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

    RMFHT

    Martinelli / 3.9
    TAA, Aurier, Bardsley / B Williams, Tanganga
    Salah, (C) Sterling, KdB, D Silva / Guendouzi
    Auba, Kane, Greenwood

    0.0 itb

    Rashford looked as tired as Bruno, so since it's a coin toss between them, I think I can as well start Greenwood. I am 16 pts behind 10k and my idea is to use my tv as differential. Anything to change? Is there starting cheapie for Guendouzi or Tanganga?

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

      So expensive 😮

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

        Yes, I have made early tranfers for 3/4 of the season, at least.

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

          Ha ha
          Enjoy your FH 🙂

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

      Mane for Salah. Far more sharp and clinical aswell as better away

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

      Sorry, this wasn't meant to be top post 🙁

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

        Why are you apologising? I'm always overjoyed getting the top post.

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

          Some are sometimes annoyed... And this happened second time in a row.

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

      Striker as goalkeeper...interesting!

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

      Fantastic TV
      Fancy Double Burnley defense? Did TAA to Robbo/VVD and Martinez to Pope cross your mind?

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

    Any changes here.
    FH:
    Pope
    Trent, Aurier, Pieters
    Salah, Sterling, D Silva, Mahrez, Pulisic,
    Kane, Greenwood
    GTG?
    Thoughts would be appreciated

    1. toerag
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      looks good

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

    Will this be able to compete with FH teams?

    Martinez
    Digne • Pieters • Lamptey
    Mo • Raz(TC) • KDB • Bruno • Silva
    Rashford • Greenwood
    (3.9 / Jimmy / Lascelles / 3.9)

    1. I Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yes.

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Great team

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

    Am I able to wild card and play my bench boost on the same week?

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

      No shd have asked this last week

    2. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No, only one chip per GW.

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Nope can only play 1 chip

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

      😮

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

      Bummer

    6. Teror
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Bench boost is a fairly shite chip anyway so don't bee too cut up about it

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

        Most useful chip in terms if guaranteed retunrs

  5. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Chasing 25 points in cash ML and protecting 33 point lead over 3rd. I need some thoughts on the transfer suggestions below. Midfield is a stalemate!

    a. Foden to D Silva
    b. Foden and KDB to D Silva and Son (-4)
    c. Bruno to Son (unfortunately 0.3 short to do a and c)
    d. Other suggestions are welcome

    My team
    1ft 2.5itb and no chips
    Pope Martinez
    TAA Doherty Saiss Aurier Taylor
    Martial KDB Bruno Sterling Foden
    Jimenez Ings Wood

    ML Leader - 1ft 0.7itb and no chips
    Hendo Martinez
    TAA Boly Egan Targett Tarkowski
    Martial KDB Bruno Sterling Hayden
    Jimenez Kane Greenwood

  6. FlyingWithoutIngs
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    74 to 102 pts last night and My rank didn’t move, still at 13k come on really want top 10k

  7. Nabs Kebabs
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Bruno Fernandes was absolutely kak yesterday

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

      Post about Tony next page 😉

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Hopefully fired up against a makeshift LEI defence and 3 days break

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

    I'm 2pts behind my ML rival, far enough ahead of anyone else not to worry about what's below.

    My team - no chips, 1ft, 1.8itb:

    Ederson
    TAA VVD Pieters
    Martial Bruno KDB Foden
    Jimi Greenwood Vardy

    Nyland Doherty ASM Lascelles

    His team - no chips, 1ft, 0.3itb:

    Pope
    Doherty Tark Saiss
    Bruno KDB Salah Sterling Dilva
    Ings Rashford

    £3.9, Greenwood Aarons Simpson

    Looking at the teams he's got a bit of a problem in defence, so will probably switch Doherty to VVD and maybe also Saiss to Egan for a hit. I doubt he'll change his front 7.

    I'm thinking about switching Vardy to Kane and captaining him, and leaving it there. Not sure I can see the value in spending points to bring in Sterling/Salah just to block, I have to hope for a bad game from them really.

    Any thoughts and ideas greatly appreciated!

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

      Jimi and foden -4 wood and dsilva

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

        Chelsea conceded 5 last night, I think Jimi has a good chance of getting something on Sunday, and he's still a differential for me at the minute.

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Really hard. You need a huge slice of luck. Kane move might work

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

      Like the Kane switch, don't really fancy Leicester or Vardy vs United. Maybe you could look to move on Bruno for Mahrez or even someone like Pulisic as an ultra-differential.

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

        Already have 3 City players, the only one i'd want to shift is Foden but don't want to take a hit to do it.

  9. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    A or B guys? Rivas have Puli and Kev so tempted to block them. 28 and 29pt leads. One has TC.

    A. Branthwaite+Pulisic+KDB
    B. Aurier+Martial+Mahrez

    Martínez
    TAA, Pieters, XXX
    Salah, Sterling, Dilva, XXX, XXX
    Kane, Ings

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

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

      A
      Piss them off 😀

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Haha yeah. It would block them a bit unless they nail the TC chip

      2. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Which do you think scores better regardless?

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

          I HATE Mahrez so A and I'm biased 🙂

          1. RAFA THE GAFFA
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            I do quite fancy KDB this GW. Lots selling! He’s the one player my rivals have who I fear.

    3. toerag
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

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

    Doherty + Willian > Pieters + Son -4?

    Already done Foden > Dilva

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

      Wonderful moves

    2. Moose™
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Big yes

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

    Marhez or martial ? Thanks

    1. Moose™
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Tough... Mahrez if he start

  12. Bergkamps second touch
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Got 2FT for final gameweek. Currently 2nd place in ML, 21 points behind. He has free hit left so it's guesswork what he will do.

    Ederson
    Garcia - Doherty - Tarkowski - Gomez
    Bruno - KDB - Mane - Pulisic
    Vardy - Jimi
    Mcarthy - Saka - AWB - Greenwood

    Would you?
    A) KDB+Jimi - Sterling +Wood?
    B)AWB+Vardy - Kevin Long+Kane?
    C) KDB+Vardy+Jimi - Sterling+Kane+Nketiah for -4pts?
    D) Some other creative option you geniuses can come up with? 😉

    1. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

    2. Bergkamps second touch
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Leaning towards C, as I love self-destruction

  13. Strchld
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Do we expect Liverpool starting Mane, Salah, Firmino, Robbo and TAA for last game?

  14. AI3user
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Reposting for more opinions, pick the best option for each of the following pairs:

    1) Bruno or Martial?
    2) Salah or Mane?
    3) Alonso or Saiss?
    4) Sterling(C) or Dilva(C)?

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      BSAS

  15. Nabs Kebabs
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pulisic was immsense.

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      He's so good. Probably 9m next season.

      1. Nabs Kebabs
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        He's a ready made Hazard replacement.

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

          Too early to say that
          We are degrding hazards value

          1. Nabs Kebabs
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            hazard was a flat track bully lol, look at his poor attitude at madrid, turned up fat. So unprofessional. Pulisic will be better imho

  16. BEEZUS
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is this madness for a -4?

    KdB, Salah, Foden out

    Sterling, Dilva, Antonio in

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

      It’s bold I’ll give you that.

      Will either be joy or heartbreak to the extreme!

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

      Wouldn't get rid of Salah.
      Foden out seems OK and KDB to Sterling could work.

  17. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on this FH side?

    Martinez

    Aurier, Long, Pieters, Robertson

    Salah Sterling (C) David Silva

    Aubameyang, Kane, Jesus

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

      How likely is Jesus to start? Have heard suggestions he might be one of the more at risk of a rest. Otherwise strong though. No Utd is a risk but it might pay off

      1. internal error
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I will see the city line up before deadline. This is assuming he starts

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

          Fair play, strong in that case then

    2. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Not sure about Jesus

      I'd get Pulisic in too

      1. internal error
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Sure about form or him starting? Pulisic did look good. Just not sure if he will go big against Wolves

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

    On FH
    Kdb +foden > mahrez+silva
    martinez
    vvd pieters brad aurier
    sterling kdb foden bruno,martial
    auba kane

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

      yes, imo

  19. Ask Yourself
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    TC salah, Dilva or Auba?

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

      Out of those three probably Salah

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

      Depends. I'd say Dilva might be most likely to return, but the ceiling for the other two is likely higher, so if you need a big score they'd be better. I'd personally opt Salah after last night's display

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

      Sterling is the best option this week
      Dilva is the second best option

  20. Fuddled FC
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    a) KDB & Jesus
    b) Sterling & Ings (-4)

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

    Is this mad to take a -12. Not really playing for anything (solid 3rd in ML):

    TAA + Doherty + Soucek + Jimenez
    to
    Bardsley + fodder + D.Silva + Kane (triple Bur def!)

  22. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Antonio or Pulisic for last game week? I've been harsh on Donovan 2.0 but he did look electric against pool. Chelsea blow hot and cold but they will really want a win against Wolves

    1. Rains of Castamere
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I own Pulisic but I'd probably say Antonio... just. Wolves solid defensively and Chelsea's goal sources harder to predict.

  23. Rains of Castamere
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    No FH here but jealous of my mate's FH team, he's 55 points behind so I should be fine.

    Pope
    Trent Long Pieters Robertson
    Sterling (c) Silva Mahrez Bruno Salah
    Ings

  24. Nabs Kebabs
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    FH:

    Pope
    TAA Tark Aurier
    Mane Sterling KDB Silva Antonio
    Kane Ings

    Norris Greenwood Thomas Williams 0.1m

    Can get Salah + Nketiah instead of Mane + Greenwood.

    Any thoughts appareciated!

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

      Really really nice, and yes to the Salah swap, imo

      1. Nabs Kebabs
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        ty

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

      Yup I'd go with Salah
      Really good TV
      I can't afford that defense with the same attack

      1. Nabs Kebabs
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        cheers, yep, got a high tv!

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

    A or B stronger?

    A)

    Martinez
    Aurier Long Robbo
    Silva Sterling Mahrez Martial Salah
    Kane Ings

    B)

    Martinez
    Aurier Long Pieters
    Silva Sterling Mahrez Salah
    Kane Auba Ings

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

      Hard to call, but maybe B

    2. Davemc23
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

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

    We all know there will be a fookin' massive spanner thrown into the works this weekend somewhere which none of us will see coming, it's just a matter of mitigating against it.

    The worst case scenarios are any of these things;
    1) Sterling starts on the bench.
    2) Kane injured in first 10 mins
    3) Klopp makes 5 subs at half time to get minutes for bench players
    4) A defender gets a red card, and you're attackers from that team are playing defensively for the rest of the game.

    Just something to think about 😉

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

      I mean you’re right but you can’t plan your team around unforeseeable mishaps.

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

    Which one worth a hit?

    a) Rash to Auba
    b) Jota to Ings ,to not play Egan.

    Thanks.

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

    I there a way i can see my rival has any chips left or not

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

      Yes game week history and see when he played his chips. If he didn't play one he still has it

      1. Mighty Banana
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Or that, much better than my time consuming way lol

    2. Mighty Banana
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Go on their team, and keep pressing 'Previous' to see their score and it will show the chips played underneath if they used one.

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

        Thanks mate got it

  29. Buck The Trent
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Ignoring the price difference, who would score more?

    A Ings (SHU)
    B Greenwood (lei)

  30. The White Pele
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    What to do with this defence?

    Pope
    Doherty Saiss Ritchie Kiko Taylor

    1ft, 2m itb