Pro Pundits

Why I’ll be holding Liverpool assets through Blank Gameweek 18 and beyond

In her latest column, FPL Community’s Holly Shand reveals why she’ll be resisting the urge to cash in on premium Liverpool assets this weekend.


The hard work has been done to be prepared for Gameweek 18 but I’ve paid very little thought to what happens beyond this point for my side. I’ve clawed my way up from a rank of 1.5 million to the top 400k but fear the impact of Wildcards from those around me. How can I keep moving up?

We appear to have hit a crossroads surrounding Liverpool players. My gut feeling was to hold Sadio Mane (£12.2m) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.3m) but I’m seeing a lot of talk within the community on moving them on (including from fellow Pro Pundit Andy). I’m in a fortunate position of having the likes of Matt Targett (£4.4m), Todd Cantwell (£4.7m) and Martin Kelly (£4.4m) to come in for me and start in Gameweek 18, which does make the decision a little easier.

Now I do struggle with patience a little more than the average Fantasy manager, and more so when I see expensive players on my bench instead of the pitch. Having zero funds in the bank does little to help me to become more patient, while sitting on the most expensive player and most costly defender in the game. In fact, a move away from Alexander-Arnold to a budget defender could free up as much as £3.0m.

I love projections when it comes to making transfer decisions, regularly utilising the feature in the Members Area. Despite the perceived tough fixtures for Liverpool (with Leicester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United all in the schedule after the blank), Salah and Mane are still projected to be comfortably among the top ten scoring midfielders. When it comes to defenders, Alexander-Arnold is projected to be top for FPL points, with one fixture less than his nearest competition. That is very telling! 

Alexander-Arnold has three returns in his last four, only hampered by rotation in Gameweek 17 and remember, Liverpool have just kept two clean sheets on the bounce.

In my thinking beyond Gameweek 18, I’d love to add Mohamed Salah (£12.2m) to my midfield. Liverpool were in a similar position of having tough fixtures last Christmas, with many managers jumping ship to Manchester City assets, but they won every single game convincingly, with Salah himself having a particularly fruitful festive period.

We can see from Jurgen Klopp’s teamsheets in the FIFA Club World Cup exactly where his priorities lie. This season is Liverpool’s best chance of winning the title in the Premier League era, nipping at Manchester United’s heels for the most titles in history.

Liverpool are not going to be taking their foot off the gas anytime soon, tough fixtures or otherwise. They’ve been labelled as bottlers too many times for Klopp to jeopardise their title chances.

They might have an eight-point lead but until they are over the line and the Premier League trophy is in their hands, I’ll be holding their assets in my FPL team and might even embrace a triple up.


Holly, the founder of FPL Community, has two top 10k finishes in five FPL seasons, is a regular guest on the FPL Show and recent addition to the Scoutcast line-up.

3,068 Comments Post a Comment
  1. palace ash
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Pope
    Lundstram, Aurier Kelly
    KdB, Maddison, Pulisic, Zaha
    Vardy, Abraham, Ings

    McGovern, Söyüncü, Mane, TAA

    1FT, 1.5 ITB

    A) Mane and Pulisic to Son and Alli (-4)
    B) Mane and Abraham to Son and Rashford (-4)
    C) Pulisic and Abraham to Moura and Rashford (-4)

    With each option, I would bench Maddison.

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

      I'd go B to spread team coverage

    2. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A or C

      1. palace ash
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        You guys have made things easy for me...

    3. Ross From Friends
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

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

      Why bench Maddison?

  2. jdwhalley
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Which 3 to Start:-

    1) Rico (BUR)
    2) Aurier (CHE)
    3) Kelly (new)
    4) Cantwell (WOL)

    Got Pope in Goal and Lord Lunds in def. Leaning towards 1,3,4

    1. palace ash
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      1,2,3

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

      124

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

      134

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

      124

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

      124

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

    Evening all. What do you think?

    Playing wc next week, what's best for this week only....

    A - saiss and alli
    B - saiss and martial
    C - Lundstram and son (-4)

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

  4. IRBOX ⚽
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    GTG?

    Pope
    Lundstram Rico Guilbert
    Son Alli (C) KDB Maddison
    Vardy Tammy Mousset

    Button Kelly Tomori Salah*

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

      Strong enough.
      G2G!

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

      Yep. Not sure on captain, but there's no obvious choice.

      1. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Stats are better than Son and he loves playing Chelsea. Worth the gamble given his low ownership

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

          He's certainly done well in the past. Good luck.

  5. 1zverGGadeM
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Captain who:
    A) KDB (currently on him)
    B) Son (My FT this GW)
    C) Rashford

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

      C

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

      B

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

        I’m on A

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

      B

  6. Mario Balofail
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Sold Mane....feels bad

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

      Wont hurt you this week at least

      1. Mario Balofail
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Indeed 🙂

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

        Until the incoming player ends up on minus points 😀

    2. Rhodes your boat
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Easy to get back if you’ve left cash itb!

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

      For Grealish, I suppose?

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

    Holding on to Trent and Mane...just hope my bench isn't needed, only have Soyuncu there.

  8. Hits from the Bong
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Play Dondonker or Soyuncu?

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

      I’d play Soy and hope for a headed goal

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

        Dendoncker's just as likely to score a headed goal isnt he?

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

          I haven’t looked at the stats but gut feeling says Soy is more likely out of the two, don’t think either keeps a clean sheet

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

    On Wc and really want to get Pukki as a punt for next 2 GWS ?
    Yaaay
    Nope keep Rash

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

      Keep Rash and possibly captain this week?

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

        Ok Thx

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

    Which?

    A) play aurier dendo, bench is only soy this gw, roll ft
    B) taa to other def., bench 1 dendo/aurier, gw20 WC get back taa if i want

  11. Stevee10001
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone else thinking of using your free hit card this week?

    1. Chilli Heatwave
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yes I think so just posted the same

    2. Chilli Heatwave
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      What would your free hit team look like?

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

      never

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

      Saving it for DGW/BGW

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

      Crazy talk

  12. Mr_Barbs
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    2FT & 2.7 itb. Any ideas?

    Could do Abraham, Mount & TAA > Rashford, KDB & 4.6 def?

    Pope
    Soy, Aurier, Lundstram, Kelly
    Son, Maddison, Mount
    Mousset, Vardy, Abraham

    Button, Cantwell, Mane, TAA

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

      Mount > Alli
      Play Cantwell bench Soy

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

    Good week to free hit?

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

      I don't think so.

      Who would you get?

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

      Depends on current team.

    3. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Nope

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

      Cheers for the replies, when would you use it?

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

        Fa cup 6th round when there are lots of fixture blanks.

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

    Gone big on Spurs but who to captain

    Kane
    Alli or
    Son??

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A if I own him

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

        Your rank history is class!

  15. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    If You have Guita would you play
    A- Rico
    B- Kelly

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

      A

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

      Kelly - 32% chance of a clean. Rico @ 30% per G-Whizz

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

      A

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

      Cheers

  16. Maddi Son
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Bench one:

    a) Engels - SOU(H)
    b) Kelly - NEW(A)
    c) Zaha - NEW(A)

    1. Chilli Heatwave
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

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

      B

  17. Buck The Trent
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Any hits required? Obviously Soy and Dendo are the weak link this week

    Hendo
    Lundy Kelly Soy
    KDB Alli Grealish Dendo
    Rashy Vardy Ingsy

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

      Nah, you can survive.

  18. Lav
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Really want to do Tammy to Rashford, but I do not want to do TAA to Aurier. Which move here looks better in order to get Rashford?

    A. Maddison --> Grealish
    B. Jimenez --> Maupay

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

      A

    2. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

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

      Thanks, after debating all week I finally confirmed the moves.

  19. BT31 - WE ARE ALL TINKERMEN…
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Start Pope or Gazza?

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

      Pope

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

    Which is better to have for two GWS ?
    A- Sterling
    B- Richarlison
    BTW : I have KDB

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

      A

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

      Thx dude

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

      B

  21. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Any Rashford owner here not captaining him?

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

      Me i don't like him as player

    2. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      O/

      1. S.Kuqi
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Who are you captaining then?

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

      Currently siding with Son/Alli. Still can't trust United vs the 'lesser' teams.

      1. S.Kuqi
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Thats my worry aswell.

        Son / Alli are more reliable but it couls be tight game

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

          Think Jose will have Spurs well up for it, but yes, could be a tight one on the other hand!

      2. FPL Theorist
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Agree, it feels like he only scores when I don't have him

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

      Me

      Regret buying him

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

        I dont, especially after just bringing him in. Hes on pens, and in good form. Just not a worthy captain against a Watford side under Pearson who has his first home match. Will be a tough one.

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

      Just brought him in, and not capping.

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

      On Alli/son/kdb atm

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

    WC GTG?

    Ramsdale
    Aurier - Lundstram - Rico
    Son - Alli (C) - KDB - Maddison
    Vardy - Rashford - Jimi

    Martin - Kelly - Dendoncker - Soyunchu

    Maybe there are more reliable keeper option, but Bournemouth have great fixtures.

  23. hogree
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone else on the Grealish captain train?

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

      Good luck sir.

  24. Tickle Me Enzo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Really surprised Jimenez didn't make the Scout's squad cut for GW18, especially after four unanimous votes for inclusion earlier this week. Wavering now on placing the armband on him, and switching Son from VC to C.

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

      Norwich have been okay though recently. Bold.

    2. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      It may just be that they needed someone cheaper (Ings). I don't think he's a bad captain pick.

  25. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    The Arteta appointment is so risky and stupid, but it will pay off for Arsenal

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

      If it will pay off, how is it stupid?

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        if it goes wrong they get relegated. You think they can sign defenders in Jan? No chance

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

          But you said it will pay off?

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

          They have 22 points. Usually 35 points is safe.

        3. UTD - HATED, ADORED, BUT NE…
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          If they get relegated surely it hasn’t paid off?

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

          No chance of relegation realistically.

          Arsenal squad is poor, but arteta must be a decent coach, and presumably will be given time and money.

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

        This

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

      Can you elaborate re why it is risky and stupid?

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Yea because Freddie worked out.

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

          There is no correlation.

    3. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      so you guys think an assistant coach taking over a "big" club like Arsenal is a good appointment?
      Oh man 😀
      If you did a poll yesterday, most fans wouldas taken big Sam

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

        Ok

        1. have you seen cyan
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          to clarify, i think he will get the best from that team and do well with what he has. But thats a risk Arsenal shouldnt have taken in their position imo, highly unlikely that arsneal would get relegated, but it isnt the time to experiment with someone who lacks experience.
          Should have chucked kitchen sink at Rafa imo

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

        Tony Pulis would sort out that back line 😉

  26. iL PiStOlErO
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Everything ok? Gtg?

    Pope
    Lund Guilbert Kelly
    KdB Son(C) Grealish Dendo
    Vardy Rash Mousset

    Bench: Soy (TAA, Mo)

    1.5 itb, 1 ft

  27. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Final Question if you have those defenders
    Rico - Kelly - Doherty - Lund-Targett
    Who best GW to get the other one would (4M) or Martin

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

      A-Guita but little expensive
      B- Ramsdale
      C- Hendo
      D- other one

  28. HP18
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Outing Mane this week to bring Salah in in the future.

    Would you go to
    A) Alli or
    B) Sterling for this week?

    Already have Son & De Bruyne.

  29. Lav
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Son(c) or KDB(c)?

    1. Ross From Friends
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Rashford

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

      KDB

    3. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Was at Kev, now at Sonny

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

    Which??

    A) play aurier dendo, bench is only soy this gw, roll ft
    B) taa to other def., bench 1 dendo/aurier, gw20 WC get back taa if i want