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. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Salah +bps massive chance created

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

      Does he get more BPS than normal for a massive chance created rather than a chance created?

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

        Does he?

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

      Needs that for all his dispossessions

  2. Give Me the Mane
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Kabasele is playing like Maldini

  3. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Hate Salah

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

      Yep, worst case scenario that goal, ah well, it’s only a goal

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Have Mane but not captained. Trent too

    2. Podge
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Then buy him

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

    Mane very close, unlucky. Would've been a Salah assist

  5. Pras (FPL)
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Salah and Mane seem to be passing to each other again.. good for xA

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

    Vardy & Kane would have done a double somersault there

    Fair play to the only honest one

    1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Lol good one

  7. L'Aeroplanino
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Mane close

  8. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    12% Salah ownership is just insanely low.

    1. Podge
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Half of them probably dead teams

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

        So, my FPL Cup opponent.

    2. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      More insanely it will rise even though he has a blank coming.

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

      Very expensive tho if you have Mane as well. Tammy and Alli or Salah and Greenwood.

    4. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Top 10K?

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

        Yeah
        Magnus Carlsen smashing it

        1. Pukki Party
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Still one half and Vardy to play before we can say it wad the right call. He's overrated as a manager though, had a terrible 14/15 season

          1. beric
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            lmao this comment

    5. Pedram
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I think his ownership will explode soon as people want to double up on Liverpool assets.

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

      Its when many prioritize Team value. My team value took a big beating keeping him patiently along with Mane/Vardy cover but then I just dont like to give priority to price over points as I have no team value end season goals

  9. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    sounded like a Firmino assist on radio somehow, was not happy 😀

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

      Radio?

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        car on the way to work 😀 tv for the 2nd half

    2. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Hockey assist

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

      Mane & Firmino are easy to mix up tbf.

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Firminé

    4. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Assisted the assister Mane with a half over head kick

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        nice

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

    45 minutes of Robbo would really help Liverpool’s attacks vs this low block.

    Milner to RB?

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

      Maybe from min59.
      Whos that on ya grav?

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

        Why minute 59?

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

      He'll get 5 mins

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

      I reckon first sub Shaq off Ox on and second sub Milner off Robbo on. Third sub Henderson off and depending on score Keita or Lallana on.

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

    Trent cs Mane assist
    Hope it ends like this, then a monster haul by Pardy (C) and a Tammy blank

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

      Pardy?

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

      Agree on all comments but a tammy haul also

    3. drughi
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      tammy blank is very wishful thinking

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

      Nah, Tammy haul too.

    5. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Amen, except Tammy blank ))

  12. drughi
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Watford really shoulve scored atleast 2 goals in that first half

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

      They were tough chances for Watford players.

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

        No the chances were easy but they just failed epically to shoot.

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

    Pearson should slap Sarr and Doucoure for those awful awful misses.

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

      dats raysist!

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

        Why is it? Explain

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

    Who should I sell, Mane or Salah? I would have to buyback Mane for 0.2 more.

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

    Mane captieners must be sweating right now.

    Vardy part awaits later tonight

    1. drughi
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      yeah they need a second half goal from mane to feel safe

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

      Atleast it wont be complete fail

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

    Its so.crazy last season Salah sparkled against Bou and learning from it the hard way I kept him this season and he flourished again. I found i still got boost in rankings as he had become a bit of differential..Similar situation to last season when he was out of form and bit injured.
    I am interested in knowing what is peoples psych, that why is that people dont learn from past mistakes or experiences? And this trend isnt just in fpl, it is stock market as well when people panic over same things and sell same stocks at losses...

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

      Lol what?

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

        I know it went above you. Its ok. Its not for everyday john to contemplate and understand it. Else how will the outliers take advantage of it 😉

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

      Tbf this time around he was injured and it seemed that it could be a nighling longterm thing.
      It was really important to have Klopp say that his 100% now

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

      My every instinct said to bring Salah in this week, but the fact he has a blank next week gave me pause. I'll bring him in with 2FT for GW19.

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

      But in general people have short short shorter memories

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

        But why is that? Dont they want to learn from past mistakes or just blatantly ignorant? Its quite inhuman if thats the case as we the most intelligent species

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

      TBF, Mane has outscored Mo by 19 points to date, and he started 1.0m cheaper...

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

        I dint mean to replace
        Just meant to have both as we all agree Liv is better team to double than Spurs in easy matches especially. Now tide has turned and Spurs double looks better

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

      I got Salah in precisely for the last two GWs after seeing Bou and Wat

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

        Great work bro

    7. Jolly Good
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      So your logic is salah will smash it now just because he smashed it this time last year

      And you think other people are irrational?

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

        Its the Bou factor. Players always have some teams they love scoring against. If you think mindset isnt imp in football then its just your ignorance

    8. alvnlo95
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Often most have an innate risk-averse mindset. Hence they tend to follow the herd mentality.

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

    I am leading my minileague by 17pts and smh find myself rooting against Vardy Abraham and Rashford (probably the 3most dangerous players after this game this week).

    This game is going well tho

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

    Will the assist stand ??

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

      Yes. Confirmed.

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

        Excellent
        Thanks

    2. drughi
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      uhh yeah

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yes, no doubt

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

      Ofcourse it will

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

      Thanks both !

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

      Why wouldn't it?

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

        Because he isn't watching the match.

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

          Thanks for clarifying 🙂

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

    That moment when you realize you've inexplicably started Dendoncker over Grealish or Kelly.

    Should be alright, right?

    Please say yes.

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

      Yes

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

      Grealish brace incoming

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

      Yes.

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

      There is no explanation

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

      THIS IS THE ONE THING WE DIDN'T WANT TO HAPPEN

  20. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Why do Pool look so rocky at the back these days? Matip the difference?

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

      Wind

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

      They'll play better when Alisson returns... Oh wait.

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

      VVD is only one season wonder.

      Getting found out this season

    4. JustPark
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      And Fabinho.

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

        Poor excuse. Were conceding like every game even with fabinho

    5. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yes, first choice defense has not started since many weeks

  21. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Vardy(c) should be happy at the moment. Salah (low EO) G and Mane A is nothing. Vardy got a hat-trick opportunity against a rubbish Norwich team.

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

      Cue second half goalfest

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        As long as Pool keep a cleanie...

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

      45 minutes left

    3. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Magnus Carlsen captained Salah so he will get a hat trick while Vardy blanks. It's just the way the world works now.

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

      Yeah and Salah usually doesnt even get baps when he only scores one

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

        If Pool keeps cs

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

    One more goal Mo

    Don’t slack off just yet

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

      Would take an OG. Or pen miss

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

        How very dare you

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

    Sub Salah at 59mins please!

    1. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Hello

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Noo!

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

      Lifetime ban heading your way

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

    Christian pulisic

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

      Hatty

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

        That’d be nice. Brought him in as a one week punt.

    2. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      rested?

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      is starting?

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

      The American Gabrial Obertan

  25. Pacer.
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    When did everyone get terrified of Salah?

    12m+ tied up in a player who's merely adequate. The more owners the better

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

      He's cheaper than Mane right now.

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

        And in this formation and with full fitness, carries more threat. Especially when Robbo returns and he resumes penalty duties.

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

        Who didn't buy mane when he was much cheaper though?

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Bitter much? 😛

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

        No, my midfield choices have been outscoring for considerably less!

        Obviously I'm hoping it ends at just the one today!

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

      Especially when it’s only Bou and Watford

    4. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Think you are confusing with Sterling

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

      Yeah, dont mind him adding another goal than Mane. Mane goal will hurt my rank more

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

        Oh I don't want Salah to brace, of course! Currently a mane owner. But I did want him to score. Would rather players aren't cashing in and moving into my investment choices!

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

      I’ve doubled with Manè for weeks and bar the rotation it has worked well. If my bench had of been better would have been great.

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

        How is it in relation to, for instance, Alli and Son though, who are both hugely cheaper

    7. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Rashford has more points 3m less?

  26. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    TAA and VVD owners very lucky so far.

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

      Yes

    2. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Robertson owner by any chance?

      1. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Seen right through me 😉

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

          Hahaha. Fair play.

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

      If you don't own Trent you need your head seeing to in my opinion.

    4. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Selling TAA seems pretty valid now. Cant keep relying on assists

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

        Why not if they keep coming?

  27. @persecuted_by_mods
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Phristian Culisic

    • james 101
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Pool clean sheet looking likely?

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

        No.

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

        Nahh They always find someway to concede

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

        Watford players have deffo got at least 2 Liverpool DF's

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

        I hope not

      5. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        If WAT continues to mess up like that, yes

    • Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      So Magnus Carlsen is likely going into first in the world this evening and boomers on here still claim he isn't the best to ever do it.

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

        Lol what?

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

        He's the new Ville Ronka. Everyone obsessed about him

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

          It's the van gerwen of darts, Ronka is the taylor

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

          Fudgy is anyway

      3. Duke Silver ☑
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah but his team will be deleted when they find his time machine.

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

        He fades after Xmas apparently

      5. 1314
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        any link to his team ?

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

          4th in world

      6. Fred54
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Stop misusing the term Boomers.

        1. how now brown cow
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          It was my childhood term for breasts. Enjoying its widespread use nowadays.

      7. OPTA FPL
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I beated him last season
        and 80p behind him this season with more 2M team value at the moment, likely to beat him again

      8. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Ive been OR2 before and was there because of some decent picks and a load of luck. Chess aint luck but this game has spadeloads

        1. Fred54
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          In the Polynesian League.

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

            Wrong. Just Simon March ahead of me after 31 gameweeks

            1. Fred54
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Just messin'. 😉

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

                Its cool just trying to bring some perspective. HOF is all that matters

    • SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Me: Pope, Soyuncu, Kelly, Zaha, Son, KDB

      Oppenent: Patricio, VVD, Maguire, Richarlison, Maddison, Abraham

      Going to be close, other 5 players (inc Captain) are the same

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

        Opponent easy win

        1. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          🙁