Dugout Discussion

Salah misses out as Alisson and de Gea recover from injury to start

The only Premier League match to take place this Sunday is a big one, with league leaders Liverpool hoping to maintain their unbeaten start to the season against old foes Manchester United.

Kick-off at Old Trafford is at 16:30 BST.

The headline team news sees Mohamed Salah (£12.4m) miss out through injury, with Jurgen Klopp telling Sky Sports ahead of the match:

Mo was not ready, that’s how it is. He couldn’t train with the team; I don’t know where it came from that everybody said he will play. There was pretty much no chance for today, maybe for Wednesday [in the Champions League], we have to see.

With Salah missing out, Sadio Mane (£11.8m) and Roberto Firmino (£9.6m) are joined in a front three by Divock Origi (£5.3m).

Alisson (£5.8m) and Joel Matip (£5.5m) have been passed fit to play, however, and rejoin the visitors’ backline in place of Adrian (£4.6m) and Dejan Lovren (£5.3m).

Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.2m), Andrew Robertson (£6.9m) and Virgil van Dijk (£6.5m) maintain their ever-present records in the top flight this season.

Despite Ole Gunnar Solskjaer having said he was unlikely to play, David de Gea (£5.5m) has recovered from the groin injury that he sustained on international duty and takes his place between the posts for the Red Devils.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.4m) has also recovered from tonsillitis, joining what may well be a back five for the hosts given that Ashley Young (£5.4m), Marcos Rojo (£4.8m), Harry Maguire (£5.4m) and Victor Lindelof (£5.4m) all start.

Luke Shaw (£5.4m) has failed to recover, however, while Paul Pogba (£8.4m) misses out as expected.

Anthony Martial (£7.5m) is fit enough to be among the substitutes and joins Mason Greenwood (£4.4m) on the bench.

With Martial not in the starting XI, Marcus Rashford (£8.4m) looks set to lead the line again.

The corresponding fixture to this game ended 0-0 in 2018/19.

This re-match indeed sees a meeting between the two sides with the best expected goals conceded (xGC) tallies in the top flight, although that tightness in defence hasn’t translated into too many clean sheets: United and Liverpool have just two each so far this season.

At the other end of the pitch, the Red Devils have the third-worst xG from open play among Premier League clubs.

Mane was the most-bought player of Gameweek 9, with Salah the most-sold.

Wan-Bissaka and de Gea were also shipped out by almost 400,000 Fantasy managers combined.

Salah was the fifth-most-captained player of Gameweek 9, although it’s probably fair to assume that a decent chunk of the 634,160 FPL bosses who handed him the armband may have given up the ghost already.

Manchester United XI: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelöf, Rojo, Young, McTominay, Fred, Pereira, James, Rashford.

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Matip, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Mané, Firmino, Origi.

1,461 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Who's on pens for Liverpool?

    1. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      TAA?

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

        Would be legendary

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

      Is Milner in the starting XI?

    3. F4L
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Fabinho

    4. Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Fabinho is good

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

      Fabinho most likely

    6. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Mane i reckon

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

      Mané and Firmino according to the site.

    8. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Fabinho I think

      1. Rik Waller
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Fowler

    9. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Fabinho I'm pretty sure. HIs record is impeccable.

    10. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Mane

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

    Come on Alison T

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I've got that movie.

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

        Lol

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

        Don't everyone 😉

  3. Bartowski
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Still just can't get around the idea Man U have spent close to a billion on player recruitment in the last decade and this is the team they put out against their rivals.

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

      Disgusting isn't it, as a United fan its embarrassing.

  4. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    All Utd?

  5. Smurf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Only just realised Robertson is up against AWB. I'll not expect much from an attacking sense then 🙁

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

    Mane on the right?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah

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

        Good news for non-owners

        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          The good news is for non owners is Man Utd somehow seem to be dominating possession.

          1. RealVirg
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            That will teach Klopp never to give mercy on Salah. He needs to play every game, doesn't matter (end of)

          2. Maddamotha
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            I told yall. People thinking this would be a trashing. I predicted a low scoring game, but still early on.

        2. Pukki Blinders
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          How?

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

            He is much better at LW obviously.

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

    Is the saturation weird on anyone else's screen?

  8. The Big Fella
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Kun owners what are you doing?

    1. Bartowski
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Watching Man U - Liverpool

    2. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Keeping for sure

    3. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Nothing.

      1. The Big Fella
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Succinct

    4. bigwig
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Keeping for next two. Got no choice as I see it. If I get rid and he goes nuts in them then it's season ending stuff

      1. The Big Fella
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah this is my thinking too but I can’t see him starting next week if he starts midweek, which he will

    5. beric
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Triple captain

      1. The Big Fella
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        You reckon he will start though? I can see him starting midweek and then Jesus starting again next week

    6. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Captain at home to Villa.

  9. RealVirg
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Desperate for Greenwood to play today, filthy Salah not playing leaves me exposed

    1. beric
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah that 1 point will make all the difference

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

    Rojo looking lively

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

      He's actually played really well in the cup games this season. Loved his crosses

  11. JamTart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    A lot of salt around here!

    Plenty people have gone Mane over Salah, and I've seen plenty stats comparing their 2019 output etc. to back it up. People just need to accept it.

    I get the whole "casuals come on here and copy" argument but to have taken Mane over Salah on a WC is far from a stupid decision - regardless of today's outcome.

    1. Random Name
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      don't think anyone worth listening to said mane over salah is stupid

    2. Werkself
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      There's always a lot of salt around here, regardless of the issue.

  12. Poseidon.
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    All us so far

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Without creating anything.

  13. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Pool once again looking clueless against us. Cream eventually rrally does rise to the top

    1. Random Name
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      say that again without crying

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

      United fans are funny. 9 minutes.

    3. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      And sometimes it curdles.

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

      It's hilarious seeing how blindly pro United you are. They weren't gonna get thumped here, but wait until full time before gloating!

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

        Whats hilarious is seeing people fall for those obvious trolls pretending to be United supporters.

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

      I'm a United fan too but your words seem to be quite big, especially after just like 10 minutes of the game. Relax and enjoy the match.

    6. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Chill out

    7. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Quite a few bites there. Pro baiting 😉

  14. beric
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Get in, salah and barnes to yarmo and tammy paid off 😎

  15. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Pool haven’t turned up!

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yet.....

  16. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    United's tactic: throw out wide balls and deliver abysmal crosses that don't even go into the box

  17. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Firmino almost

    1. RealVirg
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Erm no thanks, only scores for this game will be Robertson and TAA (assist vice versa)

    2. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Inches away

    3. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      ...playing rugby

    4. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      almost?!

  18. Epic Fail
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    My stream is slow so no spoilers please. Wait at least a minute.

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Finishes 0-0.

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        drat

      2. Random Name
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        40-16

  19. Poseidon.
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Almost 1-0 to us, Pereira

    1. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Reading your posts is more entertaining than the game.

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Must be a terrible game.

        1. George Sillett
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Not far wrong tbh.

      2. Poseidon.
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Mere inches wide

        Like 50 of them

    2. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Oh stop it

  20. sunzip14
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    After this game started, I dropped in rank by almost 60k. Not owning any Liv or Utd players very risky for the rank it seems. Hoping for a 1-1 with Fred and Henderson goals 😀

    1. Poseidon.
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      This

    2. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      why would you have no liv players?

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        the 'fixture' excuse

      2. sunzip14
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Because I have City players in the front and had Liv defenders but sold them for cheapies like Soy and Tomori. Looking to get them back GW 13.

  21. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    I don't need that pop up box of the commentary team thank you very much Sky Sports.

  22. Epic Fail
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    VvD wiping his ass on Pereira.

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Andreas has the decision-making of a 10 year-old.

    2. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Can't fault him.

    3. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I thought that VVD was $hiten it alright.

  23. KGFC
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Really like Origi. Plays quite well whenever he gets a chance. Suppose for any other team, he'd be starting week in week out!

    1. Random Name
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Deluded

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

        I'm sure you are

        1. Random Name
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          yes origi starts for man city

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

            Your comments are quite like your name!

            1. Ginkapo FPL
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Alright Colonel

            2. Random Name
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              how about you back up your argument for a change?

          2. Chenku╰☆╮
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            no one starts for certain for man city 😀

    2. Nightcrawler
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Wouldnt get into our 2nd 11

      1. Supersonic Marv'
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Who's 2nd 11?

      2. Poseidon.
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I’d have him as an option off the bench. Got to be better than Greenwood

        1. Nightcrawler
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Greenwood would probably do a better job than origi under klopp

          1. Poseidon.
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            True. Certainly couldn’t do worse!

    3. Differential C (Mark)
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Performs well when asked, works very hard. A very good rotation player, and its good that he doesn't moan when he is benched for the Trio. Class and professional.

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

        This

      2. KGFC
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Exactly, you need such players in your squad over the course of the season and multiple tournaments to be a challenging team.

  24. seewhyaxe
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    i'd take a 0-0 scoreline today

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      double pool defence?

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

        no just Robbo playing.

        Salah owner too =/

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Same.

      Just TAA playing.

    3. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Same triple pool defence

  25. ChelseaGuy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    TAA got that assist yet?

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      which?

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

        The one he usually gets

        1. Top Lad Dakes.
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          only 3 in 8.25 games this season

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

            "Only" ?
            xA is top class too

            1. Top Lad Dakes.
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              bad attempt at a troll sorry

  26. BigBillyBass
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Salah just spotted in a McDonald’s in Bootle

    1. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Has he been on the rob too ?

  27. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Not sure if it's become habit to flinch when the Liverpool keeper tries to pass but I'm not feeling reassured by Allison here

  28. Waynoo
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    do something Mane

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      G assisted by Trent?

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Origi*

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

        Would take it

  29. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Why are pool playing in a spurs kit?

    1. Licky
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Gotta look the part when they bottle it.

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

      It's been shown that wins in a kit lead to sales and spurs are struggling to shift them

  30. onceuponatyne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Salah not playing means Rico comes off my bench (8 points).
    First time I think I've ever got lucky on this sort of thing. Yay.

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Nice one 🙂

    2. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Cheers for the update.

      1. onceuponatyne
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I was worried you'd get upset if not kept right up to date on it.

    3. Poseidon.
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Pieters (1) here! Over the moon

      1. onceuponatyne
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        😐 Booo.