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. FFSbet.com
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Keep switching Rash and KDB for (C)...

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

      Surely you have better options. Rash will blank, KDB wont haul against a strong Leicester defence.

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

      KDB of those 2, but as that old guy said, who else you got?

      1. FFSbet.com
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Son,Martial,Richa,Tammy

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

          son

    3. I Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Confused by the comments above. Those look like two of the best options this week to me. I don't see what makes any of the Spurs boys more appealing.

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

        son is scoring @ home

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

        Would rather captain Rich and Son against leaky defences. Watford and Leicester will park the bus and counter.

      3. FFSbet.com
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Same feeling,think Kante will drop deep to cover Son

        1. I Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Agreed. Kante, Jorginho and Kovacic easily capable of winning the midfield battle against the likes of Dier, Winks and Sissoko.

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

      Then go Son

    5. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Would you even be considering Rashford if he wasn’t top in the poll on here?

      1. I Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        He's top of the poll for a reason. Playing against the team at the bottom of the league.

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

          that league form is like 8 managers ago

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

          See you after the certain blank by trashford

          1. I Member
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Would love that, I don't own him.

        3. fr3d
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Which is the worst possible fixture for Man Utd. Herd mentality

          1. I Member
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Liverpool scored two counter attacking goals against Watford literally a week ago. Exactly what United thrive at.

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

            ^this

      2. FFSbet.com
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Yes he was first option,not interested in pool results

        1. KDB4PREZ
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Watford tried to press pool high and Cathcart said on SSN today that was the plan with the new manager so maybe there’s more chance of counters than expected

          1. FFSbet.com
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Cheers,even if things are bad maybe he score penalty.

          2. I Member
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Yeah I'm not sure if people didn't watch the game but Watford didn't park the bus at all. I would understand the argument if United were playing Newcastle or Burnley or Palace but I don't think it's the same with Watford.

  2. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Captain who?

    A) Sterling
    B) Kdb
    C) Son
    D) Allli
    E) Jimenez

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Alli

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

      One of the middle three

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

      C

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

      C

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

    Evening everyone. Seen a lot of people holding the likes of Mane and TAA. Surely it's worth a bit of a gamble (-4/-8 hit) to try and earn some decent points in the next game week or two. I'm currently playing Dendoncker ahead of Mane so I'm considering a switch to Sterling or Grealish (already own KDB, Son & Alli). Thoughts? If you're holding Mane who are you playing in his place this week?

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

      I sold Mané cause Salah is back on form. Just going TAA and Salah after blank

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

        Do you own Salah now? Or buying him after blank?

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

          Buying after

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

            Cool I'm considering this also. Just seen your team link. Looks like you're having a great season! Who did you bring in for Mane out of interest?

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

              Grealish, can´t pass up on those 3 upcoming fixtures. Hopefully he doesn´t get booked tomorrow 😀

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

                I swapped mane for son on the assumption that he's very very likely to score more over the next two weeks. Looking to bring in Salah after that sometime.

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

                  Sounds good to me

    2. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I’m in a similar situation and have been considering Mane to Sterling for a -4.

      But I’ve decided I’m going to avoid the hit and just hope Connolly plays.... Boring, but I’m rubbish with hits and I tend to always get a red arrow when I take a hit.

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

        Hmmm I think it could be worth going for it. A lot of mids could easily outscore Connolly. If you know you 100% want Mane next week though then I guess it's safer to just hold.

  4. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Why don’t the pro pundit articles provide the reader with their FPL ID so that we can look them up?

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

      cause if they have a bad rank, they lose credibility 😉

      1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        True!

        Jokes aside, it seems completely ridiculous that we are provided pro pundit articles but we aren’t able to look into the pedigree that has classes them as a pro pundit.

        Some of the pro pundit articles I found really interesting and would of liked to have known more about the pundits moves this season etc. Can’t do that without an FPL ID.

        This should be hulked!

        1. rainy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Excellent point; I’ll mention it to upstairs.

          1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Thanks Rainy.

  5. Drogba Legend
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    What to do here? Thinking of taking a hit and dropping the likes of Tammy/Pulisic, TAA, Ings, Cantwell..

    Pope
    Aurier - Lundy - Rico
    KDB- Son - Pulisic - Cantwell
    Vardy - Ings - Tammy

    Button - Soy - TAA* - Mane*

    A) Pulisic & Cantwell > Grealish & James (-4)
    B) Tammy & Pulisic > Rashford and Grealish (-4)
    C) Tammy and TAA > Kane and 4.5 defender (-4)
    D) Pulisic > Grealish for free
    E) something else

    Thinking B or D?

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

      A or D.

      1. Drogba Legend
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers

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

    Is Baines expected to start tomorrow?

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I believe very likely

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

        Thanks!

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

    On WC
    Best GW to get ?
    A-Guita
    B- Ramsdale
    C- Hendo
    D- other one
    My Defenders
    Rico - Kelly - Doherty - Lund-Targett

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Guaita or Ryan

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

      A.

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

      The GW where you get the most points.

      And C or Ryan.

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

      B fixtures are soo good

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

    No kdb here and I won't get him soon.

    Games vs Leicester and wolves, team that struggle against and the 2 games at home in less than 48 hours which I doubt if he'll play full 90.

    That's my gamble for Christmas

  9. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Captain -

    A Rashford
    B Alli

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

      S

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

        Sorry
        A

        1. dunas_dog
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Done that myself - easy to do !

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

            Haha
            Rashford mate Rashford!

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

        ?? Assume you hit S but should have been A

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

      B

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

      Alli

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

      a

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

      B

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

    Grealish or Ings as 7th attacker?

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

      Grill

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

      Play both, bench Tammy

      1. LǝgleSs e|even
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        this, see below

      2. Mino Raiola
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        lol why would u? tammy got 11 goals already this season and its not like spurs have found this mysterious bus under Mourinho yet, soooo

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

          I don´t rate him. He doesn´t have big game mentality. He´s a lukaku when they need a drogba

          1. Mino Raiola
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Fair enough!

  11. Jaok
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Cpt?
    A: Jimenez
    B: KBD
    C: Alli

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

      B

    2. Mino Raiola
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      b

    3. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

  12. LǝgleSs e|even
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Thinking of benching Tammy and playing Jota instead..

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

      Do it. Abe only scores against crap teams.

    2. Mino Raiola
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      no go for Tammy! Big chance for a goal!

    3. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      You have to play jota! How are you even in this position?

      I’ve bought Jota this week and am captaining him...

      1. LǝgleSs e|even
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Wow ! Thanks Jay!

  13. Mino Raiola
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    A) TAA, Cantwell, Mount => Grealish, Richarlison, Dunk (-4)

    B) Mount => Grealish

    C) Mane, Cantwell => Richarlison, Grealish

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

    A) Mount > Grealish
    B) Mount > Martial (have rashford)
    C) Mount & TAA > KDB & 4.6 def (-4)
    D) Save

    Pope
    Aurier, Lundstram, Kelly
    Son, Maddison, Mount, Cantwell
    Mousset, Vardy, Rashford

    Button, Soy, Mane, TAA

    1. Mino Raiola
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      C9 as i would not like to go without city during xmas

  15. Ten Season Wonder
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Should I start Tammy or Cantwell?

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

      Tammy ofcourse

  16. Better Call Raul
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Alli (c) OR 48k here we go

    1. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Alli (c) OR 2k.... let's hope he'll be helping us both climb higher into the stratosphere

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

        Alli c or 400,000. Hopefully he, and mourinho will be motivated against Chelsea

  17. Wılly
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Play Dendoncker or Charlie Taylor?

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

    Which combo for the next 6?

    A. Trent, Maddison, KDB
    B. Kelly, Mane, KDB

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

      B

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

      B

    3. Mino Raiola
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      b

    4. Orion
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A easily

  19. LǝgleSs e|even
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    I reckon Magnus Carlsen swapped Mane for KDB..

  20. Clintymints
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Vardy or Son cap guys. Who’s your man?

    1. LǝgleSs e|even
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Son/Alli

      1. Futbol Heritage
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Son/Alli

    2. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Son.

      Vardy is trash vs the top 4 since Rodgers joined.

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

      One sided yikes

      Any Vardy party-ers?

  21. kysersosa
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Who to captain? Hardest arm band pick this year so far?

    A) Vardy
    B) son
    C) Rashford
    D) Ings
    E) KDB

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

      C

    2. LǝgleSs e|even
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

    3. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      D

    4. Futbol Heritage
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

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

      E

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

    Start Henderson or Pope? Playing Lundstram too if it makes a difference

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

      Hendo

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

      pope

    3. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Flip a coin...

  23. JWilson3
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Start 2 out of:
    1) Cantwell (WOL)
    2) Rico (BUR)
    3) Targett (SOU)

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

      1,2

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

      23

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

    C on Jimenez, Ings or Grealish?

    1. LǝgleSs e|even
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      G

    2. I Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Jimmy

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

        Its on Jimmy at the moment but Grealish tempting as well

    3. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Easy Jiménez IMO

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

      I prefer Jiminez out of those

  25. Lecky Legs FC
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Sorry I onoet it's pretty much the same repeated question on here but who to captain this GW?

    A) Jesus
    B) KdB
    C) Richarlison
    D) Vardy

    1. Lecky Legs FC
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Know*

    2. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      C

      1. Lecky Legs FC
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks

  26. Futbol Heritage
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Is there a case to sell Jamie Vardy this week?

    Rodgers has comments to the effect of Vardy cant play all games of the Holiday schedule.
    https://twitter.com/FPLHints/status/1208157656264908800

    He could potentially play
    mci LIV and a rest in an upcoming easier game (whu new)

    Thats probably a lot of reading into considering this is the most owned and in form player in FPL, but wanted to see if anyone is considering selling Vardy

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

      Madness. They have no one who could do a job in his absence.

      1. Futbol Heritage
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Thats what I needed to read to stop considering the madness.

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

    KDB is my captain. Very unlikely to change it now either. At home in his best position, rested vs Leicesters lack of rest.

    1. I Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I'm with you on that. Hadn't really considered him until David Silva was ruled out. Should play high up the pitch with Gundogan and Rodri behind him and as you said, rested in midweek while Leicester were pretty much full strength.

    2. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Great option with Dilva out as he should be more advanced.

    3. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Think I am doing the same.

  28. LǝgleSs e|even
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Alli Son Martial Grealish
    Jota Vardy

    Gtg without KDB?

  29. Blue Gaffer
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Grealish or James?

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

      Grealish

  30. Blue Gaffer
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Aub to Rashford yes or no?

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

      Hells no

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

      No

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

      Nah