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. Clintymints
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    -4 punt on KdB to Pulisic or grealish?

    Or just play Brewster

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

      Play Brewster imo

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

      I think its a 50/50 and that because we don't knwo if Brewster will start.

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

      I’d go Puli

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

      Play Brewster

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

      All the answers!

      Brewster fixture best it could possibly be but I do like a punt. The hit might be paid back but I’ll prob want KdB back next week or after

      Tricky

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

    Reguilon or PVA?

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

      Reggie

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

      PVA

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

      Reg

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

      thanks all

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

      Reg

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

        cheers

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

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

      Nay
      C

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

    Apologies for the long (re)post, bug last minute worries. Here’s my side at the mo...

    McCarthy (che)
    TAA (eve) - Mitchell (BHA) - Saiss (lee)
    KDB* (ARS) - Salah (eve) - Fernandes (new) - Pereria (BUR)
    DCL (LIV) - Jimi (lee) - Mitro (shu)

    Steer - Lascelles - Bissouma - Johnson

    1FT, 0.4 itb
    A) KDB > Son
    B) Wildcard to the below...
    Ryan - Steele
    TAA - Digne - PVA - Ayling - TAA
    Salah - Fernandes - Zaha - Trossard - Anguissa
    Kane - DCL - Watkins

    Any thoughts??

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

      A by a mile. Bissouma first on bench imo

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

        Seems so, but I’m worried Mitchell won’t play. Bissouma and Lascelles uninspiring options..,

        Not convinced by Jimi or Mitro either

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

      a.Even if Mitchell is out,Lascelles could get a header vs ManUtd..you never know.

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

    Best 4.5 mid ...?

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

      Stephens. Plays and is 4.4.

  6. Alisson WondHaaland
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Have Davies and KDB with 1FT (Bench: Bissouma, Ayling, Ferguson)

    Would you -4 for eg Son + Chilwell? Or what would you do?

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

      KDB - > Son

      1. Alisson WondHaaland
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        What would you do with Davies? Keep and play? Play Ayling instead? He seems like a must transfer down the line

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

          No need for a hit for a defender if you have Ayling cover.
          Just do KDB > Son

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

    I'm currently on Salah captain but I'm really not sold on it, Werner potentially playing up front vs that SOU highline does sound tasty or Son vs WHU? Tough decisions

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

      Tricky one this GW!
      In the last 3 gameweeks, fewest big chances conceded:

      Everton: 2
      West Ham: 3
      Sheff Utd: 4
      Southampton: 4

      Potentially a week for a punt I quite like the idea of a Villa asset riding their form vs. a Leicester teem missing a number of key defenders.

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

        I am not captaining Barkley.... 😆

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

        that does make for bad reading... Also have Sterling vs ARS but with no KDB I dont like it. I'm honestly very tempted by Werner..
        Southampton with Burnley and WBA in the last 2 making it easy for the highline

        thanks for the reply

  8. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Damn it what's the deal with Zaha??? Just seen the flag.

    Any Palace fans about?

    Need to rethink now! On WC

  9. Brehmeren
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    WC, any suggestions?
    Got rid of double Liverpool defence and not looking to get one in.

    Martínez

    Chilwell, Semedo, Reguilón

    Rodríguez, Salah, Son, Pulisic, Grealish

    Kane, Calvert-Lewin

    Steele, Brewster, Lewis, Walker-Peters

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

      This is rad.

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

      Phew that is nice

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

      nc team.I would like Martinez+KWP->Guaita+4.0

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

      Very cool, exciting defence. Go for it!

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

      love it

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

      You have inspired me to get Reg.

      Like this side a lot, GL!

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

      Thanks, guys.
      I'll go with this then.
      Who to captain? Currently on Son..

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

    KDB out for Bale. -4 worth risking

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

      Like it

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

      Balls out. I like it.

    3. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Building up the bottle for something similar myself.

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

      Nice idea

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

      Wish I had balls as big as you 🙂

  11. Goodricke
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Hames to Havertz or Pulisic?

    I can't see him playing too well after his international commitments, long flight and early kickoff in the space of 3 days or so!

    1. Ayling Buyers Club
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Pulisic, but probably not unless on a WC.

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

        On a WC

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

      Nope. Hamez is pure quality.

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

    Last decision
    A) TAA and Pulisic
    B) Saiss and Sterling

    1. GREEN JUMPERS
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A

  13. Ragabolly
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Risers: Son (9.2) Rodríguez (7.9) Watkins (6.0)

    Fallers: Aubameyang (11.8) Ward-Prowse (5.8) Fraser (5.8) Yarmolenko (5.7) Fabio Silva (5.3) Phillips (5.2) Austin (5.2) Garcia (4.8) Sean Longstaff (4.8) Onomah (4.8) Valery (4.8) Tete (4.4)

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

      3-0

      Thanks Ragabolly.

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

      Yaads JRod got him for 7.5 can sell for 7.7 now !

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

      Cheers 1-0

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

      Fabio Silva at 5.3m will be great if he starts and turns out like he is in FM20!

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

    3 nil boom

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

      Ragabolly reply fail

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

    Is Bamford C good idea?
    Or go with one of the big hitters (Son/Kane/Salah)

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

      I Have Bamford and it's not a good idea

  16. gonzalocampos
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Start Podence or gamble on James?

  17. Yank Revolution
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Had to WC, last minute decision due to KDB, possible Zaha doubt and a weak bench. Here's the new team ("new" WC players in brackets)

    3-4-3

    (Martinez/Steer)
    TAA/Justin/(Saiss/Lamptey/Kilman)
    Salah/Son/(Pulisic/Grealish/Bissouma)
    DCL/(Kane/Wilson)

    0.0 ITB

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

      Dont like that defence AT ALL.

      1. Yank Revolution
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Justin safe for a few more weeks and may not even lose his place. TAA is the man and should come good. Saiss is quality with decent to good fixtures. Lamptey has been effective and should play this GW. Kilman is just 4.0 fodder. What's the problem?

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

          I wouldn't want any of them on a WC besides Saiss

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

          Lei has depleted defence

  18. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Who is Best 5th Midfielder with 5M or less ??

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Bissouma

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

        Cheers

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

    1. Mahrez
    2. Foden

    ??

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

      Neither.
      But Mahrez if you must.

    2. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I own both and think I want to lose both.

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

      Mahrez

  20. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    If u on WC who would u get
    Son
    Bale

  21. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Kane or Son for captain? last decision

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

      Mmm your call! Go with your instinct

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

      Kane on penalties swings it

  22. AD2110
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    This WC team g2g?

    McCarthy, Steer
    Robbo, Saiss, Chilwell, (Dallas, Mitchell)
    Salah, Son, Pulisic, Grealish, Bissouma
    Kane, DCL, Wilson

  23. 420king
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    RMWCT:

    Martinez Forster
    Robertson Chillwell Lamptey Dallas KWP
    Salah Son Rodriguez Grealish Bissouma
    Kane DCL Watkins
    0.8m ITB

    Feels like I too much in defense. Maybe Watkins to Brewster and get Pulisic instead of Bissouma for 3-5-2? Would require downgrading Robbo (or Chilwell to 3.9). Thoughts?

    1. Cruyff's Eleven
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      You need a playing bench... COVID-19 remember?

  24. FPL_Devil
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    On WC. Dallas or KWP?

    1. DT42
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      same dilemma
      Dallas vs Ayling vs KWP?
      currently favouring Dallas

  25. JAYPEE
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Updates on Ricardo Pereira, Ferguson and PVA injuries?

    I decided to keep Justin and Mitchell in my WC last Gameweek

    Who do you think will be the best swap for them. Will consider it next week and hold the transfer as I already did KDB to Son

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

    Bottomed:

    For the next two would you rather have:

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

    1. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Pulisic

    2. GREEN JUMPERS
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Got both, but if only one, Grealish

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

      A

  27. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    On WC...

    Castagne, Bissouma and Watkins
    To
    Robbo, Zaha and Brewster???

    Move to 3 5 2

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

      Willing to take risk on Zaha with Brewster in if he doesn't play. Can't see him on bench if not fit. Fixtures after are peach.

      1. GREEN JUMPERS
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Doing the same on that same premise

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

      I like the moves

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

      No way. I’d stick with the first option

  28. Hazardouss
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Final WC team, have to get on with my day.
    Thoughts?

    Ryan
    TAA, Reguilon, Semedo
    Salah, Sterling, Son, Pulisic, Trossard
    DCL, Watkins
    (Walton, KWP, Mitchell, Brewster)

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

      I think your forwards are hurting because of the extra heavy hitter mid.

      Kane and/or Aguero (or both), could be waving at you soon.

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

        I agree completely, but I'm happy to give Sterling a go (Is one of my favourite players haha)

        Cheers!

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

    Start:
    Justin (avl)
    or
    Ayling (WOL)
    ?

  30. noquarternt
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Surely I’m not about to keep Werner for another 2pointer?

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

      I'm really about to captain him....

    2. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Surely I don't see how he can go 5 games in EPL without scoring

    3. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I shipped him so he's bound to score

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

      This is finally the game week he will score big 😉