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. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Interesting how few clean sheets (at least it feels like that) there's been this season despite the consensus being that VAR is leading to less goals.

    1. Differentiator
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      More amazing that it's actually working to get far less holding at set pieces

  2. Differentiator
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Pool fans crying that VAR is going against them

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

      I protested it even when it went for us. It's rubbish.

    2. Pumpkinhead *non-expert*
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Well it did (it was correct though)

    3. SirStevieG
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Because of a wrong decision? Yes, the horror.

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

      No they're not. Some on here have been very objective.

    5. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I worked out that they’d have been relegated last season if accounting for offside goals and dodgy pens were correctly VAR’d out

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

      This comment section is saltier than the Dead Sea.

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Nah he’s playing well today, hope his CS stays in tact

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

      Although it spoils the spontaneity of a goal, today's decisions have been right and the 'foul' for the goal was in the other half, defend it.

    8. Danno - Emre Canada
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Well it did. It was a foul. Manes goal disallowed was a correct call.

  3. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    McGinn to
    A) CHO
    B) Trossard

    1. Sailboats
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A

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

      A

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

      Easy A

    4. steven8991
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Easy. B obviously

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

      A

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

      c) Keep McGinn

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

    Son > Martial if he gets minutes in the second half? Will lose .1 SV if Son drops later today.

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

      United play midweek.

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

        So, take the drop and wait?

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

          You have to decide if you are a risk taker. Nobody else can decide that but you.

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

            I thought this was a place to take suggestions before deciding !

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

          Martial is pretty fragile plus others in your team could get injured.

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

            I think its better to wait then. Not like I am getting priced out too. Thanks!

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

      I like it, get in early before the United train starts up again

    3. Pumpkinhead *non-expert*
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      LOL NO

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

    You know you are an average team when your only decent game in the last months is against your biggest opponent

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

    Oh man, that Mané (disallowed) goal might have been a TAA assist.

    Why have we been forsaken so.

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

    As a Mane owner I have to admit we dont deserve anything from this half. His results are regressing to the mean, I knew it was a casual move to bring him in...

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

      Nicely said!

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

      *yawn*

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

        It might be dull but honesty trumps biased opinions any day. One of the things my mum taught me.

        1. Pumpkinhead *non-expert*
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          zzzz

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

      The pros brought in Grealish last week - was the obvious move

    4. Pumpkinhead *non-expert*
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      k

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

      Haha clueless

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

      He's had no service what do you expect? Can only do so much

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

      This rhetoric is getting a bit boring now...

      1. Pumpkinhead *non-expert*
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        totally

    8. doy
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Bobby should have done much better with that nice run and pass by Mane.

  8. jia you
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Andreas had his Weetabix this morning!

    1. Differentiator
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Mcdonalds has played well to control the Utd midfield. Impressed

    2. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      First time I’ve been impressed by him at United

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

      We call it Weetbix in Australia.

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

    Oh god. No Salah. I am now heading towards a grand total of 24 points.

    Would wildcard, but a number of my players missed out due to injury/tired. Not dropped. Son, Salah,Barnes

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

    Pool fans just not used to var going against them. Wouldnt even be in the title race if it wasnt for VAR

    1. Pumpkinhead *non-expert*
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Simmer Gary

    2. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      yeh vars the reason theyre top 🙄

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

      Nice comment, you deserve a cookie

  11. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    rico my highest scorer lol......making a mockery of others value 😆

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

      Rico could have easily had an assist too

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

      Tomori for me

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

    Mane a clear handball under the current law.

    Tackle on Origi is one of those... Atkinson’s mate in the VAR booth never going to show him up though.

    VAR is good, just needs tweaking.

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Wasn’t even a foul at all tbf only liverpool fans would say so

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

        Agree

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

        Wouldn’t call G Neville a Liverpool fan

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

        only utd fan says so?

      4. Sad Pablo Arsecobar
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        So he kicks his leg from behind without making contact with the ball, and you see his calf physically wobble from the contact. But not a foul? Arsenal fan btw.

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

      well one of those shouldnt be.. it should be 0-0 right now and it isnt.

    3. Danno - Emre Canada
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Clear foul if the ref had seen it at any other period of play. Bees fan BTW

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

    Var needs to be:

    A) out of the league
    B) better
    C) as it is

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

      Has it's good points and bad points but it's going nowhere.

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

        Agree. But it needs to change a lot.

      2. el polako
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Just like my marriage then.

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

      Either A or use it properly like in other leagues like bundesliga.
      Let the referee go to the screen and double check.

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

      C we'll get used to it

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

        I'm not sure I want to get used to this level.

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

      VAR needs independent refs on the review process.

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

        Absolutely. It's a force for good in theory, just needs to be a whole lot better.

  14. Differentiator
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Genuine fact: Man Utd have never lost a game at Old Trafford when winning at half time

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

      Not true

      1. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        In PL yes

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

          Yes but he said never so not true

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

      Surprised Moyes didnt ruin that stat like he did most of United's

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        moyes never led at half time

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

          :lol"

    3. jtreble
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Wrong.

    4. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Lie. Only in the premier league era. Football records started a century before that you know. Premier league was just a way to make the rich get richer it wasn't when football began.

  15. Regin
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Can fpl cancel the results of this gw? Too much of a disaster.

  16. Uns95
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    City's next two home games, would you rather have Aguero or Sterling? Already have KDB and Otamendi.

    Thinking Salah + Greenwood for Aguero + Dendoncker OR Salah > Sterling.

    Pope
    TAA Otamendi Digne
    Mount Yarmolenko KDB Son (STERLING/Dendo)
    Abraham Vardy (AGUERO/ Greenwood)

    Thoughts?

    1. Celt Abroad
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Not much between sterling and Aguero but salah to sterling is only one transfer instead of two.

      1. Uns95
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Agreed, would have a minus 4 otherwise. Just thinking Aguero seems to be explosive at home and Sterling potentially due a rest...

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

      You may end up buying a player who gets Pep rouletted out, so you might as well just flip a coin instead of making internet randoms guess Man City next PL opening XI.

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

    TM is there any chance to request your bench points rather than your starting 11?

    Story of my life

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

      Just own Aguero, Salah and Otamendi.

      1. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Lol gudone

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

      We need a chip where we can select our Best scoring 11 out of the 15.

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

        I'd prefer all chips were done away with.

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

        Aka bench boost 2.0

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

          Doesn't need BB. Bench player's point doesn't need to be counted.

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

    Real test of Liverpool's mettle here. Let's see how good Klopp is at motivating his troops.

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

      liverpools what?

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

          insane. never heard of this

          1. Lucy2019
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            No surprises there.

      1. Yank Revolution
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Mettle, noun

        a person's ability to cope well with difficulties or to face a demanding situation in a spirited and resilient way.

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

        Its English

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

        Mettle as in the saying "pettle to the mettle"

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

      Running to the tunnel, he was determined

    3. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Champions would overcome the occasion, massive test.

  19. doy
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    I tipped 1-1 beforehand, no way Utd will let Pool get that record for consecutive wins.

  20. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Please can Michael Owen shut his trap 😀

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

    Might be worth keeping Son for Liverpool?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Now you are talking

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

      Liverpool aren’t that bad.

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

        Either that or a hit to do Son to TAA.

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

      Got Kane here what d'ya think?

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

        No penalties given to opponents at Anfield.

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

    I expect a Liverpool reaction!

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

    The concept of VAR is a very good one.
    The application and use of it is very poor.

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

      This pretty much sums it up.

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

      Mate, VAR can’t overrule Atkinson’s appallingly refereeing on MNU’s goal.

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

        The application and use of it is very poor.

      2. Lucy2019
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Do you even do English?

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

      Real world impact is all that matters - the theory of communism is a good one, but it doesn’t work in reality.

      1. Celt Abroad
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        The theory of VAR relies on instant, perfect decisions and clear cut incidents.

  24. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    If the result stays the same Pep will have to start Kun in order not to risk it

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

      Far from true. They were 8 behind etc.

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

      Risk what?

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Not getting a result. He has to put his best team in order to put pressure on Klopp and liverpool

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

          They need to try and win every game regardless of what happens here.

    3. Lucy2019
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Logic, you, window.

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

    ive got james rivals got taa both VAR decisions in my favour ,but tbh im sick of all these decisions,absolutely killing the fun ,i think im done with it

    1. Pumpkinhead *non-expert*
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      bye

    2. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Later

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

    TAA. What a pass.

  27. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Maguire lol. What a pranny.

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

    Time management at its finest!

  29. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    James becoming a joke now.

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

    All this talk that the kick on Origi wasn't enough to make him go down is irrelevant.

    If you get kicked, it's a foul. End of.

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

      There wasnt contact

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

        You’re talking nonsense.

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

          No you

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

            A well formed argument. :). Thanks for this.

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

            No you 😆

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

      Maybe if he hadn't thrown himself down like a little biatch it may have been given.....

    3. jtreble
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yup.

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

      If the wind blows you should fall over!

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

      It depends how much contact there is. Football is a contact sport.

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

        So kick against any body part is ok , cmon fella

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

      Wrong.