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. Jeremiah
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Best option?

    A: TAA & Aurier + 0.6

    B. Robertson & Doherty

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

      A, for me

    2. Gearoid
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I have TAA and Doh but B looks better to me here

    3. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Id def want TAA, but also would want Doherty

      Out of those - I prefer B, as dont like Aurier

  2. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    LMS safety score only goes up from 85 to 86 with autosubs.

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

      91 with Kdb(c), Kun and Sterling to go, should be okay!

      How many players left after this GW eliminations?

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Depends on how many go out.
        279 currently, minimum 70 out this week.

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

          Final 200 feels good! 🙂 (unless kun gets 15+ and KDB no show ofcourse)

    2. Ian J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Thanks for update.
      How many teams will go through / are eliminated?
      cheers

    3. TheTinman
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Can you check my scores to see if I would have been in? My team is linked

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

          cheers

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

      Clinging on for dear life.

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

    Please rank:

    A) Richarlison
    B) Sarr
    C) Bergwyn

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

      C, A, B.

    2. Bedknobs and Boomsticks
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A C B

    3. TheTinman
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Acb

    4. Hairy Potter
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A B C

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

    WC team with 0.2 ITB. TAA only Liverpool. GTG or back to the drawing board?

    McCarthy
    Doherty TAA Lascelles
    Son KDB Richarlison Bruno
    Rashford DCL Jiminez

    Button, Hayden, Holgate, Robinson

    1. TheTinman
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Not convinced with double Everton attack. But both are good picks in their own right.

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

    My team as it stands post FH with 3 m itb.

    Ramsdale
    Docherty Trent Sais
    Salah Kdb Foden Bruno
    Dcl Rashford Jota

    Hendo Saka Taylor Kiko

    Feel this is good enough to save.
    Any thoughts on Kdb ➡ Son
    Or maybe Pogba instead of Son?

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

    A) VVD, Rashford, Richarlison (Aurier, Saka)
    B) VVD, Vardy, Martial (Aurier, Guendouzi)
    C) Aurier, DCL, Salah (Soyuncu, Saka)

    On FH - struggling with this one! Want x3 LIV and 2nd United attacker, and keen on starting Aurier. Help appreciated! Rest of Team:

    Pope
    TAA, Doherty, X
    Mane, Son, Fernandes, X
    Jimenez, Ings, X

    (Button, X, X, 3.9)

    Cheers

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      C. Similar problem to me

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

        Cheers. I'm edging towards C but means only 1 United attacker. Having said that I would not be surprised at all if one of Rashford & Martial are benched?

  7. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    How many pts does Kun get tonight?

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      He will get all of the points

      All of them

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

        😆

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

      A scary score, bricking it.

    3. Hairy Potter
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Just hoping for a start and no penalty miss. The rest should take care of itself.

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

        KDB isn't looking like missing any

      2. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Relax he is off pens

        1. Threat Level Midnight
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          This is cute. He’s definitely not off pens. Lol

    4. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      13 for Kun, 14 for KDB!

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

      2... I'm prepared for disappointment, so that if he does haul, it'll be a nice surprise

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

      25

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

    Chances /10 for each of these to start tonight?

    Aguero
    KDB
    Mahrez

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

      90
      90
      60

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

        divide by 10

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

          Cheers mate

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

      It's Pep, best of using a random number calculator.

      90, 85, 70

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

        divide by 100 and multiply by ten

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

    I see Alonso in very few WC teams- Is it around his certainty of starts? When he plays he is very attacking

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

      James, Azpi, Emerson, Alonso

      Simply too many players who can play there, all were in the squad vs Villa

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Ritchie is the new alonso 🙂

    3. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      In mine but also have good back up to cover

  10. Pickle juice
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Is it essential to have one of salah/mane in your team for gw31+

    Thanks

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

      Id say its very advisable

    2. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Not particularly

    3. 2999 - Lady of Legend
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Still got Salah set as captain. Could improve rest of side by selling, but I know he will punish.

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

      Taking my chances with Richarlison instead

  11. dshv
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    One lastpush
    WC active

    pope 3.9
    Awb doherty aurier holgate lascelles
    Mane son bruno kdb hayden
    Rash jimmy dcl

    Ready or not ?

    And salah or mane ??

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

      Salah or Mane is the question of the week...

  12. CaptainKeita
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Going all in on wolves

    Martinez McCarthy
    Doherty TAA Lascelles Holgate Robinson
    Mane Son BrunoKDB Saka
    Jimenez (C) Jota Deeney

    How is it?

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Not jota’s or deeney’s biggest fan but I like your team overall

    2. TheTinman
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I'd go for Traore over Jota as the 2nd attacking wolves. He is explosive from the start or off the bench

  13. Cak Juris
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Please choose best option for WC:
    A. Saiss - Holgate - Pukki
    B. Aurier - Ngakia - Jota
    C. Saiss - Aurier - Rodriguez

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      C but maybe Ayew instead

  14. Ask Yourself
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Hello old friends. I’ve been out of the game a while but I seem to have done well this week so may aswell return here again. RMWCT pls x

    Pope // Martínez
    TAA Doherty Aurier // Lascelles Kiko
    KDB Son Fernandes Bergwijn // Guendouzi
    Vardy Rash Jimmy

    1. Tshelby
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Looks really good. Double United/Spurs wouldn't be my choice but it does look good

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Nice one brother

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

      Like it. Same defence. I would downgrade Vardy to DCL against Norwich. Berg to Son.

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I like the pain Vardy gives me by owning him x already got son and no way of upgrading Bergwijn to pool mid. It is one to consider but it is tricky. Nice one x

    3. The EJJ
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      No Salah/Mane?

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Maybe by tomorrow. Today I like this and am not scared. I am sure someone will scare me into it

    4. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Hope you're well mate x

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        You’re breaking my heart Ed it feels like years x all good my end have had a lot going on to keep me busy but have been healthy. Hope the same for you and you family x

  15. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Who thinks Alonso starts again vs City this week?

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      No reason to believe otherwise I shouldn’t say

  16. Tshelby
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Hi all!

    So I haven't used any chips so don't really know what strategy I should follow now..

    This is me
    0.6 ITB
    1 FT

    Henderson, Button
    TAA, Doherty, Soyuncu, Egan, Kiko
    Salah, KdB, Grealish, Fernandes, Hayden
    Ings, Jimi, Vardy

    Should I play my wildcard? Or just do Hendo for Pope?

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

      Looks good, Hendo to pope

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Second this. Lovely team

  17. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Would you FH this team this week?
    Leno Henderson
    TAA Doherty awb lund egan
    Kdb Bruno mahrez grealish mount
    Aguero jimenez nketiah

    1. Tshelby
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      What would you change?

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

        Gks, mahrez, mount, Aguero, grealish, and subs....

        1. Tshelby
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Meh don't know.. Can't really see a lot of opportunities in this gw imo

    2. TheTinman
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      No

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

      Need a GK but otherwise looks good

  18. The EJJ
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Worried about not having Fernandes in for this week, but the only swap i could do would be KDB, Salah or Mane out. Tempted to ditch KDB but ofc the punishment could be tough...

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Chelsea’s defence is poopy. Salah and mane double is just stress

      1. The EJJ
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Albeit against Villa chelsea looked pretty decent. Thing is against Palace at home would you bet against them not getting a score?

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

    Rate my Wildcard team please

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

    Steklenburg, Lascelles, Taylor, Nketiah - 0.1 ITB

  20. Kudo Warrior
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Chances of Robinson keeping his play till the end of the season for the blades?

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

      Looks like O’Connell will be back, but could be a setback.

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

      I think slim when O Connel is back

  21. AF90
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Any changes to my FH team for GW31?...

    Pope
    TAA, Soyuncu, Saiss
    Salah, Martial, Bruno, Son
    Vardy, Jimenez, DCL

    (Martin, Lascelles, Dendoncker, Simpson)

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

      Believe in Leicester?

      I’d go Rich over Vardy. If you did that who could you reach at the back?

      Thought Brighton were ok

      1. AF90
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Considering Rich for DCL now by downgrading TAA to VVD

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

    Barnes or Mount?

    J. Robinson or Kiko?

    Cpt Jimmy, Rash or Son?

    Thanks.

  23. Hansel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on this WC team?

    Patricio Martinez
    TAA Doherty Maguire Aurier Fernandez
    KDB Son Martial Fernandes Cantwell
    Vardy Jimenez Ings

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

      Like it

  24. ryacoo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A) Aurier, Martial, DCL (Taylor, Femenia on the bench)

    B) Maguire, Rich, Jota (Ngakia, Robinson on the bench)

  25. TeddiPonza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    How is this WC team?

    Martinez
    TAA Doherty Saiss
    Salah (c) Bruno (vc) Son KdB
    Rash Jimi DCL

    Subs: Martin Lascelles CTaylor Guendouzi

    Thanks.

  26. CheesyZoot
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on Ritchie? Going to get starts?

    I like Toon's fixtures and could be a nice differential to the AWB/Maguire gang

    1. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Go for it

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

      If he had just got 6 points this week would you stilll be considering him? 18 points certainly an anomaly

    3. TheTinman
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I think it's risky. He won't start every week

  27. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Am I good to save my transfer?

    Pope (McCarthy)
    TAA,Doherty,Saiss (Lascelles,Stephens)
    Salah,KDB,Sarr,Perez (Fleck)
    Auba,Ings,Jiminez

  28. Tshelby
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Aurier or DDG? Who would you rather have

    1. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Aurier

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

      Aurier if you can get him as your GK 😉

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

    Not super exciting but WC GTG (0.2ITB)?

    Pope
    Doherty Taa Lascelles
    Salah Bruno Son KDB
    Rashford Jimmy DCL

    Button J Robinson Kiko Hayden

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

    Probably posted but sparks doubt around Arsenal GK Martinez - linked with Joe Hart today

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

      I think Martinez played well. Think I would play him over Hart.

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

      Hart couldnt play this season could he?