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. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Is Davis the direct replacement for if Dallas gets injured?

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

      Could be him or Alioski

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

      Alioski could be utilised there. More experienced than Davis

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

    Maguire has travelled. Any genuine thoughts on who starts alongside him?

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

      Lindelof I'd reckon, Bailley was poor against Spurs

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

      Apparently OGS absolute laid into starting 11 after Spurs game so I wouldn't be surprised if he gave Tuanzebe a start. Expect changes across the board.

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

    Captain Robertson for me...

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

      Cajones on this guy.

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

    Final dilemma on my WC, pick the best combination:

    Martinez - Forster
    Robbo - Chilwell - _____ - _____ - _____
    Salah - Son - J. Rod - Grealish - Bissouma
    Kane - DCL - Maupay

    A) Castagne + Ayling + Mitchell
    B) Saïss + Ayling + KWP
    C) Saïss + Lamptey + Lewis

    Cheers!

    1. drughi
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

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

        Wouldn't that result in too much of a benching headache?

    2. Runaway
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

    3. dcfc77
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I have Saiss & Lamptey for what it’s worth so c) for me.

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

    KdB's crocked need to take a hit to bring someone in his stead:-
    A) Sterling
    B) Pulisic
    C) Grealish

    1. linkafu
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A

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

      Sterling surely going to be in and amongst the returns tomorrow - is he fit?

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

        Going to wait it out for more details but if he is fit then seems an easy move. May even consider (C)

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

    Posted on wrong article...

    A : KdB to Son(C) for free and stuck with Adams, and play Adams
    B : KdB and Adams to Grealish and Kane (C) for -4

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

      B is a good move IMO

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

        Cheers mate.

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

    Pulisic Havertz or James Rod

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

      Pulisic this week, James any other week. Havertz last.

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

      Hamez Rodriguez

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

    If your mid/front line is:

    Salah Son KDB Greenwood Podence
    DCL Jimi Mitro

    A) KDB > Sterling
    B) KDB > Mane (Pool double up)
    C) KDB > Bruno (United double up)
    D) KDB/Mitro > Mahrez/Vardy -4
    E) KDB/Mitro > Pulisic/Vardy -4

    1. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      a

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

    Thoughts on this team for GW5?
    Martinez
    Robbo, Saiss, James
    Salah, Son, Pulisic, Grealish, Zaha
    DCL, Jimenez

    Forster, Lamptey, Brewster, Mitchell

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

    KdB ->

    A) Sterling/Bruno (-4)
    B) Start Justin (AVL)

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

      B for now, A next week

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

      If already used FT I’d just hold, Arsenal and unfit strikers is hardly a plum fixture. Ride it out.

    3. linkafu
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

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

      Sterling

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

      im in same boat and thinking sterling -4...got to imagine most with kdb are getting rid so a hit may be the norm

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

    I am thinking to get Semedo or Reguilon.Some spare thoughts.I think Tottenham in the next 3 games has slightly better fixtures for cs.Semedo played only 72 and 77 minutes in his two games.Spurs has conceded 5 goals but 3 of them were from penalties.In gw8 Tottenham plays WBA(A) which is an excellent fixture.Wolves on the other hand has Leicester(A).And last,i want to see how attacking Semedo will be with Traore in the right side.

  12. BEEZUS
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    To replace KdB)

    A) Zaha
    B) Pulisic

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

      Zaha is a doubt. Pulisic a much better option anyway

    2. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      pul

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

    Do people think Brewster's going to start tomorrow?

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

    Sorry, repost. Thoughts on this WC?

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

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

    Thoughts on Chilwell? Not much competition on the left, right? Not seeing many good options among the defenders to be honest. Double Lfc defence anyone?

    1. Seanigula
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Chilwell is solid and on set pieces for now...supposedly Ziyech could take them when he returns

  16. DantheManinaPan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Would you get Pulisic on WC, or too early?

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

      I would get him as a good differential pick early on, might score big if he plays

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

      I would wait

  17. Beavis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    2 FTs. Doing KDB > Son with 1 of them, what to do with the other:

    Mccarthy
    TAA, Doherty*, Justin (Shaw*, Mitchell*)
    Salah, KDB*, Rodríguez, Foden (Bissouma)
    Werner, DCL, Adams

    A: Doherty > Chilwell
    B: Werner > Kane
    C: Adams > Maupay
    D: 2 of the above for a hit?

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

    Anyone else going with Kane ahead of Son ?

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

      I would if I had the choice

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

        even if i can get Son for free, and KAne for a hit ?

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

          Go for both but prioritise Kane (c)

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

      Both, but Kane (C)

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

    Correct sub order?

    Mitchell Burke KWP

    Thanks

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

      Looks good

  20. GE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    What would you change on this WC-draft
    Maybe Chilwell/Castagne -> Saiss to upgrade Mitchell? Or just go both Chilwell and Castagne?

    (0.0 itb)

    Martinez
    Robertson/Castagne/Chilwell
    Salah/Son/James/Grealish
    Kane/DCL/Maupay

    Bench: Button, Mitchell, Douglas, Bissouma

    1. TokyoRed 東京赤
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I’m leaving 0.5 to upgrade Mitchell later, after PvA is back. My wc looks very similar, although I’m leaving Liverpool wingbacks.

      Martinez Ramsdale
      Chillwell Reguilon Lamptey Mitchell Konsa
      Son Salah Hamez Grealish Trossard
      Kane DCL Maupay

    2. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Nothing,looks great until City attack come good

  21. Steve McCroskey
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Best MID for 7.3 or less? Not Grealish. Zaha?

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

      Trossard or bowen

    2. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I wouldn go with 3rd mid in 7.0m range

    3. linkafu
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Barkley

    4. TokyoRed 東京赤
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Trossard
      Podence
      Pereira

  22. linkafu
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Points prediction for Foden?

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

      2

  23. BEEZUS
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    To replace KdB:

    A) Zaha
    B) Grealish
    C) Pulisic

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

      B safe C differential

    2. TokyoRed 東京赤
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      None of them will come close to doing that 😉

      B - C - big gap - A

  24. FFSbet.com
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    G2G here,Son or Salah(C)?

    KDB > Son (-4)

    Martinez
    TAA - Chilwell - Justin
    Salah - Son(C) - Bruno - Hamez - Grealish
    DCL - Bamford

    (Brewster - Ayling - Mitchell)

  25. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Last WC dilemma

    Martinez
    Robertson - Chilwell - Dallas - ___ - Mitchell
    Salah - Son - Grealish - ___ - ___
    Kane - DCL - Maupay

    Which trio for the missing spots:

    A) Saiss - J.Rodriguez - Soucek
    or
    B) KWP - Pulisic - Soucek
    or
    C) Saiss - Pulisic - Bissouma
    ..?

  26. Buck The Trent
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Would you do

    KdB Ings to Son, Kane for (-4)?

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

      Pulisic Kane, then yes

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

      Without hesitation.

    3. TokyoRed 東京赤
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yep

  27. bso
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Trossard or Townsend? Thinking Fornals or Bowen in GW8?

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

      Trossard and Bowen

    2. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Trossard

  28. ZTF
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    If my rival this week in draft has a utd defender, which defence would you start?

    A) Utd
    B) Wolves
    C) Brighton

  29. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    RMWCT

    Martinez (steer)
    Robbo Chilwell Dallas (Mitchell KWP)
    Salah Son McGinn Rodriguez Pulisic
    Kane DCL (Brewster)

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

    Who's on pens in Villa ? Trezeguet, right ?