Dugout Discussion

Firmino falls foul of rotation as Salah and Mané start for Liverpool

Rotation inspired by the Champions League has finally arrived in the Premier League as Liverpool host Newcastle this afternoon.

Roberto Firmino (£9.5m) has fallen foul of it at Anfield, dropping to the bench with Divock Origi (£5.4m) leading the Reds’ line. Perhaps that is no surprise as the Brazilian was in action for his country in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Ahead of a packed fixture list with seven games in 21 days, Jurgen Klopp has also opted to give Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (£6.3m) his first league start of 2019/20 at the expense of captain Jordan Henderson (£5.5m).

Liverpool’s defensive quartet remains unchanged in the form of Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.1m), Virgil Van Dijk (£6.5m), Joel Matip (£5.5m) and Andy Robertson (£6.9m) with Adrian (£4.6m) continuing to marshall the backline in the absence of Alisson (£5.8m). 

Klopp’s decision to rest both Henderson and Firmino is telling of the packed fixture list that sits on the horizon, yet this may also point to a propensity for rotation within Liverpool’s squad over the winter months, but for now the highly owned attacking assets of Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) and Saido Mane (£11.5m) retain their starting berths. 

Steve Bruce has opted to make just one change to the Newcastle side who drew with Watford last time out, with Jonjo Shelvey (£5.0m) earning a start in place of Sean Longstaff (£5.0m). 

The attacking option in the form of Shelvey as opposed to the more defensively-orientated Longstaff could be telling of Bruce’s plans to play swift, counter-attacking football against the Reds, but the likes of Fabien Schar (£5.0m), Jamal Lascelles (£4.5m) Paul Dummett (£4.5m) and Emil Krafth (£4.5m) will have to be on top of their game at Anfield to take anything from the side who currently sit 1st in the Premier League going into Gameweek 5. 

Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Matip, Robertson; Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Mane, Salah, Origi.

Newcastle XI (5-3-2): Dubravka, Schar, Lascelles, Dummett, Krafth, Hayden, Shelvey, Willems, Atsu, Joelinton, Almiron.

1,598 Comments Post a Comment
  1. hueycho
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Dont think salah deserve 2 bps tbh..

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

      It's so fixed

      1. hueycho
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah agree

      2. BERGKOP
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        By who and for what reason? So that someone in their office could win FPL?

    2. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Why? Fpl has a BPS for a reason.

    3. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Who cares? 😛

      1. hueycho
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Well i do cuz i aint got salah hah

    4. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Which part of the BPS do you disagree with?

      1. hueycho
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        How he got more than firmino for a start lol

        1. Back on the horse
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          opta stats -> BPS -> Bonus points.

          I've done a flow diagram for you. Just PM me if you want the powerpoint. 🙂

          1. hueycho
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Yeah i probs wont need it

    5. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Agree but goals are heavily weighted

      1. hueycho
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Thats what it is i guess cheers

        1. FPL_Crisis
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Willems and Robbo both on 27bps
          The former did one thing pretty much the whole game (super striker btw)

  2. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Any idea on final lpool bps?

    1. Annie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Won’t change, Mane dropping slightly.

    2. Rotation's Alter Ego
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Mane 3, Salah 2, Firm 1

      1. Peter Ouch
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Unfair, why not robbo 2

        1. BERGKOP
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          You have Robbo?

  3. Rotation's Alter Ego
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Montoya has tonsillitis. Unlucky for owners (and Montoya)

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Hehe (oh no)

    2. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      oh you tell us this now! why didn't you mention this in your Hot Topic? thanks for nothing 😉

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        feel better about my Martial -> D.Silva hit now, until he doesn't start at least ... Ayew is completely refusing to be benched for my team this week 😀

    3. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Is that true

    4. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      No need to find a replacement then. Cheers!

  4. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Barkley on bench should be good for Mount. Was stifled last game.

    1. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Yep, should mean Mount is back centrally as number 10 right?

  5. Respect My Authoritah
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Sterling cappers must be pretty happy with that? I certainly am 🙂

    1. Maddi Son
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Can't be happy until I see that team sheet. If he's there at 4:30pm I'll be counting my chickens before they're hatched. Guaranteed double digits if he starts.

      1. Respect My Authoritah
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        If he's benched, unlikely he'll come on right? So we'll get Salah cap anyway 🙂

        1. Maddi Son
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          You'd imagine City will be at least 2 or 3 up by the 60 minute mark. No point bringing him on with the CL next week.

        2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          *Mané.

          Just saying' ... 😉

    2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Yep. Got away lightly. I wouldn't swap. It may be different after though

    3. khanage4473
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Why?

    4. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      worth a retrospective lol......never count your chickens

  6. jimmy12
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Ndombele to Eriksen or not worth it?

    Ndombele benched

    1. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Ndombele to a different team, maybe?

      Poch roulette will be on fire this season. The whole freaking season

      1. Ze_Austin
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Eriksen should be safe though. Just feels very punty

        See what happens for the first few easy games, but get someone else for now?

        1. jimmy12
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Doing Ndombele to Pepe

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

    Benzema's assist a few weeks back vs Celta Vigo is better than Firmino's today... Just saying..

    https://youtu.be/Ov5GrQwp-jM

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Now there's an example of an underrated player

      1. Demí
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        And lest we forget he was dating Rihanna once upon a time. Puts him in the GOAT category

        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Not with that fivehead of hers.

        2. Peter Ouch
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Dating rihanna makes you sheep not goat

    2. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Firmino still the better one.

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

        Benzema literally did a Zidane turn to finish off a sublime move. It doesn't get better 😉

  8. F4L
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    do you still get -3 bps for missing a big chance if the shot was saved, as opposed to off target?

    1. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Yes

      1. F4L
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        cheers

  9. Pi
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Goal predictions please

    Wolves- Chelsea
    Man Utd- Leicester
    Sheffield- Southampton
    Norwich- Man City

    1. F4L
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      1-1
      1-1
      1-0
      1-6

    2. JonBoy
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      2-2
      0-1
      1-1
      1-4

    3. Maddi Son
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Wolves 2-1 Chelsea
      Man Utd 1-2 Leicester
      Sheffield 1-0 Southampton
      Norwich 1-6 Man City

    4. All For One
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      1-1
      0-1
      0-0
      0-5

    5. hueycho
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      2:1
      1:1
      1:0
      0:3

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

      1-3
      1-0
      0-0
      1-4

  10. Dr. Agabuse
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Mane 39 to 33 Salah (if 2bonus today) so far if we dont count the AFCON prevented first game (Mane didnt start)
    +2goals in Istanbul.

    Other words: from games they both started and this is all but one game this season:

    Mane 6goals 1 assist
    Salah 3goals 1 assist

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      But which one is the bonus magnet 😀

    2. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      lol so convoluted

  11. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Don't own him but wouldn't be surprised to see a hatty from Vardy today

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      He doesn't tend to score hat tricks though so I'd be surprised.

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah but he doesn't face United every week

        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          That's a fair point.

    2. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I would. A goal seems fairly likely, but a hatty would be surprising

    3. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      no chance of a vardy hatti lol, if he gets a brace we are lucky

    4. ‘Tis the Season
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Let’s hope. Hope they destroy utd. Honestly think leister should be higher in the league than utd. No creativity in utd team

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        They will be!

    5. hueycho
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I think its fair to say we can expect another appalling performance from united :/

  12. camarozz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Trossard red flagged so I played Montoya. Lol at me.

    So it's Barkley from the bench I'm relying on...

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      He will come on, I think

    2. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Monty has got me 0 points in 3 weeks of owning, pretty sweet.

  13. Yome
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Salah and Mané double up is heaven

    1. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      So is vvd and taa...cries in a corner

    2. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Really? Would have Salah and KDB, Sterling, Aguero, Aubameyang and a sick squad over a selfish lucky Mane

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Why do you hate Mane so much ??
        😀

        1. ‘Tis the Season
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          He loves his Senegalese pole [sic]

        2. IRBOX ⚽
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          I just don’t think he is a very good player. Rarely creates chances/assists and relies upon well grafted opportunities to score. Granted he is clinical at times but I just don’t rate him at all

          1. have you seen cyan
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            he wasnt anything that special at Southampton. Take him out this Liverpool set-up and he will be average again

          2. Amey
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Agree with most of that.
            He's very clinical since last season though.

          3. JonBoy
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            This is utter balderdash.

      2. JonBoy
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Salah is fat and away our most selfish player.

        1. JonBoy
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          *far

        2. Amey
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          That's true

      3. Sandy Ravage
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Mane will match all of them this season, except Sterling

        1. IRBOX ⚽
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Lol

          1. Sandy Ravage
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Bookmarked for posterity

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

    Them performances, them stats but 7 points for 13.9m between Trent & Robbo.

    FPL is a funny old game!

    1. F4L
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Trent Robbo Adrian owner 🙁 Cruel

    2. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Not too shabby that.

    3. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Far too much investment in a shaky defence

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        it wasn't very shaky today really, it was against Norwich but it's been better since then

        1. Cok3y5murf
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          I'd say against Southampton too.

      2. F4L
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Newcastle had 1 shot on target today....

        1. IRBOX ⚽
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          That’s all it takes

          1. F4L
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            hardly a sustainable conversion rate though is it

    4. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Fine margins. Liverpool only gave away 0.33xG, so were a little unfortunate to concede. Trent showed Willems onto his weak foot, but the shot was ridiculous.

    5. Dacra
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Could easily have both scored, both will do well.

    6. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Should be good over time

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

      promising going forward. makes me want them both again rather than vvd

      1. EMBOLOFAN
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        altho vvd looks more and more attacking

    8. mixology
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I have all 3, planning to keep for all season (triple up)

      1. EMBOLOFAN
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        love that

  15. HNI
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    No boly for wolves. going to be goalfest for chelsea. Hope mount gets one as well

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Amen

    2. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      feels like a 0-0 tbh

  16. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Why is Gary Neville in the Norwegian PL studio? Doesnt he have a pundit job at Sky?

    1. HNI
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      He spat at carragher as revenge fornwhat carra did to that little girl and got fired

  17. Dacra
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Zouma dropped permanently?

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Believe so

    2. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      just let me look into the future and i’ll get back to u

      1. Dacra
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Ta, waiting.

        1. EMBOLOFAN
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          he comes back gw9

          1. Dacra
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Nice one.

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

      Tomori impressed in the last match. Zouma hasn't all that much.

    4. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Was always getting dropped when Rudiger returned

  18. PrettyDick
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Anybody here use fantasypremiertools to check their live ranks? Wondering how accurate it is.

  19. Kristobal
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Hanley nailed on when fit?
    Kelly first choice RB at Palace?

    1. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      no and no

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Zimmerman and Klose have long-term injuries, so Hanley is nailed until January at least.

      Don't think so.

  20. Evasivo
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Any surprises in the lineups?

    1. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      montoya hospitalised with sore throat

      1. EMBOLOFAN
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        potters had him singing opera

  21. HNI
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Such a trying time being Manutd fan. Started watching football and supporting Manutd since Nistelrooy times as a kid. From the crescendo of success in 2008 to 7 year and counting hangover of post Ferguson era, glory has come a full circle..but when will the circle actually finish and glory commence? Maybe never.
    Looking forward to the Leicester match :p

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      🙁

    2. Dacra
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      As a Liverpool fan, this makes me smile 😀

      1. ‘Tis the Season
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Lol me too

        1. JonBoy
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Me three.

      2. HNI
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        I hope we get back even in 14 years like you did. 2022 there is hope lol

        1. JonBoy
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          2022. I'll keep my eye on youse that year!

    3. MTPockets
        4 years, 6 months ago

        oh well never mind

      • BERGKOP
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        These are the times that make the successes all the sweeter. You'll have success again but just enjoy the football in the meantime... That's what it's about.

    4. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Tammys true colours to show today

      1. EMBOLOFAN
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        bottling another pen? getting subbed off for a handsome world cup winner on 59mins?

    5. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Any chance Firmino gets 2 BAPS?

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Nope

        1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Considering he didn’t even start I’ll take the 8 pointer! Buzzing!

    6. BERGKOP
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Paul Scholes. Fantastic player. No personality.