Scout Notes

Mané brace brings Salah value into question once again

Liverpool 3-1 Newcastle United

Goals: Sadio Mané (£11.5m) x 2, Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) x 1 | Jetro Willems (£4.5m)

Assists: Roberto Firmino (£9.5m) x 2, Andrew Robertson (£6.9m)

Bonus Points: Mané x 3 Salah x 2 Firmino x 1

Liverpool secured a 3-1 home victory over Newcastle United to maintain their 100% winning start to the 2019/20 Premier League season.

A clinical performance from Jurgen Klopp’s side continues to fuel the fire of the Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) vs Sadio Mané (£11.5m) debate after goalscoring contributions from the attacking duo. 

The lunch-time kick-off was a game that belonged to the Senegalese international after he opened Liverpool’s account with a fine strike, which cancelled out a special effort from Jetro Willems (£4.5m).

Sadio Mané scored twice for Liverpool in their win over Newcastle

Priced at £11.5m, a whole £1.0m less than his counterpart Salah, Mané’s brace alongside three bonus points means that he has now registered two double-digit hauls in 2019/20 – the same as his team-mate.

Mané did start this match as the centre-forward but actually improved once he had returned to his left-wing berth after a tactical switch from the manager.

Despite Salah also scoring in the victory over Newcastle, Mané’s appeal simply continues to grow given his attractive price and an ability to match the £12.5m man.

For managers looking to save the extra £1.0m whilst maintaining essential attacking coverage from Liverpool, opting for Mané is becoming an increasingly enticing option.

Mané then secured his second of the afternoon after poor keeping from Martin Dubravka (£5.0m), but the forward made no mistake to tuck away an important goal.

Salah did not have a particularly impressive afternoon but still found the net against Newcastle

It was initially looking like it would prove a concerning afternoon for owners of the highly popular Egyptian, with Newcastle suppressing his attacking involvement throughout the game.

However, the most captained player for Gameweek 5 lived up to pre-match expectation with a well-taken goal to put the game out of Newcastle’s reach. 

It was a frustrating afternoon for owners of Liverpool’s full-back duo Andy Robertson (£6.9m) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.1m), with yet another failure to keep a clean-sheet compounded by a number of missed attacking opportunities.

That said, Robertson did register his first attacking returns of the season with an assist for Mané’s opener. 

Both Robertson and Alexander-Arnold went very close to scoring on Saturday afternoon

For those managers persisting in their faith of a Liverpool defensive double-up, Saturday’s result against Newcastle is yet another blow to the viability of such a selection.

With just one clean sheet in their first five Premier League fixtures, it is becoming difficult to justify investing in more than one of their defenders.

Klopp initially surprised Fantasy managers with his team selection, starting Divock Origi (£5.4m) up-front and dropping Roberto Firmino (£9.5m) to the bench after the Brazilian finished international duty in America in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Origi only last 35 minutes against Newcastle

However, Firmino was on the pitch after 35 minutes with Origi forced off with an ankle problem.

The centre-forward made a considerable impact with an exquisite assist for Salah’s opener as well as setting up Mané to register an eight-point score from the bench. 

“We don’t want to leave Bobby Firmino out but from time to time we have to be sensible especially after long trips from wherever they come from.” – Jurgen Klopp

Despite the Belgian going off injured, Klopp did allay any concern in his post-match interviews that Origi could be out long-term. 

“Hopefully with (Origi) it’s not too serious. He twisted his ankle and played on but felt it a bit too much.” – Jurgen Klopp

Newcastle’s own attacking assets staked their claim, after Willems opened the scoring with a fine strike in the seventh minute.

After receiving a through ball from Christian Atsu (£5.4m), the full-back found space in front of Alexander-Arnold, who did not apply much pressure, and drilled an outstanding strike beyond the reach of Adrian (£4.6m).

Willems scored a spectacular goal to open the scoring at Anfield

But once Liverpool had found their momentum, there was no doubt as to which side would be collecting all three points. 

Steve Bruce set up the Tyneside outfit in a compact formation that enabled the likes of Jonjo Shelvey (£5.0m) and Miguel Almiron (£5.9m) to form counter-attacks to feed Joelinton (£5.9m), but the attacking overload that Liverpool are so often able to provide was too much for the Magpies. 

Fabian Schar (£4.5m) did leave the Anfield turf injured, but Bruce confirmed that the club was hoping it was an issue of cramp as opposed to a muscle tear. 

“It’s the calf, we’re not sure if it’s cramp or a tear. The medical department say he does suffer from cramp a little bit. We do hope it’s that.” – Steve Bruce

Whilst an upset similar to the 1-0 away win over Spurs was truly on the cards after Willems’ opener, Liverpool’s quality prevailed and the likes of Salah and Mané put Bruce’s side to the sword to continue their perfect winning start to the season. 

Newcastle’s game-plan was evident from the outset, with Steve Bruce’s setting up in a compact formation that provided abilities to break on the counter-attack, but Liverpool’s mesmeric duo in Mané and Salah proved to simply be too much for North-East side as they cruised to an impressive victory. 

Members Analysis

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Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Adrian; Robertson, van Dijk, Matip, Alexander-Arnold; Wijnaldum (Shaqiri 84′), Fabinho, Oxlade-Chamberlain (Milner 75′); Origi (Firmino 36′), Mané, Salah.

Newcastle United XI (5-4-1): Dubravka; Willems, Dummett, Lascelles, Schär (Fernandez 80′), Krafth (Manquillo 67′); Atsu, Shelvey, Hayden, Almirón (Muto 67′); Joelinton.

3,235 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Total Foot 5 - romario 11
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Price changes pls at 2 or 2:30 UK TIME?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Inbetween. By 2.15 to be safe.

    2. Total Foot 5 - romario 11
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Thx

  2. hogree
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    2 Frees this week.

    Which of these sounds better at the moment?

    A) Kane + VVD --> Aguero + Otamendi / Stones
    B) Kane + McGinn --> KDB + Barnes

    1. hogree
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Also could be a Montoya + Kane --> Tomori + Auba motive?

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

      Barnes ? Got to Abrahams

  3. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    How's this WC team ( tentative)

    Heaton
    Lowton Keane zinchenchko
    Sterling Salah son Lanzini
    Aubameyang pukki Ayew

    Button mings Hayden soyunchu

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

      I'd personally go without city defence if on WC.

      1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Agreed

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

        This

      3. Random Name
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        dafuq

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

      What’s your og team?

      1. The Overthinker
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Not going back. Already pressed the button 😀

        Check the link if you still curious

    3. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Start again with TAA imo

      1. The Overthinker
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Not keen on taa.

        I would rather have Digne than taa

        1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          I think TAA edges it

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

      Like the Son and Auba picks but defence needs TAA.

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

      Defence is awful. Other than that it's ok

    6. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Zinc > TAa

  4. JT11fc
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    I guess 32 with Auba Rich and Digne to go isnt too bad

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

      Auba could be the one who makes the difference.

      1. JT11fc
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Ye heres hoping

    2. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Mane gave me 30. If you chose him pound seats. If you did not, a score like you have.

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

    *reposting as rock bottom*

    Steady those knees chaps, I too have had a stinker of a week. But, still games to go and European football don’t waste your FT for a mere 0.1

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Too late.

    2. Random Name
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      cool

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

        Bad boi over here

  6. C'mon the Fylde
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    KDB v Sterling

    Who wins?

    1. Random Name
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      KDB comes in at a heavier weight so i reckon he gets the KO. Not sure how much boxing training either has done tho

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

      KDB is the best value player in fantasy league but sterling will score more pts over the season

  7. Random Name
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Watford, Everton, Wolves, palace, Villa, Southampton

    No DON'T go without city defence

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

      not one is nailed, and they're acting like they don't know how to pass the ball when Pep will force them to play out every game. I'd go without

    2. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Why you telling people to keep their City defenders? Let them get rid, it's their loss

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

      They don't have a single good CB and their fullbacks rarely get attacking returns. I'd be interested in Cancelo or Mendy if they were nailed. Currently own Zinch too.

  8. SUPER MOKH
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    KDB Wilson > Son Tammy, would you do it?

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

      No

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

      nope. Wait a week. WAT> lei. Tammy done it against easy defences, better to wait and see if he can notch against 2 decent ones in his next 2 before jumping on the next bandwagon plus Wilson hasn't even blanked this season yet.

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

      No

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

      No way

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

      I'd keep KDB and just get Abrahams

  9. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Firmino or Pukki for next 3

    1. Random Name
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      10 minutes on the naughty step

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

      Pukki

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

      100% pukki

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

    Blanks against Brighton and Norwich. Is Sterling officially a troll?

  11. zdrojo187
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Pope Button
    Digne VVD Maguire Lundstram Kelly
    Mane Sterling Mount McGinn Trossard
    Pukki Aguero Greenwood

    2FT

    Trossard Maguire Greenwood > Abraham Cantwell Pieters/Willems (-4)
    Y or N ???

  12. Hardly Athletic
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    I'm currently 766k and I have 2FTs. Should I use my wildcard? My squad currently is:

    Pope - Button
    TAA - Digne - Maguire - Lundstram - Kelly
    Salah - Sterling - Fraser - Mount - Dendoncker
    Kane - Barnes - Greenwood

    Wildcard squad with £16.2m left would look something like:

    Pope - Button
    TAA - Digne - ??? - ??? - ???
    Salah - KDB - Son - Mount - Cantwell
    Pukki - Abraham (if fit otherwise Haller) - Ayew

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Rather take a -4 and do Kane, Barnes and Fraser to Son, Pukki and Abraham tbh.

      1. Hardly Athletic
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks.

    2. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Kane to Auba and you are set

      Fraser to someone

  13. Lucackadoodledoo
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Pukki (c) next week? Snigger

    1. Random Name
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Of all the words

      1. Lucackadoodledoo
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Your mind, not mine amigo

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

      Norwich are looking like a home team, so no

  14. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Do I need to use the WC?

    pope
    VVD TAA digne lundstram
    mane sterling kdb mount
    pukki barnes

    heaton dendoncker greenwood kwp

    0.7itb 0ft

    1. In and Out
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      No

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

      No looks OK. Just do Barnes to Abrahams and your OK

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        I was thinking of doing that change before the price rise

  15. gilean
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Is Tomori nailed?

    1. Random Name
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      no

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

      No

  16. Ponduskongen
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Wilson - > Abraham?

    Was planning to waiting one more gameweek, but do now think it best to do it now because of the damn prize rising quick.

    Thanks in advance for your valuable feedback.

    1. Random Name
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      You're welcome

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

      the flag might only mean a +0.1, Friday deadline

      1. Ponduskongen
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        If it just a 0,1 then I can wait...

      2. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        he will be cleared for CL so he will still rise 0.2

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

          maybe yeah, Friday deadline does complicate things - also a lot of the new owners will be doing it tonight

        2. Ponduskongen
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Can still afford it, decided to wait it out an follow my initial plan...

    3. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      stats say yes

    4. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Since Wilson is more expensive than Tammy and also hasn't played yet, you don't really need to make that trade.

      1. Ponduskongen
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks, will wait.

        The hardest thing with fpl is doing nothing.

        1. Rasping Drive
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Amen brother.

          Or in my case this season, scoring points.

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

      Yes Tammy is on fire. He's Chelsea no.1 striker now. He can not be dropped or rested the way he's performing

  17. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Any double risers this week?

    1. In and Out
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Abraham

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

      Abrahams I guess

  18. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Is it worth having an all cheap defence if it means having Aguero, Sterling, KDB and Salah in your team. Others in the Midfield and Forwards would be Mount, Cantwell, Pukki and Abraham?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Got Mane, KDB, Sterling, Aguero, Pukki, Cantwell and Mount.
      Thinking I'll be changing it up soon.

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

    I'm gonna WC this. Any good arguments? 1.2 ITB

    Pope Button
    TAA Digne Zinchenko KWP Lundstram
    Salah Sterling KDB Mount Dendoncker
    Pukki Barnes Greenwood

    1. Random Name
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I do good cheap wildcards

      £30 if you're interested

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

      My team but Zinchenko is Vvd. I am going to do only Dendo to Cantwell probably. Promising fixtures for many so trying to be patient.

    3. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Do you mean your taking that squad out? If so no way

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

        Yeah I'm taking that squad out. I have 1 FT and 1.2 ITB. Haven't hit the button yet though. Starting to slip behind in my minileagues due to them capping Aguero

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

          That and many of them have Abraham

    4. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      How many changes would you realistically make?

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

        My draft says -24 pts

        1. Rasping Drive
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Let's see it, then folks can comment.

    5. Nailed Jesus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      What would the WC team look like?

  20. AdamJ91
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Stuck what to do with this lot..

    Ederson - Button
    TAA - VVD - Digne - Soyuncu - Hanley
    Salah - Sterling (c) - KDB - Cantwell - Dendoncker
    Haller - Pukki - Greenwood

    2 FT & 0.1 ITB

    Thinking of maybe losing Ederson to free up some funds elsewhere, anyone else have any decent suggestions?

    1. Lucackadoodledoo
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Maybe ederson to pope and soyuncu to aurier if you fancy a punt

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

      Should have had pope

  21. BobbyDoesNotLook
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Preliminary exact money move:

    Dendo > Cantwell

    Pope Button
    Taa Vvd Digne Lund KWP
    Salah Sterling KDB Mount Dendo
    Pukki Barnes Greenwood

  22. Four Hit Wonder
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Keep James or go for Cantwell?

    1. Random Name
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Kneejerk central

  23. Macam Dave
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Folks appreciate a reply or two hopefully karma for all.my replies today! Would you down grade TTA VVD and Zin to three 4.5 type players eg peters soy and a 4.5 to allow upgrade of dendonker to Son? Pool have awful run in now and city clean sheets not guaranteed and feel like son might explode? I'd have to play two of the three above + Lunds so pick 2 defenders each week from 4 etc alongside digne. Thanks all

    1. Random Name
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Depends how willing you are to tear apart your entire defence

      Maybe one downgrade but 3? Noone else apart from dendonker in your midfield to upgrade?

      1. Macam Dave
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks for reply.. my team is

        Pope button
        TTA VVD zinch digne Lund
        Salah kdb sterling mount dendonker
        Pukki Barnes greenwood

        Hence like to switch to 352 with son in there could upgrade Mount instead I guess and Dendonker to cantwell later with less carnidge to my defense.

        Any suggestions ? Thanks mate

  24. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    58 from 9. What you all on?

    1. Firmino
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      42 from 7

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

        50 from 9. Got c right but benched Cantwell for Lunstram.

        1. Coys96
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Same. Didn’t want to double up on Norwich attack!

    2. hogree
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      44 from 8. Sterling cap haunting me

  25. Firmino
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    No hurry to get Tammy in, wait one week

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      This

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

    Sterling, Greenwood to Auba (C), 6.9 mid?

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      No

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

      Haha no way

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

    obvious move here?

    Heaton
    TAA VVD Montoya (Lundstram Kelly)
    Salah Sterling KDB Dilva Cantwell
    Haller Pukki (Ayew)

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

      Vvd to Digne

  28. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Worth wildcarding to get Mount, Abraham, Son, Aurier who will probably want anyway and can arch their price rises?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      -12 does the same thing?

  29. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    WC Team

    Ryan Button
    TAA Digne Lowton Mings Lund
    Mane Sterling Son Mount Guendouzi
    Haller Abraham Pukki

    All good?

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Nice team

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

      8/10

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

      Lovely lovely team

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

      Sorry didn't see your goalkeeper's. You need pope instead of Ryan

  30. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    What a start to a FPL season. So manu different players scoring pts. You guys agree?

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      *many