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. Where dahoud at
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Is it crazy to captain grealish, if you have vardy, rashford, kdb and son?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      This is the week for punts

    2. Homer21
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Possibly, but I'm thinking of capping Ings myself!

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

        Much less crazy than Grealish

    3. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Maybe

      Having him is differential enough, unless you're certain he can go berserk

  2. konrad.sygula95
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Would You do Connolly to Mousset?

    Pope
    Lundstram/Kelly/Rico
    Kdb/Son(c)/Mount/Cantwell
    Vardy/Abraham/Connolly*

    Bench Krul/Soy/Salah/Robbo

    1ft 0.7 itb

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Nah

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

    Help needed please!! Need to use my WC. How does the below look? Defence is poor but want a strong midfield.

    Ryan
    Rico Lundy Kelly
    Salah Alli Son Maddy KDB
    Vardy Rash

    Button, Balbuena, Femenia, Greenwood

    Any help greatly appreciated!

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      That bench

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

        Very constructive. A bench is a bench for a reason! Cheers for nothing!

        1. WD27
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          It is quite constructive.. a decent bench over Christmas is usually helpful

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

            Balbuena and Femenia will play. Greenwood is cheap as chips!

        2. Fulchester's New Centr…
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          So if you are happy with your bench not much else to change is there?
          Maybe punt on say Rich this week over Salah and bring Mo in for next week?

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

            Apologies, this is for after this game week. I’ll hit the button after 11.30 for the squad above! Current one is below:
            Ryan
            Rico Lundy Soy
            KDB Son Alli Pulisic Maddy
            Rash Vardy

            Button Robbo Greenwood Janmaat

    2. Ozzy smith
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Need a more nailed bench for the Xmas period imo.

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

      I think you have a good enough bench

    4. Roy Rovers
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Salah onto your bench.

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

    anyone think greenwood could start? See no mention of him on team news. gotta play either him or soyuncu as TAA and Mane are on bench.

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Play, at worst he'll not feature and you get Soy anyway

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

        im almost certain he will feature. just dont want him to come on for the last 5

        1. Fulchester's New Centr…
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Yes, but he might score in that time. Can't see Soy getting much this week (cue Soy brace & Cs)

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

      I will play him - but got no alternative. However I have a free transfer but quess two free transfers next week is worth more. Greenwood hattrick plaese!

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

    Some really interesting any time goal scorer odds for this game week

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

        Yeah that's the site I was looking. No site of Jimenez. Son and Tammy quite surprising

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Vardy still 2/1?

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

        I look at the odds in decimals and I don't understand those at all lol
        Depends on site but Coolbet has Vardy scoring at 3.00

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

          2/1 means if you stake £1 you win £2 and thereby take home £3. The equivalent decimal price would be 3.0

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

            Thanks. I'll forget that by tomorrow though lol

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

      Where is Jimenez

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

        Not on the top list. Coolbet has him scoring at 2.40

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

    Looking good for this week ?
    Will do Tomori to Aurier for GW19.

    Henderson
    Lund/Targett/Rico
    Son(c)/Dele/Maddison/Grealish
    Vardy/Rashford/Tammy

    Button/Soy/Tomori/Mane

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      G2g

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

    GTG?

    Ryan
    Lund Kelly Willems
    Pullisic KDB(C) Grealish(VC) Cantwell
    Vardy Jimenez Abraham

    Button Soy Mane TAA

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Gtg..no tot might hurt you though

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

        Was hovering over Pul>Alli all week but then missed price changes so demotivated me :/

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

          Anyway, what are people expecting out of Spurs v Chelsea game? Could go either way imo

          1. NABIL - FPL otai
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Most think goalfest, i think tight affair so not capping any of my tot mids

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

              I wouldn't be surprised at 1-1 imho

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

              Who is you captain out of interest?

              1. NABIL - FPL otai
                • 11 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                Rash atm

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

    Dendonkey to McGinn for a hit?

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

      none of them

    2. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Just do if Man!

      There's no one here to make you feel better about it.

      I would of posted Donkey > McGinn and feck the lot of you.
      The hits don't lie....Dance!

  9. NABIL - FPL otai
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Gtg?

    Pope
    Lund kelly rico
    Son alli zaha grealish
    Vardy ings rash (c)

    McCarthy salah taa soy

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

      Yep

      1. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks man

  10. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    (C) out of:

    A) Jimenez
    B) Alli
    C) KDB
    ??

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

      I'm captaining jim

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

      I’d go A out of those

    3. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

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

      C for me

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

    Rank check going into gw18 guys?

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

      79k

    2. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Does it matter?

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

      54 000, down from 24 000 last disaster week, so really want to strike back!

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

        20k

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

      153k

    5. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I'll show you mine if you show me yours

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

        Ok. Behind the bike shed in 10

        1. Fulchester's New Centr…
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          About 200k

    6. Taegugk Warrior
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      9K

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

      26k from 10k

  12. Taegugk Warrior
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    A. Son, Alli, Kdb, dendocker
    B. Son, maddison, kdb, McGin

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

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

      A

  13. yer old da
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    With 2FT and no other fires to put out, Pulisic > Grealish is the shout eh?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yep

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

      Yep

    3. LewanGOALski
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      that’s what I did and saved the other tansfer

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

        Isnt Grealish just one booking away from ban?

  14. Ritchies Magic Hat
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Ryan
    Maguire Lunds Rico
    Son(c) Alli Rich Grealish KDB
    Vardy Rash

    Gazzaniga Kelly Greenwood *TAA

    on WC (have cash to bring Salah back next week) - Gtg?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      That'll do

  15. Feed tha Sheep
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Bench one?

    A. Kelly (New)
    B. Willems (PALACE)

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

      Kelly

    2. Ritchies Magic Hat
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Probs Kelly as Willems has better attacking potential

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

      A

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

      Keely better for BPs tho no?

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

      Willems

  16. SheBangsTheDrums
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Play 1:

    A) Soy
    B) Dendonker

    1. Taegugk Warrior
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      b

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

    Play

    A) Cantwell
    B) Soy

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

      A

    2. Taegugk Warrior
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

    3. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      What they said

      Keeping the armband on rash?

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

        Cheers! Yes, so far keeping the armband on Rash. Few of my rivals have him/will captain.

        But still 2 hours to change...

        1. NABIL - FPL otai
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Nervy times indeed

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

          And you? Great team!

          1. NABIL - FPL otai
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Rash too atm

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

              Good luck!

              1. NABIL - FPL otai
                • 11 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                gL to u too!

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

    If you would have 2FT and happy with your team, would you free money with Chilwell->Evans (£0.6 difference) or would you waste your FT?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Do it

    2. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Cash in, Evans is the value.

    3. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Soy?

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

        Have him.

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

      Thanks, all.

  19. sammymitch99
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Grealish or Ings (C)? Think I’m going to go risky this week out of these two who would you prefer

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Ings

    2. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I

    3. D.Glynn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Grealish for me

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

      Ings!

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

    1FT. No City. Which one?

    A) Mount > Grealish
    B) Mount & TAA > KDB & 4.6 def (-4)

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

  21. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Start Maddison or Tammy

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Tam

    2. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Gotta start Tammy bud.

    3. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      T

  22. Mattdrid
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Hi All, quick q... Rico or targett for next 4/5 games?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Targett

    2. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      R

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

      Targett

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

      T wind! Thanks

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

      T

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

    If You on WC who would get from those players ?
    A- Sterling but 4YC
    B- Richarlison 4Ys also
    C- Kane brown

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B
      Kane brown?

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

        Sorry Keyboard 😀

    2. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      X

      1. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I mean Kane lol

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

          LOL.

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

      :::(

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

      B

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

      C

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

      B

  24. Jones Kusi
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Alli or Jimenez captain?

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      J

      1. amit1964
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        j

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

        @Nabil can you answer me plz

    2. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Either, good bets.

  25. Playing_the_Numbers
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Maguire or Doherty for a one game week punt?

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

      Doherty

    2. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Doh easy

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

      Doh

    4. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Massively Doh!

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

      Bookies odds suggest that Maguire is more likely to keep a clean sheet

      1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        FECK the enemy.

        We need to Kill the Bar Stewards without any Empathy

  26. Ed
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    All set?

    Pope
    Targett Lundy Rico Kelly
    KDB Alli Traore
    Vardy Kane(C) Rashford

    Soy first sub. Got the most budget defence going on.

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

      Yep!

  27. Bubbles1985
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    For a 1 week count before WC..

    A - Kane
    B - Aubameyang
    C - Jesus
    D - Rashford

    1. Bubbles1985
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Punt not count!

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

        Could have been worse...

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

      D

    3. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

    4. The Gambler.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      D

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

    Any defender below 4.9m worth a hit? Want to cover my LEI boys for next 2-3 games if possible.

    1. The Gambler.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      No defender is really worth a hit

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

    Surprised Alli so low down the captain rankings

  30. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Son vs Rashford captain is doing my head in.

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

      Same... what’s your pros and cons?