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. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    I kinda like Nketiah haha. 6.0m. It's not a bad price. His pressing is impressive. Already got a goal like that against Southampton and then forced the error there to start that move.

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

      Will he start all games though? Plus lots of 6.0 striker options.

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Lots of options is a good thing.

        Starting with Werner, Mitro, Nketiah and then you can move Nketiah on if he doesn't start.

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

        You’d imagine so if they don’t start a striker

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

          Sign*

    2. Muchentuchel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      You can get key attacking players like Matheus Pereira for the same price, man.

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        The difference is West Brom vs Arsenal though. The starting CF for Arsenal is surely worth more than 6m.

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

          Nketiah > Wood is an easy move if it doesn’t pay off

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

    Saka looking mighty tempting at that price

    1. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Was just about to say the same!

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

        Snap is a bit annoying will Saka start? Could be better value than JWP - 5.5 saves 0.5

        1. PascalCygan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Yeah, rotation an issue but he started regularly under Arteta. I’m on ASM atm but could be swayed

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

      Shame about Willian

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

        Hmm yes

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

          What happened to William ?

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

      This

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

        Yah, was really hoping he'd make an appearance, check out the chemistry...

  3. SH1M1
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Liverpool sloppy defence picking up from the end of last season I see ... only TAA looks viable to own at the start

  4. davies
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Really tempted by Saka @ 5.5

    Seems to get plenty of minutes in various positions

  5. CloudSky
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Chelsea might need to spend another 300 mil to beat the mighty Brighton.

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

      I still reckon Brighton might steal a point GW1

  6. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    has anyone spotted salah ?

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

      Hiding behind Mane

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

    Liverpool look terrible, Henderson returns and they become 99 point champions again

    Saka is such a brilliant player too

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

      Complacency going to be an issue start of this season I think

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

        Agreed, look very easy oosy.

  8. Hits from the Bong
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Liverpool are going to be well off form for a couple of months aren’t they?

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

      Will do well to stay up.

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

      Could be 30 years before they do anything again! 😀

      Seriously though think Pool could suffer second season syndrome. Hard to switch back on once you switch off.

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

        The season has yet to start, lol

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

    Neco Williams is so average

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

    Anyone else completely avoiding Liverpool now?

    Ben Crabtree won FPL doing so.

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

      What rank did he finish last season? 500k?

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Nah. Madness. Gotta have at least TAA.

    3. Muchentuchel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I'll go with one LFC player.
      Trent OR Mané

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

      Avoiding them until they score in this game

    5. Hits from the Bong
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Just not so desperate to start the season with them, can always wait until the form picks up, and risk Salah turning up against Leeds

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

    I like Tierney. Could be a big player

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

      Yep

    2. Old Bull
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Hoping this might be his season

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

      He'll be crucial for arsenal. I really want him but unless there's a shift to a back 4 his attacking potential is lower but still probably just worth the 5.5

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

    Giroud subbed off with head bandaged.

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

      FT 1-1.

  13. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Liverpool's biggest goal threat is Milner 😀

  14. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Arteta is more Pulis than Pep.

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

      Most managers are vs top 2 teams

      1. Pep bites Kun
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Not sure I get it - Liv & ManC? Why's that?

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      With this group of players, got to play to their strengths...

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Absolutely. Just don't see Pep ever doing this under any circumstances!

    3. Emiliano Sala
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      agreed

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

      Plus he needs to sort defence out first. Attack is fine.

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

    Same old Chelsea so.

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

    Williams has been awful so far

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

      Awful is generous.

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

        😆 Needs to step up

        Keeps holding the ball for too long and out of position

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      He's a 19 year old boy tbf.

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

    this is making the case for salah in my starting team less likely, can anyone find him?

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

      Salah and Milner are playing in each others shirts..

  18. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Obvs a minor story but puzzling how Zaha has been just about the only player to get the full 90 twice in a row now

  19. Greek Freak
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    That Arsenal midfielder is pretty good.

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

    Saka looks involved in everything

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

      Martinez, Saliba, Saka, Nketiah.... not sure I can find room for Aubamayang.

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

    Saka Oh Saka

  22. Danno - Emre Canada
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Either Bellerin or Nekitiah nailed?

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

      Bellerin more chance

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

        Juve calling. Bellers and Ainsley could be gone.

        1. Danno - Emre Canada
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Cheers both, guess I’ll wait and see, I’d like Tierney but struggling to find the extra .5 and also he’s pretty deep, saying that he’s just got forward well there and put a good ball in

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

    Saka still risky buy for FPL i think because we have no idea how pepe and willian will affect him
    also ainsley staying would also cut his game time potentially as left wing back

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

      If Arteta wants to win games, he needs to play Saka. He is miles ahead of Willian & Pepe! A wonderful talent!

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

        Arsenals best results vs top teams after restart came with him in the bench. Good player but probably best used vs worse team at this point

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

        I'm hoping rumours are true that willian will play central reducing saka's competition as arsenal don't have much creativity in the middle, more so without ceballos.

  24. Nanoelektronicar
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Klopp should have started Robertson on the right imo, he could defend Aubameyang cutting inside. Tsimikas on the left. No crosses from the right of course, but Robertson and Salah could both get inside and shoot.

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

    So does Saka even play when Willian is fit?

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

      Good question

      He seems to play numerous positions so possible

  26. Firminooooo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Salah to Saka done. Now 6.5m ITB.

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

      Lol

  27. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Auba can sign a pre contract agreement for a summer free transfer in 124 days

    Tick tock Arsenal, tick tock!

  28. BNMC
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Heard something about Ryan or Button, what happened?

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

      No, 3rd choice lad fell nasty. Out for some time.

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

    Arsenal going to anfield so early is good for them. Best time to have any chance to get something at anfield looking at pool

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

    I'm struggling to spend my 100m budget for GW1.

    - No Man City or Utd
    - TAA and Robertson not needed until GW4
    - distrust of Spurs
    - Saka an option @5.5m, maybe even Nketiah short term.

    Could load up with Bruno and Martial and bench them.