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. Berna1985
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Pope or Heaton?

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

      Currently on Pope as I have captained Ings

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

      Heaton

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

    Any chance digne is going to play?

    Need a defender up to 5.7 already have kelly aurier Ricardo Lund.

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

      He hasn't shown much form of late

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

      Go cheap and spend your money elsewhere!

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

    Pulisic/ Maddison to Richalison for a hit?

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

      Nay

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

      No

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

    Do we think KDB will be playing in a more forward role again this week?

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

      Pep will know

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

        I know, daft question really 🙂

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

      With Dilva being out I would guess so

  5. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone benching Vardy this week? Sounds mad doesn't it.

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

      No!

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

      Nope

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

      Hell no/Yes it does!

  6. 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)
    3. Abraham > Kane
    4. 1+2 for -4.

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

      2

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

      2

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

    Bench 1:
    A) Pereira (mci)
    B) Cantwell (WOL)
    C) Kelly (new)

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

      A

    2. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

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

    Captain Alli or Son?

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

      Son

    2. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Son

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

      Alli

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

      Son

  9. disarrays11
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Play Aurier (H Chelsea) or A. Connolly (H Sheffield United)?
    Normally I'd say Connolly but fear he might not start after returning from injury..

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

      Aurier

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

    Where to put the C

    A - KDB
    B - Rashford
    C - Alli

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

      C

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

      C

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

      C

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

    Capt Alli, Son or KdB?

    Currently on KdB

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

      Plan on having all, will choose Son I think,

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

    Pick a trio
    Trent Grealish Rashford
    Aurier Maddison Kane
    Aurier Alli Tammy

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

      second

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

        Check below

  13. HurriKane
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Which pair do you prefer from gw 19-24 ?

    A) Richarlison Kane

    B) Salah Maupay

    C) Grealish Rashford

    Pope 4.0
    TAA Soy Lundy (Dunk Kelly)
    KDB Son Alli ________ (Cantwell)
    Vardy _________, Ings

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

      B

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

      Rich Rash

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

      A or B

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

        Which one do you prefer more?

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

      C

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

      A

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

      A

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

    Jimmy or KDB for the C?

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

    For free

    A. Ings to Rash
    B. Tammy to Rash
    C. Hold?

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

      B

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

    last post before I go enjoy cry into my double sausage & egg bagel.

    1
    a) martial
    b) dele
    c) richarlison

    2
    d) dunk
    e) willems
    f) guilbert
    g) maguire

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

    Who to Get for next 4 or 5 GWS ?
    A- Kane
    B- Rashford
    C- Jiménez

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

      spurs midfield looks good, i’m on C.

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

      Kane

  18. Luton_Fan
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    1. Play a. cantwell or b. Kelly
    2. Captain a. Son or b. Alli or c. Rash

    TIA 🙂

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

      1b
      2c

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

        Im on 1a and 2 a at moment hmm

  19. Mattador
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Is it worth losing 0.3 in team value tranferring out Maddison and TAA for Son and WIllems. I have 2 FT this week and have my wildcard to play next week?

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

    Pick a trio
    Trent Grealish Rashford
    Aurier Maddison Kane
    VVD Alli Tammy

  21. maysarhi2
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Bench

    A- Grealish
    B- Cantwell

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

      B

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

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

      B.

  22. H-Over United
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    A) Hole Pulisic
    B) Pulisic to Grealish
    C) Pulisic to Richarlison
    D) Pulisic to Zaha

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

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

      C

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

    Liverpool owners are going to be even more annoyed if after a blank and Leicester away, Klopp decides to rotate for GW20 and GW21.

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

      Can’t see it

      Trent, firmino and mane had a rest midweek

  24. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    GK to start
    a. Ryan
    b. Pope

    bench 1 player
    1. Dunk
    2. Rico
    3. willem
    4. Connolly

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

    Down to 2 for captain...

    A - Rashford
    B - Alli

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

      B

    2. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

  26. FirMinaMiMo
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Here's my line up lads 🙂

    Gtg????

    Guita
    Lund aurier kelly rico
    Kdb grealish Son(c)
    Vardy rash jimmy

    Subs:- cantwell soy mane

    Any thoughts lads 🙂

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

      Great team but I'd have the armband on Rashford if I had him

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

        Still confused....

        Start cantwell or kelly .....

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

          Same dilemma. Going cantwell i think

    2. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I think Spurs will concede and Aurier is due a clumsy yellow/red card. Personally I'd replace him with Cantwell.

      Just a suggestion...

  27. nelluckram
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    I might actually put the armband on Martial ahead of Son, KDB and Sterling

    A) Genius
    B) Kamikaze

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

      No martial is a lazy punt 🙂 imo.....so son for me!

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

      I’d go Sterling

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

      Martial and Rashford both are Donkeys

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

        Martial PPM are sick

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

      Every year there are a few of these weeks. I miss putting the armband on Ronaldo and Suarez and just leaving it there

    5. Oscar Slater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I'm capping Martial. All I need is for Rashford to pass him the ball every now and then to knock it into an empty net.

  28. SUPER MOKH
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Hendo
    Lund Rico Kelly
    Son Alli Richarlison Martial
    Tammy Vardy Mousset
    (McGovern Williams Mane TAA)

    Mousset > Maupay worth a hit?

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

    Pope or Hendo?

  30. maysarhi2
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Bench

    A- Aurier
    B- Kelly

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

      I m starting both !!! 🙂

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

      B

    3. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I'd bench Aurier and put him in the 3rd spot after Mané even.