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

    I'm 35 Points behind my ML Rival, and not happy with my team at all.

    To get close to a team I'm happy with I'm looking at a -8, but I could take a -4 for Fernandes > Sterling (and captain).

    When does taking hits become too much?

    1. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      It’s tricky. Don’t think I’d be taking hits if I was thirty five behind. Think I’d just use my free on a differential and hope for the best. I have seen a fifty point lead overcome on the last day though so anything’s possible.

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

      Hits are fine when you have a few games to make up the -4 points for each one, but now you only have one game week.
      Think about the max you could get & how much the old player could get
      Fernandes to Sterling should get you the 4 points back
      Not sure about other players

  2. JelliedSpark968
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Will Kane or Mahrez rise in price by Sunday?

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

      Check out http://www.fplstatistics.com

  3. JelliedSpark968
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Mahrez or Dilva?

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

      Dilva

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

    Bottomed ....

    Which one is more likely to score more ??

    A) Pope Robbo Laporte Martial
    B) Martinez KDB Bardsley Rashford
    C) Pope Martial Bardsley Jesus

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

      C

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

        Thanks mate

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

      A

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

        On that atm

    3. King Kohli
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Between B & C.
      C if Jesus starts

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

        If we get early news Jesus is pretty much lock in yes

    4. Ian J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A - less risky

  5. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is Trent essential on a FH? considering his ceiling/potential?

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

      I'm not man enough to go without him. Most likely will double up with Robbo

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

      Not essential, but I'd have him on a FH

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

    Salah KdB Foden Jimenez --> D.Silva Mahrez Son Kane

    Too punty? Got nothing to lose really. Playing my TC as well.

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

    I like this free hit team - even with a lot of money in the bank:

    Pope
    TAA, Tarkowski, Aurier
    Salah(C), Antonio, Pulisic, KDB(VC), Sterling
    Ings, Greenwood

    Button, Lamptey, Williams, Connolly
    4.3 million in the bank

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

      No Kane or Auba?

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

        It is a chance of course - think Greenwood and Ings are just as likely to score the goals

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

      4.3m in bank is useless
      Upgrade Connolly at least give you great first sub if you want to play Greenwood

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

        Yes thanks. If I go for the above 11 I will upgrade Williams to Robertson - just to make sure to have a good bench player ready to substitute both defenders and mids/forwards.

  8. Klopp For The Kopps 😆
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    How's this FH team looking?

    3-4-3
    Martinez
    Aurier Pieters Bardsley
    Dilva Mahrez Sterling Salah
    Ings Auba Kane

    Could also go 3-5-2 with Pulisic instead of Ings.

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

      This is good specially if you feel Auba will go big

    2. Le _ Professeur
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I like it but maybe get Martial as Man U cover instead of Mahrez .. I'm looking to getting a similar team but It would cost me a -8 hit but I think it might be worth it.

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

        this i think

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

      Good team though no D Silva or TAA

  9. C'mon the Fylde
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Which team is stronger?

    Mine;-

    Patricio
    TAA Doherty Mings
    Dilva Sterling Martial Pulisic Antonio
    Aubameyang Rashford

    Leno, Egan Basham Nketiah

    Rival;-

    Patricio
    TAA AWB VVD
    KDB Martial Bruno Mahrez
    Vardy Jiminez Ings

    Ruddy, S-Max, Egan Taylor

    (No chips remaining.)

  10. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    What is the max price that you would pay for TAA next season, considering he's an easy hold for the season?

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

      8

    2. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Depends on position for me

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

        He's still a defender

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I mean if Liverpool play him further up

    3. All de Gea
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      There is no price I wouldn't pay. Only 3 players in the game have outscored him and they are all in the 10.5 - 12.5 bracket.

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

      8

    5. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      7.5

    6. Pegboy
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      It would only become a decision over 8.

      People with TV at 105+ now are forgetting how hard it is to squeeze a team in with 100.

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

    Really hard to decide should I go with or without TAA.

    Whats everyone else on FH doing?

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

      Keeping.
      Did a number of changes to team to keep.

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

      I'm going without now.

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

      Taa Robbo here. Think both should get CS + assist vs Newcastle

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

        Are u going 4-5-1?

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

          Currently on that with ings up top.

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

            No Kane or Auba for you?

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

      keep

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

    Feel like, in hindsight, Sterling KDB and Mahrez will turn out to be the ideal trio and Dilva more of an emotional pick (Btw im going with Dilva :p)

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

      couple of assists or free kick and assist for Dilva and I'm happy. He is a bonus point magnet too so if he gets a couple of attacking returns he should be in the mix even if Sterling or Mahrez scores the goals

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

      Don't see Mahrez doing anything special.
      Too wide when he plays anyways

  13. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Afternoon guys, got BB left but no idea what to do with 1FT:

    McCarthy | Button*
    Saiss | Kiko | Pieters | Lascelles* | El Mohamady*
    Salah | Sterling | KdB | Bruno | Martial
    Kane | Greenwood | Connolly*

    1.6ITB, 1FT

    *Doubters/non starters

    Many thanks

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

      Martial > Mahrez perhaps?

    2. moz_1983
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Probably just a boring one, like getting rid of Lascelles, just to make sure you have starters on the bench. Team looks good.

    3. Dosh
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Forfeit the chip

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks all

  14. moz_1983
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Martinez
    Robbo - Pieters - Bardsley
    Salah - Dilva - Pulisic - Antonio - Martial
    Kane - Jesus (Greenwood first sub)

    GTG?

    1. McSauce
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      tbh I would start greenwood... Jesus may be benched

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

      Good to go.

    3. Le _ Professeur
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I think Greenwood outscores Pulisic .. Wolverhampton's defence is tough nut to crack .. Leicester on the other hand has been very leaky.

      1. moz_1983
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks all!

  15. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Mccarthy
    TAA Pieters Tarkowski Doherty
    Bruno KDB DSilva Sterling (c)
    Jiminez Ings
    (hendo, awb, greenwood, mcneil)

    1FT 0.0ITB

    6 points at the top of my ML with 2cd playing free hit. Im the under dog no doubt, what move can i look at?

    Thinking Doherty > Digne or Tierney? Need to make the most of this FT

  16. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I am the best example for captaincy failure but since the restart of FPL i've done well.

    GW30 Aguero 16 points
    GW31 Jimenez 18 points
    GW32 Auba 32 points
    GW33 Mane 22 points
    GW34 Jesus 16 points
    GW35 Sterling 42 points
    GW36 Jesus 16 points
    GW37 Sterling 34 points

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

      Nice mate! I caught Raheems 2 explosions aswell. Im back on him for 38 aswell

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

        cheers mate.Good luck.

    2. A-L
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Please tell me you're going for Sterling (C) this week

    3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Who for GW38??

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

      Who u going for this week 😮

    5. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Between DSilva and Sterling.

  17. McSauce
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    So torn on this one....

    A) Pulisic --> Dilva
    B) Bruno --> Dilva
    C) Vardy --> Ings
    D) Vardy --> Jeses
    E) Doherty --> Laporte

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

      Depends on your other City assets? I’d want Sterling Dilva and KDB personally. Id lose Pulisic over Bruno

    2. All de Gea
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      C followed by B or A I would say. Dont really like D or E.

    3. A-L
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      E looks like safest points, B looks like best if you want a bit of a gamble

      1. McSauce
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        agreed Laporte could slot in some nice points over Doherty this week

    4. McSauce
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Thanks All,

      City options I have Sterling (c) + KDB

  18. Muller Reus Corner
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Do you think Antonio will continue his scoring streak against Villa, who have improved defensively? Or should I stick with Pulisic?

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

      Yes i do think Antonio is a good asset, he’s an underrated player. But not sure i’d lose Pulisic for him

  19. Fantastic11
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Chasing ML rival - 18 points off! Neither have chips left
    DDG
    Taylor/Doherty Gomes aurier
    Salah Bruno mahrez Foden son
    Rash Jesus
    3.9, nketiah kiko
    Rival has KDB Pope AAT puli but no salah mahrez doh or son
    Any thoughts?! I have 0.1ITB and 1FT!!

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

      Chelsea will score, Doherty isn’t the best option this week. Doherty > Digne?

      1. Fantastic11
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Yes I thought of digne but then thought doh to porters and upgrade another player
        I’m happy to take hits to go all out on final day of the season!

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

    This is my NON FH team. Is it gtg?

    Pope
    VVD. Doherty. Digne.
    Sterling(C). Dilva. Son. Bruno. Pulisic.
    Kane. Ings.

    (Martin. Kiko. Connolly. Lascelles)

    1. A-L
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I'd probably swap out Doherty this week for a City defender

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

    FH38 draft#101

    Martinez
    Robbo Pieters Brathwaite
    Salah Sterling Mahrez Martial
    Kane Jesus Ings

    Any changes you'd make?

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

      KDB is due a huge haul. Could come against the worst defence in the league. Just be prepared to be disappointed if he does score big. A lot of free hitters are trying to be clever leaving KDB out

  22. mark100267
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Help needed. I’m 25 pts off lead of my mini league and have a free hit
    Currently my team for Sunday is
    Pope
    Beardsley Aurier Digne
    Sterling Martial Dilva Salah Mahrez
    Kane Greenwood

    Bench Martin Pieters Nketiah Williams

    Any obvious errors! Is Digne woth the investment

    1. mark100267
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Also Salah or Sterling for captain?

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

        Captain Sterling

  23. Lukakwho
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Foden or Greenwood? Tempted by the latter as more likely to start...

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

    Best captain this week?
    20 points ahead in ML. Have a sneaky feeling rival might get Kane. He doesn't have Kane or Sterling currently tho.

    So Sterling or Kane captain?

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

      Sterling for me

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

      or Dilva who's home scores have been actually very consistent

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

    Best move of these please?

    A AWB to Aurier/Tarkowski
    B Doherty to Robertson
    C Jimenez, Doherty to Kane, Lamptey/Rico -4
    D Jimenez, KDB to Kane, Dilva -4
    E Bruno, AWB to Son, Aurier -4

    Pope
    TAA, AWB, Doherty
    Sterling, Mahrez, KDB, Bruno
    Auba, Greenwood, Jimenez

    Martin, Fernandez, Ward, Guendouzi

  26. potatoace
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is so a good pick this week, say over Antonio , Martial and the like.

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

      *Son.

  27. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Digne not had a monster haul all season, could he get it on the final week!

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

      Going to be tough against a team fighting for their lives and showing potential.

  28. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Please help what should I do!
    2.0 ITB and .1 off Foden to Dsilva!.

    McCarthy Allison
    Trent Doherty C.Taylor Lascelles Justin
    Sterling Foden Tony Bruno Salah
    Ings Greenwood Wood

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

      Really cheap GK as sub to free up the money?

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Only 1 FT unfortunately:(

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

    Otamendi to play for Man City? Looking for affordable coverage in what I hope will be a CS for City.

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Garcia?

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

        Yeah, I did consider him, but he looks like he could be a rotation target though.

  30. Muller Reus Corner
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who is the best 4m or less defender to start? I want to do Bruno and Doherty to Sterling and ...