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. MagicMessi
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Sterling owners what you expecting ??
    Not solid on him at all with no Kdb too

    1. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      City do seem to struggle quiet a bit when De Bruyne is missing and certainly score less goals!

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

        I was thinking this but they are still full of quality

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

        Can foden delivers?

        1. Balls of Steel
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Hope so as I have him!

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

      Yellow card, 1 point, and they lose to Arsenal

  2. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    What to do with this team now KDB is red flagged 🙁 ?

    Martinez
    VVD, Mitchell, Justin
    Salah, Son, Klich, Podence
    Bamford,DCL, Vardy

    Forster, Saiss, KWP, KDB*

    0FT, 0.4itb

    any advise would be great thanks 🙂

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

      KDB >> Sterling?

  3. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Just flipped a coin and it was definitely Havertz in a best of 9 hahah

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

      Between him and Havertz? Wondering the best pick between the two myself

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Him and Pulisic

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

      Pulisic haul incoming haha

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Most definitely

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

          Both are good options anyway this week

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

            Both starters?

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

              I guess

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

    What time do prices change?

    1. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      2:30ish i believe

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

        Cheers

  5. HurriKane
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Has a player ever reached 2 million transfers in for a single gw in FPL history?

    Son currently nearing 1.7m . Could reach 2m come gw5 deadline.

  6. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Bottomed...

    For a bit of an alternative wildcard (have two teams so go for something different in this one), how’s this?

    Meslier Forster
    TAA Semedo Chilwell Konsa Ferguson
    Salah Fernandes Pulisic Bissouma Stephens
    Kane DCL Watkins

    0.1 itb

    Thanks

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

    WC gtg?

    McCarthy 4.0
    Chilwell Saiss Ayling Konsa Dunne
    Salah Son Grealish Rashford 4.5
    Kane DCL Maupay

    0.7 ITB

    I could replace Rashford with Hames

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

    Thoughts on WC team?

    Martinez
    TAA - Robertson - Taylor - KWP
    Salah - Son - McGinn - Rodriguez
    DCL - Kane

    Watkins - Missouma - Michell - Forster

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

      Not a fan of double liv defence but that’s my opinion. Watkins to start over KWP surely?

  9. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Havertz it is. Pulisic minutes too uncertain for me.

    Welcome, Kai

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Nah still undecided

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

      GL. Im probably waiting 1 more week before buying into chelsea

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

      Lol kai

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

      Rashford for me this GW !!!
      Welcome rashyyyyyyyy !!!

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

        One SoT in 3 games? And that is the entire team speaking LOL

  10. roghippo
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Please help people

    A -12
    B Free Hit

    Cheers

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

      Is there an option C?

  11. PapaWengzz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Start 2 from:
    A) Lamptey (cry)
    B) Taylor (wba)
    C) Brewster (FUL)

    Ta

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

      A&C

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

      AB

  12. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Maybe in this unpredictable season, sometimes the best move is no move at all...

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

      This is my move

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

      True or one step at a time though i got 2 ft

  13. E25
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    A) podence - > Grealish -4
    B) Mitro -> dcl -4
    C) G2G

    Ryan
    Taa Robertson Justin Taylor
    Salah Rashford Son Podence
    Jimenez Mitro

    Walton KWP Davis Reed
    1.3ITB 0FT

    1. 2OLEgend
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      C

    2. Prison Mike
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A probably, unsure if podence will start

  14. Prison Mike
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Who to get on WC? Have DCL and Watkins...

    A) Grealish

    B) James Rodriguez

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

      Both ideally, but I rate B higher. Just a crazy world-class talent at such a good price for FPL. Grealish also up here though, not quite at Hamez's level imo

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

      A as lei probably will have makeshift defence

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

        This

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

      B

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

      A grealish, watch him play in that team u will definitely love him

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

    Strange how fplstatistics has TAA going down in price at -101% but fantasyfootballfix has him only at -75%.

    Is one site usually more accurate than the other or is it a toss-up this early in the season?

  16. Rsforstar
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Have both pva and mitchell. Who do you reckon will start? Im currently starting mitchell with pva 1sb sub

  17. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Any Chelsea watchers - how was Havertz looked overall so far?

    Unlucky only to get 2A so far?

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

      Overall chelsea looks somehow not good but nothing wrong in havertz he seems to get in dangerous position. With the returns of pulisic & ziyech he can pop on some goals easily with his natural position.

    2. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Over achived point wise imo. Not looked good.

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Welp 😆

  18. davies
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Which option lads?

    A) Mahrez > Pulisic
    B) Mahrez/Jimmy > Son(c)/Watkins (-4)
    C) Save ft
    D) Other

    Martinez
    TAA Robertson Lamptey
    Salah Sterling Mahrez Barnes
    Jimenez DCL Brewster

    Forster Soucek Mitchell Dunne

    Cheers.

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

      Save

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

      C

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

    Pick one!
    A: Mahrez
    B: Pulisic
    C: Rashford

    1. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No thanks

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

      I am in for rashford for no reason

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

      B

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

      C

    5. Mile Plankton
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Tough.

      I guess B for me. Jump early.

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

      B out of those

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

        Cool thanks!

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

    WC team G2G? 0 ITB

    Ryan

    Robertson, Semedo, Chilwell (Dallas, Mitchell)

    Salah, Son, Rodriguez, Grealish (Stephens)

    Kane, DCL, Maupay

    1. 2OLEgend
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Gtg. Nice team

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

        Cheers mate. Get a result tomorrow evening or big Mauricio is coming baby.

  21. Mile Plankton
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Dammit!
    I really don't want Son. Everyone has him.

    But he seems to do well against WHU every time. I'm sold.

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

      You don't want him purely because the ownership % is so high?

      1. Mile Plankton
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Everyone in my leagues has him. I bought him as a safe choice.
        I hate I didn't have the guts to go for some differential.

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

          I went without Salah at the beginning of the season in order to bring in differentials. I am currently in the toilet in terms of OR so it's sometimes good to go with the obvious pick.

  22. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Sod it, hit taken, Havertz in.

    IB form encouraging, should get more mins than Pulisic - the fact CP just returning from injury just made me feel uneasy bringing him straight in. Could prove fruitful for those willing to risk it but only time will tell.

    Please do me proud, Kai!

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

      Good luck. I sold him on WC after 4 incredibly frustrating weeks. Suspect that will all change with Ziyech and Pulisic back in the fold.

    2. Mile Plankton
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Good Luck.
      He is a good choice imo. He was my second option, but I went for Son.

  23. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Watch Havertz get benched now ffs 😆

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

    Is Jorginho a rotation risk or pretty much locked? I don’t watch Chelsea enough to know.

  25. bruuuno
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Targett or Konsa?

  26. Royal5
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Who are people C'ing? On Son atm

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

      Same here with Son

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

      The egyptian lad

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

      Kane probably.Maybe Raul but i don't have the guts.

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

        Raul really isn't worth the cataincy

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

          captaincy*

    4. MagicMessi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Between Salah and Kane

  27. 2OLEgend
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Sorry for the re-post, but would like some more input on this.

    Vardy - > Kane for free? Yay or Nay?

    And who to cap?
    A: Salah
    B: Son
    C: Vardy/Kane

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

      hell yes

      and son

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

      yes

  28. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone, please...

    For a bit of an alternative wildcard (have two teams so go for something different in this one), how’s this?

    Meslier Forster
    TAA Semedo Chilwell Konsa Ferguson
    Salah Fernandes Pulisic Bissouma Stephens
    Kane DCL Watkins

    0.1 itb

    Thanks

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

      The mid is a big no from me. You'll struggle to downgrade elsewhere in order to replace one of those 4.5s in mid. One 4.5 mid max imo.

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

        I know yep... I need to downgrade TAA or Fernandes don’t I

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

          Fernandes is a good pick but I think you need to bring a 4.5 up to at least 6.

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

            Agreed... maybe Rashford over Bruno reluctantly

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

              Good shout. Mason could play at 9 tomorrow too.

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

    1FT, 1.5itb
    1) Keinan Davis > Watkins
    2) KDB > Sterling
    3) KDB, Davis > Trossard, Kane (-4)
    4) Save FT and bench KDB

    Notables already in team: Trent, Salah, Son, Ings, Jim

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

    For the next two would you rather have:

    A) Grealish (lei, LEE)
    B) Pulisic (SOU, mun)

    ?