Dugout Discussion

Firmino benched but Klopp otherwise names strong side for the visit of Aston Villa

Jurgen Klopp has named a strong starting XI for Liverpool’s first home fixture as Premier League champions.

Aston Villa are the visitors to Merseyside, with kick-off at Anfield at 16:30 BST.

The Reds’ head coach has made three changes to his team following the 4-0 thrashing at Manchester City but there is no wholesale rotation and most of their highly owned Fantasy Premier League assets retain their starts.

Mohamed Salah (£12.6m) and Sadio Mane (£12.4m) both make the cut in attack, while the back four is at full strength as Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.8m), Andrew Robertson (£7.0m), Virgil van Dijk (£6.5m) and Joe Gomez (£5.3m) line up in front of Alisson (£6.2m).

Roberto Firmino (£9.4m), Georginio Wijnaldum (£5.4m) and Jordan Henderson (£5.3m) drop to the bench, with Divock Origi (£5.1m), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (£6.1m) and Naby Keita (£5.8m) taking their places.

James Milner (£5.3m) misses out with a “tight muscle”.

There are five changes for Aston Villa following their 1-0 defeat to Wolves.

Pepe Reina (£4.2m) replaces the benched Orjan Nyland (£4.3m) between the posts, while Neil Taylor (£4.2m) is in for the injured Matt Targett (£4.3m) at left-back.

John McGinn (£5.3m), Anwar El Ghazi (£5.3m) and Trezeguet (£5.2m) also return, with Conor Hourihane (£5.7m), Marvelous Nakamba (£4.4m) and Mbwana Samatta (£5.4m) only among the substitutes.

The ‘out of position’ FPL midfielder Keinan Davis (£4.3m) leads the line as Dean Smith moves away from a two-man strike force to what looks like his regular 4-3-3.

Jack Grealish (£6.1m) was the most-sold midfielder of Gameweek 33+, with Salah also among the top ten FPL players for transfers out.

The Egyptian is nevertheless the most-captained Fantasy asset of this weekend, both overall and within the top 10k.

Villa pushed Liverpool hard in the reverse fixture back in Gameweek 11, with the Reds running out 2-1 winners.

Nevertheless, the Villans haven’t kept a single clean sheet away from home this season and have conceded more goals on the road than any other Premier League team.

Liverpool have scored 44 goals in their 16 home fixtures in 2019/20 and no club has conceded on fewer occasions on their own soil.


Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Keita, Salah, Origi, Mane.

Aston Villa XI: Reina, Konsa, Hause, Mings, Taylor, Luiz, McGinn, Trezeguet, Grealish, El Ghazi, Davis.

FPL Lessons Learned from Gameweek 33+

1,937 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Cmon Riyad!

    This could be the first time I’ve owned him since he moved to City!

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Same 😀

      1. All For One
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Same lol comeon!!!

    2. Reg83
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      me too!

    3. DMP
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Same.

    4. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      On pens while kdb on bench. Not sure that is a plus.

  2. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Ings or Giroud?

    1. Lev Yashin
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Ings

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Ings and you know it

    3. Tinkermania
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Giroud scored yesterday. You will have to await another 5 games for net goal

      1. Tinkermania
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        *next

    4. tucaoneo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I feel Chelsea's next three fixtures are much better.

    5. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Giroud on fixtures

  3. Somar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who needs a CS, goal and 3 bpts from Laporte today then? COME ON

  4. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    This would be m my first hit of the season but it could work I think

    Salah and Jimmy to Foden and Kane for a hit ?

    Thank you

    1. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Like it

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

      Jimmy to Kane for a hit? No!

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        They play Bournemouth though could even captain .

      2. Pep bites Kun
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Yep C

    3. Dreaming of glory
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Wait for spurs game tomo 1st

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Sure . Thank you

  5. Party time
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I hope Ings is on spot kick duty now

    • Ha.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I would’ve preferred some TAA baps over that assist, if I’m honest

    • Dont give a fuchs
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Where is walker? Not even in the squad

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Somewhere else then I guess

        1. Dont give a fuchs
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I brought him on FH this week. Was a massive differential in my league

          1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Unlucky!

      2. SHOOTER MCGINN
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Was wondering the same about Mendy

        1. DandyDon
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Mendy always gonna get rotated with Zinchenko. Cancel I got minutes off bench last game so no Walker more of a suprise

    • Rolls-Royce
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Mane-> KdB this week then? Expecting rest for Liverpool boys.

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Don't expect rest but I say yes anyways

      2. tucaoneo
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Aye

      3. Reg83
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        klopp is not pep

      4. DandyDon
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Kdb looks essential for next week now

    • Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Pep looking very chill and content in the pre match interview. Free flowing City attacking football incoming.

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Hopefully stays same next GW

    • Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Best differential C for next GW? I'm chasing

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Kane.

        1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          This is a good shout that I'm considering!

        2. mrodgers91
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I'm on the same for now, see how he plays today

      2. Sim Simma
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Son

      3. Amey
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Sonny boy
        Hurricane
        Salah
        Bruno

      4. Athletic Nasherbo
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Son or Kane. Vardy the week after.

      5. Niho992
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers. Think im going to C Son or Rashford

    • FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      How is everyone doing so far?

      Probably some very good scores this gw. I’m feeling optimistic so far with 60points. Kdb(Digne 1st sub), Garcia, Mahrez and Kane to go.

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Got some catching up to do. Line-up works for me - De Bruyne on bench - well everyone has him but if he doesn't come on I get Vardy's points (yes, I dropped him to the bench - for Egan). I've got Mahrez as captain, and Sterling, so I have high hopes for the next 90 mins.

        1. FPL Blow-In
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Best of luck!

      2. Reg83
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        71 (-4) with mahrez & kdb (or dcl ) to go

      3. Dthinger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Meh. Captained Salah instead of Bruno. Started KDB with Foden and Saka on the bench, in that order; played Pope over Martinez; so...

        Some good things from United and two pool defenders kept my score decent at 61 so far. But hoping KDB and Foden stay on the bench is not a good place to be.

      4. JONALDINHO
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        81 with Mahrez and Kane left on FH. Not bad

    • Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Villa now 4th best in the league for fewest big chances conceded per game since restart

      1. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Shame you don't get points for doing this.

      2. Amey
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Let them face ...
        Ahem ahem ...

      3. Dthinger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Yah but they’ve conceded 6 goals so I’m not gonna be signing their defenders

    • SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Thanks to Salah's underserved assist, captaining him over Bruno is only a 9 point deficit. 9 points I'd rather have for sure, but not the end of the world. Let's try again next GW.

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Keeping him I take it ?

        1. SHOOTER MCGINN
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Oh god no. Looked horrible. Probably get Sterling if he goes off early today.

      2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        It’s a massive swing to be honest especially since salah price impacts the rest of the team

        1. SHOOTER MCGINN
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Probably true but hard to quantify. With bargains like Greenwood, Nketia, Foden etc. there's plenty of cash spare.

      3. Party time
          3 years, 8 months ago

          That’s the vibe buddy, the game isn’t over yet

        • Tinkermania
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          It's actually 18 points deficit!

          1. SHOOTER MCGINN
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Nah. 36 vs 27
            30+6 or 15+12

            1. Tinkermania
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              That makes me feel better. I capped Salah.

      4. LIARS POKER
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Jimenez to Ings for the last 3 weeks could be a good move for those chasing

        BHA, bou, SHU

        1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Indeed. But everyone is chasing!

          1. Baps hunter
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            One is not

            1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              Everyone but one is chasing!

      5. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Who to get as my fifth mid (max 7.4m)?

        A) Pulisic (would block my closest rival)
        B) Willian
        C) Foden

        1. JONALDINHO
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Foden imo. Extra funds is a bonus

      6. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        How am I looking for next gw ? 🙂

        Ederson
        TAA - James - Kiko
        Mane - KDB(vc) - Mahrez - Martial - Fernandes
        Kane(c) - Greenwood

        Button - Connolly - Taylor - Reid

        1. The Polymath
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Don't know can't see you.

          Almost the same team as me so good.

      7. yousunkmybattleship
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Any risk of rest for TAA and Robertson next week?

        1. Dthinger
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I don’t think so. It looks like Klopp is planning to start his strongest lineup and sub them off for a rest rather than the other way round

      8. manu4life99
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        ML cut down to 15pts, any ideas how best to use 2FT with this lot? (* denotes player also in rival team)

        Patricio*
        Doherty* TAA* Maguire
        Salah KDB* Bruno* Pulisic Foden
        Rash* Jimi*

        Martin, Aurier*,Nketiah,Holgate

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

        Am I mad for considering Jimmy > Kane (C)?

        1. Niho992
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          No

        2. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Not thinking the same

      10. Kodap
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Am I going to regret possible moving Salah on?

        I’ve had him since day 1, but feel like I could do with either Martial or Sterling/Mahrez.

        Currently own Bruno, Salah, KDB, Pulisic, Ings, Jimmy & Rashford.

        1. JONALDINHO
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Pool on the beach. Using last few games as “pre season”. If it’s on a free go for it

          1. Kodap
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            I’d have 1FT, so If I was to go Salah > Martial

            Jimmy > Kane

            It would be a -4?

          2. Dthinger
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Yeah but he’s gonna want to try for the golden boot. Don’t you think Klopp will want to keep playing him to give him a shot at it?

            1. Kodap
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              I mean, yeah... but the whole Liverpool team looked off the boil.

        2. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Maybe his time has gone . Had him most of the season too.

        1. GOTHAM City F.C.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Link to comment unintentional.

      11. Abra Dubravka
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Soooooo, FT of Salah to Sterling to accompany KDB and Mahrez?

      12. drughi
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        KDB captain next week is too easy

      13. Niho992
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Would you consider playing FH chip next GW? I'm chasing 50 points and i can bring players like Kane, Son, Martial, Foden etc

        1. Dthinger
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          You still have it? What are you waiting for?

      14. dunas_dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Will wait until after tomorrow but what are thoughts on Salah to Foden and Nketieh to Kane(c) next week for -4?

        1. Dthinger
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I wouldn’t

        2. Rinseboy
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          like this!

      15. Kodap
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Salah > Martial
        Jimmy > Kane

        -4 hit, yay or nay?

      16. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        For a hit

        A. Jiminez to Ings/Giroud

        B. Stevens to 4.5 defender

      17. Costa Nostra
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Dear FPL Gods,

        Please keep KDB on the bench the entire game so I can get Egan’s 10 off the bench. Really appreciate it.

      18. Says
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Jesus the most ironically named player since Noble?