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. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Imagine this game with a crowd in

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

    regardless of the result, Leeds just announced their arrival back to the EPL

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

      Would agree on that - good result for Leeds

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

    So who do we buy from Leeds to replace ASM prolly. Gotta have one Leeds

    1. Worsle90
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Haha

    2. keefy59
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yeah which one 3 goals with 6 players involvement

  4. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Whoever watches and knows things about football understands how bad Klopp's coaching is today...

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

      Explain then.

      1. Shark Team
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        He replaced Henderson with Jones in this game while Liverpool has very very big gaps between midfield and defence. He also keeps TAA in the game and he keeps exposing him every time Leeds is going forward.

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

      No idea what you mean? He has Jordan "Makelele", Virgil van "Maldini", Trent "Cafu" and Andrew "Carlos" in his team. Don't need to coach them.

    3. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not too sure I get this.Can you elaborate?

      1. Shark Team
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Read above

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

      #iamverysmart

  5. ivantys
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    damn it salah trying to aim for the arms again

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

    I can't wait for City v Leeds in GW4 🙂

    1. FPL_Devil
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Probably will be 5-5

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Might need 6 players in that game.

    3. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Didn't get to see the game unfortunately. I'm presuming by your comment that attack is preferred to def - anyone outstanding?

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

        Just very very attacking. Leeds attack in a team so anyone can be the scorer. Hard to pin down a single player. 6 different goal scorers and assisters from the 3 goals!

        I was more excited from a football point of view. It's great to watch. Also City attackers are a must for that game 😉

        Sterling (C), Aguero & KDB maybe...

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

    Son to which

    A. Pulisic
    B. Havertz

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

      A

    2. Podge
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Wait and see

    3. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Neither yet. Why?

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

      Hasn’t even played yet?!

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

      He hasn't even played yet!? Also, did you see Southampton? I wouldn't lose Son.

    6. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      🙂

    7. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      None of them have played - probably wise if you don't play a giddy strategy of 'blind mans buff'

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

    Leeds possesion in 2nd half: 62%
    This is ANFIELD 😯

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

      With no crowd

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

        Still!
        Leeds are a promoted team playing away to PL Champions!

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

          The champions is on hangover

        2. Pep bites Kun
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Congrats to Leeds for a great opening game in PL. Always thought they were a quality side with undiscovered potential talent & value. Don't denigrate with half-wit comments. I expect Leeds to be mid-table by season end. Behave like such

    2. Fiona B
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No ... THIS IS SPARTA

    3. Esalman
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Based on what I know about Bielsa in the past, Leeds last season and Liverpool post-lockdown, this is hardly a surprise.

  9. Zimo
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Liverpool always come to entertain

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

      So do Leeds.

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

    Liverpool wish they'd never let lovren go

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

      And Mignolet

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

    Ayling dead

  12. Ser Davos
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Costa assist

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Looked a neat player in this game.

      1. Ser Davos
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Another one to keep an eye on

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

    Just poured a glass of vino and missed a goal lol

  14. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    LFC 2017-2018 again

    Plenty goals but awful defending

  15. Manani
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    i still don't get which is Leeds main man. seems like there's no 'main man' in their attack?

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

    Quite impressed with Leeds tbh... imagine if they have 2 proper CB....

    1. Red Devil Swede
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Apparently they have injuries to the first choice CB pair.

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

    It all Kliched together after Koching it up

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

    Liverpool aren't retaining the title if their defense keeps playing like this.

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

      Dortmund 14/15

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

      Been a while since the title

  19. Powers106
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I like how Leeds are taking it to them, wish WHU had that spunk

  20. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Leeds the new old Newcastle. 4-3 incoming

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

      Naturally...

  21. Mighty Banana
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I have TAA+Robbo, no Salah and I don't even care, I'm just enjoying the game.

    Also happy if Leeds take the win!

  22. Yome
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Leeds will destroy Fulham next weekend.

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

    Werner captain next week anyone?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Can he get through Monday 1st?

    2. Herman Toothrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Pulisic

    3. KINGS
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      \o

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

    I’m going all in on Chelsea next GW

  25. Marmalade Forest
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I’ve been dribjiny all afternoon...

    A VVD goal and TAA assist Is fing lovely.

    Mo outscoring Auba. Top class.

  26. ivantys
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Pls win it Leeds

  27. BenDavies
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Seems everyone in midfield/attack can score for Leeds. Few clean sheets. Don't think there will be a reliable FPL asset.

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

      Looks like a team rather than reliant on individuals.
      They’ll go far.

  28. Amey
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I miss this Salah.
    One hitting shots in the stand 😀

  29. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    looks like J.Lewis starting

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      As expected

  30. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Never playing a defender vs leeds again