Scout Notes

Liverpool defence still suspect but attacking returns continue to flow

LIVERPOOL 2-1 BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION

  • Goals: Virgil van Dijk (£6.4m) x2 | Lewis Dunk (£4.6m)
  • Assists: Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.2m) x2 | Leandro Trossard (£5.8m)
  • Red cards: Alisson (£6.0m)
  • Bonus: van Dijk x3, Alexander-Arnold x2, Dunk x1

Two early headers from Virgil van Dijk (£6.4m) were all Liverpool needed to extend their lead atop the Premier League to 11 points, both set up by Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.2m) crosses from dead-ball situations.

However, the Anfield crowd had to drag their team over the line thanks to a red card for goalkeeper Alisson (£6.0m) that led to Lewis Dunk’s (£4.6m) consolation goal for Brighton and Hove Albion.

For all the attacking flair and assist potential of full-backs Alexander Arnold and Andrew Robertson (£7.0m), it’s van Dijk who scores most of all three. Last season his four goals comfortably exceeded their combined one, whilst today’s brace adds to his opening-day strike against Norwich.

The 6ft 4in centre-back found himself in enough space to head home a fairly central Alexander-Arnold free-kick after 18 minutes, rising above Adam Webster (£4.4m) to loop over Matthew Ryan (£4.7m). Then, six minutes later, the same combination made it 2-0 from a corner.

In the first half, Jurgen Klopp’s side were easy on the eye, playing with the verve and confidence of a team that knew they were about to go 11 points clear of Man City, after the champions could only draw 2-2 at Newcastle at lunchtime.

The Liverpool boss said of his side’s display:

We would have loved if we would have finished one more, two more, more often and it looks much more comfortable, but that’s our situation. I don’t want to change it, it’s like it is. There will be days when we will score from situations like that and will probably not use our set-pieces, that’s how it is. But you have to score goals and we did that often enough to win the game and that’s good.

Mohamed Salah (£12.2m) and Sadio Mane (£12.2m) had a fruitless afternoon but it wasn’t for a lack of trying in the latter’s case.

Ryan’s fine save from a Roberto Firmino (£9.4m) shot in the 16th minute denied the Senegalese winger an assist, while the in-form premium midfielder could have been on the scoresheet himself soon after when being thwarted by the busy Australian.

Mane also found himself in space around the penalty spot on the hour-mark but couldn’t get good contact and the chance went begging.

Salah returned to the line-up after his Gameweek 13 benching but made very little impact apart from hitting the side-netting in the 12th minute. He was replaced by Adam Lallana (£5.8m) in the 69th minute, although the Egyptian preserved a clean sheet point to get the last laugh over Mane owners.

While Salah’s recent struggles with an ankle injury are off-putting, he and Mane remain enticing options for the next three Gameweeks and – if it wasn’t for the Club World Cup postponing their Gameweek 18 fixture – there would even be an argument for owning both against Everton (h), Bournemouth (a) and Watford (h).

The absence of Fabinho (£5.5m), meanwhile, saw Jordan Henderson (£5.4m) resume the ‘number six’ role that he had occupied before his recent reinvention as a right-sided central midfielder.

Klopp said:

We had to replace Fabinho today which is a tough one because it’s like we were really used to these things without really thinking about it. Hendo played a sensational game in that position together with Gini and Ox. It was a really good performance but we had to work really hard. And what I liked most, that the boys were ready to do that.

Liverpool looked set to finally keep their first clean sheet in seven games and only their third of the season. The second half had been a dull affair, with the Reds conserving their energy knowing that they have ten games to come in a gruelling December.

Whilst the streak of 18 home games where either Salah, Mane or Firmino had scored was about to end, at least they were cruising to a relaxing victory.

Then goalkeeper Alisson was sent off for a deliberate handball outside of his area and everything quickly changed. A long Brighton ball over the home defence set free Leandro Trossard (£5.8m), who poked the ball up onto the advancing stopper’s hands for a straight red card.

On came Adrian (£4.2m) for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (£6.2m) and the reserve Liverpool custodian was instantly picking the ball out of the net after Dunk – once getting the nod to take the kick early – casually passed the resulting free-kick into the corner.

Klopp said of Alisson’s dismissal:

Of course, life became more complicated with the red card and the change we had to make. We had to bring on a frozen goalkeeper pretty much! Everybody sitting here is probably not really warm yet, but imagine you go there in shorts, a really thin shirt and some gloves which are not made for keeping you warm.

Some people let the free-kick happen like that and then you look a little bit silly in that moment, but that’s what you have to accept.

We kept on fighting and Adrian especially helped us a lot with two really, really good saves and crosses he caught and stuff like this.

Suddenly things got nervy for the home side when former Huddersfield midfielder Aaron Mooy (£4.8m) forced Adrian into a low stop. Two minutes later, the substitute spilled a comfortable save right at the feet of substitute Neal Maupay (£5.9m). The Reds held on to make it 13 wins from 14 league matches but those looking for reassurance that Klopp’s troops are tightening up at the back wouldn’t have been given any indication of that on Saturday.

Alisson will be suspended for Wednesday’s Merseyside derby with Everton, although Liverpool’s only two clean sheets of the season did come under his deputy’s watch.

Truth be told, there were still some hairy moments for Liverpool’s defence even before the red card. Alisson made a good save from Davy Propper (£4.9m) in the first half, shortly followed by a Dunk sitter where the centre-back scuffed a shot wide with his knee.

Dunk then narrowly headed wide a Pascal Gross (£6.4m) corner in the 54th minute, before a Martin Montoya (£4.5m) cross was superbly controlled and shot by Aaron Connolly (£4.7m) eight minutes later.

The goalscorer made some crucial contributions at the other end, firstly blocking an Oxlade-Chamberlain effort after a superb run and pull-back from Robertson. Just before the Alisson incident, Dunk got in the way of a shot that followed Alexander-Arnold’s burst into the box.

Graham Potter said of the Seagulls’ efforts:

We put a lot into the game and played with a lot of courage. We weren’t quite as aggressive as we needed to be in the first 20 minutes, so that’s a learning point for us, but we have a really good account of ourselves against a top team.

Potter again went with a four-man backline this weekend and opted for 19-year-old Connolly over Maupay up front, despite the latter’s 19 goal attempts only being bettered by Raul Jimenez (£7.6m) over the last six Gameweeks. As promising as those numbers sound ahead of a run of fixtures against Wolves (h), Crystal Palace (a) and Sheffield United (h), only one of those 19 shots resulted in a goal.

Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Wijnaldum, Oxlade-Chamberlain (Adrian 78’); Salah (Lallana 69’), Firmino (Origi 76’), Mane.

Brighton and Hove Albion XI (4-5-1): Ryan; Montoya (Alzate 69’), Webster, Dunk, Burn; Gross, Bissouma (Trossard 69’), Stephens, Propper, Mooy; Connolly (Maupay 76’).

MEMBERS ANALYSIS

FPLMarc Newcastle fan that spends far too much time thinking about FPL.

3,212 Comments Post a Comment
  1. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    If Tammy confirmed out would you do;

    Tammy > Ings for free?

    Yes or No?

    Quite alot of value tied up in Tammy too....

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Nah, kept him for this GW already, if not this midweek, then surely think he'd be back for weekend. i don't think it'll take him long to adjust again either, a rest will of done him good.

    2. SH
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Depends, if the saved cash will help you get Alli/Son then yes

    3. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Ings

    4. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Just holding now until we know more from Pressers!

      Thanks lads

  2. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Brady being picked has to be one of the finest sights in sports

  3. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Please help

    A. Hold Barnes vs Watford
    B. Sell him for a hit

    I feel he might be rotated!

    1. Willmissudimitrypayet
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      He got his usual rest at the end of the game, so likely to start again I would say. Who would you sell for then?

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Grealish maybe!

    2. SH
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Not for a hit. Still has a great fixture

  4. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    My fellow deadzoners, can you RMT for next gw and share some thoughts?

    Ryan
    TAA, Soyuncu, Lundstram
    Salah, Mane, Pulisic, Zaha, Tielemans
    Vardy, Jimenez

    Bench: Button, Ayew, Willems, Ried

    Got 1m in the bank which I'm planning to use to get Maddison for Tielemans after the Watford game because I already took a hit.

    1. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Vardy captain

    2. SH
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Good for next week. Might look at Son/Alli for week after

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

    Team set for the next GW, but with both Tammy and Guilbert flagged, and Nakamba suddenly becoming unfavored, my bench is suddenly pretty s***. With the fixture congestion coming up, starting to think I won't be able to afford saving my FT this GW, as planned.

    Save FT?

    Gazzaniga
    TAA Soyuncu Lundstram
    Mane Son deBruyne Madison
    Vardy(c) Abraham(I) Jimenez

    Woodman Rico Guilbert(s) Nakamba(out of favor?)

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Soy captain

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

    Who’s your captain this week?

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

      Probably Vardy, who else?

      1. KINGS
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Torn between Vardy and Mane

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

          I don't trust Sidibe defensively either, I agree.

        2. BNMC
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Not sure about captaining Mane. Derbies are always tight.

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Lund

    3. Soto Ayam
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Vardy

  7. The Head-Ake
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Pope
    TAA - Tomori - Lundstram - Soyuncu
    Mane- Maddison - Sterling - McGinn
    Vardy - Jiminez

    BENCH: Button - Tammy - Dendoncker - Kelly

    Average GW. Got 2 Liverpool players and 3 Leicester players. What'd you reckon I do, JUST FOR THIS WEEK?? 1FT and 0.4 ITB.

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Lose sterling

      1. The Head-Ake
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        For whom though? He just scored as well :/

  8. SH
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Saving FT now and will look at Tottenham assests in next week. g2g?

    Pope
    TAA Soy Lund
    Salah Mane KDB Pulisic
    Vardy(c) Jimenez Ings

    Button Rico Dendo Guilbert*

    1. KINGS
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Looks good

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      G2g

    3. SH
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Cheers all!

  9. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    I'm 100,000 places above Mark.

    I told you I am an FPL genius didn't I.

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I am FPL mediocrity

    2. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Says a lot about both of you 😉

    3. Pigeon
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I must be a God then

    4. The Man Pastore
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      what is Mark's ID?

  10. SAY MY NAME
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Pope to?

    a)Henderson
    b)Guita

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

    2. The Man Pastore
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

    3. ted mcnure
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

    4. SAY MY NAME
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      thanks all

  11. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Do you remember when Lemina came to Soton and FFS wrote an article about him like he was going to be a valuable asset in FPL?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Nope

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

      Guy was class, shame he couldn't bothered to turn up half the time.
      To be fair he played under some of our most boring managers, would've been class under better managers.

      1. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        No he is a defensive midfielder, a regista

        1. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Therefore not a FPL asset*

  12. Poison Apple
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    A. Dendocker to cantwell, bench mcginn
    B. Save
    C. Others

    Mane son maddison mcginn dendocker
    Vardy lacca ings

    1.1 ITB

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Save

    2. SH
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Save

    3. Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Save

  13. JRO093
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Pope to:

    A) Guiata
    B) Henderson
    C) Schmeichel

    I have Lundstram and no Palace or Leicester defenders. Key arguements to consider? Leaning A) or B) but can't quite decide..

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

    2. I Must Break You
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      The answer is B, but the bigger question is why don't you have a LEI defender?

    3. Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

    4. ted mcnure
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      b

  14. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    GTG? Did Martial to Zaha for free!

    Gazza
    TAA Robbo Lundy
    Mane Son Zaha Barnes
    Vardy(C) Jesus Jiminez

    Button Rico Dendo Reid

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      G2g

    2. Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Ye

  15. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    What is the best time to buy Grealish?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Gw18 looks nice

    2. Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Now he's on form

    3. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I'm going to get ship Mount for him at the weekend. It will also give me money to get Abraham back the week after. Grealish is in great form and a 'talisman' (no way he's going to be rotated), although he'll likely be my first sub for most of the games until GW18.

      1. Phil's Stamps
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        * to get (this isn't the America's Cup)

        1. Phil's Stamps
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          *to ship

          I need more coffee.

  16. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Mount not guaranteed to start: https://www.football.london/chelsea-fc/fixtures-results/frank-lampards-big-chelsea-mistake-17344699

    Championship player at best.

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Mount to jwp done

    2. CMJC
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A championship player at best - scoring and assisting in the prem : /
      He’s only 20 and has huge potential.

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

      suggest finding a new sport to follow

  17. KINGS
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Which you’d prefer for next 5 GWs?

    A) Maddy
    B) Zaha

    1. Kiwi Don
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Zaha if you have Vardy

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

    3. Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

  18. davies
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Who to play?

    A) Gazza (mun)
    B) Martin (wol)

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

  19. Fudgy
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Manipulating Abraham's price is not cool

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Agree. We live in a post-truth world

      1. Fudgy
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        It's pathetic

    2. McMurphy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      The blatant price-fall protection/manipulation of Martial, KDB and now Abraham has certainly been an unpleasant turn in the game. Now we not only have make tough decisions, but we have to make tough decisions while guessing if those who control the price changes have themselves bought/sold popular players and what will best suit their teams.

      1. EMBOLOFAN
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        lol at thinking this is true

        1. McMurphy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          I genuinely believe it. Not saying it's Mark doing it or anything like that, but it's surely being done to suit someone. I've heard people talk about it in seasons past but this is the first year where it's been so obvious, to me anyway.

          1. Fitzy.
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Why even mention Mark's name then?

            1. McMurphy
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Because I read conspiracy comments/jokes about Mark's team all the time. People have said that stuff for years and I've never bought into it.. But the price manipulation this season by FPL Towers with those 3 players is so obvious that (in my opinion) it's being done on purpose.

  20. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Laca mount -4 to:
    A) jimy - mouset - ayew - tammy
    B) zaha - puli - madds - tiele
    C) only 1 from a) or b)
    D) keep both, roll ft

    1. Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      D

  21. Kiwi Don
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Start one:

    A) Zaha home to Bournemouth
    B) Son away to Man Utd

    Zaha has the better fixture but Son has done brilliantly for me recently so don’t really want to bench him.

    What do you all reckon?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

    2. Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

    3. All about the galacticos
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      goal scoring odds, has Son (2.25) ahead slightly to Zaha (2.26)
      plus Son has far more involvement and assists.
      the price difference is wide tho, so pound for pound Zaha is better value

      1. All about the galacticos
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        correction - that is Son 2.25 vs Zaha 2.6

    4. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Zaha

  22. akhilrajau
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Which one is advisable
    A. Martial -> Zaha
    B. Mount -> Zaha

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

    2. Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B if you must

      1. akhilrajau
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Hm i am planning to out any spurs asset. If good to have wildcard now

        1. akhilrajau
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Sorry spelling mistake. I am planning to put Spurs assets

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

      neither

  23. yer old da
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    I’m assuming Abraham > Ings is a good move, if it means cash is freed up to do Martial > KDB next week?

    1. Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Abraham is likely fit

  24. Chelsea91
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Pope
    Taa,lund,soy
    Mane,kdb,maddy,son
    Jimmy,vardy,rash

    Button cantwell rico hanley

    Good to go mate? Any suggestion?

    1. All about the galacticos
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      all good, however maybe pope to henderson?

      1. Chelsea91
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I think will change this week after wednesday.

  25. MidTableFantasy
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Will Moura always be on the bench?

    1. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      yeah for rest of his life

  26. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Ryan (buton)
    Soy taa lund (kely lowton)
    Mount kdb son mane (dendo)
    Vardy ings laca

    Which?
    A) laca to jimy/mouset/ayew /tammy
    B) mount to zaha/puli/madds/tiele
    C) both above -4
    D) roll ft, bench 1 of laca mount kely

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Wait for pressers.

  27. noahzark22
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    finally a green arrow!

  28. BNMC
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Tielemans, Grealish, or Zaha?
    And should I get rid of Tammy or look to replace him? (1.2 in the bank)

  29. ted mcnure
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    4 in a row- 18k- happy days!

    1. The Man Pastore
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Well done!

  30. The Man Pastore
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    I loved my team 1 week ago and not so much now...

    Already made the move Pope --> Henderson

    Henderson Button
    TAA Chilwell Lundstram Kelly Lowton
    Mane KDB Maddison Mount Cantwell
    Vardy Jesus Ings

    0FT / 1.4ITB

    Anything worth a -4pts?

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      The first line actually made me laugh! I feel you mate!

    2. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      No need for a hit! You're gtg!

    3. ted mcnure
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      gtg