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 Greenback Boogie
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    How is this on a WC :

    Adrian
    Laporte - Digne - Soyuncu
    Salah - Sterling - KDB - Maddison - Mount
    Haller - Pukki

    Button - Lundstram - Kelly - Greenwood

    1. Chandler Bing
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Wouldn't get Adrian. Just a transfer waiting to happen. Soyuncu plays for a poo defense. Much rather have Pieters. Everything else looks good.

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

      Haller worth it long term? Also soyuncu is good for 1 week only in my eyes

    3. Not again Shirley
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      GK obvious worry but apart from that lovely.

      Maybe Pope instead.

    4. The Greenback Boogie
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Cheers guys! Will probably switch Soyuncu to Mings and Adrian to Pope. I think Haller will be good long term. Next two fixtures look tasty.

    5. The Greenback Boogie
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Reworked it a little :

      Pope
      Keane - VVD - Mings
      Salah - KDB - Maddison - Mount
      Haller - Pukki - Kun

      Button - Diop - Lundstram - Dendoncker

  2. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    this is what im talking about

    feast vs famine

    kane v sterling..........should probably had a similar score but no, one had to blank making the captaincy so important to get right in a total lottery

    🙁

    1. Big Ping
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Dont think its even a contest between those two at the minute

  3. Caesar, Hot Mustache
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A. Perez > McGinn
    B. Perez + Jota > McGinn + Barnes (-4)

    1FT 0.4 iTB.
    Fearing the hit.

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

      A but i'd prefer Mount/Lanzini

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

      A

  4. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Diego Jota owners what are your plans???

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

      Well he's just gone down so hopefully gives me more time to decide till Friday, honestly not sure who id move to for next game as I only have 1ft and not enough to upgrade significantly. Might have to hold for now.

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah that does give us a bit more time now, I have 1.0 in the bank so have luckily a bit of flexibility, Haller is in my thoughts definitely atm

        1. L S P
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          as an owner, i’d do jota->heller in a heartbeat. but i can’t.

          so i’m looking at another 6.5 striker who’s dropped .1 but has good fixtures upcoming...

          1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Wood??

            1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              King??

    2. Not again Shirley
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Getting rid for Haller but just short so would minus 4 (so may wait and hope Jota performs at Everton next week)

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah would be for me I have 1.0 in the bank so have just enough money to make the move, waited on it last night to see how he did today so very tempting to ship out now

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

      Big question,
      Got Pukki, Greenwood, Jota
      (0.1 itb)
      Nowhere to go to...

    4. MTPockets
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Ideally sell, but would involve hit(s) so not sure

      • FPL ElasticO
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Get rid

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

        Waiting on Martial.

        Have Haller and Pukki already, and not completely sold another replacement for him just yet.

        Also want Cantwell in for Dendonks, and only have 1FT.

        Will likely hold for a week.

        1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Yeah I have Martial too which is probably why I’ve held so far, if I give him Everton I may as well keep for Chelsea at home afterwards too

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

      Alright, here is my current team:

      Pope Button
      VVD Digne Dunk Guilbert Rico
      Mane Sterling KDB Ceballos Mcginn
      Auba Jota Greenwood

      Should I WC, YAY or NAY?

      If yes, what's your thoughts on this WC :

      Pope Button
      VVD Laporte Soyuncu Lund Kelly
      Salah Sterling KDB Mount Cantwell
      Haller Barnes Pukki

      0.0itb

      Cheers!

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

        Why would you WC that team?
        Auba to Pukki,
        Mane back to Salah (-4)
        and chill....

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

      Commentators are going on and on about wolves penalty saying it was no penalty. Can't be more clear penalty.

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

      Anyone is going with Cantwell as 4th midfielder ? Or as a 5th midfielder in 352 ?

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

        Contempleting between him, Ceballos and McGinn.

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

        Yep. Plenty of players around his price if he loses momentum too.

    8. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      oh and well done newcastle

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

      Perez > Mount for free?

      Or hold another week

      1. FPL ElasticO
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I am tempted

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

        Definite sell for me.

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

      It amazes me that some chose not to back Salah against Arsenal's garbage fire defence.

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

        And at home no less!

      2. Not again Shirley
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        That’s not right though as Mane is usually the better home player.

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

      What’s the overall and top 10k average projected to be?

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

        Top10k: 46.15 (-1.58) = 44.58
        Overall: 44.90 (-2.08) = 42.82

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

          Thank you for your website 🙂

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

          Fantastic website Ragabolly. If you can increase the bandwidth/resources during peak hours then that would be fantastic. Still amazing work.

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

        45

    12. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Just checked Haller's stats in Members' area

      Welcome, Haller (-4)

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

        Not a member but thank you for the secrets
        Haller (-4) it is

        1. Party time
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Hahaha

      2. FPL ElasticO
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Is this transfer worth doing??

        Perez > Mount

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

        How is this Wildcard looking?
        Pope (button)
        Van Dijk, Laporte, Digne (kelly, Lundstram)
        Salah, Sterling, Martial, Mount (Cantwell)
        Haller, Pukki, Barnes

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

          Very similar to mine

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

        Wood - - > Haller this week for me

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

        How's this for WC ??
        Pope Button
        Taa Zinchenko Soyuncu Mings Lundstram
        Salah Sterling KDB Mount Cantwell
        Pukki Barnes Haller

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

          If I take a -8 this week my team will be very close to yours.

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

            So you like it ??

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

              Yes. Looks good. Hopefully Zinchenko keeps his spot

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

                Yeah
                Thank you bro

      6. The Head-Ake
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Wood to whom? Pukki or Haller or Barnes?

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

          Pukki.

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

          Pukki

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

        What do you prefer:

        A) Digne Mcginn (Greenwood) 3-5-2
        B) Soyuncu (Cantwell) Pukki 3-4-3

        1. Kiwi Don
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          B

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

          Top lad

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

          😆

          I love when our FPL madness crosses over to the footballing world. The Vardy's Missus incident was hilarious.

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

            I can’t believe this actually happened. Had to check

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

            Idk what is this about !!!

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

          Andy got a response lol

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

        For the next few gws... Already got sterling and salah..

        A) Mane
        B) KDB ??

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

          whats the rest of your team?

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

            Currently on

            Ryan - Heaton
            Zinc - vvd- Taa - land- digne
            KDB - sterling- dendocker- mcGinn- Salah
            Pukki- barnes- greenwood

            Gotta sell vvd kdb for kelly and mane thou.

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

              I would go with mane

        2. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          B for me

      9. Maddi Son
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        What's the consensus on Wildcarding in GW4? Feels a bit wrong one week before international break. Sensible to wait a week, or just pull the stinking trigger?

      10. Peter Ouch
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Glad I didn't wc

        Happy to go with 2 liverpool defenders and 2 city midfielders

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

          Are you ??
          I'm selling Robbo atm to generate ££
          Keeping Taa

      11. Rash
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Which would you do this week?

        Jota to barnes

        Or

        Dendonker to cantwell

        Maybe even both for a hit (both will be starting the coming gameweek)

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

        keep digne or get rid?

        1. Pukki Party
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Why would you get rid?

      13. SALVA
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Evening lads.

        Zouma, King -> Haller, Lundstram -4?

        yay or nay?

        1. Pukki Party
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          I'm doing similar for free (below), but looks like good transfers even for -4 imo. Haller statsmachine, King the opposite

      14. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        King, KWP to Haller, Lundstram for free look good? Lundstram will rotate with Dendo, (Rico, Greenwood)

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

          Yup good moves!

          1. Pukki Party
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Cheers

      15. KLOPPTOMANIA
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Do I need to bin zinchenko now?

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

        That was a dumb move.

        Salah/Auba out

        Sterling/Kane(c) in

        I make that 8 pts worse off and waste of 2fts..

      17. Sausage™️
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        To the person that told me to captain Sterling over Kane. I listened to you and would like to thank you

      18. LordEllison
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        1ft and 0.0 itb not sure what to do

        Pope Button
        AWB VVD Digne Zinchenko Lundstram
        Salah Sterling KDB Perez Dendoncker
        Wilson Wood Greenwood

        Any ideas? Was thinking Wilson and Wood to Haller and Pukki maybe
        Thanks!.

        1. Dude1234
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Looks like a good option. You are very light up front

        2. N00B
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Good options.