Scout Notes

Can Robertson sustain value advantage over Alexander-Arnold after 10-point haul?

Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal

  • Goals: Sadio Mané (£11.9m), Andrew Robertson (£7.0m), Diogo Jota (£6.3m) | Alexandre Lacazette (£8.5m)
  • Assists: Mohamed Salah (£12.1m), Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m)
  • Bonus points: Alexander-Arnold x3, Robertson x2, Mané x1

Robbo’s Return

Andrew Robertson (£7.0m) is fast making a case to be considered the best Fantasy Premier League asset among Liverpool defenders this season.

His goal and 10-point haul against Arsenal took him to a total of 20 for the season so far, behind only Timothy Castagne (£5.7m), Tyrone Mings (£5.0m) and Ezri Konsa (£4.5m) among all defenders after three Gameweeks.

Crucially, the left-back is ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m) by a total of five points and, unlike his right-sided counterpart, is yet to blank this season.

Robertson assisted in Liverpool’s 4-3 win over Leeds, kept a clean sheet at Chelsea and found the net against Arsenal. In that time, Alexander-Arnold blanked against Leeds, before stringing together two seven-point scores in Gameweeks 2 and 3.

While the right-back is not too far behind his colleague, at a time when Wildcards are the talk of the town, the fact that Robertson is proving better value, by 2.9 points per million spent to 2.0, will not have gone unnoticed.

There is no denying that Robertson is in great form right now but Alexander-Arnold owners will certainly feel rather unfortunate not to come out of Gameweek 3 with more attacking returns.

Alexander-Arnold’s persistence

The right-back enjoyed an evening defined by a constant stream of trademark balls into the box, fired in from deep – and he could easily have racked up a hat-trick of assists.

In the 11th minute, he put up an excellent ball for Virgil van Dijk (£6.5m), whose header back across goal was denied on the line by David Luiz (£5.5m).

Three minutes later, Alexander-Arnold fired in another delightful cross, met by an onrushing Sadio Mané (£11.9m), whose powerful effort was well-saved by Bernd Leno (£5.0m).

Then, in the 20th minute, the right-back unleashed his own shot from range which deflected through a crowd of bodies onto the crossbar.

In the end, Alexander-Arnold’s perseverance in the cross paid off when he found Robertson at the back post to poke home and put Liverpool 2-1 up.

Such a display, which came with maximum bonus points, is almost certainly enough to keep 

Latest on the Defensive double-up

Is there still value in the Liverpool double-up? Perhaps not on the clean sheet front, but the attacking returns are helping Alexander-Arnold and Robertson offer plenty of points potential between them.

The Reds are still waiting for their first home clean sheet of the campaign, and they have registered just two from a possible eight since February 24, but their full-backs still scored 17 points between them on Monday night.

That seems to be indicative of what this Liverpool team is all about right now. We have seen this side operate on a ‘risk-versus-reward’ basis for some time now. It is something that will lead to the concession of poor goals, as we have seen against Leeds and Arsenal now, but it also adds to how dangerous Liverpool are at Anfield.

In fact, Alexander-Arnold and Robertson were the very men at fault for Alexandre Lacazette‘s (£9.5m) first-half strike. The right-back was caught stranded high up the pitch, allowing Ainsley Maitland-Niles (£4.9m) to press into leftover space, while Robertson was the man whose clearance went straight to Lacazette’s feet.

But, considering their exploits further up the field led to Liverpool winning the game 3-1, and each full-back coming away with attacking returns, Jurgen Klopp will have no complaints, and maybe Fantasy managers shouldn’t either.

“I didn’t see us really being sloppy in defending. I saw us in one or two passing situations when we gave the ball too easy away, which is just then a problem because to outplay Arsenal you need a quite expansive formation. Losing the ball without any pressure on yourself, that doesn’t make too much sense, that can really hurt you. So in these moments yes, but our defending was really good, really good, because you cannot defend Arsenal for 90 minutes with the quality they have. It’s completely normal that they have chances [and] you need a goalie for that, you need a block for that, you need all these kind of things.” – Jurgen Klopp

Magic Mané

Meanwhile, Mané insists on pushing Mohamed Salah (£12.1m) for Fantasy returns once again this season. With three goals in as many matches, the Senegalese international is now only three points behind his Egyptian colleague and, arguably looked the sharper of the two on Monday night.

While Salah had an evening characterised by snatched shots, and in some cases, snatching them away from his colleagues, Mané had the more clear cut opportunities.

He was on hand to gobble up the rebound from Salah’s shot in the 28th minute, and, just after the hour-mark, he clipped wide after a well-worked one-two with Roberto Firmino (£9.4m).

Furthermore, Mané has had the edge over Salah in away matches for the last year, with eight goals on the road to the Egyptian’s four since the start of last season. That particular statistic bodes well for him considering that three of Liverpool’s next five Premier League matches take them away from Anfield.

Meanwhile, Salah owners will feel a little unlucky not to have seen the Egyptian leave Gameweek 3 with two assists. He made an excellent run inside from his right-attacking-midfield station, across Arsenal’s defensive line and fed substitute Diogo Jota (£6.3m) on the left. The former Wolves man looked certain to score, but could only ruffle the side-netting.

And if we are focussing on Liverpool’s road-trip contributions last season, none of Salah’s colleagues registered more assists away from home in 2019/20, Robertson and Alexander-Arnold matching his total of six from over 200 more minutes each.

Time to consider Lacazette?

We are certainly at the point where the Fantasy community should start considering Lacazette for their squads.

Thankfully for the one million FPL managers who sold Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.9m) for Gameweek 3, it was the Frenchman who, once again, represented the chief goal threat for Arsenal.

Lacazette was in the right place to capitalise on Robertson’s 25th-minute error and had two other gilt-edged chances to score at Anfield before Eddie Nketiah (£5.9m) replaced him in the 73rd minute.

That made for a seven-point haul in Gameweek 3, his third of the campaign, which takes him to a total of 21. That is only one less than the similarly-priced Danny Ings (£8.4m) and Richarlison (£8.0m).

Crucially, it also means that Lacazette is one of the most reliable Fantasy assets thus far, yet to blank and about to face Sheffield United (home), Manchester City (away) and Leicester City (home). Each of those clubs has conceded at least four times this season, giving up an average of 1.75 goals per game.

Perhaps the only thing that counts against Lacazette is his game-time. Given his scoring record, it seems unlikely that Arteta will bench him anytime soon, but it is still worth noting that he is yet to complete 90 minutes this season, averaging 78.3 per outing in 2020/21. 

Latest from the managers

Thiago Silva in action for Liverpool

There were plenty of developments on the injury front for this game. Thiago Alcantara (£6.0m) was missing for Liverpool, but Joe Gomez (£5.4m) slotted back into central defence and James Milner (£5.4m) returned from his yellow flag on the bench.

“After the international break, (Thiago) will be fine, for sure. That’s the situation, in the moment. He is not fit enough to be involved today, but that’s it.” – Jurgen Klopp

Kieran Tierney (£5.4m) was back for Arsenal, which should boost their already strong clean sheet potential for the Sheffield United game. There is perhaps less certainty about starters in the Gunners’ back-three than before Monday night though, as new signing Gabriel (£5.1m) was left on the bench, Arteta preferring David Luiz (£5.5m).

“(Gabriel) has done really well, adapted really well. He’s played a few games already with us. David [Luiz] has huge experience and has played here many, many times. He gives us something different.” – Mikel Arteta

Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Robertson, van Dijk, Gomez, Alexander-Arnold; Keita (Milner 79′), Wijnaldum, Fabinho; Mané (D Jota 80′), Firmino (Minamino 90+1′), Salah.

Arsenal XI (3-4-3): Leno; Tierney, D Luiz, Holding; Maitland-Niles, Xhaka (Ceballos 60′), Elneny, Bellerín; Aubameyang, Lacazette (Nketiah 74′), Willian (Pépé 68′).

PREMIUM MEMBERS ANALYSIS

PREMIUM MEMBERS AREA HOME PAGE

Lessons Learned from FPL Gameweek 3

1,707 Comments Post a Comment
  1. HD7
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    What time are price changes mates?

    1. Bleh
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      In about an hour I believe.

    2. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      1 hour exactly

  2. Bleh
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Better combo?

    A. Trossard + Robbo
    B. Barnes + Castagne

    1. korbendallas82
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A maby.

      1. Bleh
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks, thinking the same.

  3. OptimusBlack
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Who to C ?
    A - TAA
    B- KDB
    C- Salah

    1. Bleh
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      On B myself but C is tempting.

    2. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Salah edges it for me

    3. Henryyy
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      C

    4. Cheeto__Bandito
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      B

    5. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      On C at present then B

    6. OptimusBlack
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers guys

  4. HD7
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Anybody on WC right now how does your team look curently, lets make a little debate:)

  5. AppleDunk
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Who will Pereira replace when he returns for Leicester? Castagne or Justin? Or neither??

    1. F_Ivanovic
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Justin. Castagne should move to left back.

  6. Cheeto__Bandito
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Castagne or Semedo?

    Castagne more likely attacking return but think wolves have much better chances of clean sheets with their fixtured

    1. Henryyy
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Castagne

      1. Henryyy
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        As long as Vinagre plays Wolves wont get any CS

        1. Klaren
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          How did they get CS last season with Vinagre then?

          1. Henryyy
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Luck

            1. Klaren
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              How do you define luck? For instance they didn’t give any big chances against Brighton when Vinagre played, how does luck come into it then? Even if it was luck, hiw can you be 100% sure they won’t get lucky again?

          2. FPL Theorist
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            He hardly played, it was Jonny LWB.

            1. Klaren
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              That’s irrelevant. We are talking about the games in which Vinagre played. They got CS with Vinagre in the team, hence the above argument is incorrect.

      2. Cheeto__Bandito
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Think lei will tighten up defensively?

    2. noquarternt
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I think Castagne has proven himself to be a quality pick.

  7. Bonus magnet
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Son to?

    1. Barnes
    2. Traore
    3.mahrez ( have sterling )

    4.keep son and sell Kane for Vardy or Jimi

    1. Cheeto__Bandito
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      3

      1. Taegugk Warrior
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Chance Mahrez starting..?

    2. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      3 then 1

      thoughts below?

  8. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts please?

    A. Werner & Son > Vardy & Barnes (-4)

    B. Werner & Son > Vardy & Hamez (-4) have DCL

    Double up LEI or EVE?

    Y or N

    Cheers

    1. Bonus magnet
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Double Leicester

      1. the dom 1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Thats my thoughts too.

        Cheers

  9. HD7
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Are Mitchell and Dunne nailed mates?
    Have Taylor but wonder to switch to Dunne on the WC

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Nope

  10. davies
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Is it worth going with Vinagre over Dunne on wildcard?

    Both would be perma benched but might get this week (FUL) out of him...

    1. Henryyy
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Nope

  11. Alisson WondHaaland
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Take Davies out for a hit? Or just keep and pray he plays?

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Sounds like they played wing-backs in the cup today, not sure if that will continue. If they play 3 CBs then he could be one of them.

    2. FourLokoLeipzig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Keep if you have a playing sub, it’s 50/50 I reckon

  12. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Not a great surprise Wolves get thrashed with the 343 system.

    I expect Nuno to react and revert back to the 352 - Neto not offering much anyway - and tier defensive greatness will be restored.

    1. JJeyy
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Their*

      1. kobewan
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        you think Saiss is nailed in the wolves 11 or Semedo taking his spot?

        1. MrZ
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Saiss is CB, semedo is RB/RWB

          1. kobewan
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            thanks

  13. 420king
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Could use some help on what to do with this team:

    McCarthy
    TAA Taylor Justin Egan
    Salah KDB Bruno Podence*
    Werner Adams
    (Walton Burke Davies Brewster)
    1FT 1m ITB

    Do you think it would be wise to hold off WC for one more week? If so, what would be your move? Thanks.

    1. FPL_Devil
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Davies to Castange and the WC over the IB

      1. 420king
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah selling Davies was my first thought once I missed the Werner price drop. Do it tonight I guess? Thanks.

    2. JJeyy
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Either Egan to Semedo or save ft.

      1. JJeyy
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Davies not Egan actually

        1. 420king
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Yeah, put Egan in my first team but it's Davies I want to be selling first. Don't plan on saving FT since it's WC time next round either way. Thanks.

  14. noquarternt
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Does Lampard make it to Christmas?

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Whats the going odds lol

    2. nerd_is_the_werd
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Why not?

  15. DunkinDonuts
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Need to get rid of Werner - No FTs left

    Will you take a hit for

    A) Jim?
    B) Ings?
    C) Someone else?
    D) Hold and trasnfer next week?

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Vardy?

    2. nerd_is_the_werd
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Has it been confirmed he's injured or just wanting him away due to poor form?

    3. JURGENAUT
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Hold

      He will explode, it’s inevitable

  16. noquarternt
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    I agree with the article, Lacazette still not finding any favour despite the stream of points.

    Could be a great differential for the risk lovers.

  17. nerd_is_the_werd
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Don't think people should write off Diaz just yet.
    He 'could' be the next Van Dijk and could be a very good signing for his age and talent.

  18. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Hey folks, How did Werner look apart from the goal last night?

    1. KEEEEEZ
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Not too bad, not exceptional either. Best chels player on the pitch but another full 90 following a game 3 days ago could be the worry going into Palace, only thing was he was out wide again so didn't get much service unfortunately with no Havertz/Pulisic/Ziyech, but was a great finish. Personally will keep for Palace at home and see where to go from there, the ability is without a doubt there, just a matter of service imo

      1. Rolls-Royce
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers. Yeah, doubt he will get enough service until the key players are back and with palace being so organized defensively.

    2. kobewan
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I just want to see him nearer to the goal, seems to be to far off it to at least have chances..

  19. tc93
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Odds on Michell rising before next week? hes on 93.8 right now

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      100% unless he gets injured in training

      1. tc93
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        great news

  20. JURGENAUT
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Need ideas. Whether to stick or change:

    McCarthy (Forster)
    Lamptey - Justin - Taylor (Mitchell, Dunne)
    Salah - KDB - Bruno - Zaha (Klich)
    Jimenez - Ings - Maupay

    Thanks

  21. osceola31909
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Not sure I’ll do it, but if I do a transfer to get Robbo, who should I lose? R. James or Saïss?

    1. Soto Ayam
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      James

  22. Joyce1998
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    g2g
    2 FT
    0.0 itb

    Mccarthy
    Taa, Saiss, Justin
    Salah, Bruno, KDB, Klich
    Jimmy (c), Wilson, DCL

    Steer, Alzate, Taylor, Mitchell

  23. HD7
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Hows this for a WC mates?
    Would appreciate all the feedback I can get:)
    Looking for nailed players, attacking defenders and the midf and attackers with penalties/set pieces:)

    Mccarthy
    TAA Justin Semedo Dunne
    Salah KDB Hamez Zaha
    Vardy Jimi

    Button Mitchell Stephens Davis

  24. tc93
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    whos a better pick? Hames or Zaha? On WC..

    1. Joyce1998
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      defo Hames

  25. tc93
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    when is ferguson expected to come back?

    1. Joyce1998
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      still injured could be sometime after the break

  26. ClaireT
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Werner & ASM to Vardy & Pereira for -4? Thoughts? Or something different?

    McCarthy, Button
    Saiss, TAA, Justin, Holding, Lascelles
    Foden, Salah, Bruno, ASM, Reed
    Jimi, DCL, Werner

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I just did Wrner & Son > vardy & barnes before Vardy rise in 7 mins.

      1. ClaireT
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Thank you, would you say Pereria is a good option? 🙂

      2. ClaireT
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Or Townsend from Palace?

  27. HD7
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Wc: Thougnts mates?

    Mccarthy
    TAA Justin Semedo Dunne
    Salah KDB Hamez Zaha
    Vardy Jimi

    Button Mitchell Stephens Davis

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      G2G

      Zaha may troll you but good run of fixtures after IB

      1. HD7
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah I will try him for form but also fixtures of Palace.
        Would like to have Castagne but dont see who to downgrade from Zaha Hamez. Dont thr Leeds guys yet cause next matches are Shefield and Fulham.

  28. kobewan
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Worth the risk?

    Son/Mitrovic > Barnes/Richarlison (-4)

    1. Soto Ayam
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yep

      1. kobewan
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Richarlison over DCL?

        Richarlison takes the pens but DCL seems like the guy who is always at the right place and time

        1. Soto Ayam
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Your original post is an upgrade

  29. Futureform
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    What do you think of this WC?
    Top heavy but no one's getting clean sheets and maybe the rest bag points consistently.

    McCarthy Steer
    Justin KWP Mitchell Dunne Johnson
    Salah KDB Fernandes Klich Stephens
    Vardy Ings DCL

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah that backline needs sorting and doesn’t justify the forward lines.

      1. Futureform
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks. I'm super tempted whilst clean sheets are lacking, but it's unbalanced I know.

        Which should be the 1st mid/fwd to drop out of these to free funds?

  30. Ragabolly
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Rises: Martínez (4.6)
    Falls: Jesus (9.4) Alli (7.6) Eze (5.9) van Aanholt (5.4) Neves (5.4) Wan-Bissaka (5.4) Pröpper (4.9) Dendoncker (4.9) Marçal (4.9) Martinelli (4.9) Torreira (4.8) Gordon (4.4) Jordao (4.4) Thomas (4.3)

    1. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers.

    2. JURGENAUT
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Just Martinez rose? Fplstatistics is struggling with 5 players predicted to rise tonight

      1. Gnu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        don't believe they can factor in wildcards, so always a margin of error.

      2. Pieterke30
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Has been like that for two weeks now mate. From now on, always consider that not more than half fplstatistics change predictions will actually happen.

    3. Soto Ayam
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers. Wow Alli, such a quick fall from grace and

    4. dark91
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Van Aanholt was busy today playing Fifa 21. A well deserved drop 😀

    5. rainy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers

    6. Boo Ya Ka Sha
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      cheers

    7. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Ta. The first 3 falls in order describe Dele Alli this season.
      Jesus Alli Easy

    8. JohnnyCroat
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      1-0! Yaaaas

    9. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Jordao Sancho at 4.4, bargain!