Dugout Discussion

Robertson falls foul of rotation as Mané and Alexander-Arnold return

Andrew Robertson (£7.1m) is the latest victim of manager Jurgen Klopp’s festive rotation, having to watch the match against Watford from the bench as Sadio Mané (£12.3m) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.3m) return to Liverpool’s starting line-up.

Today is their fourth of ten December fixtures but Klopp has selected an attacking side in their quest to go 11 points clear of Leicester. James Milner (£5.3m) is in at left-back over Robertson.

Not only are Mané, Mohamed Salah (£12.2m) and Roberto Firmino (£9.3m) all starting this lunchtime, the inclusion of Xherdan Shaqiri (£6.3m) suggests a potential system change to 4-2-3-1 from the usual 4-3-3.

At the back, Dejan Lovren (£5.3m) limped off after 39 minutes of last week’s 3-0 win at Bournemouth but was deemed fit enough to start in Salzburg on Tuesday. However, he was forced off again with a hamstring injury and his place alongside Virgil van Dijk (£6.4m) has been given to Joe Gomez (£5.1m).

Georginio Wijnaldum (£5.4m) comes in for Naby Keita (£5.8m) in midfield, who joins Robertson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (£6.2m) and Divock Origi (£5.2m) as Liverpool substitutes.

In the opposing dugout is Nigel Pearson. His first team selection as Watford manager has brought two changes from last Saturday’s dour 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace.

Adam Masina (£4.3m) and Roberto Pereyra (£5.6m) have made way, with experienced centre-back Adrian Mariappa (£4.2m) starting at right-back and Will Hughes (£5.4m) playing behind captain Troy Deeney (£6.2m).

The lack of Jose Holebas (£4.7m) has forced usual right-back Kiko Femenia (£4.2m) to the left against Salah, although the Hornets may see the pace of Ismaïla Sarr (£6.2m) against Milner as a way to find some success against the European champions.

Liverpool XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Milner, van Dijk, Gomez, Alexander-Arnold; Wijnaldum, Henderson; Mané, Shaqiri, Salah; Firmino.

Watford XI (4-2-3-1): Foster; Femenia, Cathcart, Kabasele, Mariappa; Capoue, Doucoure; Deulofeu, Hughes, Sarr; Deeney.

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

1,590 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Woy_is_back
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Give Salah and Mane a rest now

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Nah, why would he? Need to finish the game first.

  2. Differentiator
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Salah is a diving fraud. Unlikeable

    1. Supersonic Marv'
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I like him.

    2. Differentiator
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Fishing rod out looking for a catch :^)

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

    Maybe I'm too pessimistic, but I'm not happy with Salah's performance so far. I brought him in expecting more, and I know he got a goal but he's not looking as threatening as Mané in my opinion.

    1. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yes, you are too pessimistic.

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

        I mean it's almost half time and I was expecting a haul.

        I guess he'll play better 2nd half?

  4. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    At this stage I think some Simon & Garfunkel would be appropriate

    Hello Salah my old friend
    I’ve come to captain you again
    Because a vision softly creeping
    Of a hattrick left Watford weeping
    And the vision that was planted
    In my brain still remains
    And echoes in the sound
    Of Salah

    Fools said I you do not know
    That Salah’s ankle pain must go
    Beneath the halo of the Armband
    Receives the ball and calmly rolls his man
    Then the net was stabbed
    With the flash of a smashed toe poke, a thunderbolt
    That echoed with the sound
    Of Salah

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

    What is a weak foot. What a goal. He's certainly back to his best.

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

      How is he? Against Bou and Wat? Lol

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        He looked very good in the CL as well. Before he looked slow and sluggish. He looks sharp now.

  6. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Floodgates: OPEN

  7. FPL Pillars
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Salah (c) get in, get some more MO 😀

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

    Is Wijnaldum the most underrated player in the PL?

    1. tokara
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Lingard

    2. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      No he is a fantastic player. Perfekt combination of a midfielder.

  9. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Please score Watford

  10. GAMBIT
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    I think I want both Mane and Salah on my WC

    1. HNI
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I am actually looking to remove Mane for Son on WC..Time to go heavy on Spurs and Lei if they sparkle today

    2. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      You should save your WC until double GW 😛

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

    No wonder Watford have trouble scoring goals this season...

    Shocking finishing. Should be winning 2-1.

  12. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Has anyone ever seen irbox and Magnus Carlsen in the same room?

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

      Only from behind.

      1. HNI
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Yes they have a good behind

      2. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        😯

    2. The Mandalorian
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Dressed or naked?

    3. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Curious about what happened afterwards ?

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

    Watford match fixing for the clean sheet?

    1. mixology
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yes Sarr and Doucoure doubled up on pool defense

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

    Watford finishing 0/10

  15. Syd.
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Watford should be 2-1 up

    Another fresh air shot

  16. Maddamotha
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Loool how can you miss there...

  17. GAMBIT
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    World class finishing from Watford

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Omg. They're woeful.

  18. JBG
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Doucoure and Sarr candidates for MOTM so far.

  19. jason_ni
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Weirdest shot ever that.

  20. Dr. Agabuse
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    OMG watford

  21. Alnair
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Watford deserve to get relegated

  22. CloudSky
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    There's a reason they are dead last I guess.

  23. HurriKane
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone betting against Magnus Carlsen winning FPL this season ?

    Would be a very brave man 😉

    1. Maddamotha
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah he wont win it

    2. HNI
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Only if he loses interest and doesnt bother doing transfers and using chips. He of all people has better things to use his time on

  24. Forza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Are Anfield groundsmen greasing up the pitch? WTF?! 😆

  25. Woy_is_back
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    What a donkey sarrrrrrrr

  26. Maddamotha
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Delu havin Trent on toast

  27. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Mane messes up Salah assist

  28. Ze_Austin
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Just noticed that Walker-Peters's price has dropped to where it should have been by GW1: 4.5M

  29. Dr. Agabuse
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    They just seem to habe more trouble with wind than Mo and Tiger Woods

  30. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Next week looks bleak! Who you targeting?

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

      Targett.

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Awful 🙂

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

      Martin, cheapo GK and should get minutes 😎