374 Comments Post a Comment
  1. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Plzz help guys - should I Wild card this team:
    Ryan, (Button)
    Van Dijk, Digne, Zinchenko, Kwp, Lundstram
    Sterling, Salah, Martial, Robinson,(Dendoncker)
    King, Kane, (Greenwood)

    1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I wouldn't.

    2. Iceball
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Its a good team

    3. MaxOut FC
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Definitely not, only 3 dodgy players in there. Just take a hit for one of Pukki/Barnes/Haller and Mount/Cantwell/Mcginn

  2. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    WC or not WC?

    Pope - Button
    VvD - KWP - Montoya - Rico - Lundstram
    KdB - Sterling - Martial - Hayden - Cantwell
    Kane - Auba - Pukki

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

      Nah. Good team. Just needs Salah

      1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        No way to get him in short of dropping Auba/Kane.

  3. fr3d
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Gutted my Pope couldn’t cover all the Kane captainers...

  4. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Now we have league cup games midweek to mess up our teams 🙂

  5. R.C
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    How long is Jesus injured for?

    1. F4L
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      its seems just like an 'international injury'. He had a long summer

  6. Benditlike
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Would you do:
    A) Dendoncker -> Cantwell
    Then i can afford Jota -> Barnes next week

    B) Dendoncker -> Mount
    Cant afford Barnes and dont know what to do with Jota next week

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

      I'd expect Jota to fall and Barnes to rise before then.

      1. Benditlike
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Can still afford that move

    2. In and Out
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

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

    How is Redmond for a pick?

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

    69 any good?

    1. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yes

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Depends who it's with.

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        🙂

      2. Sim Simma
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        🙂

    3. Delhidynamo
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      she flexible?

    4. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Plus 1 😀

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

      Terrible mate. I'd give up

    6. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      69 any good? Still have WC***

      😉

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

      nasty case of the brags there 🙁

    8. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Same here, Mo captain?

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

        Sterling 🙁

        1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Impressive then, rest of team must have performed well

  9. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    KWP and Robinson to Lowton and Mount for a hit?

  10. CelticBhoy1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    How nailed is Cantwell? Looks decent value atm

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Fairly nailed. Likely getting him on GW5 WC for Dendoncker, but price rising is annoying

  11. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A) Sigurdsson Zinchenko to KDB 4.5 (-4)
    B) Sigurdsson to Son (FT)

    Pope
    TAA VVD Digne Zinchenko Rico
    Salah Sterling *Sigurdsson* Mount Dendoncker
    Pukki Jota Greenwood

    Which one to do? Or something else?
    1FT 1.6 ITB and likely WC over international break.

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

    That Pope CS loss...

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Sickening stuff, truly. That sucked big time 🙁 and 2 saves as well, plus was on for bonus before

    2. Bees4Lyf
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Hurts just has much as sane coming of at the 59th

  13. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Nice to see Boly on 2 baps
    Robertson(2)+Pérez( 2)+Adams(2) to Boly(4)+Martial(5)+Pukki(11) -4 worked out fine.

  14. Ragabolly
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Apologies for liveFPL being down many times this weekend, there is a weird server issue going on that has never occurred before.. Wish me luck figuring it out!

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Nae bother pal good luck x

    2. MTPockets
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Appreciate the site and efforts

      • Lexi2014
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Good luck fixing it!

      • DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        With my score I'm glad it is.

        1. Ragabolly
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          I am sure I scored less, currently on 2M OR 🙂

          1. DA Minnion (Former great)
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            I feel you .

          2. Hy liverpool
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Ouch...still gw3 so i wouldn't be worried, i hope you still have your WC.

      • Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Good luck! Love the site!

      • Ragabolly
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thank you all!

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

      So...

      I am going to get either Haller or Abraham. Who and why?

      Help needed! I have not seen either play.

      1. El Matador
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Seb Haller just looks like a natural goalscorer. He looks hungry.

      2. l@sp0
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        This. Price difference is not much.
        But how nailed is Abraham?

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

          this. Haller nailed; Tammy challenged by Giroud and Batty

      3. Jonty Rhodes
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Abraham to score much more with Chelsea looking good. He will be kept fresh as well and is full of confidence

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

      How to board the Pukki train?

      A) Trossard, Ings > Cantwell, Pukki
      B) Kane, Greenwood > Haller, Pukki
      C) Don’t, save (+4)

      Team:
      Heaton 4.0
      Digne - VvD - Soy - Monty-Lund
      Salah - Sterling - KdB - Tross. -Dend
      Kane - Ings - Greenw.
      1 ft, 0.0 itb

    5. Lexi2014
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Kane and Moura -> Aguero and H. Wilson?

    6. Lovren an elevator
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Vertonghen likely to come back?

    7. Drip Doctor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I have doubts regarding Haller. His heat map shows him being outside of the box. I get one game was vs City, but even yesterday in the first half, he barely had a touch in the box. Now, we know Noble is still on penalties aswell.

      1. F4L
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        he's a hold up man. He only really gets in the box when the ball goes out wide and they can flood the box with crosses

    8. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Joelinton one week punt v Watford defence before WC GW5 IB? Yes?

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        yes why not

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

          Good man

    9. The Darkest Knight
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Managers with WC still intact... when you guys planning to use it??
      any certain GW in mind or just keep as long as possible for any injuries etc.?

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

        After the International Break.

      2. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        feel like using it now but not sure really...

      3. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Int break

      4. el polako
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        When i need it.

      5. MTPockets
          4 years, 7 months ago

          No idea. As late as possible

        • Shuko
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          As long as I can basically. Before I've usually done GW4/IB, but probably don't need to do it this year.

        • Red Devil Swede
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          At the end of this year

        • JustPark
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Not sure. Maybe 2nd IB.

        • Valar(Keith)
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          When I feel like.. Which is right now.. Want to swap out Kane, Jota, Ceballos, Perez, Montoya, Rico, Dendonker for Sterling, Barnes, Haller/Abraham, Mount, Lundstram, Soyuncu Cantwell and now seems the best time. Especially since I can swap Robertson out for cheap and get Adrian in goal to maintain double pool defense. Keeping Laporte, Salah, KDB, Pukki, Pope from my original team. Seems the perfect time to use it. And then save a transfer over the international break.

      6. jtreble
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        What do you think the majority of managers are going to do with Kane: hold or ship?

        1. The Ejiptian King
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Loads will ship.

        2. el polako
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Best 11m CDM in the game - hold.

        3. MTPockets
            4 years, 7 months ago

            dump

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

          Kane > Aguero (-4)

          Yes or No?

          1. Lexi2014
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            I’m tempted

          2. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            i think yes tempted by the same thing

          3. The Overthinker
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Yes

          4. Red Devil Swede
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Yep but then again arsenal are hardly tight at the back.

          5. Brosstan
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Yes. Kane waste of space

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

          What to do with this guy name Jota..

          1. The Overthinker
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Bin him for Barnes

          2. Top Lad Dakes.
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            No idea honestly. Doing my nut in

        6. EL tridente
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Kyle Walker Peters and Robinson to Lowton and Mount?

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

          A) Perez > Mount
          B) Jota > Barnes
          C) Perez + Jota > Mount + Haller (-4)

          If I do A then I might be priced out by next week to do Jota > Haller

        8. Piggs Boson
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          It's going to be carnage on 606 tonight. Robbie Savage is on max wind-up mode.

        9. The Ejiptian King
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          I had the armband on Salah and brought in Kane to captain, not my best move. Didn't think Newcastle had that in them still.

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

          Worth a wildcard?
          Transferring out this:
          Pickford
          Robbo Walker Ake Diop Reid
          Salah KDB Trossard Siggy Ceballos
          Deulofeu Kane Rashford

          For

          Pickford
          Robbo Zinchenko Maitland-Niles Lundstram Kelly
          Salah KDB Mount Cantwell Ceballos
          Aguero Haller Barnes