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. Sif
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    a) Martial & VVD
    b) Antonio & TAA

    1. tm370
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B. I dont see United scoring too many and they looked tired atm. Villa are defensively sound atm ofc but TAA is more likely to haul than VVD

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

      TAA will probably match Martial, VVD will probably match Antonio - not much in it.

    3. Baganuva Hatty
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

  2. tm370
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    What are people's predictions for the surprising high scoring games? Liverpool and City will surely score several but where are the differentials coming from?

    I like the look of Everton vs Bournemouth. Everton have been poor of late but will take confidence from their win against SHU. Bournemouth have to attack and have to win. If Everton score first, it could be a final day goal fest.

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

      Everton will lose to nil IMO
      Leicester United can be a hoghscoring game. Not so assured defenses

      1. tm370
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Everton have not lost at home since November, I think. They've only failed to score at home against Liverpool this calender year.
        And Bournemouth are missing Ake.

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

          Bournemouth are fighting for their lives. Everton are very much on the beach. Let's see how it goes. I don't see that as a hoghscoring game.
          Neither Villa WHU nor Arsenal Watford

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Agree. Everton Vs Bournemouth feels like high scoring.

      Outside bet on WHM Vs AVL.

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

      Might punt on Digne for this reason, not expecting a clean sheet but has playing of avenues to attacking returns.

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

      MUN - LEI I think will be high scoring. Leicester have to push for a win and United are a very good counter attacking side.

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

    on a FH - funds are tight for getting Salah over Mane.

    A) Salah & Robbo
    B) Mane & TAA

    Its B right?

    Team is:
    Martinez
    xxxx - Bardsley - Pieters
    xxxx - Sterling - Dilva - Puli - Martial
    Kane - Auba

    1. tm370
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B. Or swap Bardsley for the Everton 4.0.

      Personally, i think not going for 3 City on a FH though is nuts.

  4. el polako
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    22 points behind ML leader who still have his FH to play.
    I guess all I can do is pray and hope that lady luck will give back all those points missed on the way (ie Mane TC).

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

      If he’s free hitting he will likely cap sterling?

      1. el polako
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Guess so but who knows, he might try to mirror my team.

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

          If you’re chasing 22 points I’d pick a left field captain (kane maybe?) who’ve you got

          1. el polako
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Auba or Mane will likely be my differentials.
            Also thinking of captaining David Silva but not sure it will cut it.

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

      Think he'll go Raz ©
      You can get Salah & TC

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

        Sh.t
        M sorry. Didn't read that correctly.

        I am fellow Mane Sane Kane TC !
        Feel it

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

      I'm in the same boat, 23 behind with 2FTs and opponent has FH.

      But as long as it's within a captain haul there's a chance.

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

        I'm toying with Ings captain

      2. el polako
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah just need to nail captain and hope other fails.

        Well its not over till its over.

  5. H-SF
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone else quite like Pulisic for the final week?

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

      Wolves defend very deep. Won't get any space to run in behind. So not for me

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

      Was selling before last night. He was unplayable but won’t get same freedom against a tight wolves defence. A keep dont buy

  6. SouthCoastSaint
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    The way it’s fallen, Sterling having an outside chance Of golden boot isn’t great for us chasers. Tonnes of free hits being played this week means he will be most captained. If you’re outside the top 10k (like me) would it be wise to look elsewhere? Kane maybe?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I'm not sure if Kane will be able to compete with Sterling.

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

      I think FH teams success will be decided on Defense points. Many teams will have United Chelsea Wolves Defender.

      Without taking hits & getting a good defense can push us to a 15+ points lead.
      Raz EO will be 70/80 i guess. Still very good !

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

        A Brighton goal and Ings return could see a few non FH teams outscore the FHers

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

          Agree
          That's what I'm saying.
          That is the differential for FH

          (I have Ingsy so hopefully his goal minus Brighton goal 😛 )

      2. Supertrooper
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Who are you getting in def on a fh?

        I'm on taa, digne, pieters (williams,brainwathe) at the moment.

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

          Pope
          Taa Robbo Laporte Peiters

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

      How many points outside are you? I am 15 points and am still capping Raheem

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

      I'm glad I'm in a position of strength because Sterling to me looks like by far the best captain. I can just cap him and force the others to chase.

  7. abaalan
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pope, Martin
    TAA, Maguire, Doherty, Kiko, Robinson
    Mane, KDB, Martial, Bruno, Soucek
    Vardy, Jimenez, Nketiah

    1FT, 0.2 ITB - no idea what to do with it....any suggestions?

  8. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pulisic or Antonio for a free hit?

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

      I’m banking on wolves Chelsea being an open game. Puli

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

        Hoping. Not banking. Wolves have been tight at the back since restart

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

    a) Salah to Sterling (c) -4

    b) Salah (c)

    c) KDB (c)

    Need 68 points to beat my total score last year.

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

    Martial/Fernandes to Dilva worth a -4 ? Got Sterling and Jesus as other City assets.

    1. Ohh1454
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Could be worth it but could also backfire, I’d probably take the chance if I was you

    2. Slacker
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      would take it if you're in a close ML race

  11. Ohh1454
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Could ASM be a shout against Liverpool ? Couple of extra days rest

  12. Kuzser
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    20pts behind ML leader(his key differentials are Salah and Auba).

    What shall I do with 2ft here guys?
    1) Vardy KdB Taa -> Kane/Auba Sterling Pieters for -4
    2) Vardy KdB -> Wood/Ings Sterling
    3) Vardy Willian Doherty -> Wood Sterling Pieters for -4
    4) Vardy Willian -> Kane/Auba Dilva
    5) Vardy Willian KdB-> Ings Mane Dilva for -4

    McCarthy
    TAA - Doherty - Baldock
    KdB - Mahrez - Fernandes - Martial - Willian
    Jimenez - Vardy

    Subs: Greenwood Lascelles Lund. Krul

  13. Slacker
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    on my FH for 38+ and need to make approx 40 points to chase down ML rivals. Needed to make some calls:

    Kane (cpl) OR Auba (WAT)?

    Bruno + Antonio OR Pulisic + Martial?

    Current draft looks like this in case it helps:

    Pope, (3.9)
    TAA, Tarkowski, Pieters, (Lamptey, Branthwaite)
    Sterling, KDB, Dilva, Bruno, Antonio
    Kane, Ings, (4.2)

  14. MariaBernadette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    My dilemma this week is in defence.

    Have Martinez/Pope and Tarkowski/Bardsley/Taa/Doherty and Simpson

    Would you triple Burnley defence or play Martinez in goal instead of Pope?

    Have 2 FT's and 1.5m ITB so cashing in on Doherty to upgrade Fernandes to Sterling or Rashford to Kane - which option guys?

    Rank 30K, would like to get to 20K if poss - 14 points short.

  15. Ian Davis
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Will Pep stick with Jesus to potentially build his confidence up or will that rest finally happen?!

    I know it’s total guesswork for everyone, my transfers really hinge on this though. I don’t want a benched Jesus in my team!

  16. grennans2
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    A or B stronger on a FH?

    A)

    Martinez
    Aurier Long Pieters
    Silva Sterling Mahrez Salah
    Kane Auba Ings  

    B)

    Pope
    Aurier TAA Robbo
    Silva Sterling Mahrez Salah
    Kane Ings Greenwood

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

      TAA had a lot of joy last night, but Burnley have been giving me all the right signals. could you compromise between the two? I didn't think much of Mahrez against Watford

    2. European Bob
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

  17. Mr. Mystic
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on FH team?
    Martinez
    TAA Digne Pieters
    Sterling (c) KDB Silva Bruno
    Auba Kane Ings

  18. n14mul
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Strange one

    A. Ings
    B. Jimi

    Shef utd surely better defensively than Chelsea?

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

      A all day

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

      Ings

  19. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who scores more this week?

    A) Salah, Mahrez, Pulisic & Pieters
    B) Salah, D.Silva, Bruno & Pieters (-4)
    C) Salah, D.Silva, Pulisic & Tarko/5.7 (-4)
    D) Kane, Mahrez, Bruno & Pieters (-4)
    E) Kane, Mahrez, Pulisic & Tarko/5.7 (-4)

    Was set on selling Pulisic & Mahrez but Bruno and triple United attack are a bit worrying now.

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      C

      1. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers Holmes!

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

      B
      Purely because Wolves are better defense than Leicester

      1. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Agreed Pool didn't give a sh*t about defending properly but Wolves the opposite.

  20. SouthCoastSaint
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Doherty and Rashford to Kane/ Long for -4?

    32 points behind in mini league and at 18k so just playing for fun this week

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

      I would

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

    Have KDB, D Silva and Jesus

    Thinking of replacing Jesus with Sterling by doing the following.

    Martial-->Sterling
    Jesus--->Wood

    Worth it?

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

      yes if you C Sterling

  22. Taffer
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    How weird is this. Going into the final GW in two leagues, one a money league, equal on points with No. 1! Squeaky bum time.

  23. Coaly
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Soucek or Bowen?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Bowen

    2. Bucket Man
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I'd go Bowen

  24. Bucket Man
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Any idea what to do. Losing Salah seems a bit silly but could be worthwhile for Sterling, otherwise I get another City player.
    1FT 1.5ITB

    Pope
    TAA, Stevens, Aurier
    Salah, KDB, Fernandes, Martial, Foden
    Vardy, Ings
    Greenwood, Boly, Lacelles

    A) Salah to Sterling(c)
    B) Vardy to Jesus
    C) Martial to Mahrez

  25. Baganuva Hatty
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Hi community

  26. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Last spots on my FH team (I think!):

    A) TAA, Laporte, Antonio, (Greenwood)
    B) Robbo, Laporte, Martial, (Nketiah)
    C) TAA, Aurier, Mahrez, (Nketiah)

    Pope
    XXXX, XXXX, Pieters
    Salah, Sterling, Dilva, Pulisic, XXXX
    Kane, Ings
    (Martin) (XXXX, Williams, Simpson)

    I’m liking the differential potential of a CS and potential assist from Laporte (if he starts!) in A and B more atm but unsure.

    Thanks

  27. Sharpify
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I hate GW8. There are too many variables all at once. The strategies you've been deploying all season go out of the window, and the managers go rogue on us.

    Older players about to retire suddenly get subbed on for that player you spent £££s buying in, and young players get blooded in games of no consequence.
    Relegated teams start playing like a 1970s Brazil team, and there's always a 5-5 draw or a 7-1 drubbing that you never saw some coming.

    Who dares put Lallana in their team, on the basis that he'll get token gametime yet score or assist? 😉

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

    a) Martial to Dilva for -4
    b) Martial + Jesus to Dilva + Kane -8
    b) Martial + DLuiz to Antonio + Foden -8

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

    which of the below lads?

    a) Kane and Grealish
    b) Jimenez and Bruno

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

    Shame PVA isn't available this week. Has scored in his final home appearance in each of the last four seasons.