Scout Notes

Free-flowing Liverpool display bodes well for Newcastle trip

Liverpool 5-3 Chelsea

  • Goals: Naby Keïta (£5.8m), Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.7m), Georginio Wijnaldum (£5.4m), Roberto Firmino (£9.3m), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (£6.1m) | Olivier Giroud (£6.7m), Tammy Abraham (£7.4m), Christian Pulisic (£7.4m)
  • Assists: Sadio Mané (£12.2m), Mohamed Salah (£12.5m), Alexander-Arnold, Andrew Robertson (£7.0m) | Willian (£7.3m), Pulisic, Callum Hudson-Odoi (£5.1m)
  • Bonus Points: Alexander-Arnold x3, Firmino x2, Robertson x1

Fantasy Premier League managers were treated to a preview of Gameweek 38+ as the goals flowed in Liverpool’s 5-3 win over Chelsea on Wednesday evening. 

It was a night where each side’s defences went on holiday and the floodgates opened up, usually the hallmark of the last day of the season.

On the basis of this performance, there will be plenty of interest in Liverpool attackers as they travel to Newcastle on Sunday, but Fantasy managers may have to ask some important questions as they prepare for the closing weekend of 2019/20.

Firstly, for all the Reds’ free-flowing football, which could punish an injury-stricken Magpies squad, they will be travelling to St. James’ Park in the wake of celebrating lifting the Premier League trophy. The last time they played after a big party they were soundly beaten 4-0 by Manchester City. While Newcastle are unlikely to be as punishing as Pep Guardiola’s men, there are sure to be concerns of a Liverpool performance akin to that defeat on Sunday…

But provided Jurgen Klopp can encourage a stronger focus on the next match than we saw with that heavy Etihad loss, there were a lot of encouraging signs about his attackers against Chelsea.

Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) is sure to go into Gameweek 38+ with a bee under his bonnet after he was unfortunate to miss out on a goal for the third match in a row. The Egyptian was, as ever, the most threatening Liverpool forward in terms of shots produced and chances created for him, while Sadio Mané (£12.2m) did not shoot once.

Despite a heavy involvement in the regular forays into Chelsea’s territory, Salah could muster only an assist for Georginio Wijnaldum’s (£5.4m) first-half goal. And when the premium midfielder was replaced by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (£6.1m) in the 79th minute, he was positively thunder-faced.

With just one match left of the season, Salah sits four goals behind Jamie Vardy (£9.7m) in the race for the Premier League Golden Boot. While clinching the award seems unlikely at this point, it will almost certainly be on the Egyptian’s mind on the final weekend of the campaign. If Liverpool can replicate the free-flowing display of Wednesday night, and Salah keeps up his involvement in those attacks, a big haul is hardly off the cards. He may have to work on his finishing in the next few days though, especially after spooning a golden chance wide in the second-half when he was clear through on goal.

After recording just one attacking return between Gameweeks 30+ and 36+, Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.7m) was back to his scintillating best against Chelsea, becoming the first defender of the season to go past the 200-point barrier. Currently sat on 209 for the campaign, he is just five points off breaking the record for most points in a season for a defender, set last year by colleague Andrew Robertson (£7.0m).

Against Chelsea, the right-back struck home a routine direct free-kick in the first half before throwing up a trademark cross in the second, nodded home by Roberto Firmino (£9.3m). Both of those events bode well for a Gameweek 38+ meeting with Newcastle, the Magpies sitting inside the bottom three for headed goal attempts allowed and set-play attempts conceded since the Premier League restart.

Those statistics may also be of a benefit to Robertson who continues to have a hand in Liverpool corners, nearly earning an assist for a Salah goal in the second half against Chelsea, a previous corner also leading to Wijnaldum’s first-half strike. The left-back got the attacking return his crosses deserved in the 84th minute when his ball sailed through the middle of the Chelsea defence to be turned in by Oxlade-Chamberlain. That made for Robertson’s fourth assist of the restart period, double the number recorded by Alexander-Arnold.

Obviously, the Reds were helped by continual issues with Chelsea’s defence. They have now gone an entire Premier League campaign with just one clean sheet on the road and only four sides have conceded more goals from set pieces than Frank Lampard’s men. While they have managed seven clean sheets at home, their susceptibility to corners may convince owners of Willy Boly (£4.9m) or Romain Saïss (£4.8m) to start them for Gameweek 38+. Meanwhile, Chelsea’s general issues with defending, made worse by continued poor performances from Kepa Arrizabalaga (£5.4m), is sure to be enough evidence to hold onto Raúl Jiménez (£8.1m) for one last hurrah.

That said, as much as Chelsea struggled at the back, they offered plenty of attacking threat at Anfield. Liverpool’s defence has not been at its best since the restart, keeping just three of their 15 clean sheets since Gameweek 30+, but owners of Christian Pulisic (£7.4m) should feel particularly encouraged ahead of the final round of fixtures. 

Despite only playing 31 minutes, the American managed a goal and assist for a nine-point score. During this time on the pitch, Pulisic looked unplayable, exploiting the space behind Liverpool’s defence to cross for Tammy Abraham (£7.4m) to tap-in and net an excellent swivelled finish of his own. Whether he will get as much of freedom against a compact Wolves side remains to be seen, but the mid-priced midfielder has now delivered attacking returns in all but one match since the Premier League restart, averaging 6.8 points per game during that period.

Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Robertson, van Dijk, Gomez, Alexander-Arnold; Wijnaldum (Milner 66’), Fabinho, Keïta (C Jones 66’); Mané (Origi 87’), Firmino (Minamino 87’), Salah (Oxlade-Chamberlain 79’).

Chelsea XI (3-4-3): Kepa; Rüdiger, Zouma, Azpilicueta; Alonso (Emerson 88’), Kovačić, Jorginho, R James; Mount (Pulisic 58’), Giroud (Abraham 58’), Willian (Hudson-Odoi 58’).

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FPL Lessons Learned From Gameweek 37+

2,555 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Jo Melon
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Guys would you have Sterling or Salah?

    1. Robson-Canoe
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Sterling

      1. Jo Melon
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks.

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

      Sterling

      1. Jo Melon
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers.

    3. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Trying to get both

      1. Jo Melon
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Sadly that would cost me -8.

  2. Robson-Canoe
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Bar Tark and Pope, which is the best Burnley defender?

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

      Pieters

      1. The Knights Template
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Agree

    2. Jo Melon
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Pieters have odd assist potential.

  3. Champions united
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Salah or auba ??

    If both I have to play Connolly

    1. BERGKOP
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Both

    2. Robson-Canoe
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Salah

    3. tjostolv
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Salah and Laca

  4. BERGKOP
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Dilva or Mahrez?

    1. Robson-Canoe
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I think Dilva edges it because he's assured more minutes.

      1. BERGKOP
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers.

    2. Dele
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Mahrez more explosive but maybe Dilva as it’s his last game for City

  5. FPL Maldini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Trying to make up 18 points in my ML, regardless of whether Jesus starts or not is this worth it?

    Jesus, Pulisic, Bruno ----> Kane, Auba, Dilva

    1. BERGKOP
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No

    2. Bunk Moreland
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      -4? -8? Free hit? You’re selling two mids and getting two forwards, what info are you not sharing here?

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

        Oops sorry I meant Rash, Jesus and Pulisic out

  6. JamTart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Free Hit team:
    Martinez
    Otamendi, Pieters, Bardsley
    Salah, Sterling, Martial, DSilva
    Kane Auba, Wood

    Button, Branthwaite,

    1. JamTart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Free Hit team:
      Martinez
      Otamendi, Pieters, Bardsley
      Salah, Sterling, Martial, DSilva
      Kane Auba, Wood

      Button, Branthwaite, Soucek, Williams

      1. The Overthinker
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        You think otamendi starts?

        1. JamTart
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          If not Branthwaite comes in. For 4.8 he was worth a punt because I'm happy with the rest.

          Might do Wood and Ota to VVD and Greenwood though.

      2. pablo discobar
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Get rid of Auba. Arsenal only care about the FA Cup

  7. Van der Faart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    FH draft 713

    Ederson
    TAA Pieters Bardsley
    Salah Sterling Bruno Puli
    Greenwood Ings Kane(C)

    Button Lamptey Simpson Dendo

    Any thoughts please?

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Or.Martial instead of Bruno?

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

      Nice but Sterling, Ederson not enough City for me

  8. Silent Hunter
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pope Krul
    TAA Azpilicueta Doherty Saiss C.Taylor
    Salah Sterling Fernandes Martial Foden
    Ings Greenwood J.Rodriguez

    2 FT , 3.2 ITB

    Help needed to complete my Bench Boost team. Now 23 pts behind ML leader. Plan to buy Kane & Dilva but no idea how to do it 🙁

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Foden out seems one way but need to make big decisions for those 2

      1. Silent Hunter
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Yup i think Foden still can get some return but Dilva obviously more explosive due to his last game. Do you think huge point different between them TM?

    2. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Downgrade Azpi to Burnley def?
      Ings to Kane
      Foden to Dilva

      Does that work with the budget?

      1. Silent Hunter
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        The problem is there will be 4 Burnley player so i need to get rid Taylor 1st.

    3. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Short for Jrod Bruno for Silva and Kane ?
      Taylor won’t play

      1. Silent Hunter
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Short 0.8m and yes i need to switch Taylor too 🙁

  9. The Suspended One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    A) Puli Robbo Braithwide
    B) Mahrez Aurier James

  10. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Play one:

    A) Jimenez (che)
    B) Pulisic (WOL)

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

      Pulisic

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Pul

    3. ElliotJHP
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Puli, gutting having his points blocked by Riyad

    4. Jo Melon
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Difficult choice. Che is more attacking but Wol defend better. I might choose Pulisic for higher ceiling but watch for team news, he has little injuries.

  11. dshv
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who is the best option next to kane on FH ??

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Callum Wilson

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

      Greenwood because 1) he will most likely play, 2) since the restart has shown he can haul and 3) he allows you to invest in the mids where there’s all sort of explosive potential. Other than that it’s probably Ings for me.

  12. gellinmagellan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pope
    TAA Doherty Masina
    Salah Martial Fernandes Mahrez Pulisic
    Greenwood Auba

    1 FT 1.3 ITB.
    A) Salah > KDB
    B) Salah > Sterling
    C) Mahrez > Dilva

  13. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    100,000 people start tossing their coin, every time it's tails, they're out.

    After 17 tosses, only one remains - the one that got 17 heads in a row.

    Now everyone wants to know how she did it? What tossing technique she used? They admire her attitude and focus before each toes, her immense belief in herself, her gut feeling.

    And this, to a large extent, is how most successful FPL players are analysed.

    From choosing the captain to making those maverick moves.

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

      You are truly an overthinker 🙂

      1. The Overthinker
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        😀

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I think you might be tossing something!

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

      Did you see that Derren Brown episode a few years ago where he claimed he could pick the winner of 6 consecutive horse races? Think it employed a similar system to what you are suggesting here.

      1. The Overthinker
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I haven't seen it, but with what you've said, I believe Yes both the terminology are same

  14. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Have already gone off piste by not getting Sterling and doubling Spurs attack. Just left with this for last forward spot

    A Wood
    B Greenwood

    Greenwood I suppose has higher likely ceiling

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Probably Greenwood but Ole has run most of the United lads into the ground recently.

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

        Wood is in bus team right now but think I’ll probably switch over.

        I’m very much in “in for a penny” territory as it stands. May as well look for highest ceiling

      2. The Knights Template
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I'm sure he can do it once more too

    2. JamTart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I've just changed from wood to greenwood

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

        What other United are you holding? Does that alter your thinking?

  15. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Morning guys, I need some help.........Would you do the following. I was sold on A but Bruno form a worry and arguably the tougher fixture.

    A, Willian > DSilva
    B, Fernandez > DSilva
    C, Antonio > DSilva
    D, None of the above.

  16. Lignja
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    A. Ings, Martial, Aurier
    B. Rashford, Pulisic, 4.7m def

    Pope
    Bardsly, Pieters, xxx
    Salah, Sterling, Silva, Kdb, xxx
    Kane, xxx

    Also should i put Vardy in the mix?

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Triple Burnley defence. Confident Brighton wont score?

      Anyway I'd go B Ings, Pulisic and a better defender than 4.7

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

        B is Rash Pulisic, if i go Ings Puli im on 0 united, not sure i like that

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

      A quite easily imo.

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

        Thanks ur confidence is helping me alot 🙂

  17. Shiranikan
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is there a chance Liverpool are heavily rotated ? Maybe Oxlade, Origi, Minamino all start ?

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

      They don't have any other competitions to rotate for.

  18. lilmessipran
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    On FH, which is the better option--

    A Auba + Bardsley ( would mean triple Bur Defense)
    B Martial + Robbo ( double Burnley defense)

    1. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

  19. Rash
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    FH draft

    Martinez
    Bardsley tarko peiters
    Sterling salah silva mahrez Antonio
    Auba kane

    Reina greenwood 4 0 4.0

    1. Aftermath
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      As good as it gets, triple Burnley def is big or bust

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

      VERY NUCE

  20. mikeycee93
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Screaming to get and fit Dilva in somewhere.. what do you reckon is best? 7k OR, top of various mini leagues but i'm 4th in one of them 14 points off top which is for a fair bit of £££ prize

    Patricio[5.2], (Button)[3.9]

    TAA[7.4], Docherty[6.3], Stevens[5.1], (Lascelles[4.2], Ngakia[4.0])

    KDB[10.1], Sterling[11.8], Bruno[8.8], Martial[8.5], (ASM)[5.3]

    Auba[10.9], Ings[7.5], Greenwood[4.6]

    1.1m in bank, included sell value in team above... ideally i'd have done ASM straight but not enough. Not sure if a -4 is best way to go, unsure if Arsenal will have 1 eye on cup final but have a feeling Arteta will try get form going into it so can see Auba playing and Watford are horse.

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

      silva & a burnley def

    2. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I believe Bruno is a worry ( i know unthinkable ) but tough fixture with all to play for.........but he truly does look fooked.

      1. mikeycee93
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I was considering bruno out for Dilva, everyone in my ML has him above me so it could be a differential if i go for Dilva and he is capable of making up the 14points alone if he goes on a mad one.

        Bruno on pens though, god knows. i'm gonna be stressing from now till K/O.

  21. EWH2020
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I have a 37 point lead in ML. Rival and I have no chips.

    I should be ok from here?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Depends on how many similar players you have and who he captains. But a tall order to catch you, good luck.

  22. Edalock
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Getting tempted by Pulisic

    Attack
    KDB, Sterling, Dsilva, Martial, Salah
    Kane, Greenwood (4.2)
    .7itb
    Show I ignore the feeling

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

      yes

  23. MGD
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Where will you be looking for early team news on Sunday?

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

      hete

      1. MGD
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        ?

        1. Jo Melon
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I imagine he said here.

          1. MGD
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Haha or someone named Pete

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      My porridge

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

    Would you replace azpilicueta?

    Can get in anyone but currently have taa, az, pieters & bardsley

  25. Aftermath
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Would you take out one of vardy/Rashford to get kane?

    1. Aftermath
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      *for a hit

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

      probably either one, also consider oba

    3. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Keep Vardy sell rashford for Kane

  26. ElliotJHP
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    A - 3-4-3 Trent - KDB - Greenwood
    B - 3-5-2 Braithwaite - Mahrez - Martial

    1. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

  27. AC Yew
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Best GK replacement for last week. Under 4.9

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      McCarthy

  28. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Which one to go for? fH
    A)Aurier + Mahrez
    B)Mendy + Ings

  29. slowandsteady
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on the below FH team? 0 ITB.

    Pope
    Pieters Aurier TAA
    Dilva Salah Antonio Sterling (c)
    Jesus Kane Greenwood

    Martin Thomas McCarthy Kilman

    1. mikeycee93
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Don't like defense.

      Get Digne in vs Bournemouth would be my pick, id try fit in KDB somehow too.

      Can't see spurs palace being high scoring, maybe drop Kane.

  30. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Martinez
    Taa long bardsley (sais lascels)
    Puli mane kdb bruno sterling
    Gren jimi (rash)

    Whom to dsilva?
    A) bruno
    B) puli

    Whom to bench?
    A) jimi
    B) rash
    C) green
    D) puli/bruno