Pro Pundits - Mark

Why I’m refusing to waver on Klopp’s defensive double-up

Mark Sutherns explains why he’s sticking to his guns amid the Liverpool defensive firesale.


I remain defiant when it comes to Liverpool’s full-backs. An avalanche of goals is flushing funds from Fantasy Premier League defences and Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m) and Andy Robertson (£7.0m) are rapidly being classified as disposable. But I’m not having it.

I’m not denying the logic. Liverpool have kept just four clean sheets in 13 matches since the restart and the injury to Alisson (£6.0m), a crucial component in Jurgen Klopp’s defensive jigsaw, nudges a hapless Adrian (£4.5m) into the firing line.

That worrying scenario provides a sub-plot to a season that, so far, has seen 144 goals scored, a rate of 3.79 goals per game. That’s a ridiculous figure: the record for a Premier League season was set in 1992/93 when we witnessed a rate of 2.65 goals per game.

So FPL managers are reassessing their team structure and flooding to the major benefactors of the goal rush, notably Spurs’ Harry Kane (£10.6m) and Son Heung-min (£9.1m).

Expensive defenders are being sacrificed and, should Alexander-Arnold and Robertson fail to return in Saturday’s Merseyside derby, the evacuation will only gather pace.

But the recent explosion from the Spurs pair isn’t enough to convince me to give up on my two defensive investments. I may well move funds from Lucas Digne (£6.1m) and Reece James (£5.1m) and replace them with £4.5m options, but I’m remaining steadfast on the Liverpool full-backs.

At this stage, FPL managers normally start to seek out trends and patterns vital to drive our decisions – our transfers, our early-season Wildcards.

But we’ve never experienced a start to the season like this. We’re in the midst of something extreme that, to my mind, makes it impossible to find the comforting foothold of reliable data and form.

So with just this small and extraordinary sample of matches as my reference, I’m refusing to write off a player who, prior to Gameweek 1, was the first name on almost every FPL teamsheet.

At the time of writing, over almost 240,000 managers have sold Alexander-Arnold heading into Saturday’s deadline.

Admittedly, his performances have contributed to that trend. He has been short of his best by some margin and has been strangely peripheral to Liverpool’s play. However, Alexander-Arnold’s numbers remain impressive: only West Ham’s Ryan Fredericks (£4.4m) and Aaron Cresswell (£4.9m) have created more chances among players in his Fantasy position, and with seven efforts on goal, no defender has bettered his direct threat. If you are brave enough to use data given the bizarre four Gameweeks we’ve had, there’s little in the numbers to drive you to sell.

Alexander-Arnold is a player that has provided 28 assists and five goals in his previous two campaigns, with his points tally improving from 185 points to 210. Since the start of the 2019/20 campaign, only Kevin De Bruyne (£11.6m) and Jack Grealish (£7.1m) have created more chances and on Boxing Day last year, the right-back coupled that creativity with an eye for goal to haul of 24-points, a record for a defender in the history of FPL.

Is this really an asset we can reject on the basis of four bizarre Gameweeks?

On Liverpool’s opposite flank, Robertson appears to be reaching new levels as an attacking outlet. He’s overshadowed Alexander-Arnold since the restart, creating more chances (22 vs 20) and more big chances (six versus three), while he’s surely passed the eye test.

The Scot is pouring forward on the left flank, overlapping Mane time and time again. He already has a first goal to his name and there should be more to come.

Fabinho bolsters Liverpool defence as Werner shows promise ahead of West Brom

Liverpool will be backed to be second only to Manchester City for goals scored again this season and, collectively, their full-backs have provided 34% of the assists since the start of the 2018/19 season.

So while the chances of clean sheets in the short-term may be diminished by Adrian’s tenure, Klopp’s side will have to score more goals to win matches and that will surely benefit their primary source of creativity.

And I’m not giving up on defensive returns, either.

We have to expect Klopp to react to the Villa Park mauling. He will surely focus on shutting down the gaps that were exploited in that defeat. The return of Jordan Henderson (£5.4m) and Sadio Mane (£11.9m) – both vital to Liverpool’s pressing game that denies opponents the time to exploit a high line – must also be factored in.

That aforementioned record of four clean sheets from 13 outings includes eight matches when the title was almost in the bag. But Liverpool cannot show any complacency now. Pep Guardiola will demand that his City side match Liverpool’s own relentless consistency, so Klopp will know that he has to quickly find a solution to their defensive frailties.

The fixture list convinces me that I can give him time.

Liverpool face just a Gameweek 8 trip to the Etihad and a home clash with Spurs in Gameweek 13 as major tests before the deadline for the first Wildcard.

So for this FPL manager, Alexander-Arnold and Robertson remain at the status they held before the madness ensued: unique assets who can present outstanding value.

They are investments worthy of that extra five million, particularly when I can compensate for that spend by investigating mid-price assets in attacking areas. We’ve already seen that Grealish, James Rodriguez (£7.6m), Dominic Calvert Lewin (£7.6m) and Michail Antonio (£6.3m) are options that offer the potential of returns that keep pace or even better the top tier players.

It’s going to take a Jose Mourinho team to go on scoring five and six goals a game to convince me otherwise. At that point, the madness shifts to a whole new level.


Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

3,031 Comments Post a Comment
  1. abaalan
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Martinez, 4.0
    Chilwell, KWP, Lamptey, Taylor, Mitchell
    Salah, Sterling, Son, Pullisic, Soucek
    Kane, Maupay, Brewster

    0.1 ITB, on WC, gtg??

    1. Ibralicious
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      who's your captain?

    2. Zrinkec
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      gtg

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

      Probably Kane this week

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

    Thoughts pls, current WC draft:

    Mccarthy | Martin
    Chilwell | Justin | KWP | Mitchell | kilman
    Salah | KDB | Zaha | Son | JRod
    Maupay | Kane | Brewster

    A) KDB > Grealish, Justin > Lampty
    B) KDB > Grealish, Justin > Reguilon
    C) KDB > Sterling or Mahrez

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

      sterling

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

    My team if I save the FT and bench KDB. Can't say I'm thrilled by it, but I can see a bit of merit in it.

    McCarthy
    Trent, Saiss, Justin, Mitchell
    Salah(c), Son, Soucek, Podence
    Ings, Jimenez
    (Nyland**, KWP, Davis, KDB**)

    Worth selling KDB? Maybe just upgrade Davis to Watkins for a 343?

  4. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    McCarthy ¦
    TAA - Coady - Taylor
    KdB* - Salah - Jorginho - Son
    Kane - Maupay - Wilson
    ¦ Justin - Bissouma - Ward

    Take a hit for KdB??

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

    Thoughts on Aguero as a pick longer term? Inevitable rotation with Jesus?

    1. Jolly Good
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I like it... think he plays 30 mins against Arsenal.. and the tears it apart

  6. Jolly Good
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Captain

    A) Werner

    B) Bruno

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

      neither

    2. Sgt Frank Drebin
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Anyone else really...

    3. ASOUSA12
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B)

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

    Rashford, Podence or Mahrez, Foden on a FH?

    1. Jolly Good
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Mahrez Podence

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

    Play

    A) Dallas

    B) Saiss??

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

      B

  9. baines is god
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Grealish, Zaha or Rodriguez?

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

      Zaha or Rod

    2. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Grealish

  10. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Who’s your C?

    1. Sgt Frank Drebin
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Kane

    2. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Probably Son, but not feeling confident.

    3. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      See below

  11. Sgt Frank Drebin
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    There is such a huge choice e of options among the midfielders and forwards. I never wish anyone anything bad but was kinda hoping deep inside some injuries or covid cases will make the choice easier.

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

      Only option really is salah. He's going to punish all the people the cap son

      1. Sgt Frank Drebin
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah for a captain Salah is always a good option. I'm on a wildcard though and can't decide on the rest of players apart from Salah and Son (and probably Kane)...

  12. Ibralicious
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Mitchell is +96.5 and TAA is -99.5 on fplstatistics.

    Chances of their prices changing in a couple of hours?

    1. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      75%

  13. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Is this is an ok bench order?
    Brewster-R James-Mitchell

    1. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Start James and hope for the best

  14. Dexters Laboratory
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Bench
    A) Lamptey
    B) Saiss

    Captain
    1) Kane
    2) Son

    Hits (-4)
    X) Foden to Grealish
    Y) James to Chilwell
    Z) None

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

      A
      1
      none you have lamptey from bench if james dont play

  15. Super John McGinn-
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    A) Chilwell, Saiss, Lamptey, Stephens, Maupay
    B) Coady, Lamptey, Dallas, Hamez, Brewster
    C) Chilwell, Semedo, Dallas, Stephens, Maupay

    Martinez, Forster
    Robbo, Chilwell, Saiss, Lamptey, Ferguson
    Salah, Son, Pulisic, Grealish, Stephens
    Kane, DCL, Maupay

    1. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      C

    2. Zrinkec
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      C

  16. Inspector Norse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Sterling, Mahrez, Bruno or Pulisic for KDB?

    Already have Salah, Rodriguez, Son and Grealsh.

    Cheers

  17. TeddiPonza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    What to do with KdB? Would have to sell for a hit

    A. Keep and play Mitchell from bench
    B. Ship for Rash
    C. Ship for Bruno
    D. Ship for Sterling
    E. Ship for someone else

    Thanks

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

      D

  18. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Keep Mitchell on WC ?

    Or go Wolves 4.0 or Ferguson?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      May as well go for a 3.9 def. None of them are nailed

  19. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Can I survive with this for this week or -4 needed? 0.5itb

    Martinez
    Robbo lamptey Mitchell
    Salah son soucek Burke
    Werner(c) jimi dcl

    Forster dunne vinagre kdb

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Both Burke and Mitchell are not nailed. Lamptey still a doubt?

      1. Rhodes your boat
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        That’s what I’m thinking a lot of risks, would probably replace kdb but with who

        1. Tonyawesome69
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Mane

  20. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    KDB to Grealish -4 or play Bissouma? Thanks

    0.8itb 0ft
    McCarthy
    Robbo TAA Taylor Ayling
    KDB* Salah Son Podence
    DCL Jimenez
    (Peacock Bissouma Justin Vassilev)

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

      id rather do kdb to zaha and keep the change for the following week.

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Not going anywhere near Zaha. He flatters to deceive

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

    Capt Salah or Son?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Salah

    2. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Son

    3. Ady87
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Son

    4. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Between those for me?

  22. Hig1990
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Thoughts?

    Martinez
    Robbo, Regulion, Chilwel
    Salah, Son, Grealish, Pulisic, Trossard
    DCL, Kane
    (Button, Brewster, KWP, Fergusson) 0.4ITB

  23. tbhogal
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Sell KDB for a -4 hit or bench and play Podence ?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Probably for a hit since Podence might not start

  24. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    For this gw?
    A.Podence
    B. Watkins
    C..Maupay

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

      C

  25. yanky
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    a) KDB > Grealish -4pt
    b) KDB > Pulisic -4pt (have werner already)
    c) KDB > Sterling -4pt
    d) Keep KDB and play Lamptey.

    1. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

  26. Jolly Good
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Never thought I’d have a week where I don’t even own the top 3 options on captaincy poll and debating between #6 and #12 in the polls for my captain

  27. Simon69
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone actually got Bale rather than considering? So tempted by a Kane, Bale, Son triple-up.

    1. Arctic monkeys
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A 1/0 wetham victory and you'll start questioning life

      1. Simon69
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        That's what's putting me off. I'm just thinking SURELY Spurs have to bag a few with that much fire power. I've already gone balls out with Havertz and Werner at the beginning of the season... Maybe it's time to be safe.

    2. H.E. Pennypacker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I have. Took KDB out for Bale and a -4 hit.

      1. Simon69
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Ballsy.

        1. H.E. Pennypacker
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          My rank is so shite, i'm happy to take a gamble. Also, it might a fun pick.:)

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

      A mate of mine has owned Kane and Son all season and took a hit for Bale this week to triple up. He's had a great start as you can imagine but doesn't really take the game all that seriously and his moves are fuelled by club allegiance more than anything. Personally I'd avoid the triple up in attack but I can understand the temptation.

      1. H.E. Pennypacker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I'm gonna do the same after this game week, already got Sonny & Bale; Kane in for Jiminez.
        Kane, Sonny & Bale.

  28. Openboxman
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Start 1.

    James, Mitchell, lamptey.

    1. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      James, Lamptey 1st Sub

    2. BenW3989
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      James

    3. Ady87
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I’m starting James, coin flip for the others, wondering if Lamptey might get a break as commentators seem to think he was hooked after being schooled as opposed to an injury last time out. I might start Mitchell ahead on the bench.

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

    Who to captain?

    A....son

    B....salah

    Thanks

    1. baines is god
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

    2. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A

    3. Ady87
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A

    4. Sgt Frank Drebin
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

  30. baines is god
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Brewster or Antonio?

    1. Sgt Frank Drebin
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      For the bench? If for the starting 11 then Antonio is much better option imho.