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. GE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Saiss or Semedo?

    1. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Sem

    2. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Semedo

  2. Catastrophe
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Who to bench?

    A) Justin (AVL)
    B) Saiss (lee)
    C) Digne (LIV)
    D) Brewster (FUL)

    Cheers.

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

      1. Catastrophe
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Ya

        1. Catastrophe
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Ta*

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

      Tough! C or D

      1. Catastrophe
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers. And yeah, really tough! Want to start Brewster...

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

      C

      1. Catastrophe
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Thx

    4. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      D

    5. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A

  3. CelticBhoy1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Captain Son or Kane?

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Kane

  4. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    If you could captain any midfielder this GW who would it be and why?

    1. Boss Hogg
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Salah.
      I think he’ll score.

    2. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Son - form, confidence.

  5. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Play one
    A) Saiss
    B) Lamptey
    C) Mitchell

    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A

    2. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

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

      A

    4. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      ABC is correct order.

  6. Jones Town
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    What do you prefer on WC?

    A) Maupay & Soucek (3-4-3)
    B) Brewster & Trossard (3-5-2) + 0.9 to upgrade defence

    Thanks!

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A

  7. Boss Hogg
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    WC team:

    Martinez, 4.0
    TAA, PVA, Dallas, Lamptey, Mitchell
    Salah, Son, Pulisic, Grealish, Bissouma
    Kane, DCL, Wilson

    (0.4m itb to upgrade Mitchell to a 4.5)

    Any good?

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Looks great. Just get the 4.5 now...

      1. Boss Hogg
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks. Which 4.5?

        1. Firmino
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          KWP

  8. schlupptheweek
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I feel invigorated took my first ever -12 points, I'm just lying around in an OK rank around 450k but it feels way more exciting facing failure.
    I've done crazy moves of:
    KDB, Podence, TAA, Davis (AVL) to Pulisic (C), Havertz, Chilwell, Maupay and I'm benching Calvert-Lewin so this week will either be a massive drop or I'll end up where I started.

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

      > Benching DCL

      WTF bro

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

        Either DCL or Rodriguez because of creating a benching headache. Honestly think Rodriguez will be so high on jet lag he will score a massive free kick. It comes down to Rodriguez scoring more for a goal and being more exciting. I figured the least logical moves might be the most logical.

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      You clearly don’t know failure if it’s wxciting to you lol

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Exciting*

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

        We kind of all either fail or win at life when you consider we don't know what comes after life. FPL is not real, it's like money, an abstract concept which can gain greater meaning. FPL is meant to be fun but we overthink it and worry about failing then we don't end up having fun. For instance my first ever season I somehow got 95 points in my 1st GW when not overthinking, the threat of failure with risky moves is more interesting than going templated and getting a nice cosy 10k-100k rank.

  9. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Wow palace have signed butland
    Now I'm worried about my guaita pick on WC!

    1. Reeker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Butland is awful these days. He's just backup.

    2. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Butland makes the current England No1 look the greatest keeper of all time

    3. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Second string for sure

  10. mikess
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Bottomed... Which do you prefer?

    A) KDB > Mane or Sterling - 4
    B) Play Brewster

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

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

        Cheers

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

    Best 4.5 defender?

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

      Dallas or Ayling

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

    Is it mad to transfer KDB to Barkley this GW instead of Son? I really think that Spurs will struggle against WHU, but Villa could continue their run given the Leicester fragility (+ injuries now), and Barkley was arguably the most attacking mid vs Liverpool. This transfer could allow me Podence+Jimenez to Son+Kane in the next GW. So question is whether Barkley could outscore Son in this GW...

    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Is Barkley now nailed? I was unsure great player if he is

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

        played 90min first time he was available for Villa, so i think yes he is

    2. Arfaish
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No I don’t think he will, also would choose him over Grealish and certainly not over Son if you already have Grealish

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

    Zaha has a slight groin injury. Has a yellow flag on the FPL site. Maybe one to monitor if we get any more last minute news!

  14. Arfaish
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Is the team selection and bench order right for tomorrow:

    Guaita, (£4m)
    Chilwell, Semedo, Justin,
    Salah, Son, Pulisic, Rodriguez, Grealish
    Kane, DCL (Brewster)

    Mitchell, Lamptey, Brewster

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

    A - bissouma & Watkins
    B - mcginn & brewster

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

      A

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

      A

  16. RyanKent14
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Looking ok’ish?

    McCarthy
    TAA Chillwell Justin
    Salah Son Havertz Bruno Jrod
    DCL Wilson

    Forster Mitchell Brewster Bernardo

  17. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Hope butland be 4.0! At least I can have both butland and guaita without a worry

    1. Reeker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      He should be 4.0 honestly, there's no way he's starting and is probably worse than most 4.0s but knowing FPL he'll be 4.5

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

    Start Bissouma or Ayling?

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

      Ayling, chance at return both ends of the pitch this week

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

        Ayling a better option to start than Justin? LEI seemed to have a number of injuries

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

          Hmmm tough, coin toss

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

            Currently starting Taylor and Ayling over Bissouma and Justin

  19. Newms
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Seems Mane is being overlooked by everyone

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

      Not nailed to start this week is he? Also Salah looks the form player of the pair atm

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

        100% nailed

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

        why would he not start?

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Overlooked for a reason though

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

        That you're all sheep

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

          I think there will be periods where Mane is scoring more than Salah...but right now Salah is scoring, is on penalties, didn’t have Covid, and many had him from the start

  20. mgilbert86
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Hello,
    Is Mane fit to start?

    1. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yes he is

  21. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    What transfers to make?
    Kdb to Son the logical move? Or ship out Davies/Adams?

    McCarthy
    TAA - Justin - Davies
    Salah - Kdb - Bruno - Podence
    DCL - Wilson - Adams

    (2.2itb,1FT)

  22. N00B
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Play one:

    A) Ayling
    B) Bissouma
    C) Justin

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      C

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

      B

    3. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

    4. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

    5. N00B
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Thanks guys

  23. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Have Lamptey & R.James starting, only have Burke on bench who has any chance of playing (even he is a doubt).

    Should I do:

    KdB to Bruno (c) / Mahrez / Pulisic / Zaha (-4)

    or

    just leave KdB this GW and hope two of Lamptey, R.James & Burke feature

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

    Dilemmaer:

    1) Chilwell or Castagne
    2) Dallas, Ayling or KWP?

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Ch
      Dal

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

      Chiwell KWP

  25. HD7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    So De Bruyne is out

    Any update on Zaha?

    Should we expect Mitchell to start?

    Thanks

  26. waldo666
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    KDB to?

    A) Son
    B) Sterling
    C) Hames

    1. FeverPitch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Son

      1. waldo666
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers.

    2. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Who would you rather own for the next 4

      A) Fernandes
      B) Pulisic
      C) Grealish

  27. FeverPitch
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    KDB and foden to Grealish and Pulisic for free look good?

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

      I’d keep Foden and save the transfer

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

      Yes

    3. MY DJ NAME IS PIMP CURRY
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Just KDB out IMO. Bank the other FT

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

      Thanks all

  28. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Haven't seen butland lately
    Is he that bad now?

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

    Do you guys think Zaha will start considering the slight doubt?

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

    Probably already been said but Black Bos is live right now.
    Az bottled Haverts!

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

      Black Box*