Dugout Discussion

Alisson and Mane miss out for Liverpool as Barkley makes Aston Villa debut

The final match of Gameweek 4 – and the last Premier League fixture before the October international break – sees two sides with 100% winning records square off at Villa Park.

Aston Villa v Liverpool gets underway in the West Midlands at 19:15 BST.

There are two significant changes to Jurgen Klopp’s starting XI, with Sadio Mane (£11.9m) and Alisson (£6.0m) both missing for the visitors.

Mane’s absence we knew about, with Liverpool confirming on Friday that the Senegal international had tested positive for COVID-19.

Diogo Jota (£6.3m) comes in for his first Premier League start for the Reds.

Alisson’s shoulder injury we weren’t aware of ahead of Saturday’s Fantasy Premier League deadline but rumours had gathered momentum about his unavailability this afternoon and the Brazilian indeed sits this one out with a shoulder injury.

Adrian (£4.5m) deputises between the posts.

Klopp shed more light on his first-choice shot-stopper’s injury before the match, saying:

Yesterday an incident in training, very unlucky – two players clash with each other, one gets up, one doesn’t. The one who didn’t get up was Ali.

So, after the first few things, we don’t know 100 per cent. But he cannot play today. We have to do further assessment but he’s injured, let me say it like this. Now we hope it will go really quickly.

It’s an international break, I’m pretty sure after that he will not be ready. Then we have to see week by week.

On Mane, the Liverpool boss added:

He’s good, he’s good. We are obviously in contact pretty often.

He is fine. Monday night, we played Arsenal, played a really good game, after the game it was a really good feeling. And then the problems started immediately. That’s how it is. That’s how life is, that’s how our life is as well, that’s completely normal.

Jordan Henderson (£5.4m) has recovered from a muscle problem but the England midfielder is only among the substitutes this evening.

Aston Villa’s starting XI shows only one change, with Conor Hourihane (£6.0m) dropping to the bench.

Ross Barkley (£5.9m) comes in for the Irishman and makes his Aston Villa debut, following his loan move from Chelsea.

Three-quarters of Liverpool’s backline and Mohamed Salah (£12.2m) boast double-digit ownerships in FPL, with the Egyptian and Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m) the fourth and third most-owned assets overall.

Emi Martinez (£4.6m), who has racked up 19 points in his new club’s first two Premier League matches of the season, is Villa’s most-owned player.


Aston Villa XI: Martínez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett, McGinn, Luiz, Barkley, Trézéguet, Watkins, Grealish.

Liverpool XI: Adrián, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, van Dijk, Robertson, Keita, Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Salah, Firmino, Jota.

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2,840 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Was Acc impressed by him last week too

  2. Right In The Stanchion
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    3 Martínez saves already. The ball just sticks to him

  3. Sherif halawa
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Getting Watkins points off bench.. Love you lamps for benching mount

    1. Right In The Stanchion
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Embarrassing points but take it.

      1. Sherif halawa
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Taking it happily

  4. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Salah is anonymous, where is he?!

  5. Albrightondknight
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    When you notice that you have exact cash for
    Werner and Podence
    To
    Watkins and Son
    🙂

    1. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Kneejerk FC

      1. Albrightondknight
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Just messin about

      2. Albrightondknight
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        But Son Is coming in knee jerk or not.
        He is streaky and great next 4 fixtures.

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

    What a finish!!

    1. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      sorry for being late

  7. socho
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    How can a struggling side become so good in few weeks? Crazy

    1. Steinburg FC
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Ended last season pretty well I recall

    2. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Remember what happen the season after Lei nearly got relegated 🙂

    3. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Used covid break better than the other teams and are now reaping rewards. THey were good post lockdown

    4. jdp219
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Switched from beer to water in the locker room?

  8. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Firmino letting Liverpool down. Should be at least level if that guy could finish

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

    Salah playing defensive left midfielder

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      On the right.

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

        Salah playing defensive right midfielder

        1. Stockport Hatter
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Agreed! 🙂

  10. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Everything is fixed.

  11. Says
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Manés gravity missing makes it tougher for Salah

  12. Agger
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    @LEO10

    Napoli did travel. I wouldn’t listen to any restrictions/news that you hear. It’s 99% nonsense

  13. antis0cial
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Hmmm was going to do grealish to son, maybe have to find another way to get son!

  14. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Best midfielder for 6.5 going forward?

    1. Karhumies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Bowen or a cheap penalty taker like Klich or Jorginho?

  15. Lev Yashin
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Easiest Soucek, Vardy -> Son, Watkins move I'll make all season.

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

      Pretty much just did the reverse haha

      1. Lev Yashin
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Oof

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

    Jota fail

  17. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    £6.1m budget for fwd

    A) Mitro
    B) Bamford
    C) Watkins

    Initial thoughts...

    Mitro - on pens and central to Fulham play. However, 0 big chances, Fulham are terrible so shots tend to be half chances

    Bamford - Never rated him but clearly he has started great. No pens and is there a risk of losing place to Rodrigo?

    Watkins - 2 goals vs lpool, don't know much about him but seems highly rated

  18. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Any chance for Watkins to be on pens?

  19. Dele
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone else remove Watkins and Son for a -8?

  20. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Sterling (C) looks better and better

  21. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Grealish 10% ownership but almost never see him in teams on here

    1. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Casual pick

    2. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Saving my game week... (or making it at least bearable)

  22. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Martinez another save

  23. BenDavies
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Salah playing RM lol

  24. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    "Hasn't adapted to the league" lmaoo

    1. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Or "hasn't played in the PL!!!"

  25. Right In The Stanchion
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    4 saves Martínez

  26. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I bet you wish your midfield was Grealish like mine.

  27. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Wild card time.

    1. Wolfman180
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Definitely!

    2. Homer21
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      This

  28. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Cheap strikers are doing excellent this year

  29. tissae
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Would you guys rather go:
    A) 343 with DCL Maupay Wilson up front, Son + JRod
    B) 442 with Kane DCL up front, Son + 6.0mid

  30. Boomerang V
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Why is Podence still flagged? Did he go out injured?

    1. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No flags just not been removed i think

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      He's not.