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

    Captain?

    A) Rashford
    B) Alli

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

      A

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

      A

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

      b - Watford to sit deep and frustrate

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

        This is my worry. Can’t predict this United side

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

      Come on A!

    5. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Just switched to A.

    6. Yankee Toffee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      C

  2. Saïss Doesn't Mat…
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    okay not too much to change here but i need to burn an ft

    pope (heaton)
    lundy kelly dunk rico (taa)
    maddison son kdb (mane cantwell)
    ings vardy tammy

    2ft 0.3 itb

    my initial plan was to get rid of cantwell but I can't get a proper replacement for that price
    should i instead replace heaton for gazzaniga?

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

      Changing Pope to 4m would be better

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

      TAA or Mane depending on how much is tied up in value as you can get back next week

  3. 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*

    2. King Henrik
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      D

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

    Morning all!

    Ryan
    Soyuncu Lundstram Rico
    KDB Alli Maddison Cantwell
    Vardy Jiminez Abraham

    Button Tomori Mane* TAA*

    2FT, 0.7 in the bank

    Lots more budget tied up in Mane (bought at 11.6) than in TAA ((bought at 7.1).

    A) TAA and Abraham to Targett/Kelly and Rashford
    B) TAA and Cantwell to Targett/Kelly and Grealish/Richarlison/Lucas Moura
    C) Something else

    Any advice or opinions appreciated!

    1. King Henrik
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Keep Mane and Taa. Focus elsewhere on your team.

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

        Cheers. Maybe I'll do Tomori to Targett or Kelly, then roll a transfer

  5. Prison Mike
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Who to start?

    A) Soyuncu (mci)

    B) Tomori (tot)

    1. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

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

      A

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

    G2G?
    Have 1ft, might save..
    Gaza
    Lund Rico Kelly
    KDB Martial Greilish Troure
    Kane Vardy Ings
    (4.0Soy TAA Salah)

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

    I’m a little disappointed I haven’t seen a -12 yet. Hits here; hits there; hits galore everywhere. What could possibly go wrong - perfect week for it.

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

      I too wish to gain rank.

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

        :). Absolutely crazy.

    2. Big Hands Barry
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yep when the average score is going to be low, I want everyone doing -12s !!

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

        If City Lei and Spurs Che throw lots of goals, it could easily be high scoring week 😉

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

          Maybe - you never know. All of the models I’ve seen however are predicting a lower points week.

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

            Yes 10-15 points lower than last week I saw

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

        We might even get to see a -16 today. I have a good feeling about this.

    3. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I had to get rid of 2 injured players plus I had 3 Liverpool, so had no choice but to do a -8

  8. King Henrik
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    I am thinking of giving the armband to Grealish. Anyone else considering this at all ?

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

      o/

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

      Good pick, some were considering but looks like they have moved on to Rashford/Kevin/Spurs boys

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

      Very ballsy

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

      \0/

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

      im doing it.

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

    47 points behind the leader in my £100 a head league, and he doesn’t have Jimenez so must have a punt on him eh? Perfect week to gamble...

    1. Obi Wan Elokobi
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      It’s what I’m doing then shipping him to Rashford next week

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

        Yeah one final hurrah before shipping - my plan too

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

    Tempted to switch cappo from Son to Vardy

    City aren't great at the back...

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      9 games on the spin with a return. Been my perma captain for that time. Almost afraid to change it

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

    Jesus! The Plebs have woke up,
    I may take a little snooze.

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

    1. Abraham > Rashford (start Soyuncu, Rash cap)
    2. Mings > Aurier (captain Son, bench Soyu)

    1. Big Hands Barry
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      2

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

      2

  13. Big Hands Barry
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Which is better pick for the next 2
    A) Martial (watford, NEWCASTLE)
    B) Abraham (spurs, SOUTHAMPTON)

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

    Pros and cons for captaining Rashford versus Son?

    1. Big Hands Barry
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Rashford playing vs poorer opposition and on pens.
      Son playing for a better team and good home record.

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

      Watford sit deep. United tend to drop points vs struggling teams.

      However Rashford is scoring well this season.

      Chelsea in terrible form. Spurs at home since Mourinho took over has been goals galore

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

      Both may blank ha-ha ... 😉

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

        That's why the C belongs to Jimenez. He is unable to blank against Norwich lol

  15. KINGS
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Mane further price drop possible?

    1. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Hope.so

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yes possible

  16. McSauce
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Who to captain?

    A) sterling
    b) KDB
    C) jimmy

    Thanks

    1. Big Hands Barry
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I'd go B of those

    2. Obi Wan Elokobi
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      C

  17. woodles
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Already done Mane and Pula for Alli and Grealish for -4.

    Would you do Maddison to Son for another -4? Surely over the next 2 weeks Son will out score him by 4??

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

    Morning guys, do i play:

    A) soy vs mci
    B) Hayden vs NEW

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

      CRY* (sorry,tough night,still stupid)

    2. Big Hands Barry
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

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

    Jimmynez captain?

    1. Big Hands Barry
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Not a bad pick at all

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I would if I had him

  20. Obi Wan Elokobi
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Who to start?

    A) Pope

    B) Hendo

    Opted for Pope as have Lund as cover for Shef

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

      Makes sense - Brighton are really quite ok at home

  21. Erez Avni
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    So what’ the story with Kun?
    I have Jesus so should I get rid of him for a hit to bring ings/jimenez/rashford?

  22. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    G2G?

    Pope
    Targett Lundstram Hanley
    Martial KDB Son(vc) Pulisic
    Vardy Kane(c) Rashford

    Button Cantwell Soyuncu Tomori

    1. Obi Wan Elokobi
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Potentially Soy over Hanley. Both likely to concede but Soy more a goal threat

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

    Its time for a Pulisic haul 😀

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

      Punish the sellers!

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      On my first bench ... should I promote?

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        You is in your midfield now?

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

    A - Ryan. Martin. Rico or
    B - Ryan. Button. Targett.

  25. tim
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    GTG?

    Gazza
    Rico Lund Kelly
    Son Alli McGinn Pulisic
    Rash(C) Tammy Vardy

    Button Soy Tielemans TAA

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

    G2G eh?

    Gazzaniga
    Lundstram, Rico, Kelly
    KDB, Son, Grealish(vc), Dendoncker
    Vardy, Abraham, Jimenez(c)

    Subs: Martin, Soyuncu (TAA, Mane)

    1FT to roll to next week...

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

      Wot no Pulisic 🙂

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

        Touché

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

          We both know he’s going to haul now - I did actually manage to get one return from him before ditching for a hit and a price rise last time

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

      I would C Son

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

        My rival doesn’t have Jimi and I’m 47 points behind so taking a punt on him.

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

          There’s plenty of time to go. Too early for punts in my opinion.

  27. boroie
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Have 1 FT... Anything worth changing here? Or gtg?

    Gazzaniga
    Aurier Lundstram Rico
    KDB Alli(VC) Martial Cantwell
    Rashford(C) Vardy Abraham

    Button; Zouma Soyuncu Mane

  28. Ohh1454
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Captain?
    A. Son
    B. Kdb
    C. Ings

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

      A

  29. boroie
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Captain...

    A - Alli
    B - Rashford
    C - KDB

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

    I’m going to the pub on Sunday afternoon so would prefer to captain Rashford or Son to make it more exciting. Poor logic right ha

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

      Not poor logic at all! Captain Rash here w Son vc

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

      One of those weeks where that’s a logical reason as any other really. It’s a game and should be fun

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

      That’s an absolutely strong reason!