Pro Pundits - Ash

How I’m using Liverpool to recover from disappointing Christmas

I’ve never done noticeably well during the month of December in FPL, ever. The festive period of 2019 was no exception.

After having a yo-yo start to the season, I needed a platform to push my way up. Buying Patrick van Aanholt (£5.5m) as an apparent long-term option for a hit only for him to get injured just before Crystal Palace kept a clean sheet didn’t exactly help.

Stalling on Danny Ings (£6.7m) and then missing out on his regular goalscoring proved costly. In addition, the lack of bench cover (due to lost points on the bench during November) was also problematic, especially when Jamie Vardy (£10.0m) wasn’t in the matchday squad for back-to-back Gameweeks.

At the same time, there were some small victories, especially on Boxing Day, with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s (£7.5m) monster haul, Captain Harry Kane’s (£10.9m) returns and Mason Greenwood (£4.3m) randomly delivering for once as a risky starting pick.

However, these punches in the air were damage limitation in many respects after the dour servings of Gameweek 20 and Gameweek 21 which only delivered an aggregate tally of 99 points.

Still, I shouldn’t complain too much, my overall rank increased over 200,000+ places between December 1 and January 1. Every cloud…

One of the biggest frustrations that I’ve had this season, like many of us, is the failure to recognise when to buy Mohamed Salah (£12.3m) and Sadio Mané (£12.3m) – and when to captain them.

I simply failed to gauge their projected form correctly. Sure, I started off with Salah as he registered two double-digit hauls before the end of August. But from then on, you would be forgiven to think that Mané has been their most integral attacking player.

After all, to date, he has outpointed him on more or less all of the major FPL stats (see below). Mané was someone that I sold in September and then bought back in later November, only to be sold again due to the Blank Gameweek.

My impatience with him has been detrimental, with his high ownership and ever-increasing points tally.

At the same time, we need to put Salah’s stats into context. An ankle injury has hampered his minutes somewhat this season. But his points per game are almost identical to Mané’s.

In fact, since Gameweek 16, Salah has scored more points than Mané (45 v 31).

I wouldn’t be surprised if Salah manages to close the gap in terms of FPL points and goals scored during January. After all they have a friendly inter-team rivalry and he will be mindful that he is lagging at the moment.

In addition, Salah’s health has clearly improved – excluding the Blank Gameweek, he has started every Premier League game for Liverpool since Gameweek 16.


You could say that having Mané was the safer option due to his higher ownership level, but that masks over Salah’s recent form. It’s clear that both are as close to essential as it can get, especially with a Double Gameweek around the corner.

Furthermore, Liverpool are not playing Champions League football till February and with the league not yet mathematically secured you would expect them to both leverage this crucial time by playing at their optimum best.

There’s also a case to be made that the vast majority of FPL managers can’t afford both, thus having them in tandem in your FPL team gives you an extra edge. I hope to be in this exclusive club of owning both, it just makes sense, especially with the Double Gameweek around the corner.

Captain Fantastic

After all that talk of Mané and Salah, I probably wouldn’t captain or vice-captain either this weekend. They face an embattled Tottenham team managed by Jose Mourinho who will make it a difficult away trip.

Even if Paulo Gazzaniga (£4.6m) is in the opposition goal, I feel that better armband options can be found elsewhere.

For instance, Vardy is due to play in his first Premier League match since the birth of his new child on his own birthday. The opponents may be a rejuvenated Southampton team but I can’t see them stopping him.

Also, Norwich have the worst away record in the league and they visit Old Trafford next. If I had Anthony Martial (£7.9m) or Marcus Rashford (£9.2m) I wouldn’t think twice about captaining either.

Finally, Raul Jiménez (£7.5m) could be an interesting differential captaincy pick against a Newcastle United team that have conceded 21 goals in 10 games on their travels.

606 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    I am still can't move the armband away from Jimenez

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

      Good. Stay fit, stay strong.

    2. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      why not. couple of mini rests last 3 wolves games wont do him any harm.
      love and hate how he makes you wait until the 80-90th minute for returns

    3. V-2 Schneiderlin
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I can't decide. Jimi usually gets a goal a game rather than a mega-haul (2 double digit returns all season compared to Vardy's 6) - but he's pretty consistent

  2. Quality St
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    I see a few are considering Mahrez here. With Dilva back can we expect Bilva to take his position on the right and Sterling on the left? Do some of you expect Mahrez to keep his place (due to form) over Dilva and Bilva? Pep does rotate but interesting to hear thoughts from you who follow MC

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

      Mahrez in form. Think he’ll start. Non-owner.

      1. Quality St
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers.

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

          Did you go for Mahrez in the end?

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

      Mahrez hasn't kept his place due to form since he joined City. Not seen any reason why that would change now. Bilva is still a beast so they'll all most likely rotate like spinning tops, especially with the many cup games

      Pick and stick, or avoid like the template's doing...

      1. Quality St
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Mostly asking for a two week punt. I guess it may depend on Dilva. Bilva can easily drop to central and make way for Sterling. And don’t see a team who play both Aguero and Jesus right now

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

      BSilva played 180 minutes in the last two cup games so i imagine he'll get a rest.

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

    2 FT, 0.7 ITB. Help greatly appreciated! Looking to ship Aurier, Traore & Rashford over next couple weeks. Probably Pope -> Ryan after.

    Pope
    TAA, Aurier, Lundstram
    Salah, Mane, KDB, Traore
    Vardy, Ings, Rashford

    (Woodman, Cantwell, Kelly, Simpson)

    A) Aurier -> Holgate (leaves enough ITB for Traore & Rashford -> Son & DCL next GW)
    B) Aurier -> Sidibe (leaves enough ITB for Maddison & DCL next GW)
    C) Something else

    Thinking A as I prefer Holgate & Son to Sidibe & Maddison (even with the extra 0.9 spare)?

    Cheers

    1. Ross Geller
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A. Holgate and Sidibe will bring similar points imo and better to save some money for future transfers

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

        Cheers

      2. FPL Theorist
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Makes sense. Although getting rid of Pope would be higher on my priority list (just below dropping Aurier, ahead of dropping Traore and Rash).

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

    Alli to?

    Hendo
    TAA, Soy, Lund
    Salah, KDB, Alli, Traore
    Vardy, Tammy, Jimmy

    Button, Kelly, Rico, Cantwell

    1FT, 0.8ITB

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

      Richarlison

    2. Ross Geller
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Save and try to bring Mane in with 2ft next gameweek

    3. V-2 Schneiderlin
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Martial?

  5. Yordan Letchkov
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Chose one please:

    A) Mahrez
    B) Martial
    C) Richarlison

    1. Toplad
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      C

    2. beetlejuice
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

      B out of those

  6. SharkyT
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Pope
    TAA Lund Soyu
    Martial(vc) KdB Alli Salah Zabs
    Jiménez Vardy (c)

    Subs: mcG RICO Kelly Greeny
    0.3m ITB
    2 FTs

    Any suggestions?

    Thinking maybe pope out then roll a FT to bring in Mané next week?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Zaha and Alli out to Mane and Hayden work?
      Will have to play Rico or punt on Greeny starting this week, but might be worth it.

  7. beetlejuice
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    1 FT, have Tomori playing and Rico first sub and Ramsdale in GK.

    Would you replace Tomori with Holgate?

    Thanks.

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I would

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

    Tammy or Rashford?

    1. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I have both. Rash for me

    2. Ross Geller
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Rash

  9. dezille
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Best Alli replacement for 1 week? Player will then make way for Salah
    A) Maddison
    B) Martial

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

      Martial vs NOR

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

      1 week? Martial seems the one

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

      Consider Richarlison.

    4. Ross Geller
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B for just one week

  10. Liastro ⭐️
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Seems like most here are planning on going TAA + Robbo + Mane/Salah for the DGW?

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

      I would have said the opposite

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

      No, I think most are doing Salah + Mane + LIV defender.

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

        'LIV defender'
        Just write TAA dude 😉

    3. Ross Geller
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Nope. Have TAA + Salah & Mane

  11. Firefoxed
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    1FT 1.2 ITB, what should I do, will bring Salah in for GW24

    Ryan/ Button
    TAA/ Soy/ Lund/ Rico/ Kelly
    Alli/ KDB / Mane/ Martial / Cantwell
    Vardy / Maupay / Rashford

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Save... and breathe.

  12. Daghe Munegu
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Pope

    TAA Robbo Rico Reid

    Best replacement for Aurier up to 5.5M ?

    A: Lund
    B: Soy/ Evans
    C: Sidibé:Holgate
    D: Kola
    E: Mendy

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

      Sidibé

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

      c sidibe

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

      Sidibe

  13. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Captain:
    A) Salah
    B) Mane
    C) KDB
    D) Vardy

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

      c

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

      D

    3. Wild Card this!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      D

  14. Planet Head
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Best one-week punt 5.1m or under.

    Should be good enough to play instead of Lunds/Traore. Will transfer them out next week so can be as wild as you like

    a) Garcia/Ota (with Lunds on bench in case)
    b) Saiss
    c) Other
    d) Burn the transfer

    (Can't do Soy as have 3 LEI already)

    1. Planet Head
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Should have added the word "defender"

    2. InvertedWinger
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Play the lord

      1. Planet Head
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Guess I'll bring in Saiss for the sake of it and just have him on the bench this week. Better than burning or having Aurier on the bench (as currently)

  15. davies
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    First sub:

    A) Rico (WAT)
    B) Greenwood (NOR)

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

      b

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

      Greenwood for me

  16. andre_c
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Best Alli replacement? Leaning towards Martial.

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Tony, Dilva, Rich

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

    Martial or Dilva

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

      @andre_c

    2. Ross Geller
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Martial. He’s certain to start

    3. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      The Anthony - he'll def start

  18. cigan
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Guaita
    TAA Lund Catchart
    Salah KDB Alli Maddison
    Vardy Rash Ings

    4 Soyuncu Rico Dendoncker

    With 2 FT (I'm doing Rashford/Alli > Mane/DCL next week):

    A) Rico > Webster/Holgate
    B) Alli > DSilva/Martial (1-2 week punt)

    I'm thinking B right now, especially if Maddison's out

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B if bad news about Maddi otherwise Holgate

  19. Totti
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    play one:

    A) wood
    B) rico
    C) cantwell
    D) kelly

    Captain:
    A) aguero
    B) vardy
    C) KDB

    1. InvertedWinger
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A and B I guess.

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

      C A

  20. InvertedWinger
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    SPURS fans, talk to me. What do you expect the team will be, in Kane's absence?

  21. Sndeshdhkl
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    which combo likely to score more this gW??
    A) salah / ings / dcl
    B) abraham/jiminez/richarlison

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

      B

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

      A, possibly by a distance

  22. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Does anyone know if Martial is 100% fit?

    1. Ross Geller
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Should be. He came from the bench on Tuesday after being ill

  23. andre_c
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    How does Mahrez/Dilva look as a replacement for Alli?

    Hendo
    TAA, Soy, Lund
    Salah, KDB, Alli, Traore
    Vardy, Tammy, Jimmy

    Button, Kelly, Rico, Cantwell

    1FT, 0.8ITB

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Fab (if you get the right one)

  24. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Captain Salah or Mane?

    1. InvertedWinger
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I'd be leaning Salah. Better stats, chance of playing striker and on pens.

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

      Mane Vs Aurier, maybe Mane.

    3. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Salah but its a coin toss both good shouts.

  25. gelisiguzel
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone consider captaining KUN?

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

      Some were considering on last page

    2. The SK
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

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

      Yes. If Pep dont start him after his rest Aguero has almost become second choice in City.

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

        so do u think he'll start?

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

          I think Pep has a problem. Jesus in form and Aguero fit. The solution is maybe to start both and give Sterling a rest?

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

            difficult mate
            i think he tried playing them before together and it failed
            so starting them both and an away match i think it's impossible

      2. applebonkers
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        think part of the problem is viewing it as rests/rotation. personally think pep just looks at a fixture and decides whose characteristics would suit that match most, with part of the thinking of course being the shape they are in.
        aguero wouldn't suddenly be second choice imo, e.g palace game could be viewed as his match.
        big difference this season which is a pain in the arse for us is jesus has his confidence back. aguero's safe run early season came when there was a jesus injury, he had international rests, and his form was great (brighton was a CF masterclass)

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

          Agreed.With Jesus benched though in both cup games and Aguero played 90 minutes in the first game the logic thing for Pep is to start Jesus.

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

      i'm aguero owner
      but i'm not sure he'll start
      but i'm leaning towards captaining him as a differential might paysoff 🙂

  26. Tinmen
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Folks, whats the best option for the next few weeks? 2FT
    I’m using City as a differential

    Ryan
    Trent Launstrum Rico
    Salah KDB Grealish Martial
    Vardy Ings Kane
    Button Tomori Kiko Dend

    A) 22- Kane to Jesus(C)
    23- Jesus to DCL and Martial to Sterling(C) 24- Sterling to Mane

    B) 22- Kane to DCL
    23- Tomori to Dunk and Martial to Sterling(C)
    24- Sterling to Mane

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      What about B, but do Martial to Sterling (C) this week along with Kane to DCL?

    2. Firminooooo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      No love for Aguero.

    3. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A has more scope for going wrong

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

      Whichever you go for, something will get in the way of 3 weeks' worth of planned transfers. Especially when you're transferring the same players in and out like that

  27. jimbo90
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Really struggling with what to do with my 2 FTs this week. Seems a waste not to use one:

    Guaita
    Holgate Lund TAA (Soy Rico)
    KDB Mane Martial Maddison (Grealish)
    Vardy Jimi Abraham

    0.0 ITB. Any ideas?

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

      transfer keeper then

    2. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I like having a Brighton defender
      Would you move Guaita to Ryan
      Otherwise would move on Tammy myself

    3. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Guita to Fabs, Ryan, Hendo, McCarthy

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

      If I was in your shoes I'd do Tammy > DCL or Ings. Probably DCL given this week's fixtures

  28. Differential C (Mark)
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Tosun now in medical to move for a 6 month loan to Palace.

    Palace options up front.
    Tosun, Benteke, Wickham

    Previous years : Chamakh, Batshuayi, Sorloth

    Bar Ayew, none of these strikers are remotely good enough for them. Makes you wonder who does their striker scouting. Shocking.

    1. jimbo90
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I'd argue Batshuayi is more than good enough but agree on the others! Think they were unlucky with Benteke as he was class at Villa and didn't get much game time at Liverpool

      1. Long ago I drew a walrus
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Chamakh was great in France and had his moments for Arsenal as well. Just feels like a list of names that were all past it when they arrived at Palace though, as opposed to prep for the future or even the present

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

      They probably don't want to invest much in that position or maybe budget is too low

    3. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Like Tosun, started well enough at Everton and made me laugh last year when while warming up on the sidelines at one game he and Tom Davies suddenly ran up through the stands to use the public (i.e. fan not player) loo.

  29. FPL_Crisis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Can’t bench Ings and assuming kdb plays...
    Who you start Sarr or Traore this week?

    Salah kdb Rich Sarr Traore
    Vardy Rashford Ings

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

      traore

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Sarr. Traore train derailing.

  30. boogle
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    I've had triple Liverpool for a while now (Mane, TAA, Robbo) - would you get Salah im for Robbo if you can do it for free for DGW?

    Would be something like Robbo + Mount > Holgate/Stephens/Cresswell + Salah.

    Worth switching? Otherwise something like Mount > Son is another option.

    Thanks!

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yes, definitely worth switching, and you get rid of Mount too.

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

        thanks

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

      Son is the big unknown. Tremendous upside imho.

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

        very true, probably shouldn't touch Spurs at the moment

    3. Ross Geller
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      For sure. Robertson & Mount -> Holgate/Stephens & Salah sounds lovely!

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

        Nice one!