Scout Notes

Salah-less Liverpool lack attacking spark as Klopp hints at more rotation

Everton 0-0 Liverpool

  • Goals: None
  • Assists: None
  • Bonus: Alisson (£6.2m) x3, Jordan Pickford (£5.2m) x2, Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.8m) x1

Absence may make the heart grow fonder, but it did nothing for a decidedly lacklustre Merseyside derby.

The lack of a baying Scouse crowd robbed the fixture of all its historic intensity, while the pre-match news that both Mohamed Salah (£12.7m) and Andy Robertson (£7.0m) would be missing from Liverpool’s starting line-up did nothing to improve the mood of many a Fantasy manager.

The lengthy lay-off and unprecedented circumstances brought about by the pandemic were never likely to help matters, but the game was still a strangely sterile affair, with the best action of the encounter reserved for the final few minutes.

Both teams managed just three attempts on target each which, seeing as Liverpool enjoyed 70% possession, was either testament to the visitors’ toothlessness or Everton’s resilience, depending on your point of view.

But the truth of it was that only Alisson (£6.2m), in the Liverpool goal, was ever truly stretched.

He produced two fine saves from Richarlison (£8.3m) and Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£6.5m) late on, with the rebound from the latter’s effort falling to Tom Davies (£5.3m), whose shot was deflected by Joe Gomez (£5.3m) onto the post and away to safety.

That happened as we entered the final ten minutes. The previous 80 were largely forgettable.

Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp opted to bench Salah, and leave Robertson out of the squad altogether, for reasons of fitness.

In fact, he shuffled much of his pack, both before and during the derby, mostly for rotational purposes.

The Liverpool boss said:

We play in three days again. Today if I play 11 players the 95 minutes and they all have to go like they had to go today, then I have a real problem on Wednesday, that’s how it is.

You cannot underestimate it after four weeks of pre-season and nine weeks break before. We play two games in three days, so that’s why we have to think a little a bit before we have problems.

Problems did arise, however, with James Milner (£5.3m) and Joel Matip (£5.2m) both coming off with injury issues.

Klopp said of the pair:

Millie felt a hamstring a little bit, but we had this in the past. Millie is not often injured and hopefully, it is not serious. He is smart enough to show up in the moment when he feels it, so hopefully, it was the right moment. Maybe not Wednesday, but after that, I would hope for.

Joel was unlucky and we had to make a quick decision. It was a situation with Richarlison and he bent or stretched or his big toe. It is really painful, but hopefully, it settles, the pain settles and then we will see. I hope nothing serious has happened, but I don’t know yet.

The German’s decision to use Takumi Minamino (£6.0m) in the Salah slot proved interesting.

The Japanese international looked bright and breezy, but his similarity to the playing style of Roberto Firmino (£9.5m) helped neither of them to flourish – a state of affairs that is unlikely to change across the rest of the season.

Klopp ended up hooking Minamino for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (£6.2m) at half-time, a decision which seemed sufficiently harsh that he felt the need to explain it post-match:

The change at half-time was a pure idea for me and nothing to do with Taki’s performance. He found the game in the first half absolutely and then we thought, ‘Come on, why wait until the player gets tired when you get the opportunity?’. That didn’t work out 100 per cent, but Ox was lively, very lively.

‘Lively’ was not a word to describe much of Liverpool’s performance, with Firmino wasting his side’s best chance of the match when he opted to shoot, wide as it turned out, from the edge of the area instead of playing the ball on to a more advanced teammate.

That came from a rare break against an Everton team that sat very deep and invited their guests to play in front of them.

Other than that, home keeper Jordan Pickford (£5.2m) was only troubled by a late free-kick from Fabinho (£5.4m) which he was required to tip over the bar.

As for the hosts, Richarlison was a consistent threat throughout, firing across goal with one effort very early on and easily eclipsing his fellow striker Calvert-Lewin for attempts (five versus two) – not good news as the English forward is, with 12.8% ownership, Everton’s most popular player in Fantasy Premier League (FPL).

Calvert-Lewin did come close to breaking the deadlock with a header narrowly wide during the Toffees’ late surge, but even coach Carlo Ancelotti agreed that a draw was probably the right result:

Honestly, we were really close to winning but it was a difficult game. We performed really well, we were focused and sacrificed.  At the end we had opportunities to score and were a bit unlucky. But Liverpool played a good game and had more possession but defensively we were really good.

Salah and Robertson now looked poised for Gameweek 31+ minutes when the Reds host Crystal Palace on Wednesday, with Klopp saying:

Some players couldn’t train in the last week – they trained, but not with the team – like Mo and Robbo, but yesterday they were in training and both looked really good. That’s why Mo is in the squad, Robbo not yet but on Wednesday [he will be] again.

For Robbo, it was better to have a proper session today and then be in for Wednesday, and for Mo, it is the right thing to do it like this.

Minamino is the obvious makeweight for the Egyptian unless Sadio Mane (£12.5m) is rested after enduring a fruitless 90 minutes being nullified by the excellent Seamus Coleman (£5.3m).

After that, it’s the sort-of-title-showdown with Manchester City, but Liverpool’s league crown is an inevitability and the only real Fantasy issue is how much rotation Klopp will indulge in once that is a reality.

For now, the answer would seem to be ‘a lot’, which will reduce the appeal of their assets.

Everton, meanwhile, have a generally attractive run to the end of the season, which should mean that current disinterest in their players – none appeared in the Gameweek’s top 30 for transfers-in – proves to be a temporary blip.

Defensively, this was their first clean sheet since Gameweek 22, so the jury remains out on the backline, but Richarlison, for his promise, and Calvert-Lewin, for his price, are surely worth a look with the likes of Norwich, Villa and Bournemouth to come over the next few weeks.

Everton XI (4-4-2): Pickford; Coleman, Holgate, Keane, Digne; Gordon (Sigurdsson 60′), Andre Gomes, Davies, Iwobi (Bernard 88′); Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin (Kean 90′).

Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, van Dijk, Matip (Lovren 73′), Milner (Gomez 43′); Henderson, Fabinho, Keita (Wijnaldum 65′); Minamino (Oxlade-Chamberlain 45′), Firmino (Origi 65′), Mane.

MEMBERS ANALYSIS

Double Gameweek 30+ FPL Lessons Learned

1,930 Comments Post a Comment
  1. tricpic
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Jota, Rashford and Aurier
    or
    Jimi, DCL and PVA?

    1. FPL-(VAR)dy
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B

    2. La Vida Latte
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B

    3. FPL Diet
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B

  2. Shatner's Bassoon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    £3.4M itb on latest WC draft. How to spend dat cash?!

    Pope
    Trent Doherty Maguire
    KDB Bruno Son Sarr
    DCL Jimi Rashford

    3.9 - Lascelles - Saka - 3.9.

    Rashford to Auba? // Sarr to Richarlison? // Son/KDB to Mane? // Keep for rainy day....?

    1. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Looks good. Risk to go without Mane/Salah? I've got Mane where you have Sarr, albeit with Nketiah a non-playing sub instead of DCL, who I'd have if I could afford it. Same team otherwise.

      1. Shatner's Bassoon
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        May be a risk yeah but not captaining for the next 2 weeks. I'll look to jump on one of them for the Villa game - whichever seems most rested or in-form.

    2. Lucas8406
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Sarr to Mane and downgrade Maguire?

      1. Shatner's Bassoon
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Doesn't quite work money-wise... good shout tho.

  3. thomashl
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Is Sarr a staple on a WC?

    Do people really trust Watford? :/

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Watford are good options imo, remember Pearson at Leicester. Going for Doucoure over Sarr personally, one of their defenders also an option

    2. Chris_H
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Sarr's a good differential at that price point and much more likely to get 90 minutes than Mount or Barnes for example

    3. JabariParkersEyelid
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Think Sarr is a good pick just not for this week with the abundance of options available.

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

    So Salah or Mané on a FH this week?

    1. FPL-(VAR)dy
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Mane i guess

    2. Atwood
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I would go Mane. I think Salah will probably be back but why take the risk.

    3. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Salah

    4. Burger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Lottery, wouldn't be surprised to see Mo feature and Mane rested.

  5. FPL-(VAR)dy
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    On FH
    Mane+Saiss
    or
    KDB+Doherty

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      The one with Doherty

  6. Atwood
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on this WC?

    Pope - Stekelenburg
    TAA - Holgate - Lascelles - Doherty - Taylor
    Mane - KDB - Bruno - Son - Saka
    Jimenez - Jota - Nketiah

    1. FPL-(VAR)dy
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I d go DCL instead of Jota

  7. Tcheco
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on this WC team please?

    ----------------Pope
    -----Doherty AWB Ritchie
    KDB Fernandes Son Richarlison
    -----Jimenez Vardy Rashford

    Button Saiss Lascelles Hayden

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Nice differentials

      1. Tcheco
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Thank you. Hopefully highly owned Liverpool assets won't destroy me

        1. No Professionals
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          watching liverpool without owning TAA is horrible. can live with no salah or mane.

          1. Tcheco
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Agreed. I'm banking on the defenses of the 3 teams with the best fixtures to cover potential TAA hauls. Fingers crossed

  8. Smokey_Lowkey
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Please rank the following transfers in order of priority for this week:

    A) Aguero - > Rashford
    B) Grealish - > Bruno
    C) Nketiah - > DCL
    D) Leno - > Pope (have McCarthy)

    Each will result in a - 4 hit.

    Thanks!

    Smokey

    1. G Banger
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B) => C) => A) => D)

      Wouldn't want to go without Bruno for long

      1. Tcheco
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        This

    2. cravencottage
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B, C,D, A

  9. Slacker
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A) laporte+ armstrong + ings
    or
    B) aurier + martial + DCL

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B

      1. Slacker
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        even if it means a united triple up with bruno and rashford?

        1. iL PiStOlErO
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Then better no. Triple is too much.

  10. G Banger
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    0.1ITB... Guess I can afford most of the template?

    Pope
    Doherty Taa Lascelles
    Salah Bruno Son KDB
    Rashford Jimmy DCL

    Button Holgate Kiko Guendozi

    Any warning signs before I push the WC button?

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

    Hi lads, WC Active. Please help.

    99% Sure: Pope, (Button), TAA, Doherty, (Simpson) KDB, Bruno, Mount, Jimenez

    A. Son, Salah, Ings (Williams, Greenwood)

    B. Richarlison, Salah, Rashford (Robinson, Connolly)

    C. Mahrez, Mane, Rashford, (Robinson Connolly)

    Now, only way to have Son & Rashford:

    D. Pope, Doherty, Mount to Martinez, Alonso, Traore

  12. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A) Jimi + Sarr

    B) Bruno + Maupay

    1. JasonG123
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Jimenez and Bruno are the two best players in the game atm.

      1. Bruce Lee
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        KDB says shush

    2. cravencottage
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A by a wide margin. I dont think Maupay is a great pick

      1. Bruce Lee
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Why don't you think Maupay is any good?

    3. JabariParkersEyelid
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Wouldn't be picking between Jimenez and Bruno. Both seem essential even if they are both shields.

  13. cravencottage
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Trying to decide last MF spot- Bergwyn or Richarlison?

    1. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Rich looked very sharp and vs Norwich next, i like that pick

    2. G Banger
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Depends if you have DCL or Son. If both, then Richa

    3. Tcheco
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Richarlison

    4. JabariParkersEyelid
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Richarlison. Possible captain this week and nice price point to transfer out if needed.

  14. Krafty Werks
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Best trio to fill last spots here? Thanks :

    ??? / Martin
    TAA / Doherty / Ritchie / Holgate / Robinson
    Mane / KDB / Son / Bruno / ???
    Jimenez / DCL / ???

    A - Pope / Martial / Nketiah

    B - Martinez / Guendouzi / Rashford

    1. JabariParkersEyelid
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A because it's practically my team then...

  15. dbeck
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Save FT or Egan to Boly and use BB?

    Ederson
    TAA Robbo Doherty
    Sarr barnes bruno KDB Salah
    DCL Jim

    McCarthy Lascelles Nketiah Egan, 1FT and 0.6itb

  16. Lucy2019
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    This one should be obvious but doubting myself.

    A) Pope + Taylor/Lascelles
    B) Martinez + Aurier

    A, Right?

    1. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A with Lasc to spread risk

  17. How I met your Mata
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A or B

    A Chillwell and Holgate

    B Justin and Boly

  18. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    No Guendouzi ban.

    https://twitter.com/SkySportsNews/status/1275063546527678465

    4.2m starting fodder free to play, handy for those who have used their BB.

    1. Tempestic
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      nice

    2. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Nice

    3. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Would rather have DLuiz @£4.4m who's fairly nailed.

      1. Tempestic
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Hayden better than Douglas Luiz imo, but i might just save the 0.2 and go with Guendouzi

        1. Pompel
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Yeah, forgot about Hayden. But if one needs the 0.2, its an option for sure

    4. Firminooooo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      You made my day.

    5. Tcheco
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Hayden at 4.4 is the midfield fodder to own imo.

      1. Firminooooo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Most people would kill their children for 0.2m.

  19. JasonG123
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    RMWCT, 0m ITB

    Pope (Martin)
    TAA Doherty Saiss (Lascelles Robinson)
    Salah KDB Son Bruno (Guendouzi)
    Rashford Jimenez DCL

    1. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Nice TV - I can have that team but with a bench of Kiko, Simpson, Guendo - not as appealing!

    2. JohnnyRev7
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Looks good. No obvious missing links.

    3. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      template

      1. JasonG123
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        What differentials do you like?

  20. JohnnyRev7
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    I had no WC so ignored UT and FHed in GW30+.

    Now back to my slow WC for GW31+.

    Pope (WAT)
    Taylor (WAT) / Fernandez (AVL) / Alexander-Arnold (CRY)
    Salah (CRY) / Fernandes (SHU) / De Bruyne (che) / Traore (BOU)
    Calvert-Lewin (nor) / Rashford (SHU) / Jiminez (BOU)
    Henderson* / Barnes (BHA) / Alonso (MCI) / Egan*
    * = Unavailable

    Used my 1FT for Hayden ---> Fernandes as planned.

    Still have BB but won't use it this GW.

    1. Bench ok?
    2. I'm seriously struggling to pick a (C)...

    Thoughts? Thanks in advance as always.

    1. maglia rosa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Salah, Trent, Bruno and Jimmi all decent arm band shouts this week I reckon. Bench looks strong 😳

      1. JohnnyRev7
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Yeh but only 50% available, hence no BB this GW. Could be good in GW32+.

        The (C) is a real headfcuk though. May just scatter some dried chicken bones on the ground, or read some tea leaves.

        Thanks for responding.

        1. maglia rosa
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Agreed on no BB, very similar position myself if Hendo was available I’d be tempted by BB this week. Seriously looking at Trent for the armband.
          GL

          1. JohnnyRev7
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Good luck to you too Simon.

  21. Firminooooo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Am I really thinking about bringing in Aurier instead of Saiss (Have Doherty)
    A) Go for it
    B) No way

    1. Firminooooo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      WC

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Same thoughts here, favouring the Wolves double up. I just don't trust Aurier.

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        This, won’t be surprised to see Aurirr get some decent points but I like the Wolves double up

    3. JasonG123
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      He's worse and more expensive?

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

      Leaning towards Aurier here, with no competition for his place it seems like a reasonable punt

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

      Whilst I agree with the concept of spreading the risk, Aurier wouldnt be my target. Do you have Newcastle in your defence?

  22. lordkippe
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A : Salah & DCL
    B : Son & Vardy

    1. AJ24
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B

  23. ChipsnGravy
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    1. Aurier or 2. Fernandez ?

    1. AJ24
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      1

    2. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      2

  24. iL PiStOlErO
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    RMWCT

    Pope
    TAA Doherty Fernandez
    Salah KdB Son Barnes
    Rashford Jimenez DCL

    3.9 Holgate Guendouzi J.Robinson (can switch him to Kiko)

    0.2 itb

    1. AJ24
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Like it!
      No Bruno?

      1. iL PiStOlErO
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Cheers. Its between him and Rash cause I dont wont to double on Utd and I although I see Bruno is a beast I just like Rash more espcially now with PP back.

  25. AJ24
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Rate my Wildcard team

    Pope
    Trent, Doherty, Wan-Bissaka
    Salah, KDB, Fernardes, Sarr, Bergwijn
    Ings, Jimenez

    Steklenburg, Lascelles, Taylor, Nketiah - 0.1ITB

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      7/10 not sold on Ings or Berg

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      2,5

    3. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Certainly different. Just not sure about that attack. I like the rest.

  26. Turns
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on this WC team would be lovely (0.1 ITB):

    Pope (3.9)
    TAA - Doherty - Aurier (Lascelles - 3.9)
    Mane - KDB - Son - Bruno (Saka)
    Jimenez - Jota - DCL

    1. How I met your Mata
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      would downgrade saka to geue 4.2 and upgrade 3.9 to a starter

    2. Firminooooo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Almost same team, see next post.

  27. Firminooooo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Here we go again. WC draft nr 364.

    Pope
    TAA Doherty Aurier
    Bruno Salah Son KdB
    DCL Rashford Jimenez

    ( Button, Kiko, Robinson, Guendouzi)

  28. L S P
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    I think I might be done with my WC

    Patricio-Button
    TAA-Doherty-Lascelles-Taylor-Masina
    Salah-KDB-Fernandes-Sarr-Saka
    Rashford-Jimi-DCL

    The three cheapie defenders always have a good fixture and also provide good options off the bench in case rotation.

    Any red flags jump out at you?

    Cheers.

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      No spurs cover maybe, but far from ref flag.

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

      Nah it's good.

  29. Fernandito
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Martinez
    Ritchie TAA Doherty
    Traore Son Fernandes Salah
    Vardy Rashford Jimenez

    Suggestions on how to improve this FH team?

  30. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Mourinho went out of his way today to make a point of strikers records under him.

    Cue a Harry Kane hattrick tomorrow - his record in London derbies ain't have bad either.

    1. james 101
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Could see him scoring big

      But not confident enough to bet on it!