Dugout Discussion

Alexander-Arnold starts for Liverpool as £4.0m Leeds defender features

Liverpool come into the first Premier League match of 2020/21 with their strongest key players all involved from the off.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m) has not turned out for the Reds since the end of last season, missing out on pre-season friendlies through injury, but he starts against Leeds United.

While he was not fit enough to go on a summer tour with his club, the right-back did get some game-time in while away on international duty with England.

Naturally, he is joined in the back-four by the usual suspects of Andrew Robertson (£7.0m), Virgil van Dijk (£6.5m) and Joe Gomez (£5.5m) while Neco Williams (£4.0m) misses out on a place in the match-day squad entirely.

Mohamed Salah (£12.0m), the second-most-captained player of Gameweek 1, starts on the right-hand side of Liverpool’s front-three, as do Sadio Mané (£12.0m) and Roberto Firmino (£9.5m).

In their first Premier League game for 16 years, Leeds line-up in Marcelo Biela’s favoured 4-1-4-1 formation.

The key Fantasy talking point is a start at centre-back for Pascal Struijk (£4.0m), although it remains unclear how long he will last in the team. The budget defender takes the place of club captain Liam Cooper (£4.5m) who is unexpectedly absent from the squad today.

The Scottish international’s late injury means a centre-back pairing of Struijk and new signing Robin Koch (£4.5m) for Leeds, while Stuart Dallas (£4.5m) and Luke Ayling (£4.5m) are set to staff the full-back positions.

Patrick Bamford (£5.5m) has been trusted with a start at Anfield, keeping new signing Rodrigo Moreno (£6.0m) on the bench while key man Pablo Hernández (£6.0m) is also in from the beginning, joined in midfield by Mateusz Klich (£5.5m), Jack Harrison (£5.5m) and Helder Costa (£5.5m).

Liverpool XI: Alisson; Robertson, van Dijk, Gomez, Alexander-Arnold; Keïta, J Henderson, Wijnaldum; Mané, Firmino, Salah.

Leeds United XI: Meslier; Dallas, Struijk, Koch, Ayling; Phillips; Costa, Hernández, Klich, Harrison; Bamford.

Best players by position:

2,446 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Qaiss
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    a 0-0 would be nice here

    1. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Get out.

  2. H-SF
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Time to hide behind the sofa

  3. 7shadesofsmoke
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I will be first in line to give Mane a rusty trombone if he can outscore Salah (and Auba) today

    1. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      If he does I’ll give him a Boston Pancake.

      1. 7shadesofsmoke
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        launches incognito mode for google search...

        1. Drexl Spivey
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Don't.

        2. Cilly Bonnolly
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          That is a good idea. Might as well check Cleveland Steamer and Alaskan Pipeline while you’re there.

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

            Ugh don't look at Alaskan pipelines.

            1. 7shadesofsmoke
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              what little soul i had left is now gone.

              Can we go back to getting no points in FPL please

        3. 7shadesofsmoke
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          I will never unsee that... i think some of my soul has escaped my body

          1. Cilly Bonnolly
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            You’re welcome.

  4. Egg noodle
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Salah gonna go crazyyyyy!!!

  5. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Auba semi fail
    Adams fail
    McCarthy fail

    No salah

    Time to put my phone down and go for a long walk in the country

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A midfielder scoring is not a partial fail, cmon.

      1. FFSbet.com
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        This,if he semi-fail all season would end up on 266 points

  6. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Leeds with their 3rd choice CB this game. Could get ugly.

    1. DavidMunday815
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I was worried already but seeing Leeds turn up without Cooper in the team... yeah, will be watching this behind the sofa!

  7. 3 A
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Salah (c) failed.

  8. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Salah brace incoming, TAA assist.

    1. El-Kloppico
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Hopefully

  9. Drip Doctor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Don Mitchell.

    1. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      you watching Eastenders?

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Don on my bench Mitchell.

      1. DavidMunday815
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        On my bench too! Comes in for me if Vinagre doesn't play on Monday night!

    3. Jolly Good
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Another CS and this name will catch on

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

    Doubled up on Liverpool defence and no Salah so naturally it's going to be 3-1 with a Salah brace and no contributions from TAA/Robbo

  11. TomSaints
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    It’s funny how we spend weeks anticipating the restart. Then crushing disappointment.

    How did we lose to palace?!?

    1. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Palace looked very compact tbh and with a lot of defensive injuries... they have a lot of 4.5m very atractive players I have to say

      Soton did not face this game as it should. Games are won in the pitch.==>

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

        Palace were good value for the win. We were shocking!

        1. El Presidente
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          I wouldnt say shocking... but definitely a bit disappointing..

  12. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Only got Robbo, in this next game!

    1. Our Tiny Windows
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      That comma feels really, weird.

  13. Fred54
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Honestly had to be a double take when I realised this was only the 2nd match of the GW1, feels like we are already into drudgery of GW29 or something.

    1. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      😆

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

      It's the worst GW1 in years cause of the lack of games

    3. TomSaints
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Solid meh with Aubameyang (c) and saints punts failed.

      Still a long way to go to get better!

  14. El-Kloppico
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Benched Mitchell for KwP.
    Good start!

    1. Our Tiny Windows
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      But no red. Count yourself lucky.

      Also everyone benched Mitchell.

      1. DickFranDyke
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Did they?

  15. Champ
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    "And that was our Downing Street correspondent Laura Kuenssberg. Staying in London, today a football match actually ended in a surprise result"

  16. TAT
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Ings to Martial it is, but will Martial go up in price tonight?

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

      He will if you and others kneejerk this transfer.

      1. TAT
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        People kneejerking will force my move, unfortunately. 0.1 price rice and I have no United player for GW2.

        1. Pukki Blinders
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          And your kneejerk will force someone elses kneejerk, and so on

          1. TAT
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            But what can you do? Do nothing, and you put yourself at a disadvantage.

  17. Pacer.
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    For everyone that feels like they're gonna rip up their team because it didn't come belting out of the traps, I want to tell you the story of the number of transfers, mini WCs and WCs I've played in GW2/3 only to have my original team turn in a belting performance

    Look for the positives and the crisis points. Disregard the disappointments.

    That's my feeling thesedays anyways

    1. mgilbert86
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I don't think anyone should have making a team just for GW1 unless they planned to WC GW2 (also dumb in my opinion), spot on

      1. Pacer.
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Don't think anyone really makes it just for one. But do think a lot of people suffer a collapse of confidence in their choices when they feel themselves falling behind. It's so acute at this stage in the season isn't it because people in your league can have literally double the points you have. Turns on its head the following week though

    2. Halftime
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Agreed, people picked their players for a reason. Too early to be knee-jerking them out.

    3. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      you're forgetting that some people have triple-Saints with Spurs and Burnley up next

      1. Pacer.
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        McCarthy and Ings are sound picks. Very few will have a crisis to solve

    4. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Just delete my account bro

    5. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Better to take a -4 now than WC and pay the price big time down the line.

    6. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Well said

  18. RoysCallerAnne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Let's go Salah (c), Mane, Keita ( 😯 )

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Salah(C), Mane, TAA here Roy. Let's do this 😀

      Hopefully goals!

      1. 7shadesofsmoke
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Mane © TAA and VVD here

        I've started talking with a scouce accent

        1. Piggs Boson
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          What was that?

          I couldn't understand you...

          1. 7shadesofsmoke
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            😆

    2. Tempestic
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Like the Keita gamble, gl

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Keita will score, I joked with my Pool mate that he no doubt has Keita. He doesnt, but Keita will probably score.

        1. Tempestic
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Check my fpl team name on my link 😉
          Dont have him tho tbf

    3. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      That Soton defensive double up....

      1. Tempestic
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        bet your fun at parties

        1. El Presidente
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Super! 🙂

      2. RoysCallerAnne
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        That top 100 HoF history....

  19. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Will have to wait on Cooper news then. A long term injury would open the door for Struijk.

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      And a new signing, probably

    2. D-Fens
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      He's travelled with the squad so not serious

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Ah okay thanks.

        Not an option then...

    3. DavidMunday815
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Cooper is with the squad today and it doesn't sound too serious. Good news for him, less so for those of us wanting Struijk to get a run in the team!

    4. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      wont be an option after this game lol

  20. Sid1891
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Selling Salah straight after if he scores hatrick or blanks
    I guess l’’m not the only one

  21. Egg noodle
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Last year VVD scored in the first game. This year is gonna be Robbo

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Robbo attacking return would be so sweet

  22. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    2-0 LIV Keita Firmino

  23. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    what EO do we reckon Salah could be? 70%?

    1. Nimby
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      115%

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        is that a guess? I doubt its that high, cant see it being more then 100

    2. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Only 48.89% apparently.

      But this sample is from overall, so probably higher if it somehow included potential top 10K teams.

    3. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      30% overall ownership...

    4. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No not that high, how would that even be possible? He's only owned by 32%

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        tc'c could bump him up to 70 maybe

        1. Bubz
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          That would require every single person who owns him to captain him plus loads of tc’s...

          1. have you seen cyan
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            well I hadnt checked his owenrship, I literally guess 70% max

    5. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      not too high then, phew. 60% something max

  24. Tempestic
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    No chance Mitchell could sneak a BAP?

  25. Stay Back
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    The matches being spaced apart this weekend will probably increase the amount of jerkiness in the knees this weekend

  26. DavidMunday815
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Not that Ings or Adams owners will want to relive the last two hours, but the match data from Crystal Palace v Southampton is now available in the Premium Members Area. As with all match data, there's average positions for every player, touch maps, pass maps, touch maps and fully interactive tables for involvement, creativity, goal threat, defending, expected goals and much more.

    ACCESS IT HERE: https://members.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/matches/2128287/

    1. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Munday tuesday happy days!

      1. DavidMunday815
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        More like Munday's Saturday Crappy Days after McCarthy and Adams combining for 3 points 😀

        1. DavidMunday815
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Four points even 😀

  27. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Been waiting on Leeds to be in the premier for a long time. Not much longer. Probably get hammered but great to be here.

  28. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Mccarthy and Adams blanks sigh. Bit nervous for the toon tonight, another double up with ASM and Wilson.

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

      I have KWP also...

  29. Pedram
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Need Salah to go insane

    1. tiger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      In a goal scoring way...

    2. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      i hear ya lad

  30. Halftime
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Will Palace's good defensive performance today reduce the need to bring United players straight away? I'd like to wait as long as possible to give my current players a chance.

    1. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      They looked very compact, and with lot of absentees... no Cahil, no Tomkins, no PVA, no Sakho...