Dugout Discussion

Alexander-Arnold absent as Martínez starts in goal for Arsenal

Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m) remains absent for Liverpool as their preparations for the 2020/21 campaign continue with the Community Shield final.

The right-back has already missed two pre-season friendlies this summer and, even though Jurgen Klopp said there was a chance he could be involved at Wembley, Neco Williams (£4.0m) has been handed a third-successive start in his place.

It is difficult to be too downbeat regarding Alexander-Arnold’s fitness issues though, considering he is still set to report for England duty on Monday morning.

The rest of Liverpool’s Community Shield line-up is largely as expected with Andrew Robertson (£7.0m), Virgil van Dijk (£6.5m) and Joe Gomez (£5.5m) completing the back-four.

And, of course, Mohamed Salah (£12.0m), Sadio Mané (£12.0m) and Roberto Firmino (£9.5m) comprise the front-three, although, based on Klopp’s pre-match press conference, we could see Rhian Brewster (£4.5m) feature from the bench.

Mikel Arteta may have potentially thrown Fantasy managers a bone with his team selection, handing a start to budget goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez (£4.5m).

The Spaniard has not featured in friendlies for the Gunners yet, Bernd Leno (£5.0m) starting the win at MK Dons, but, at the first chance of availability, he is back in the team following an excellent run of form during Project Restart.

If he were to hold onto the mantel of first-choice at Arsenal, that might ward off interest in William Saliba (£4.5m), who has been named among the substitutes today.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£12.0m) is stationed on the left-hand side of the Arsenal front-three, joined there by Bukayo Saka (£5.5m) and Eddie Nketiah (£6.0m).

Interestingly, after spending last season on loan in Turkey, Mohamed Elneny (yet to be priced) starts in central midfield alongside Granit Xhaka (£5.5m).

Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Robertson, van Dijk, Gomez, N Williams; Wijnaldum, Milner, Fabinho; Mané, Firmino, Salah.

Arsenal XI (3-4-3): Martínez; Tierney, Holding, D Luiz; Maitland-Niles, Xhaka, Elneny, Bellerín; Aubameyang, Nketiah, Saka.

1,404 Comments Post a Comment
  1. gomez123
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Wish Liverpool would bring Salah on!!...ha!!

  2. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Im on for 100 points this week

  3. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    And that is why he’ll be in everyone’s team. Reclassified as a midfielder. Lovely stuff.

  4. mgilbert86
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    scores against 'best' defence in league, first game is fulham, this could be fun

  5. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Ughhhh auba ownership is now going to increase

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      It would have anyway..

    2. Gizzachance
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Most on about takin him out after gw2 for kdb Bruno etc
      What if he scores in both them gws?

  6. Twisted Saltergater
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    *Transfers Niko back out*

  7. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    What a goal

    Still not entering my team

    1. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Dislike points?

    2. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Insane

    3. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Too good not to have with those first two fixtures in particular. Plus even worth keeping can score against any team. Point more for a goal and point more for a clean sheet. What's not to like?

      1. Flair
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Stops me from having 3 premium strikers

        1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          I have gone cheap at the back to do it. A clean sheet is still a clean sheet.

    4. Simon69
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Same man predicted 7 clean sheets in Spurs opening 10 games. You love terrible opinions.

      1. Flair
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I recommend improving your analysis pal

        1. Simon69
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Get a number next to your name and come back to me. Thanks.

          1. Flair
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Not sure what the number means tbh, have a good one anyways 🙂

  8. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Double pool defence teams worried?

    1. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Not really, it’s set and forget form this season but just hope TAA starts the season as I don’t want to waste a transfer getting him in

    2. mgilbert86
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      they were bad after restart, not getting two

      1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Differing opinions between to posters there. No pool defence for me.

  9. UnluckyXI
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Already had Saka and Auba in my team.

    The Saka pick won't be as different as I had hoped at this rate.

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      The problem is Willian

      1. Oi! Shadders!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        100%.

  10. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    You should see the reaction from the Arsenal fans on AFTV. Must have been some goal for that reaction! They're going on like they've just won the Prem. Haha! Watch from 11:55

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTlIKTm6dFk

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      absolute mugs

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

    KDB or Auba if you could only own one?

    1. NULL-X-VOID
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      KDB

    2. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Salah and sterling.

  12. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Saka needs to start every game! Wonderful talent!

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Yes looks a good option

  13. NULL-X-VOID
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Ngl but arsenal's overall movement is looking great

  14. SAY MY NAME
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    strange question but does anyone know what the music was they were playing just before the national anthem for the community shield?

  15. Fudgy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Wish this game didn't happen. More casuals will go no Liverpool

    1. BeaversWithAttitude
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      If they are watching pre-season matches, are they really that casual? Kinda snobby, lol.

    2. Don Van Vliet
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Pariah status unlocked*

  16. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    It was Wijnaldum who wasnt covering, not Williams

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Williams allowed Auba to come in on his right foot...

  17. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Arsenal have one pre season game so far but looking good

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

    Sess got 90' in the Spurs game... could be a lock for me.

    1. Steinburg FC
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      don't do it

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Would be great if nailed but can't see it

    3. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Id be put off Bavies now

  19. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Nketiah shot saved. Nearly saka assist

  20. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Really tempted by saka in that 5.5 slot for first 2 gw

    1. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Waste of transfer to be honest. You’ll need to use transfers getting united and city in

    2. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Pepe may start

  21. UnluckyXI
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Tierney being the last man on occasion already. Less and less tempting while Arsenal play a back 3.

  22. Lucky Z
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    What a pressing from Arsenal

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

    Arsenal playing well on the counter. Allisson though is pretty solid

  24. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    People genuinely think Liverpool don't need to sign a midfielder 😆

    1. Greasy Grealish Gang
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      This. I rate Gini but if we could get 20-25 for him and spend some on a marquee midfield signing. Plenty of choice in the shop.

  25. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Saka over ASM at this rate

  26. seewhyaxe
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    checking Saka's price.

    tempted now.

    1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Annoying isn't....then Willian/Pepe competition. Maybe they are not fit?

  27. Right In The Stanchion
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Say it quietly but arsenal are going for the title this season... amirite?

    1. Mikeharbrw
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah

    2. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I assume that is Arsenal ladies you mean?

  28. Carlton P
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Saka is looking so good, Is he on any set pieces?

    1. Carlton P
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Just stepped up to take a corner!

      1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Stop I will be thinking JWP v Saka now.

  29. Bun Rab
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Brighton Pen. Gross scores 1-1.

  30. The Tinkerman
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Liverpool looking ropey