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. Dont give a fuchs
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Worth transferring out tammy to rashford for -4?

    1. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      No

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

      No

    3. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Nope

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

      No, you’ll want him back next week

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

      Yes

  2. Collie01
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Colour of the arrow this week is going to come down to captain choice. On Vardy all week but tempted by Jimi now.

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

      i’m going jimi

  3. Berna1985
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Pope or Heaton for this GW?

  4. Gameweek 18 Captaincy
    Gregor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Where are you aiming your armbands this week then, folks?

    Marcus Rashford leads the Captains Poll though Watford put in a decent performance at Anfield last week whilst Jack Grealish and Raúl Jiminez have all the makings of being deadly differentials. Could there also be an argument for form over fixture and sticking with recent favourite Jamie Vardy or Kevin De Bruyne after his 19 point haul at Arsenal last time out?

    I’m currently on Tottenham’s Heung-Min Son, the South Korean has amassed 30 points over his last three home games whilst Chelsea have conceded 17 goals away from home in the league this season - only three teams have conceded more. Jose Mourinho will be keen to get one over his old side and a win for Spurs would see them go level on points with their London rivals in what promises to be an entertaining game in the late Sunday kick off.

    Who are you captaining this gameweek and why?

    1. Dont give a fuchs
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      KDB coz of his form

    2. Dirty Harry
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Took a hit for Son so giving him the armband

    3. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Son. Chelsea are dump

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

      Kane

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

      Alli - better stats than Son and playing more advanced and more centrally. That fixture could be a goal fest and I fancy Son to do well also. KDB another solid shout. Expect him to be involved in a City win over the foxes

      1. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Kante

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

          Back 4

          1. Eat my goal!
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Absolutely but I think alli might struggle more so than those on the wings

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

      Alli, don’t have Son and Che defense as you described

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

      Jota, Norwich will not sit back and Wolves will be all over them

      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Love this

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

      Alli, similar reasons to above and I don't have Son. Spurs will score for sure.

    9. Blunder fc
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Ings because villa defence is poor currently and he seems to always get bonus when he scores

    10. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Grealish baby! Fancy Chels to steamroller Spurs and Watford to do a number on United.

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

        Bold prediction, Cotton.

        1. Mr. O'Connell
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Effin A

      2. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        This

    11. andres
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      might do grealish (c)

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

      Kane just over Son but still undecided, think maybe a haul due...

    13. Mince n Tatties
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      RashSon?

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

        Soon

        1. Mince n Tatties
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          SonFord?

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

            MarcMin

    14. yakirh
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Changed between Son and Rashford 5 times
      Currently on Son

    15. YuvalFPL
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      jimenez. will be debating between him and son till last minute...

    16. Pras (FPL)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      KDB and not just because of last weekend. Dilva being out is just better for him attacking-wise as he plays with 2 other kids who track back more.

      1. Pras (FPL)
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Mids*

    17. Mortal.Swinbat
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Had it on Jiminez all week and trying my hardest to keep it there as that as my gut choice, really tempted by Son though...

    18. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Great week for captaincy debate.

      I've been on Vardy all week - City look fragile at the back and Vardy is in amazing form. But now I'm thinking Jimi. Norwich should be a good fixture for him, on pens, while he hasn't really hauled yet he has had just 2 blanks in the last 10GWs. Thinking of bringing in Doherty on one week punt too so investing in a decent Wolves win.

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

        Yeah, Mr Consistentcy, hard to argue with that.

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

      Think Richarlison is a bigger and slightly better differential than Grealish and Jimenez

    20. SirStevieG
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Aubameyang - 3 double-digit away hauls this season.

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

      captain grealish here. good luck

    22. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Sterling.

      Because that's what Mark will do.

      1. Lingard’s Shin Guards
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Baaaaaa

    23. Space Cadete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Been on Grealish all week, but shifted to KDB. That performance last week plus the alarming number of chances created by Norwich against the foxes swayed me. Keep him in the front 3 Pep!

    24. Steinburg FC
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      INGS CCC!!!!! Brace please!

      1. Robson-Canoe
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Jimenez. Norwich are piss. Conceding 2.5 goals on average at home.

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

      Was between KdB and Sonny. Decide to go with Sonny at the end. Have a good feeling.

    26. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Sterling

    27. ST United
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Shane Duffy

    28. El Lobito 10
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Dele. Got Rash and Son. Dele record v CHE, form, OOO as second striker

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

      No Son, no Kane, nor Rashford in my team - they’d be my favourite choices

      Was debating between Alli, KDB and Jimenez and going for Raul (C)

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

      KDB.

      Form, big home game.

  5. CRO KLOPP
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Who will have EO above 100?

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

      Probably Vardy

  6. Kante Touch This
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Ings C a bit too bold?

    1. asdf_1
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Torn between ings and grealish

      1. Kante Touch This
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I’m between son (easiest pick) and Ings as a captain differential, feel like he could exploit the villa defence a lot in his current form

    2. Blunder fc
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Good weak for a differential choice

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

    Any Richarlison captains with me?

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

      Vice at the moment just whether i can pull the trigger and switch it permanently

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

    Can’t decide on captain...

    A - KDB
    B - Vardy
    C - Alli
    D - Rashford

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

      C

    2. BigPointDipper
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

    3. Gold Coast
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      C

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

    A. Mané and marrinelli
    B. Martial and rashford

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

    Will Pulisic and Mount both start?

    1. Kante Touch This
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Probably not, one will start on the wing whilst lamps will most likely start Kante Kov and Jorg in mid

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

        Yes thanks, think that swapping for Grealish over the Xmas period makes sense as he’s surely more nailed

  11. jackhammer1
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Pope
    Kelly Lund Rico (Soy Janmaat)
    Alli Maddison Kdb Pulisic (mane)
    Vardy Rashford Connolly

    0ft 1.5itb
    Anything worth a hit here?

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Nope

  12. Ha.
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Jimi or Kane captain?

    Mount > Grealish with FT?

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

      Don’t think mount will start imo so could be a good move... I brought him in so fingers crossed

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

        Will Pulisic start?

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

      Just posted above as I think he’s more nailed over Xmas

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

    So Sausage Rolls are now the most toxic food snack on planet Earth.

    Shove 'em where the Sun don't shine BBC. With knobs on.

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

      Prob why you can buy 50 frozen cocktail sausage rolls for 99p....Got to Love it.

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

        They are stealthily killing you and that twat the Queens 'husband knows it.

        Hope the National Health treats him well over Xmas so our Lizzy don't have to cut our tax payer Xmas Holiday short.

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

      You needed the BBC to tell you this?

  14. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Lucas or Grealish?
    Kane & Aurier or Rashford & Trent?

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

      Grealish
      Former for this week and the next few

      1. The Red Devil
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Don't think Trent will keep enough CSs?

  15. YuvalFPL
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    morning all

    a) dunk
    b) guilbert
    c) willems
    d) AWB
    e) slab head
    f) baines

    currently leaning towards D

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      What's the question?

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

        Yes

        1. The FPL Units
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          That's nice.

        2. La Roja
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          no

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

        pick one for me to transfer in

        1. The FPL Units
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          A

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

      The 4 yellows put me off AWB ,and likely facing deulofeu a fair bit.

    3. BigPointDipper
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      C

    4. BigPointDipper
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      For one week punt

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

        sheffield are good.

  16. Alli
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    A) Robbo, Pulisic > Dunk, Grealish
    B) Robbo, Pulisic > Targett, Richarlison

    Ryan
    Aurier - Lundstram - Kelly
    Son - KDB - Pulisic - Cantwell
    Vardy - Tammy - Ings

    Button - Söyüncü - Mané - Robbo

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

  17. KANTEnders
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Zaha > Grealish for a hit? Yay or nay?

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

      Nay

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

      Nay

  18. Runaway
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Which one for next 2 GWs (WC before GW20)?

    A) Maddison (mci,LIV)
    B) Martial - 4 (wat,NEW)
    C) Richarlison - 4 (ARS,BUR)

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

      allergic to hits

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

      C

  19. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Kane (c)

  20. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Morning everyone.....do I bench
    A, Canteell
    B. Rico.
    C. Chillwell

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

      C

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      C

  21. SoShy
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Start Grealish over Madders?

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

      Of course

    2. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Um. Yeah.

  22. HonestBlatter
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Will KdB play forward like last week? If yes I would captain him.

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

      Don't think so

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Pep knows

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

        Why not? What more does he need to do to prove that’s where he should be

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

          Silva injured, must win game so could well do

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

    Quick poll for my capt please
    A - kane
    B - son
    C - kdb

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

      I went with B

  24. Starky22
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Who to captain:
    A. Sterling
    B. KDB

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

      I’d go A

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

    Captain Son or Alli??? Doing my head in!

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

      Flip a coin. I’d probably go Son if I had him.

    2. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Sonny boi

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

    Narrowed my captain choice down to 3...

    A - Alli
    B - KDB
    C - Rashford

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

    Hi all, not sure what to do here (bottomed earlier). Any help much appreciated.

    A: Mings > Targett; play incoming defender and bench Kelly.

    B: Mane > Grealish , bench Cantwell (will cost £0.1M to bring Mane back or get Salah back, likely for Maddy).

    C: Roll FT, and do something more interesting next week?

    Pope
    Lunds, Rico, Kelly
    KDB, Cantwell, Maddy, Alli
    Vardy, Rash (C), Tammy
    (Button, Mings, Mane, TAA)
    [£0.4M in bank. 1 FT]

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

      C

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      C

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

        thanks!

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

    Captain

    A. Jimmy
    B. KDB
    C. Becks jr

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

  29. Ribus
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Captain:
    A) Rash
    B) Son
    C) Sterling

  30. -GK22-
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Gtg?

    Guita
    Aurier, Lundstrum, Baldock, Pereira
    KDB, Grealish, Son (c)
    Vardy, Rashford, Ings

    Gazza, Tielemans, Saka