Scout Notes

Mane shows clinical edge as Liverpool keep another clean sheet in Wolves win

Liverpool 1-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers

  • Goal: Sadio Mane (£12.3m)
  • Assist: Adam Lallana (£5.8m)
  • Bonus: Mane x3, Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.4m), Joe Gomez (£5.1m) x2

There was a familiar narrative at Anfield on Sunday, with Sadio Mane (£12.3m) taking his one big chance of the game and Mohamed Salah (£12.3m) missing his.

Over the past 18 months, Mane has been the more clinical of the two premium Fantasy Premier League midfielders.

In 2018/19, Mane’s goal conversion rate was 25.3% compared to Salah’s 16.1%.

This season, the two Liverpool assets are scoring with similar accuracy: 23.3% of the shots that Mane has had have resulted in goals, with the figure at 15% for Salah.

The time is approaching where – budget permitting – Fantasy managers perhaps don’t need to choose between the two, of course, with Liverpool enjoying a Double Gameweek 24 and then a string of excellent fixtures beyond that.

And while the three matches before then are a little tougher, the Reds proved on Boxing Day with their thrashing of Leicester City that they are as close to fixture-proof as any team can be this season.

Many will be eyeing a Salah/Mane double-up in 2020, then, with 7.65% of the top 10,000 FPL managers having already taken the plunge on that combination.

Perming three Liverpool assets from the plethora available is not that simple, however.

The Reds’ defenders are playing themselves into contention after recording their fourth successive clean sheet, with Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.4m) and Joe Gomez (£5.1m) picking up more bonus points on Sunday to supplement their shut-out.

Jurgen Klopp’s troops had only recorded two clean sheets in the first 15 Gameweeks of the season but they had been frustratingly close to more, conceding exactly one goal in 12 of their league fixtures.

There have been wondergoals – Jetro Willems (£4.7m) in Gameweek 5, for example – and individual errors – Adrian‘s (£4.1m) howler against Southampton in August – that have contributed to the dearth in clean sheets but, while Liverpool’s defence unquestionably looks less secure than last season, it always seemed likely that their luck would turn at some point.

The Reds owed their latest shut-out a little to good fortune, with Pedro Neto‘s (£5.0m) strike on the stroke of half-time being ruled out for a marginal offside call on Jonny (£5.4m).

A handful of chances came and went late on, too, with Diogo Jota (£6.1m) forcing Alisson (£6.0m) into a save after a Virgil van Dijk (£6.4m) error, Raul Jimenez (£7.5m) being denied by a crucial Gomez touch and Ruben Vinagre (£4.2m) slashing wildly at an effort with better options available.

The feared mass-rotation didn’t materialise from Klopp, with his only change seeing Adam Lallana (£5.8m) replacing Naby Keita (£5.8m) in midfield.

Xherdan Shaqiri (£6.3m) was in line for a start but a minor hamstring injury put paid to his involvement, with Klopp saying:

Shaqiri should have started but last night he felt a little bit the hamstring. Now he’s out, not for long but maybe a week or ten days.

The hope from a Fantasy perspective will be that, with Liverpool not now in action until Thursday, Klopp can delay any tinkering with his starting XI until FA Cup third round weekend – although the fact that Everton are the Reds’ first opponents in that competition ought to ensure a fairly strong team being put out.

The second half of the win over Wolves also seemed to be an exercise in energy preservation, with the hosts only registering two attempts on goal (neither on target) after the break.

Lallana was the ‘creator’ of Mane’s goal, chesting/shouldering the ball to the Senegalese winger after a long ball forward from van Dijk, who also may have handled in the build-up – a VAR check permitting the goal to stand, to Wolves’ anger.

Salah’s big chance had arrived earlier in the game, with the Egyptian, who had looked lively in the early stages, blazing over the bar following a superb cross from Alexander-Arnold.

While owners of the Liverpool right-back would have been left cursing Salah’s wastefulness, it was otherwise another satisfying afternoon for the 35% of FPL bosses who have Alexander-Arnold in their squad.

Not only did he avoid a benching but he also dodged a fifth booking of the season, too, with the yellow card threshold now raised to ten for Liverpool (and West Ham), a Gameweek after the amnesty for the other 18 Premier League clubs.

After naming almost the same team for ten matches in a row (only a suspension to Romain Saiss (£4.4m) in Gameweek 14 preventing that), this was one game too far for Nuno Espirito Santo.

The trip to Anfield came less than 48 hours after the five-goal thriller against Manchester City and Santo opted to hand Saiss, Jimenez, Adama Traore (£5.5m) and Matt Doherty (£6.1m) a breather, with all bar the Irish wing-back coming on in the second half.

Traore and Jimenez caused the Liverpool backline problems in their cameo appearances and owners of either can surely expect their in-form Fantasy assets to return for the New Year’s Day clash with Watford, with the overdue rest now out of the way.

Reflecting on his side’s efforts, Santo said;

The way we are doing things, the way they commit themselves, made me proud. We had 45 hours to get ready to compete, it’s a tough schedule for every team in the Premier League, but we had energy.

That’s the good part, the reaction, the way we did things in the second half makes us proud, the display of energy was amazing. It was a tough game, the boys worked very hard, which is unnegotiable.

Members Analysis

800 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Diddizz
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Active wildcard - Money Remaining 0.2

    McGovern (4.0) - Whiteman (4.0)

    Alexander-Arnold (7.4) - Lundstram (4.3) - Rico (4.3) - Kelly (4.1) - Reid (3.9)

    Salah (12.2) - Mané (11.6) - De Bruyne (9.8 - Martial (7.6) - Cantwell (4.6)

    Vardy (9.5) - Jiménez (7.1) - Ings (6.6)

    GTG? How to improve this team?

    My goal is to find 0.1 somewhere and pick McCarthy (4.3) as goalie. Maybe Button will go down to 3.9 or Kelly will raise to 4.5.

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      DCL over Ings or Dendoncker over Cantwell, you need a playing keeper. Maybe Holgate over Rico

      1. In a Rush
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Ings ➡️ Dcl
        And upgrade keeper and Reid if possible

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

          Reid is last on the bench. What's wrong with McCarthy? I think it's a decent punt.

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

      Salah Mane double up can wait. Or downgrade Rico may be

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

        I think if you wildcard now Liverpool tripple up is a must.

        Somehow I must find 0.1 so I can get a keeper.

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

      Sacrificing too much for Salah-Mane.

      Surely Fabianski, Robertson, Evans, Maddison is much better than McCarthy, Reid, Rico, Salah.

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

        This is my best eleven

        McCarthy

        Alexander-Arnold - Lundstram - Rico/Kelly

        Salah - Mané - De Bruyne - Martial

        Vardy - Jiménez - Ings

        Subs: Cantwell, Rico/Kelly, Reid

        With Moyes as new manager for West Ham I am a little hopeful Reid will get his chance. But he is dead last on my bench if not. I don't think bench will matter as much from now on after the crazy Christmas schedule.

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

          Looks good but you have to find that 0.1 somewhere. Cantwell to 4.5

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

            Thanks! I'm waiting for what happens to Button and Kelly in the market. If nothings happens there I think I must downgrade Rico to a 4.2. Cantwell is the perfect 8th attacker. He is going nowhere.

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

              There are some cheap defenders that really excites me. Janmaat (4.1) if he soon returns from injury. Kelly will probably lose his place again when Ward returns.

            2. FPL.team
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Get Kiko and be done.

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

                Yes, it's Kiko I'm looking for. But there is nothing to lose waiting two more days on a wildcard and see if a magic 0.1 can happen somewhere.

                What do you think about Janmaat?

                Last year my late second wildcard was a disaster. I think it can be better to use it early and get exactly the team you want and use tripple captain week 24 and save free hit and bench boost for the dubble weeks without destroy your team with that second wildcard just to find good players in a dubble weekend.

                1. FPL.team
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 7 Years
                  4 years, 3 months ago

                  Yeah I'll be switching Kiko to Janmaat when he's back.

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

                    What about your team? You are satified without any mayor surgery?

                    You seems to have logical patherns that resembles of my own. Captaincy is something very hard and unpredicible for your overall success. Have you had any "luck" with your captains?

                    1. FPL.team
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 7 Years
                      4 years, 3 months ago

                      Captaincy has been terrible for me. I'm happy, I know where I've sacrificed and have to lie in my bed now.

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

    Anyone have data/know where I could find it on what percentage of the top 1k/top 10k/top 50k have used their chips?

  3. In a Rush
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Bottomed on last page
    Pope
    Taa soyuncu Kelly
    Mane Grealish Alli Maddison
    Jimenez Vardy Rashford

    McGovern Richarlison willems lundstram

    2ft
    Exact money to do
    Alli ➡️ Kdb
    Grealish ➡️ Cantwell/Mooy

    Yes or no and which one of Cantwell/ Mooy
    Please
    Cheers

    1. In a Rush
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      This is doing my head need to pull the trigger today if going to do it, any thoughts appreciated

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

      Go for it

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

      Mooy - better form and fixtures

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

    Hendo
    TAA Soy Lund Rico Kelly
    Mane KDB Maddison Alli dendo
    Vardy Rashford Tammy

    2 FT but 0 itb

    Suggestions please please

    currently on
    Tammy + Hendo to Jimi + Ryan

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

    When did fantasy premier league start?

    1. adams_6
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      06 I think, I missed the first year

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

        It was before 06

    2. Root
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Around 1993

  6. More Cowbell
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Who is the best option purely for GW21?

    Grealish (bur)
    Cantwell (CRY)
    Traore (wat)

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

      Cant and Beast

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

      Traore

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

      Sarr

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

      Traore for me

    5. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Traore

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

    Play Digne, Rico or Lundstram?

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

      Rico

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

    No response.. sorry 🙂
    Squad:
    Button Ryan
    TAA Soy Lund Kelly Kiko
    Salah KDB Martial Grealish Dendonc
    Vardy Ings Kane

    A. Hold and roll FT
    B. Grealish to Traore
    C. Grealish & Kane to Traore & Augero - 4

    1. In a Rush
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      It’s a hold and roll for me

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

      Like C

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

      Thanks guys! The sensible decision is to hold and roll as im not chasing in my ML but I do really like the look of Traore and Augero and I have the exact funds to do it now!!!

    4. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

  9. Pia06rc
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    How's the following WC team look? Any ideas for improvement?
    Salah/Mane double up over Kane?

    Fabianski
    TAA- Rico- Kiko
    Mane-KDB-Martial-Traore
    Kane- Vardy-Ings

    Button- Trossard- Holgate-Lundstran

    1. Pieterke30
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      It’s good but why are u playing your WC now?

  10. The Legend Squad
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Who is the least owned (starting) player in your squad? Do you think about ownership much, or just pick the players you think are going to score best

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

      Maupay. Don't think about ownership, it's more about the ownership of your player combinations

      1. The Legend Squad
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        That would be a great tool. # players or % teams in the top 10 that have certain player combinations. See how unique your front 3, front 8, defence, whole team is etc

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

          it's a feature on livefpl.net i believe

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

      Gomez

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

      Doucoure

      No, I don't think about ownership before making a decision.

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

      Only think of ownership in terms of players that kill my rank when they do well and I don't have, like TAA, MANE.

    5. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Doherty.

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

    Is it worth moving Aurier on to someone for a -4?

    I have 6.6m to spend if I do.

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

      not for a hit tbh

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

      Wouldn't for a hit but needs to go soon.

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

    Thinking of doing WC to this...

    Ramsdale
    Soyuncu, Trent, Baldock
    Martial, Salah, KDB, Mane, Maddison
    Calvert-Lewin, Vardy

    Subs - Button, Greenwood, Lundstram, Kelly - any good?

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

    What are people doing with Grealish? Thinking of getting in Traore for him, Villa look awful

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

      Yet they score goals

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

        Not many tbf!

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

      Can afford Martial for free but have Rashford so unsure.

  14. Tempestic
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Any ideas on what to do here?
    2FT 0.8ITB
    Guaita (button)
    TAA Soy Digne (Rico Lund)
    Mane KDB Alli Martial Grealish
    Vardy Tammy (Greenwood)

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

      Good team, could do Tammy - Jiminez? probably quite even tho between those 2

  15. J0E
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Cheeky pre-new year scoutcast shortly.

    Andy and I will be streaming on Youtube at 3pm.

    See you then if not at work/had enough of eating/drinking and want some FFootball chat. 🙂

    Link - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKxYKQ8pgJ7V8wwh4hLsSXQ/live

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

      Nice one!!

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

    Would love some advice here

    2 FT, 1.2 ITB

    Ramsdale
    Kelly - Soy - TAA
    Maddison - Alli - KDB - Salah
    Jimi - Tammy - Vardy

    McGovern - Cantwell - Lund - Williams

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

      Really not much I'd want to do here if I was you. Maddison to Martial maybe.

      Or you could lose Abraham for a cheaper option. Frees money for pool double up defence in 24 and beyond. But you don't need to do that yet at all.

  17. Cto
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Having a really good season, but made a huge mistake by getting TAA out before the blank gw... watching that Wolves game last night was unbearable without him!!

    How can I get him in... it’s so difficult!

    Ryan
    Digne Soy Lund
    KDB Mane Madd Grealish
    Vardy Kane Jiminez

    Button Trossard Kelly Rico

    Thankyou guys!

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Downgrade Kane I guess. Unless Grealish to Mooy/Cantwell gives enough to upgrade digne

  18. JoeSoap
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Any recommendations for best use of 2FTs? Zero in bank.
    Was thinking Rash/Aurier>DCL or Ings/TAA.

    Pope
    Rico, Soyu, Aurier
    Maddy, KDB, Ali, Salah
    Vardy, Jimmy, Rash
    Gazza, Kelly, Dendo, Lund,

  19. Impartial Bystander
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    2 FTs plus £1m itb. Any suggestions with this team??? Need either Rash or Martial obviously. Time to sell Tanmmy? Don’t like the thought of selling Jiménez. Martial/DCL for Grealish/Tammy?? Any help is appreciated

    1. Impartial Bystander
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Sorry my team is
      Pope
      TAA Soy Lund
      Salah Ali Grealish KDB
      Tammy Vardy Jimmy
      Rico Kelly Hayden

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

      Martial/DCL not a bad shout albeit not a great fixture for DCL this week

  20. Hazardous1983
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Pope (button)
    Taa soyuncu kelly (lundstram rico)
    Alli mane kdb richarlison (grealish)
    Abraham vardy ings

    What to do 1 ft. 0.2 in bank

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

      save imo

  21. proczell
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Struggling to find the best use of my 2FTs. 0.7 ITB

    Pope - McGovern
    TAA - Soy - Rico - Holgate - Kelly
    KdB - Mane - Madd - Alli - Dend
    Vardy - Rash - Ings

    Any tips?

    1. Rhodes your boat
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Move pope on?

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

        Such a good fixture this week though...

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

      Maybe Soy->Gomez?Pope->Fab?

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

      Burn ft

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

    A. Grealish -> Traore
    B. Aurier -> Doherty
    C. Both (for free)
    D. None

    1. Letsgo!
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A is okay.

    2. Rhodes your boat
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

    3. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

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

      d

    5. Root
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      D

  23. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    If i dont have wolves assets and wanted to bring in one. Will it be adama or jimenez?

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Difference price points. Price not an issue, Jimi

    2. AC Yew
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I've got Adama as couldnt stretch to Jimenez.

  24. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone else struggling to nail the C pick?

  25. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Gtg?

    Hendo
    TAA Perreira Aurier
    Alli KDB Mane Martial
    Vardy(C) Ings Maupay
    (Martin, Cantwell, Rico, Lund)

  26. Whats the Mata?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Repost:

    From gws 21-33, Leicester have:

    new, SOT, bur, WHM, CHE, will, MCI, nor, AVL, wat, BRI, eve, CRY

    How many clean sheets do y'all think Leicester get?

    Thinking of Schmeichel as my Henderson replacement as I have a transfer to spend with 2fts.

    Plus double Lei Defense will be a differential with my atrocious 1m OR.

    Cheers

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

      You not got Soy?

  27. Lord of Ings
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    RMWCT for gw24?
    Fabianski
    taa soy Kelly
    Salah mane(c) Son martial
    DCL vardy ings

  28. ZAWAd25
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Play Rico or Dunk?

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

      Can’t see Brighton keeping a cleanie against Chels (Ryan owner) would still prob go with him due to threat from corner

    2. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Rico

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

    Would you rather have Grealish or Traore?

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

      Traore

    2. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Traore

  30. B Sharp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Rico to kabasele?