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. alexdelarge
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Burn a transfer??

    Gazzaniga, Martin

    Lundstram, Baldock, Kelly, Soy, TAA

    KDB, Son, Alli, Pulisic, Mane

    Mousset, Jimenez, Vardy

    0,0ITB 2 Transfers

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Pulisic to Grealish.

      1. RAMZES666
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Nah. Pulisic to punish his sellers hard

  2. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Please pick my cap. Thanks

    kdb son alli richarlison
    vardy rashford tammy

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I’ve railed against United playing crappy teams and how bad they are at it ... so went Rashford. I’d thus avoid him like the plague.

      1. SpaceCadet
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Sound advice, cheers

    2. Amey
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      son safest
      Richa Maverick
      Vardy © if you want to join me 😉

      1. SpaceCadet
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Never rich, already burnt by him when I capped him against nor at home. Might even regret getting him over Grealish.
        Between Son and Alli tbh. Currently on Alli. Cheers!

  3. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Captain?
    1) Jimenez
    2) Vardy
    3) KDB
    4) Alli

    1. RAMZES666
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Not KDB. Scout Selection has jinxed it.

      1. Fitzy.
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Scout selection? What are you talking about?

        1. RAMZES666
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Noticed that players featured on scout selection for the week almost always blanks. Last 2 weeks it was Jimenez who only got an assist, then Abraham 2 pts. This week its Kdb.

          1. Fitzy.
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            Scouts logic seems sounder...

  4. LABILLEPOGBATHEGOAT
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    who would you guys start:
    a. maddison
    b. abraham

    have vardy in my team

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Abraham.

  5. FirMinaMiMo
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Here's my gang!!!!

    Guita 4.0*
    Lund rico aurier (kelly) soy*
    Grealish son(c) kdb (cantwell)
    Vardy rash jimmy

    Any thoughts about my gang !!!!!

    And with a question!!!
    A) start kelly with 4-3-3
    B) start cantwell with 3-4-3

    🙂

    1. circusmonkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Cantwell

      1. FirMinaMiMo
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks mate 🙂

  6. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    How have we ended up with half of the “big 6” being managed by Arteta, Solkjaer, and Lampard?

    What is going on - good managers must officially be an endangered species

    1. Eze Really?
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      They are coaches Max. The way of things to come.
      The money boys don't have to listen to "managers" anymore.

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Such a contrast to Mourinho, Klopp, Pep too though... three more experienced managers it would be hard to find

        But is there is a shortage of that calibre of manager developing if clubs with these sorts of resources are turning to inexperienced ex players...

        Maybe not, maybe it’s just coincidence with transfer bans and poor timing at Utd - or maybe it’s highlighting where these clubs are being very poorly ran at the board level - transfer bans not withstanding

    2. Tambling5
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Lampard and Solskjaer were to some extent understandable appointments, as their clubs had 'gone through' a raft of so-called top managers. Chelsea in particular, with transfer ban, seems a fair shout. The Arsenal appointment is odder. Enery was a punt and so is Arteta. I doubt he'll improve their defence much!

    3. patricktaynz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I see nothing wrong with the clubs selecting Arteta, Solksjaer and Lampard. Remember everyone of the Peps, Mourinhos, Poch etc were unknowns until they were given a chance.

      For example, Pep was manager of Barca B when he was appointed to the Barca first team job. Mourinho was assistant manager when he got promoted to be manager at Benfica. Poch was ladies team manager for a short while before being appointed to first team manager at Espanyol, Point being, you gotta start somewhere!

      A, S and L are seen as decision makers as distinguished former players who knows the club culture inside out and knows what it means to be successful. Further, they are emerging as coaches having built good track record of progression and showing promise. Could do a lot worse!!!

      Cheers!

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        I think there’s a big difference between “starting somewhere” and starting at Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal though 🙂

        Benfica and Espanyol aren’t really the same ballpark as these clubs

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          *i know it’s not literally “starting” in terms of management for Ole & Frank - but practically speaking, it is given their prior experience

          Managers should needs years of experience before taking these jobs...

          Of course there are exceptions to every rule

          But it seems odd to suddenly have so many exceptions simultaneously

        2. patricktaynz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          haha true ... maybe Pep was the exception that proves the point?

          however, Cruyff also entered management with Ajax (big club in that era) as did Van Gaal, Dalglish with Liverpool, Ancelotti at Juve with less experience than Solksjaer etc

          1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            Pep and Dalglish are good examples - but these appointments of inexperienced ex-players are usually few & far between, and have been generally rare as hens teeth in the 30 odd years of the premiership - it’s quite odd to have such an influx all of a sudden

            Ole, Arteta & Lamps have a grand total of 18 games as managers in top division european leagues between them prior to their respective appointments... and that was Ole getting Cardiff relegated!

    4. Amey
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Feel those clubs have lost all the appetite for GLORY & Silverware.
      Only in to milk money out of nostalgic feelings of fans.

      Hopefully we'll get stronger from here though 🙂

      1. Bronski
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Boards take easy and cheaper option of appointment of ex-players knowing that even if they fail the boards will get more time and less pressure from fans to buy top manager(certainly case at Utd imo)

  7. MagicMessi
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Start 2 along with Targett
    A) Aurier
    B) Pereira
    C) Lundstram
    D) Kelly

    Captain ?
    A) Pukki
    B) Rashford
    C) KDB
    D) Grealesh
    E) Richarlison
    F) Son

    Start 1
    A) Madison
    B) Vardy

    Thanks sorry for long post good luck all thoughts appreciated gents

    1. LǝgleSs e|even
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      CD
      F
      B

    2. Tambling5
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      A and C; god knows; B.

      1. Tambling5
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        A and C as upside of assists and goals.

        1. MagicMessi
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          I'm on this now thanks guys

  8. tucaoneo
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Play Pereira or Kelly?

    1. Tambling5
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Kelly

  9. Just Confused
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    So sterling, richarlison or martial?

    1. Tambling5
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Sterling most likely to haul big, Rich most likely to get something, Martial most likely to disappear.
      I'd go Sterling as biggest differential if that's what you want.

      1. Just Confused
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Sterling this week fixture puts me off and he hasn't hauled for a long time. But maybe the best option

    2. tucaoneo
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I think Richarlison is the most reliable this GW. But Sterling does have a higher ceiling.

      1. Just Confused
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Exactly tucaonea...between sterling n richarlison now

  10. Roy Rovers
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    I think I have settled on this team....GTG?

    Ryan
    Aurier Lundstram Rico
    Son Sterling Alli KDB Grealish
    Vardy Rashford (C)

    Button Kelly Greenwood Soy.

    1. SpaceCadet
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Solid

      1. Roy Rovers
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers

    2. Tambling5
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Very good. I'm more for Targett than Rico, but it's a close call.

      1. Roy Rovers
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Yes was looking at Targett but need the extra 0.2 to enable Sterling > Salah / Mane

  11. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Morning dzz, Best combo here for gw18 and gw19 only

    A: Taa (with rico sub) + Martial + Tammy
    B: Maguire + Pulisic + Tammy
    C: Rico + Pulisic + Kane
    D: Targett + Sterling + Ings (-4)

    Alreayd have Son, Alli, Kdb

    1. UnitednationsXI
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Chelsea have a plum gw19 fixture but rotation might be rife so leaning towards D

  12. Eleven Hag
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Wud u take a -4 hit to bring richarlson for mane and bench Baldock

    or is this team G2G?

    Guaita
    Kelly Lund aurrier Baldock
    Alli KDB son (c)
    Vardy Raul abraham
    - Donker soy mane

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

      Nah

      1. Eleven Hag
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        thnx mate

    2. Tambling5
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Whenever I've done this Rich always lets me down. I've picked him this week tho! Most on here would say no, I reckon.

      1. Eleven Hag
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        its because of arsenal more than richa 🙂

    3. Pukki Blinders
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      No

    4. Just Confused
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Depends on how fast you want mane back. If only for this week wouldn't do it

  13. Pukki Blinders
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Think I am just going to burn a transfer this week... what does everyone think?

    Pope Button
    TAA soy lundy aurier rico
    Mane KDB Alli martial Hayden
    Vardy jimi Tammy

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Burn my 2 FTs*

    2. Eleven Hag
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I wud sell TAA

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Why? Fixtures aren’t as bad as they look tbf

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

      How about pope to ramsdale? Fixtures way better long term and save machine.

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah considering that, double up with Rico though isn’t too appealing... but neither are Burnleys fixtures

  14. Klein
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    People using 2nd wc outside dgw, when is the plan?

  15. FirMinaMiMo
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Anybody hoping for the eagles CS !!!! 🙂

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      yeah - especially having doubleed up on their defense

    2. BNMC
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I'm hoping for a 0-0

      1. FirMinaMiMo
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Thank yu all 🙂

  16. #NAGA5000
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Any worth a hit:

    Ryan (Button
    Lund, Rico, Soy (Robbo, TAA,
    Alli, Grealish, KDB, Son (Puli
    Ings, Jimi, Vardy ?

    0.5 ITB
    WCing for GW20

  17. Canary_Kid
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Best to get rid of Pulisic or Maddison for Son

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

      Pulisic

    2. BNMC
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      If you can afford Sonny, go for him

      1. Canary_Kid
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Yea, who makes way between Maddy and Pulisic?

        1. BNMC
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Wait I misread. I thought you were asking whether to get Maddison or Son from Pulisic.

  18. BNMC
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    That feeling when I have 7 of the Scout's selections

  19. Jafalad
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Can’t decide who to bench out of:

    Cantwell
    Baldock
    Rico
    Kelly

    Any thoughts?

    I have benched Baldrick as I have Lund.

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

      Cantwell

      1. Jafalad
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Reason? Cheers.

    2. Tambling5
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Will Bournemouth's makeshift defence defend as tightly against Burnley as they did at Chelsea? Going forward more may show the flaws. Rico's upside may not be as good as it looks this week. However I think Sheffield double a bit much, so stick with him. Unless you mean Baldric as short hand for Baldock and Rico combo?!?

  20. BNMC
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Any idea when the LIV game will be moved to? I think it could be as early as GW22 or whenever the EFL Cup semis are.

    1. Tambling5
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I don't think it will be allowed in the midweek of the prolonged winter break gameweek 26, if that's any help.

      1. BNMC
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        I expect it to be much before that.

  21. Sicaholic
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Next 2 gws, Jota or Pukki?
    Jota (nor/MCI)
    Pukki (WOL/avl)

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

      Pukki

    2. Pukki Party
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      ^

  22. FPL ElasticO
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    G2g for this GWk??

    Ryan
    Lundstram/ Rico/ Kelly/ Targett
    Richarlison/ Alli(c)/ KDB/ Maddison
    Vardy/ Abraham

    Bench:: Button/ Connolly/ Soy/ Mane

  23. CSF150473
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Any one else thinking the Vardy parade is going to be over after this run of fixtures ?

    1. BNMC
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      In before 1m+ players do Vardy -> Rashford

    2. Amey
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Is wrong .... 😉

    3. Pukki Blinders
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Vardy has been consistent since Rodgers, won’t end

    4. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Could you expand on your definition of "parady" then I would be glad to respond.

      It's like when I get drunk Mr Hyde has no place to hide innit ?

      1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Oh Parade!
        I love a parade me especially the ones with PomPoms.

    5. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Can’t see it, not if they keep key players fit

      No european distractions is HUGE for Leicester, and they have a superb team with quality in literally every position from back to front

      Vardy is Rodgers “Suarez” equivalent in this team - Suarez who got 32G 17A in 33 games that Rodgers season

      I’d say Vardy is good for another 10-15G and a few A in his last 20 games - can’t complain for 9.0 🙂

      1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        This us like Fox Porn, even I'm excited.

        1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Is...Innit.

  24. Pukki Party
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Play who? Have Guaita in goal.

    A) Aurier
    B) Kelly

    1. Bronski
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Aurier as you have Palace cover

      1. Pukki Party
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Same thinking

        1. SKENG
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Makes 0 sense

  25. GoonerByron
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Struggling with this... Need to bench one of the below..

    A - Lundstram
    B - Aurier
    C - Targett
    D - Rico

    1. Pukki Party
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      B, hasn't been that attcking lately for some reason

    2. Wild Card this!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      D

  26. Pukki Blinders
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Pope to who? 4.7m or less

    A) Ramsdale (double up with Rico)
    B) Heaton
    C) other?

    1. Amey
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Hold for now.

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Nothing to hold for, have 2 frees need to burn lol

        1. Amey
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          A then

    2. Bronski
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Guaita

    3. Wild Card this!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      A

  27. qweriup
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    what's a good RMT point total over 6 weeks?

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Mark said he always used 60 points per week on his RMT as his guide for whether his team needed transfers or not

      Then again he is at 1.0m this season so it’s not always a blanket rule

    2. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      i dont use rmt. people guessing. same players all the time with highest pts.

  28. FPL ElasticO
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    G2g for this GWk?? Need some opinion.....

    Ryan
    Lundstram/ Rico/ Kelly/ Targett
    Richarlison/ Alli(c)/ KDB/ Maddison
    Vardy/ Abraham

    Bench:: Button/ Connolly/ Soy/ Mane

    1. JT11fc
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Gtg

  29. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    And don't you lot come crying to me when Iwobi creams it this week.

    I've done my very best to give you the heads up but you're all still bleeting with those mainstream cabbages.

    1. JT11fc
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Haha i did look at him as an option but went Rich instead. Strikes me as being a nearly man......until this weekend.... of course

      1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        😆

  30. Nightcrawler
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Last decision...start cantwell or mount??

    Team almosr ready

    Pope

    Rico lund aurier

    Son sterling grealish cantwell/mount

    Ings kane vardy

    No hits

    1. Bronski
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Cantwell looks dangerous lately

    2. JT11fc
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Cantwell

    3. Peteski29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Cantwell