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. The Man Pastore
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Any chance Ceballos increase in price this week?

    1. DVassell
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      there's always a chance but he didn't look great against liverpool

    2. n-doggg
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Will probably go up in next couple of days based on fpl statistics

      1. The Man Pastore
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks, will bank that 0.1 before ditching to Mount on wc

    3. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Was very poor against Pool

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

    I have not seen PVA mentioned once here. Is he that bad?

    Pretty sure he is a good shout when you consider:
    -Joint highest scoring defender with Digne (1cs and 1 goal + 2 baps)
    -Next 4 games, 3 are @ home
    -If the past is anything to go by, when he scores he likely scores again in the following weeks
    - He is 5.5

    He was my transfer last night, Holebas>PVA

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

      No one trusts palace def- they see the united win as a fluke

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

        I guess, and many have Kelly. Oh well good news for the few PVA owners then

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

          also many believe there are better 5.5ish options longterm e.g. United Def (even though they lost to CP), Zencenko, Mina/Coleman etc etc

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

            yea, well fingers crossed he is a nice differential. Cant do any worse then Holebas, its not possible :p

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

      You've managed to write a fair few bullet points without pointing out any meaningful stats

  3. Horlicks esq.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone got any support for my constant knee jerks? I’m in pain. 34 all out. I need stokes up front or suffurn!

  4. n-doggg
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    How come Dendoncker benched?

    1. MTPockets
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Probably the midweek europa games

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

        Could have been tactical, could have been rested.

        Didn't Wolves play a 343 today? If so, then it's probably tactical.

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

          In fact that would have made a lot more sense. 343 would give them a better chance of breaking down a bus than the more counter-attacking 352.

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

      Shocking gw. Should I wc?

      Pope heaton
      Taa vvd digne Zinchenko rico
      Kdb martial sterling Pérez docker
      Kane king wickham

      A: WC
      B: Pérez + King >> mcginn + Pukki (-4)
      C: Vvd + wickham >> lundy + Pukki and move to 343 (-4)
      D: VVD + Perez + Kane >> Lundy + salah + pukki (-8)

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

        B or D looking at that.
        I would be worried not having one of the Pool mids.
        I like McGinn. But I am toying with losing him to enable Mount.

    3. FDMS All Starz
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      1.1itb & 1 FT, What needs changing from this team?

      Pope
      Zinch / VVD / Robbo / Mina
      Salah / Sterling / Moura / Martial
      Pukki / King

      Sub: Button / Dendo / Lunds / Wickham

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

        Wait on Martial news and then decide

      2. Squib
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        King for me would have to go.
        Martial possible injury needs clearing up first though for you.
        Is Pool double up still the way to go?
        I have VVD and TAA and not sure what to do...

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

      Is the trinity of Sterling, KDB and Kun overkill?

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

        Yes. With Sterling in your team, you won't be captaining Kun often (or ever) and for 12m, that's not good value.

      2. Obi Wan Elokobi
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I’m looking for ways to do it

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

        Have salah?

      4. Better luck next year
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Was considering it myself,problem is the team gets unbalanced, since you would want Salah too.. 2 out of 3 should be sufficient.

    5. balint84
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A) KDB to Sterling
      B) Perez to Mount

      1. n-doggg
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        B

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

      Lanzini VS Mount ?

      I think this has to be the hot question this week.

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

        Mount

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

        If Mount is fit then him

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

        Im wondering this, i think the 0.3 saved on mount makes him the better option

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

        I'm keen to hear this too.

        Mount long term I reckon but Lanzini this week

        Or Haller is you can get him in

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

          I can get both but cantwell is very greay value so leaning towards having only one of them + cantwell.

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

      Is James at 6.0m being over looked as an option?

      1. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I’m avoiding United and Spurs until they compile a decent run.
        But James at 6 could be an option. Prefer Mount

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

        He surprised me this week. Didn't think he had the technically ability to score a goal like that.

        But I'd be nervous every time the team sheets come out atm. It feels a bit early to jump on.

    8. Jet5605
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      So pretty much a nightmare GW for anyone who

      1. Got rid of Salah
      2. Bought and/or captained Kane (extra painful if bought for a minus 4 hit)
      3. Put Pope between the sticks (more agonising than nightmare)

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

        Sounds like me exept i used My Wildcard.

    9. BrutalLogiC
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Double Liverpool/Man City defense has been rubbish.. Sterling killing me..

      Ederson
      Walker/Digne/VVD/TAA
      KDB/Salah/Martial/Fraser/McGinn
      Pukki.........King

      Only one FT. Salah/KDB not going anywhere

      -8 feels too much....or is it?
      Walker->Engels (is this guy nailed?)
      Martial->Sterling
      Fraser->4.5

    10. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Which one?
      A) Kane,Martial > Barnes,Salah -4
      B) Rashford,Kane > Haller,Aguero-4
      C) Rashford,Kane,Martial > Salah,Haller,Barnes -8

      Aguero would mean triple up in City Attack with KDB and Sterling but only VVD as Liverpool cover.

      1. Livinginapool - Top 100 Any…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        A for me

        1. The 12th Man
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Can afford right on the money.

          1. Livinginapool - Top 100 Any…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            That would have been my move, but I'm .3m off.

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

        C looks so fun. Will be great in coming weeks

        1. The 12th Man
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Yeh correcting mistakes quickly and taking a hit could pay off long term I feel.

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

      Which liverpool defender on wildcard?

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

        TAA if you have a good players on the bench otherwise Robbo.
        Matip is good punt too.

      2. Livinginapool - Top 100 Any…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        TAA. 9 assists in ten games (or something similar). 20 years old and gaining authority on the pitch.

    12. Henning
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Damm 0.5m Short to get Agüero in for Kane.

      1. Pumpkinhead *non-expert*
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        1/2 there

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

      A) Trossard/Pérez & Kane > KDB & Haller - 4

      B) Trossard/Pérez and Kane > Mount & Aguero - 4

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

      Jota to Wesley worth a hit if it funds Siggy to KDB?

      Otherwise can get in Pépé or Son instead, for free!

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

        not for a hit my son

      2. KunDogan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I would go for KdB...

    15. Bruno Bruno!!
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      12k according to livefpl.net got to be happy with that 🙂

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

        Well done.

        1. Bruno Bruno!!
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Cheers, my plan of captaining sterling every GW is working so far 🙂

      2. The Train Driver
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Can't log in there

    16. tisza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Anyone see Watford - west Ham?
      Just 2 poor defences or genuine attacking possibilities?

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

        Haller looks like the real deal. If he had the luck flukki has had he'd be top scorer too

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

      Any alternatives to livefpl.net that arent down 90% of the time?

      1. Team Cruel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        FFFix as good as it gets

    18. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Kane and Perez out, Aguero and Mount in for free doesn't even touch the sides.

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

        perez out for mount yes

      2. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Nice moves

    19. Scout
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Pope
      VVD, Robbo, Digne, Pieters (Kelly)
      Salah, Sterling, Perez, Martial (Dendonker)
      Vardy, King (Wickham)

      To
      A)
      Pope
      Robbo, Maguire, Boly (Kelly, Lundstram)
      Salah, Sterling, Mount, Cantwell, Martial
      Auba, Pukki

      or
      Robbo out for VVD and boly out for Zinchenko?

    20. Jimmy Boy
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Blimey - just got home and seen the Tottenham score. I didn't get Kane in for Auba because I was still scarred from (K)ane vs Cardiff last year. Genuinely feared for my overall rank and would like to express my sympathy for Kane cappers

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

      Aguero or sterling ?

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

        sterling

    22. Bagheri Arce
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Pope owner and non Kane owner

      I'm right in saying VAR was in my favour today?

      Kane denied a stone waller (and I thought Son's was a pen first half)...more than cancels out my Pope clean sheet and bonus with a very soft Wolves pen (in my humble opinion)

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

        Kanes was hardly stone wall. People need to look at it again and carefully analyse kanes movement . Not a penalty and I own kane

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

          Penalty every day of the week. The way VAR is being used in England is comical, and Im not talking about Kane. There is no point in using VAR because they won't overturn anything unless its a clear dive. D Silva had one not given today, Mount got stomped on and VAR didn't overrule, penalty on Azpilicueta, Man City had one in round 1, foul on Abraham in lead-up to Norwich opening goal. Poor decisions are being doubled down on. Why on earth are they not using it like everywhere else where the referee goes to the monitor to have a look?? Instead they have made it a useless exercise which further emphasises poor decisions. Remember when the whole point of VAR was to make things fair and get rid off poor decisions? Well, none of that is happening

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

      How is this Wildcard looking? Will give Kean 1-2 GW
      Pope (button)
      Van Dijk, Laporte, Digne (kelly, Lundstram)
      Salah, Sterling, Martial, Mount (Cantwell)
      Haller, Pukki, Kean

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

        5/10

    24. Emiliano Sala
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Kane and Son to Lanzini and Haller? 😀

    25. Zilla
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      It did end 1-0! wow

    26. dezille
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A) Perez > Mount
      B) Jota > Haller/Barnes
      C) Perez, Greenwood > Mount, Haller/Barnes (-4)
      D) Wait until update on Martial injury

      Gut says move Jota on and give Perez 1 more GW before he gets the hell out of my team! Thoughts? Barnes has amazing fixtures from GW5, Haller has great next 2 fixtures.

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

        I'm in a similar situation - haven't seen perez play yet though so can't really comment on whether he is even worth keeping for another gw!

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

          Original plan was to give him 4 GWs but can't really be having a player drop in value 0.2...

    27. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      This gw was bad and partly myself to blame cause my cap choice, but literally everything that went bad went bad. Andone gets red which made Brighton cs difficult, montoya got himself yellow before conceding second on ot. Rash missed pen, differential defender rose did not get cs vs Newcastle.. on top of that picked firmino as cap instead of salah, only myself ti blame fir that one. Wildcard here i come. Jesus is to blame for that one.

      1. The Pesci challenge
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah if you feel bad about it then do it but make it count

      2. QueefParkRangers
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Wouldn't do it one GW before an international break lol

        1. bench boost for every gamew…
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          sensible to do it then and admit my plan was to keep for as long as i needed. Now i have to do it, and i see some players that could prove to be a tool to get up again. That Jesus thing was a clue, Aguero is in. And contrary to what many does now, i´m going for the Pool double up defense. But Matip so it is little less expensive, And i was into that United train, but Martial is the only one i want and i think wether he is 7.7 or 8 is not a big issue and while i can tweak to get him in i´m not totally convinced. And he tends to get himself injured a lot..