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. Catastrophe
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Smug Salah (TC), VVD, Robbo, Bamford, Gabriel, Willian Owner

    1. Captain Vantastic™
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Lol @ no Zaha

      1. Catastrophe
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        😀 trying to forget about Zaha as McCarthy and KWP owner

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Not that smug, cannot link team 🙂

      1. Catastrophe
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        :D. I can only truthfully claim the Salah (C) unfortunately

    3. JohnnyRev7
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Put your FPL link into your FFS profile otherwise you're talking sh!te.

      1. Catastrophe
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        You don't say

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

      You must be the guy that is already 50 points ahead of me! (Would only be 30 if I hadn’t swapped VVD and Willian out this morning)

      1. Catastrophe
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        thats the problem with the pre season tinkering almost everyone who has had a return has been in your team at some point 😀

        I swapped out ASM and Egan for Mitrovic and KWP yesterday which already feels daft.

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

    Salah captain, got VVD and Robertson + Dallas in defense.. Kinda nice after the disappointment from the first two games 😀

    1. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      You played dallas away to Liverpool?

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

    Went with Trent, Mane, Mitro, 4.5 over Robbo, Son, Martial, Soucek. What in the world was I thinking

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

      Too early for recriminations. Wait until you're really down in 10 weeks 🙂 o/

    2. Mr Bird
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      It’s GW1 dude, nobody knows what’s up yet

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

    Link for Lateriser12 gents?

    Did he get Salah in despite twittering the opposite?

    1. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      No.

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      No.

      https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/55085/event/1

      Bloke who posted it is lying.

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

        Cheers - interesting lineup from LR

        Lyer flagged

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

          *lier oops

          1. My heart goes Salalalalah
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Liar

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

        Perspective thanks

    3. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      He could easily get hauls from Werner(c) and Havertz. People won't be laughing then.

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

        And i hope that happens because i have them both :p

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

    I’m going to a bit more stubborn this season and back the decisions I have made despite having gone without Salah and Werner. Success will be measured over 38 game weeks and not this game week alone..

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

      Stay calm

    2. The Mandalorian
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      In other words you're gonna play your wc tonight lol

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

    Who is Lateriser and why are people worked up by his choice?

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

      Arguably one of the best managers in the game today.

      https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/55085/history

      Decided to start without Salah and it's hurt him bad.

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

        I admire him for backing his convictions. It in the lap of the gods how the gameweek turns out.

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

        Cheers.

        I mean fair play if he did, but the people who are furious are only outing themselves as not thinking for themselves and copying others completely. Strange.

        Take the advice and play your own game

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

      Last year was mark.
      This year is LS.
      People want to blame someone all the time

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

        Yeah seems to be the case. As I'v replied to others, odd

    3. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      New Mark

    4. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I guess it's the flip side of this site promoting certain individuals as experts. Will attract criticism when decisions go against them. Tough in the spotlight I think.

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

        Strange. People should take his opinion and use to to make their own, not just copy and get mad. But oh well

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

          Very few copied. They just like giving the 'experts' s**t when they have poor seasons.

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

            Makes it even stranger! But I guess people just need to vent

    5. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      pro-pundit

    6. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      It’s a game of luck ; bad luck this, could be a long term win. People get worked up over such things ... just enjoy.

  7. Hulk Smash
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    You know you've had a good start when you're already desperate for a Soucek haul to save your gameweek.

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

      Would love a Soucek goal. Definitely capable of it against Newcastle. Would make my day

  8. Powers106
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    That last Salah goal was just amazing

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

      Stonking finish.

    2. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Sniper shot

  9. BenDavies
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Ville Ronka captained Auba

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

      ID please

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

          Thanks

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

      Villeronka can never win FPL I think. His style will always see him finish high but I don't think his style can win.

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

        One season wonder win it every Year

    3. Lev Yashin
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Thanks.

      Who did my great uncle Rodney captain?

  10. thehodge
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Palace putting me off rushing United players in.. Going to sit on my team for next week and go with 2 FT for GW3 I think. Leeds players looking good though so that may well change!

    JWP -> Harrison could be an easy switch

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

      So did Norwich on their first game

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

      Leeds players looking good? They look terrible.

      1. thehodge
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        They’re offensive. Their attacking players will score points

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

          Disagree. Liverpool aren't at it. If they were, this would be 5-0 at half time. On this showing, Leeds look like a Norwich atm.

      2. denial
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        No they don't. They don't look terrible.

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

    KDB to rise this week?

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

        Prediction?

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Depends on Wolves.
          One day at a time.

  12. tokara
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Imgs to bamford? Is Bamford nailed?

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

      No, Rodrigo will probably be first choice striker

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

      Nooooo

    3. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Not nailed and unlikely to have VVD hand him a goal every week.

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

    So its the usual massive generalisations about players and teams after just 225 mins of action

  14. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    What's your team template ranking?
    Make sure to update your team ID.

    https://www.livefpl.net/rank

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      57%

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Current points?

        1. FPL Theorist
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          34 from 5

          1. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Cool, good luck for the other 6 or 7.

    2. Ragabolly
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      78%

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Same.

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

          Me too

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

      73

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

      This is a new one on me!

      75%

    5. The Sociologist
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      77%

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

      76%

    7. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Nice feature. What’s the exact definition?
      I’m at 75% template

    8. The Legend Squad
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      77%, 43 points

    9. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      74

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

      50%

    11. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      74%

  15. F4L
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Re post because bottomed:
    Why didn't VAR overturn the penalty decision? New rules this year state:

    Premier League players will be allowed extra leeway when it comes to ricocheted handballs.

    It is often impossible to avoid contact with the ball if it has deflected off the body of an opponent, team-mate, or even another part of the own player.

    So a handball will not be awarded if the ball touches a player’s hand/arm directly from their own head/body/foot or the head/body/foot of another player who is close/nearby.

    1. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Clear pen. That would be goal.

      1. F4L
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        After it his his thigh it wasn't going anywhere near the goal

    2. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 7 months ago

        For me his hand was in an unnatural position, even before the first contact so I can see why it's given

        1. F4L
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Agreed but the last section of the rule doesn't seem to allow for any leeway. No point changing the rules if you're not going to follow them. The same will happen with goal keepers coming off the line for pens, that won't be enforced either.

          1. @persecuted_by_mods
              3 years, 7 months ago

              I think that's overturned if his hand starts in a natural position and only flings to unnatural after the first touch

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

          Good knows. Bloody new rules screwed us over today with the shoulder goal. Going to be a long season for us

          1. F4L
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Very long season. Big 3 weeks in the transfer market now, need at least a CB and forward (hopefully J.King) to compete.

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

              Fingers crossed. Anguissa looked good today

              1. F4L
                • 9 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                He did. Honestly as much as I love TC, I just don't think he's cut out for PL football. Midfield 3 should be Reed/Anguissa and then one of Lemina/Onomah going forwards.

        3. Dacra
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Wasn't a ricochet.

          1. F4L
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            It was? Hit the defender's leg first.

        4. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Doesn't count when it's off Salah's foot.

          1. F4L
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            😀 Think its more that its a pen last season, not this one. Refs just haven't got used to the new rules. VAR officials are the problem though, its down to them to point it out.

            1. TorresMagic™
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              Salah smashed it onto his arm tbf.

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

          Clear pen.

      • Niho992
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Werner to Martial obvious move

        1. TheDragon
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Ings to Martial

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

          Before Werner has played?

          And up against a Liverpool team that conceded 2 first half v Leeds and look like they've forgotten how to defend?

          1. Niho992
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            They will defend better vs Chelsea

            1. Dacra
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              Liverpool fan, not convinced!

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

          U mean ings to Martial

      • SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        remember when Jay Egg started posting videos and he capitulated? 'pro pundits' are never the same once they get a load of followers, Andy is quality (and more popular than ever) but he had a bit of a mare last season too

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

          One bad move and they get lots of pressure

          1. SADIO SANÉ
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            I'm not too bothered these days but it is annoying when you get a 50/50 'wrong' - would be miles worse knowing loads of people actually listened to what I thought

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

          Quite a lot start going up their own arse for sure. The best are the humble that show self depreciation imo

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

          i think is because as a pro pundit, you have to over-think and explain everything to your follower. Over thinking is probably the worst thing u can do in FPL (or not getting Salah)

        4. PocketZola
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          They see the $$$

        5. Pacer.
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          FPL punditry is largely money for old rope

        6. Drip Doctor
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Andys never been a top FPL player.

          If you are talking about Lateriser, he always ends well. Also, it's GW1, he sacrificed his GW1 team for a better run in the coming weeks.

          1. Pacer.
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            That's the problem with fpl. Immediate results are on such a short term resolution that people rarely take the time to monitor or quantify equally important strategy

      • bitars
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Leeds is so offensive. Who will be there best assets scoring points this season? Rodrigo might worth a punt later on?

      • JBG
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Maradona would be proud of that assist from Vvd.

      • MOZIL
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        What to do with Saliba???

        1. PocketZola
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Water him and give him plenty of sunshine.

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

          Goal for both teams, truly inspiring

      • Nightcrawler
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Mark team ID?

      • Shark Team
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        If Liv want this W, Klopp should replace TAA

      • Sanchit
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        How is the 'Salah to Bruno GW2' gang doing?

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

          Save ft now

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

          Harris ftw

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

          Still going ahead, Salah won’t get goals this easily

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

          Happy we have Salah and other options

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

          Not doing it. Didn't really plan to anyway, but this is definitely enough justification to hold.

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

        How to fit in Salah, Auba, KDB and Bruno?

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

          By feking up your team

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

          Willian & Martial.

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

            That makes it even harder

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

          Get all 4

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

            How, hoe, how?

        4. Podge
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Others gets points too

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

          Don't need Auba imo

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

          McCarthy 4.0
          VVD Vinagre Justin Taylor Mitchell
          Auba Salah KDB Fernandes 4.5
          Wilson Ayew/Mitro 4.5

      • tiger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Captains hat trick loading....

      • Rainer
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        No chance Salah gets a hatty here.

        1. Bobby Digital
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          He'll get a couple more

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

          You have spoken, so let it not be.

        3. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Probably no bonus too.

      • Mr Bird
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Could really do with Mane getting involved

      • Boss Hogg
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        What is it about goals that ping in off the crossbar so satisfying?
        Is it the noise? The violent change of direction? The split-second uncertainty?

        They are good though aren’t they?!

        1. PocketZola
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          The sheer brutality of it "ave it"

          1. Boss Hogg
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Yeah, it’s the violence of it isn’t it!

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

          Because they are unsaveable

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

          The sudden bounce of the ball striking the freshly mowed grass has to be the thing

          1. Boss Hogg
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            And if it bulges the roof of the net on the way back up, all the better.

      • Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Posted this a few days ago but thought that it might worth another memory jog …..
        Just a reminder for those of you with your teams linked in the header of your FFS posts then you need to update your link with this year's FPL ID. I've seen absolutely loads of links that are either out of date (wrong manager) or showing this error message:
        'Sorry, but the page you were looking for can't be found' .
        For those of you now deciding to link your team for the first time, the link in your FFS profile page
        ( e.g https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/profiles/the-old-man/ )
        needs to be of the format
        https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/1234567/history
        where 1234567 is your FPL ID. You can find your FPL ID in the address bar on your FPL Gameweek History page

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

          Most do it for hiding from rival lurking