Scout Notes

Firmino’s fine away form continues as Double Gameweek 24 draws near

Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Liverpool

  • Goal: Roberto Firmino (£9.3m)
  • Assist: Mohamed Salah (£12.3m)
  • Bonus: Firmino x3, Alisson (£6.0m) x2, Joe Gomez (£5.2m) x1

Liverpool’s relentless march to their first Premier League title continued with a battling win at Spurs.

Luck has played a part in a few of the Reds’ many victories this season, and it was in evidence again in north London.

Roberto Firmino‘s (£9.3m) winning goal, from a Mohamed Salah (£12.3m) assist, involved a masterful combination of quick feet and precision finishing, even if it only came about because the visitors were wrongly awarded a throw-in.

But any claims that Jurgen Klopp’s side only won thanks to Tottenham Hotspur’s profligacy in front of goal would be to ignore the excellent opportunities Liverpool also spurned.

Firmino had already seen one fine chance blocked by debutant defender Japhet Tanganga (£4.0m), with the follow-up strike from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (£6.2m) hitting the post, before the Brazilian broke the deadlock.

And chances came and went for Virgil van Dijk (£6.4m) and Sadio Mane (£12.4m), while the latter forced Paulo Gazzaniga (£4.6m) into a fine save and substitute Divock Origi (£5.2m) also tested the keeper late on.

That being said, Tottenham did have two outstanding chances to rescue a point as Jose Mourinho’s men took the game to a tiring Liverpool after the break.

Son Heung-min (£9.8m), back from his three-match ban, blazed over when set up by Lucas Moura (£7.1m) and Giovani Lo Celso (£7.3m), who had replaced the ineffectual Christian Eriksen (£8.6m), somehow contrived to miss the target from two yards out following a superb Serge Aurier (£5.0m) cross.

A draw would probably have been the fairest result as Spurs out-shot the league leaders 14-13, although the Reds did have six attempts on target to their opponents’ four.

But none of that will bother the legions of Fantasy managers who have Liverpool defenders in their teams, with many of them now doubling up on a backline that has kept six clean sheets on the spin ahead of a long run of excellent fixtures to come.

A home match with Manchester United awaits next week before they’ll embark on a nine-match schedule of very attractive games, starting with a Double Gameweek 24 involving Wolves and West Ham, both away.

Small wonder that three of the six most-owned defenders in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) – van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m) and Andrew Robertson (£7.0m) – are from Liverpool, although it was the fourth member (and cheapest) of the backline, the 2.9%-owned Joe Gomez (£5.2m), who earned a bonus point at the new White Hart Lane.

Further up the pitch, Mane blanked for only the second time since Gameweek 9, while Salah kept his 25.2% ownership relatively happy with a second successive return, although managed only one shot – an off-target one, at that – all match.

Instead, it was left to Firmino to shine, with the Brazilian scoring his seventh away league goal of the season (more than Mane and Salah combined) – a stat worth bearing in mind considering that the Reds are on the road twice in Double Gameweek 24.

His display prompted much praise from Klopp:

When I went to him and wanted to give him a hug after the game, he wanted to stop and talk first. He said, ‘I know I should have scored more goals’. It was absolutely not what I wanted to say! Yes, a super player, super. I don’t say this for the first time and will hopefully not say it for the last time. Pretty impressive.

While Liverpool remain in the best of places, Spurs’ performance was good enough to suggest their current league form – just one win and a draw from their last five matches – could be about to take a turn for the better.

Mourinho attempted to stifle Liverpool’s attacking threat by playing three centre-halves and Tangana’s performance as one of them – and later at left-back when Danny Rose (£5.3m) was subbed off – was impressive enough to suggest he could be a real bargain if given more pitch-time over the rest of the season.

The coach was certainly happy to praise the 20-year-old after the match, saying:

I’m really proud of the kid and I know that everyone in the club is happy, because he showed composure, very good personality and playing Salah and Mane is not the same thing as the players you play in the Under-19s, and the kid was very, very good. A game for him to remember, of course, the result to forget.

Tangana’s time might be now, or it might be later. How to offset the loss of Harry Kane (£10.9m) will be of more immediate concern to Mourinho.

He was quick to dismiss Talksport’s post-match suggestion that he might delve into the transfer market to find a replacement for his star striker, which should elevate the Fantasy prospects of Son as an out-of-position striker.

Spurs’ upcoming fixtures are a mixed bag, with good matches against Norwich, Aston Villa and Burnley balanced out by visits from Wolves and both Manchester clubs and a trip to Chelsea.

Even so, there would seem to be enough potential in those games for Son’s 6.4% ownership to rise in the near future.

Investment in Dele Alli (£8.7m) is not so clear-cut. The midfielder missed one good chance on Saturday and has now blanked in all but one of his last six starts – a run that has persuaded enough managers to make him the third-most sold player heading into Gameweek 23.

As an alternative, the continuing rehabilitation of Erik Lamela (£5.7m), who came on for a third straight cameo, could add a different brand of attacking threat to the midfield.

The Argentinian started the season with two goals and as many assists from the first five Gameweeks and could well be due a start now after a ten-game lay-off.

That move would definitely be a risky one, however, so if it’s sure-fire investments you’re after, Liverpool remains the best place to look.

Tottenham Hotspur XI (3-5-2): Gazzaniga; Tanganga, Davinson Sanchez, Alderweireld; Aurier, Winks, Eriksen (Lo Celso 69′), Alli, Rose (Lamela 69′); Lucas Moura, Son.

Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, van Dijk, Robertson; Oxlade-Chamberlain (Lallana 60′), Henderson, Wijnaldum; Salah (Shaqiri 90′), Firmino, Mane (Origi 80′).

Members Analysis

995 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Best transfers here for the double?

    Guaita
    Trent Lord Aurier
    Salah KDB Moura Mount Cantwell
    Aguero Vardy

    Martin Kelly Holgate Greenwood

    A) Aguero, Greenwood to Firmino, Ings gw24
    B) Aguero, Mount to Firmino, Mahrez
    A and B means Guaita to McCarthy this week and above transfers before 24.

    C) Aguero, Mount, Aurier to DCL, Son, Robbo -4
    D) Aguero, Mount, Aurier to Ings, Son, Gomez -4

    Thanks

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

      Anything ITB? Possible to downgrade Lucas and get a Pool defender? Would not ditch Aguero atm.

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

    Keep Rashford or Sell for mane?
    He could smash that Burnley fixture

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

      Sell as part of getting mane

    2. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Whats the two transfers?

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

        Get in Maupay this week for Rashford. Then get rid of Mahrez for Mane in gwk24.

        1. Pukki Party
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          I like it

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

      Keep. Take double def or Firmino.

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

    Any 7.1 forwards that could be a good bet for 24 and the next couple of weeks that isn't DCL or Ings?

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Maupay... 😉

    2. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Haller

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

      Or Deeney?

      1. Here's Tom with the We…
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Deeney

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

      Maupay won’t get a better chance.

  4. Baps hunter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Thought that Kelly would drop... So ditched him yesterday to Dunk just to notice that Kelly(Bou) was the one close to drop in price. I was thinking about Kelly and Rico so therefore "Bou" didn't alert me at that momemt 😉 Rookie error or should I blame beer?!?

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

      Beer and never speak of it again 😉

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

      Good transfer regardless?

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Yes, unless Dunk gets ill or something. Planned transfer, but there was no hurry. And yes, I did drink also (but not only) "Karhu" beer 😉

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

    Thoughts on Maddo + Kelly -> Mahrez(C) + Williams with 2 FTs? Exact $$$.

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

      Perfect for GW22!

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

    I can get Firmino in as my 3rd LFC player, easy peasy.

    Or take -8 to get Mané or Salah (Abraham downgraded, probably Traoré out then...)

    Or use a WC and avoid the hits. But the selling value on too many of my players is way below their actual cost (why is Lundstram 4.5 when his value over 5?)

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Go Firmino

    2. Tony Moon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      If a player rises, you only get half of the price rise back if you sell him. So buy Lund at 4m, sell him when his value is 5m, and you'll get 4.5m for him. Simples.

  7. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    What to do?

    Guiata Button

    Sidibe Taa Lundstram Soyuncu Hanley

    Kdb salah mane Richarlison cantwell

    Ings vardy Greenwood

    0 ITB 1 FT

    Thanks.!

  8. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Martial>Mane still the move?

    Ramsdale needs to go but I don't think it's worth a (-4) if fit for gw23. Alternatives like McCarthy & Ryan unlikely to get many cleansheets either.

    Ramsdale*
    TAA Soy Sidibe
    Salah KDB Grealish Martial Traore
    Vardy Maupay

    McGovern DCL Lund Rico

  9. TRIPOS TOPPER
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    this team knocked me out of the cup!

    Alison
    VVD Ake AWB
    Tillymens James Rich Salah
    Greenwood King Jota

    51 points

  10. Party time
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Wish I could just hack into fpl & burn the game permanently

      1. The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Good week?

        1. Party time
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Fairly good. 59 points & a red arrow/arrows I think

      2. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        do Williams and Tangana have much starting potential when others are fully fit?

        1. Here's Tom with the We…
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Williams deffo

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

          Wouldn’t want to be relying on them.

          Owning one as 5th defender might be fine.

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

          Not every game since they are so young. Managers typically want to prevent too much fatigue on young players.

      3. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        2FT 0.5itb

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

        Pretty sure on my transfers but interested what people see a s priority? Robo obviously easier than Salah to get in

        1. nolard
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Aurier and Perreira too much cash sitting there with not enough payout.

          1. Tsparkes10
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Cheers, probs keep Perreira for next 2 gws due to decent fixtures. Tempted to keep Alli also though

      4. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Has anyone else had a bit of a mental block last 3/4 weeks? Struggling to see what to do now and predict things, scared to make any changes now and lost my confidence a bit over xmas where most of my predictions were wrong. Feels like i/we at a crossroads. Stick with the base of our teams or reshuffle

        1. The Ejiptian King
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Really looking forward to having this double out the way so I don't have to plan towards it, feel like I've been missing/ignoring other opportunities because of it.

          1. have you seen cyan
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Yea ur right, I have been delaying moves and putting things off so im ready for 24. Cant wait for that GW, I have had Zaha like 8 weeks ffs and he is still here

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

          Watford and Southampton are much better than you think, especially in defense. Double up or even triple up is an option.

          Bet against Bournemouth, Villa and Norwich heavily. Unless a miracle happens, they will all be relegated. Grealish or Cantwell as 5th mid might be OK but otherwise time to sell everything.

          Palace and Burnley going through a "rough patch". Bench them if you have them, but not necessary to sell.

          West Ham too much of a question mark to safely touch. Don't buy anything yet.

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

            Txs for good advice. But a bit reluctant to sell Grealish still, giving him one more game. They were always going to be hammered by City.

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

              Great player, lovely to watch and underpriced...but needs a better team around him to become a great FPL asset. If you can rotate Grealish with someone else, you could keep him. But if you are going for something like Mane + Salah + KDB + Vardy + TAA + Rashford it's hard to not play Grealish every week due to bench player money shortage.

              1. George Sillett
                • 8 Years
                4 years, 2 months ago

                When he grows up he will be a great player. No better than good at the moment - he has the potential to improve.

          2. Baps hunter
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Triple up with lesser teams can always hurt. One or two injuries can cause a drop in form. After that it is difficult to ditch and bench them if there also other fires...

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

              If we are talking about budget players, 2nd GK, 5th def and 4th/5th mid don't get much XI time anyhow unless there is a lovely fixture.

              I have gone with Foster-McCarthy, Sarr and Ings. Thinking if my 5th def should be SOU or WAT as well going forward. Ndidi injury torpedoed my Soy-Evans double up it seems.

        3. Tsparkes10
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Yup. Can see me wildcarding not long after. Huge fixture switch after dgw, but atleast pool have a good fixture so triple pool seems great til end of season more or les

          1. have you seen cyan
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            yea Pool is a certainty, thats about it. Grealish, Vardy, Man U, Spurs even City, dont know where I stand with them. Would hate to be playing my wc now

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

              My thoughts:

              City: KDB. If you want a second player, Jesus/Aguero in the third forward slot. Mahrez is a punt option, it's the price tag that makes it not so appealing. Richarlison is more appealing since he is nailed.

              Spurs: with Sissoko and Ndombele out, they are a mess. Sell.

              Leicester: Vardy worth keeping but not captaining. Ndidi out has made their def suffer. Soyuncu bench but keep. Hopefully you have decent 4th and 5th def like Holgate. Maddison is a mystery, could sell for Richarlison, Martial or a Watford mid.

              Man U: Choose either Martial or Rashford. If you are chasing, you can pick both.

              Grealish: OK as a 5th mid but if you need to play him every week, I would swap for a Watford mid.

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

        Folks, is it worth doing these moves?2FT

        Or should I look at something else, just scored not owning City for Palace

        Martial and Vardy to Mahrez and Aguero(C)
        Then Aguero to Firmino for the DGW. Already have Trent and Salah

        1. Party time
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Yeah... Bring in Cowboy

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

              Yeehaw he’s a hazbeen

              1. Party time
                  4 years, 2 months ago

                  Yeah. He is a punk. You're gonna whack him out. Just don't bottle it 😉

          • Party time
              4 years, 2 months ago

              Grealish the captain of aston villa refuses to take spot kick duty. What a chicken

              1. George Sillett
                • 8 Years
                4 years, 2 months ago

                Would have lost hairdresser sponsorship deals if he'd missed .
                Oh..............

                1. Party time
                    4 years, 2 months ago

                    Tbf he is fekin the captain of aston villa football club.

                    All hair No huevos

                    1. Party time
                        4 years, 2 months ago

                        Omg! Mods messing with my grammar. Nicee 🙂

                  • dontyouknowimloko
                    • 5 Years
                    4 years, 2 months ago

                    I’ve not seen it but he played the full 90, any clear reason he didn’t take it?

                    1. Party time
                        4 years, 2 months ago

                        Missed one against Sheffield & got no balls to take the next one

                      • The Ejiptian King
                        • 5 Years
                        4 years, 2 months ago

                        He didn't fancy it, gave it up to El Ghazi.

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

                          Could have done with those points, main reason I got was him after the shu match was being on pens...

                  • FFSbet.com
                    • 8 Years
                    4 years, 2 months ago

                    Best swap for Rico?
                    0.1 ITB Rico SP 4.2

                    McCarty
                    TAA-Lund-Holgate-Kiko*-Rico*

                    Cant go Williams have triple Man.Utd

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

                      Stephens

                      1. FFSbet.com
                        • 8 Years
                        4 years, 2 months ago

                        Uff will be outpriced i think,already on -4 and he will rise.

                        -8 too much or get him now

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

                      Southampton or Watford at that price range? Unless you want to try your luck with the 4.0 Spurs youngster who is NOT nailed.

                      1. FFSbet.com
                        • 8 Years
                        4 years, 2 months ago

                        Yes will probably gamble on 4.0 Spurs defender if i dont take
                        another hit for Stephens

                  • TRIPOS TOPPER
                    • 6 Years
                    4 years, 2 months ago

                    What are people doing with Leicester assets?

                    I have Soy and Vardy - will probably hold for now but thinking Sidibe and Rashford could outscore them looking forward

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

                      Will think about them after West Ham.

                    2. Gizzachance
                      • 9 Years
                      4 years, 2 months ago

                      holding soy an vardy for now as have some decent fixtures
                      could easily work though

                    3. nolard
                      • 9 Years
                      4 years, 2 months ago

                      I am keeping Vardy, but wouldn't touch the defence.

                      Pondering what to do with Maddison, but have other issues to fix first.

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

                      Benching defense, can't sell them yet due to existing GW24 plans. If bad defensive form continues, selling defense for a double up of Liverpool, Sheffield, Southampton and/or Watford defense.

                  • Champions League Varane
                    • 5 Years
                    4 years, 2 months ago

                    Vardy and Richarlison

                    TO

                    Sergio and Grealish?

                    1. Champions League Varane
                      • 5 Years
                      4 years, 2 months ago

                      ?

                    2. nolard
                      • 9 Years
                      4 years, 2 months ago

                      I wouldn't even if Aguero is tempting.
                      Rich is in form and has good fixtures. Vardy is Vardy.

                  • Gizzachance
                    • 9 Years
                    4 years, 2 months ago

                    thought guys?
                    aurier an martial to
                    williams an salah for hit, exact funds

                    would need the hit to get salah for dgw anyway, depends on price rises then,cheers

                  • Gazza2000
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 12 Years
                    4 years, 2 months ago

                    2 FT 1.7 ITB

                    Ryan
                    TAA Soyuncu Dunk
                    Salah KDB Martial Maddison
                    Abraham Ings Vardy

                    Button, Lundstram, Rico, Dendoncker

                    Thoughts on selling Martial for Doucoure or Sarr this week and Abraham and Madders to Mane and DCL next week?

                  • FPL Dancer
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 7 Years
                    4 years, 2 months ago

                    Hurt by Fabianski's injury. Anyone else?

                    Gameweek 22 Review below. Overall Rank: 17,487

                    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghRUv6jncBA

                  • nolard
                    • 9 Years
                    4 years, 2 months ago

                    A: Do Pope to Foster and play Kelly
                    B: Do Rico to Holgate and fix the GK later

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

                      B

                      1. nolard
                        • 9 Years
                        4 years, 2 months ago

                        Thanks!

                  • dontyouknowimloko
                    • 5 Years
                    4 years, 2 months ago

                    Struck out earlier, need some advice please.

                    Got 2 FTs and thinking of doing
                    Willems, Zaha, Vardy > Kiko, Doucoure, Kun for a -4

                    Would give me
                    Ryan Button
                    TAA, Lund, Kelly, Rico, KIKO
                    Salah, Mane, KDB, Grealish, DOUCOURE
                    Ings, Deulofeu, KUN

                    Got exact cash, what would you do?

                    1. Gazza2000
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 12 Years
                      4 years, 2 months ago

                      I would not sell Vardy

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

                        Yeah, I held onto him but so did all my rivals. they’re not quite the same without Ndidi and I need differentials...

                        Don’t think others in my league can afford Mo, Mané, KDB and Kun

                  • The 12th Man
                    • 10 Years
                    4 years, 2 months ago

                    and just like that Kansas have get 14 back.

                    1. TorresMagic™
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • Has Moderation Rights
                      • 14 Years
                      4 years, 2 months ago

                      Wow 24-20

                      1. CRO KLOPP
                        • 6 Years
                        4 years, 2 months ago

                        Game on Kansas wow

                      2. The 12th Man
                        • 10 Years
                        4 years, 2 months ago

                        Can change so quickly with those 2 QBs and defences.

                        1. TorresMagic™
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • Has Moderation Rights
                          • 14 Years
                          4 years, 2 months ago

                          Titans to control the tempo next week if leading.

                          1. The 12th Man
                            • 10 Years
                            4 years, 2 months ago

                            Aye the running game is so important with game control. Henry has been awsome.
                            Hoping for a Titans v Seahawks Superbowl.

                            Will be tough for the Hawks tonight though.

                  • Gudjohnsen
                    • 7 Years
                    4 years, 2 months ago

                    Ryan, Button
                    TAA, Soyuncu, Kelly, Lundstram, Rico
                    Salah, Mané, KDB, Martial, Grealish
                    Ings, Abraham, Greenwood

                    1 FT, 1.3 ITB

                    Keep everyone for next gw in order to have 2FT for gw24?

                  • Stupendous
                    • 11 Years
                    4 years, 2 months ago

                    Chiefs fans aren't booing their team now

                  • Tsparkes10
                    • 5 Years
                    4 years, 2 months ago

                    This is a tricky one... For next 2 gws

                    A) Perreira and Sarr
                    B) Stephens/Holgate and Alli

                    Kinda fancy Alli as a differential with the 2 fixtures. Didn't watch the pool or leicester games. Was Alli deeper or more advanced without Kane? And Perreira almost got a bap so guessing he was v attacking?

                    1. nolard
                      • 9 Years
                      4 years, 2 months ago

                      Alli was quite advanced, with Eriksen and some other fella deep.
                      He was fairly anonymous.

                  • UpAndAway
                    • 10 Years
                    4 years, 2 months ago

                    Anyone playing Cantwell ahead of Grealish this GW? A punt that could pay off.

                  • Taco Juice
                    • 12 Years
                    4 years, 2 months ago

                    Given the good fixtures and the double game week, are there any "budget" options you would consider? Wijnaldum, Shaqiri, Chamberlain, Minamino seem like they could be worth a punt.