Pro Pundits

Which Liverpool assets should we buy for Double Gameweek 24?

Six-time top 5k finisher Utkarsh Dalmia – aka Zophar –  talks us through the Liverpool options after Double Gameweek 24 was confirmed.

With Utkarsh drawing heavily on stats from our Members Area, a large chunk of this article is available only to subscribers.


It’s been a tough Christmas period. Games have been coming thick and fast and with the turnaround so short between fixtures, Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers have barely enough time to digest the information from one Gameweek before another is upon us.

The confirmation that Liverpool and West Ham will enjoy a Double Gameweek 24 (due to their postponed fixture in Gameweek 18) has grabbed headlines and, given Liverpool’s dominant form in the league, surely three assets is almost a requirement. Their players are already highly owned:

  • Virgil van Dijk (£6.4m) – 39.5% ownership
  • Sadio Mané (£12.3m) – 37.7% ownership
  • Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.4m) – 34.1% ownership
  • Mohamed Salah (£12.3m) – 24.7% ownership
  • Andrew Robertson (£7.0m) – 18.9% ownership

The ownership indicates that most teams already feature at least one of Mané or Salah with at least one Liverpool defender. The question before managers then is where to invest in for the third asset: attack or defence?

Despite conceding the fewest goals in the league (14), Liverpool have kept just six clean sheets, approximately one every third game. They registered a total of 20 shut-outs last season, an average of just over one every two games, so there has definitely been some regression there. However, it is worth mentioning that they have banked four clean sheets in as many matches since Joe Gomez (£5.1m) was partnered alongside van Dijk, so there are signs of improvement and their defence definitely warrants investment.

Their two full-backs are compared using the Comparison Tool in the Members Area for the last six Gameweeks, with Robertson on the left and Trent on the right in the below graphic:


An FPL veteran of 10 seasons, Utkarsh Dalmia has been a member of the site right since 2009 and has finished in the top 5k in six of those campaigns, with a best finish of 17th in 2010. A Chelsea fan based in India, he relies heavily on statistics for his FPL decision-making process.

1,336 Comments Post a Comment
  1. stu92
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Who to bench here?

    A) Lundstram (liv)
    B) Connolly (CHE)

    1. Arse Craic
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Both

      1. stu92
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Rest of my bench is Tomori and Hayden, be surprised if either of them get more than 2 points.

    2. Stoic
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A. Connolly could get something against that defense

  2. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Is Grealish completely done as a pick?

    1. Fitzy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Why would he be?

      1. TheDragon
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Villa’s form, McGinn out, fixtures

        1. Fitzy.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Apart from last game, he's returned with McGinn out, and fixtures are fine other than MCI next week.

          1. Fitzy.
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            But Traore is almost 1m cheaper

    2. Karhumies
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Until McGinn recovers, you might hold on to Grealish if you have him already if you have fires elsewhere in the team. But not high on the buy list.

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

      I wouldn't say he's done but at 6.4m, keeping him will require some patience

  3. Kryptonite666
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Bottomed. Any thoughts on this team?

    Pope

    TAA Lundstram Soyuncu (Kelly) (Kiko)

    Mane KDB Maddison Alli (Orial Romeu)

    Vardy Abraham Rashford

    1. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      GTG

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

    Looking to upgrade one of Kelly, Rico or Soy for 0.7.

    Any good options to upgrade to?

    1. claretparrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Kelly to Holgate feels like an upgrade without spending much? Early protection against Kelly losing his place

    2. Stoic
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Sidibe ? If you have a transfer to burn. Otherwise play Soy against Newcastle

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

      Cheers!

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

    Bottom on prev page!

    Already done Grealish > Adama and one FT left (3.5 ITB).
    Currently have Salah and TAA - what's the best move for Pool triple up?

    A) Kelly > VvD now
    B) Ings + Madds > Greenwood + Mané in the next week or two

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Probably A. Wouldn't fancy losing Ings just yet.

      1. claretparrot
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks. You think there's merit in defensive double up and going without Mané?

    2. Arse Craic
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A

    3. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Personally I'm not a fan of the Liverpool mid double up because I think it blows too much budget so I would say A. But anyway you can squeeze Robbo in instead of VVD?

      1. claretparrot
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks mate. I can get to Robbo comfortably, but the security of starts for VvD is swaying me

  6. fish&chips
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Guita,
    TAA, Doherty, Chilwell
    KDB, Traore, Alli, Madds 
    Rashford, Vardy(c), Kane

    4.0, Cantwell, Kelly, Lund

    GTG? Bench order correct?

    0 FT, 0.1 ITB

    1. claretparrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yep like it! Doherty pick could be really nice over the next few

      1. fish&chips
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers pal. He's a nice placeholder for Robbo who I'll bring in before GW24

        1. claretparrot
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          GL! Any thoughts on mine above?

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

    Play:

    A) Grealish (bur)
    B) or use FT and get Traore (wat)

    1. claretparrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      If you only have one FT, I'd play Grealish and reassess with 2 next year

    2. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I'd be tempted by B. Burnley have been tight at home all season and villa look like relegation fodder right now

      1. Balls of Steel
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        This

  8. Stoic
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Charlie Austin : The Rise of The VAR

    1. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Pardon?

      1. Stoic
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Remember his rant on referees in the post match interview last season ?

  9. ice-cold aubameyang
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Are we confident of capping Vardy this week? Aren't Newcastle a bus at home?

    1. claretparrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      The security of start/minutes make him very difficult to overlook. More teams than not have struggled to keep him out this season

    2. Pinturicchio10
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I'd be surprised if he blanked.

      • Wheyyyy
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Not lately. Lei beat Newc 5-0 earlier in the season. Entire Lei team is fully rested. Bruce also said his team is struggling with fixture build up and injuries. Could be another blow out imo

      • Do I Not Like Orange
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Post-Christmas implosion that happens to every Steve Bruce team looks to have started.

      • FPL-Albion
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Vardy just had a baby, and is rested. Will score for sure

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

        I’m looking at either him or KDB/Sterling

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

      Pope
      TAA AWB Rico
      Mane Kdb Traore Grealish
      Vardy Rashford Maupay

      Button Pulisic Lundstram Reid

      Pulisic out for Alli/Mahrez worth a hit? Or hold and do next Gw?

      1. FPL-Albion
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I would hold, will you bring in another Liverpool for DGW?

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

        Was thinking Robertson

        1. FPL-Albion
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          I’m thinking of getting Robertson this week, just worried about a rest

    4. Will Kane
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Who would you play this week out of Cantwell and Traore?

      I'm in an odd position this week where I might bring in two players (Traore and Kiko Femenia) and bench both of them.... (They are mainly strategic transfers freeing up the funds to bring in TAA next week)

      1. Pinturicchio10
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Definitely Traore.

          1. Will Kane
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            I'm interested as to why you are so certain? Watford looking much tighter under Pearson, Cantwell was rested so seems sure to play against Palace....

            1. Pinturicchio10
                4 years, 2 months ago

                Better player, better form, better team, equally appealing fixture, seems to be more explosive, has good players around him. Not seeing much of anything to suggest Cantwell is a better pick this week.

                1. Will Kane
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 7 Years
                  4 years, 2 months ago

                  Well, that's pretty convincing! I'll go with Traore then 🙂

          2. FPL-Albion
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Traore, rested from last week, on form

            1. Will Kane
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              OK guys, I'm taking the hint, I'll play Traore!!

              Thanks 🙂

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

            Probably start Traore since Palace usually dont concede many goals

            I'm benching him for Doucoure though...

        • Tempestic
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Start Digne or Rico this gw?

          1. FPL-Albion
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Rico

        • FPL-Albion
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Guita (Martin)
          TAA Soy Aurier (Kelly, Rico)
          KDB Alli Willian Grealish Traore
          Vardy Rashford (Greenwood)

          Moved Richarlison to Traore already,
          1FT 5.8mill in the bank

          Which do you reckon?
          A) Aurier to Robertson
          B) Alli to Salah
          C) Willian to Salah
          D) Greenwood to Jimenez
          E) save for next week

        • Cookie Kid
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Start one:

          A) Grealish (bur)
          B) Traore (wat)

          1. Gudjohnsen
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            B

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

            B

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

            B. Though I have to say that as I've just transferred him in for A!

          4. JaydenLFC87
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            This is tough.. personally going g B as getting rid of grealish to free up funds for Salah

            1. FPL-Albion
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              I’m starting both. Although have sneaky feeling Greenwood will start for United and he’s at the end of my bench

          5. The Dribbler
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            have been flip flopping on this one myself. currently have grealish 1st sub but that could change in 5 minutes...

            1. Cookie Kid
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              Interesting, 5-0 to Traore, I expected a Grealish win as the talisman but Traore might do well against the Watford defence who probably won’t sit back

          6. Lev Yashin
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Did Grealish to Traoré this week. Gotta be B.

        • JaydenLFC87
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Right I can get this team to the below all being well for GW 24 without any hits..

          G2G???

          Fab
          TAA Lundstram Soyuncu
          Mane Traore KDB Salah
          Vardy Jimenez Abraham

          Button Romeu Rico Simpson

          1. Lev Yashin
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Looks OK but there's a long way to go yet.

        • Evasivo
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          GTG?

          Ramsdale
          Kiko TAA Robertson
          KDB Maddison Grealish Mane(vc)
          Jimenez Vardy(C) Ings

          McCarthy Cantwell Kelly Lund

          1. JaydenLFC87
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Yes mate looks good

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

              Cheers m8

        • Van der Faart
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Is this worth a hit? -4 as have 2FT

          Gazza, Grealish, Dendo
          To
          Button, Traore, Cantwell.

          It feels like I'm upgrading Dendo and Grealish anyway but not sure if its worthy of a hit to change the keeper too. Other keeper is Ryan

          1. FPL-Albion
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Not worth a hit when you are likely benching two of them

            1. Van der Faart
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              Grealish to Traore then and leave it at that?

              1. FPL-Albion
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 2 months ago

                I still quite like grealish so would try and keep, but if you only want to do one transfer and save money for later moves then yes

        • SHOWSTOPPERRR
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          a) rash grealish/traore
          B) Jimenez martial

          1. Cookie Kid
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            B

          2. HNI
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            I actually did 1 to 2 for free as really wanted wolves cover

        • Lord of Ings
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          How have Southampton looked recently? Would you captain Kane vs soton?

          1. Balls of Steel
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Considering same myself but Kane looks shattered from Christmas fixture congestion

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

          Double United Rash & Martial when away to ARS.... is it god or bad...?

          1. Van der Faart
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Good I would say. United are excellent at counter attacking and Arsenal will want to dominate the ball. I've got Rashford, cant afford Martial but I'd love him this week.

          2. FPL-Albion
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            United have been so inconsistent. Although arsenal are shocking defensively. Nice differential but I wouldn’t personally

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

            Good against that defense

          4. HNI
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Rash plays well against tougher opposition so work well

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

            Very good. Arsenal will play on the front foot. Lots of space in transition.

        • Lord of Ings
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Would you captain Kane this gwk?

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

            Yes

            1. fish&chips
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              Even over Vardy?

        • Champions united
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Any suggestions how i can improve this lot
          1 ft
          Ramsdale
          Soy TAA rico
          mane KDB Alli Grealish richa
          Vardy rash

        • Lev Yashin
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          1) Right decision to bench Ings this week?
          2) Tomori deserve a starting spot over someone?

          Ryan
          Rico, Soy, Kelly
          KdB, Mané, Alli, Maddison, Traoré
          Vardy, Rashford

          Button, Ings, Lund, Tomori

          1. West Hammered
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            No Ings over Traore

        • Kroneek
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Bench one!

          A) Moura (SOU away)
          B) Grealish (BUR away)

        • Arse Craic
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Play one:

          A. Cantwell (CRY)
          B. DCL (mci)
          C. Sidibe (mci)

          1. FPL-Albion
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            DCL

          2. shearer9
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            A

        • KINGS
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Start Kelly or Rico?

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

            Kelly

          2. FPL-Albion
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            I have both on bench, but my first sub is Kelly

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

            Kelly

        • shearer9
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Alli to Martial? Not sure whether to keep Moura either - upgrading Traore to him has backfired somewhat.

          1. FPL-Albion
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Keep alli over Moura

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

            Keep both for this week, drop in next

        • YuvalFPL
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Morning all:

          Which midfielder shall I ditch for a Mane/Salah double up.

          A) Maddison
          B) Martial

          Having Vardy makes me inclined to go for Martial.

        • Kroneek
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Bench one!

          A) Moura (SOU away)
          B) Grealish (BUR away)
          C) Ings (TOT home)

          1. FPL-Albion
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Ouch that is tough. Ings seems to be scoring against everyone, grealish is the only player doing anything for Burnley, so maybe Moura, although what’s the point In having Moura If you don’t play him against Southampton with son out

          2. Gudjohnsen
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            B

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

            A.

          4. Kroneek
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Thanks all!

        • The Dribbler
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          play aurier or rico? aurier yeah?

          1. FPL-Albion
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Yes although I have zero trust in spurs defence.

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

            Yep

            1. The Dribbler
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              thanks gents. yeah I'll likely be shipping aurier in a few weeks but dammit I want some sort of roi before i do!