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. KUN_DE_BRU_YNE
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Rashford in !!! Blank continues !!!

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

    Best combo:

    1. Mahrez Greenwood
    2. Foden Rashford

    Thanks all

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

      A

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

      It's a bad bad situation.

      Neither for me.

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

      Prefer Mahrez over Foden but not liking any United at the moment

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

    I want to find a way to start Brewster.

    However my front 7 otherwise is
    Mane Salah Mahrez (C) Son Zaha
    DCL Antonio

    Anyone you think I should bench for him? Tempted to axe Antonio and start Brewster however lots of people I asked have said don't do it.

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

      Antonio is bizarre. When his fixtures clear up everyone will have him.

      But he’s still smashing it and none of the teams he’s about to play have been very good defensively.

      I’d play Antonio.

    2. Joggers Nipple
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Play Antoinio

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

    1. McGinn or Trossard
    2. Mitrovic or Watkins

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

    Saiss or Castagne if the price isn't a concern?

    1. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Hmm Castagne

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

        Thought so, thanks!

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

      Castagne easy

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

        Thanks!

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

      Castagne

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

      If price is not a concern think there are better options than Castagne. Chilwell or maybe Reguilon for example

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

    Ryan
    Chilwell, Semedo, Reguilon
    Salah, Pulisic, Son(c), James, Zaha
    DCL, Kane

    Button, Brewster, Justin, Mitchell

    What do you think?

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

      I'm in the same dilemma mate but i wanna start Brewster. It's like why own him if you're not even going to give him a punt for Fulham H.

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

        Not worth it. SHU have been awful offensively and Brewster is not even nailed. And even if he plays that will be his first match for a new team it will take time for him to settle in.

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

          I'd have to disagree here. Very likely Brewster starts and if he's going to bag against anyone - it's Fulham.

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

            Su will probably score 2 against Fulham tomorrow they're afwul
            If Brewster starts good chance he's involved in one of them

  7. Taegugk Warrior
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    A. Bench KDB play James (CHE)
    B. Bench KDB play Brewster
    B. KDB to Sterling/Grealish for -4

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

      definitely not C.

      A probably your safest bet

  8. JT11fc
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Ahwell this is where im at

    Martinez
    Lamptey James Castagne
    Pulisic Son Barnes Grealish Trossard
    Werner(c) Jimi

    4.0 Adams Semedo Dunne

    And yes 5.6m itb

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

      .... WC or what?

      Looks really good tbf

      I think I might join with the Werner captain. Would you pick him over Salah?

      1. JT11fc
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks, i actually wc gw3

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

      That does look you're well set

      1. JT11fc
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks

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

      Good team. I’d be tempted to play semedo over James

      1. JT11fc
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Hmm yes that is a good spot as James will have a cameo if he doesnt start

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

      That’s just silly. Get Kane

      1. JT11fc
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Well ye i could do another hit to do Adams to kane but then id have a benching dilema, or i could Werner but he has Southampton so idk if its worth it considering its a derby

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

    Is Ryan genuinely a better option than Martinez or just popular around here because he's still 4.5?

    1. Joggers Nipple
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      the 4.5 thing

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

        Ahh makes sense, thanks

  10. Joggers Nipple
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Morning. Only one real spot I cant fix on WC-

    Martinez
    Saiss TAA Chilwell
    Salah James Pulisic Grealish Son
    DCL Ings*
    Forster *Brewster Dallas Braithwaite(no money) 0.0 ITB

    A. Stick. Later Ings to Antonio
    B Ings and Brewster to Maupay and Antonio/Watkins. Then Antonio/ Watkins benched?
    C Ings to Maupay. 1.9 ITB, can see a real use for it?
    D. Something else?

    Any input on this or general thoughts welcome

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

      Very similar spot to me mate. Thinking A and have cash in hand if City come around.

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

    All set!

    Martinez
    Robbo Chilwell Saiss
    Son Salah(v) Zaha Grealish Rodriguez
    Kane(c) DCL

    Martin Brewster Mitchell KWP

    1. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Nice

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

    Pick one, already have TAA?

    1. Robertson, McGinn
    2. Castagne, Grealish/Zaha

    1. Joggers Nipple
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      2

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

      2 with grealish

  13. LLoris
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    WTF I just tried to bring in Son for 9.1 M it kicked me out of the game and then he was 9.2M

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

      Um...

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

      Yeh coz he changed price half an hour ago and ur game hadnt been refreshed

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

        I don't even want him anymore

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

          Liarrrr

  14. john25
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Hey guys, how’s PVA as a pick for WC? Attacking and potentially on pens? Is he nailed on?

    Cheers

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

    Is Max Kilman a starter for the mid term?

    1. pratul09
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I'm also wondering the same thing

  16. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Pick one

    A. Pulisic Watkins
    B. Grealish maupay

    1. Joggers Nipple
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      a

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

      B - 100% both on pens in form and nailed on.

    3. pratul09
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

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

      B

  17. JUNITED
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I’m on WC. I feel like Liverpool defense will not be get lot of clean sheets like last season anymore which makes me think Robertson for 7 is too expensive. So I’m having dilemma whether I should have him or someone cheaper.

    Chilwell or Robertson guys? Chilwell will be able to make me upgrade one of my midfield.

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

      Robbo can and will still haul many times without a clean sheet. Same with TAA eventually maybe even this weekend.

      Both will be around 200 total pts and top 5 scoring defenders I'm sure.

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

      Both are attacking and both defences should be good but have been questionable. Therefore Chilwell as he is cheaper

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

      he is basically a midfield player, for 7 mil and 150+ point player

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

    On a WC, should I keep Mitchell or replace with Dunne?

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

      Replace woth Dunne
      And what the other 4 defenders

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

    Zaha with a groin injury

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

      Is he out?

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

        75% to start

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

      Doesn't sound much in it

  20. PocketZola
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    How many points will this get?

    Martinez
    Bellerin rob lamptey
    Salah son grealish pulisic jrod
    Kane(c) dcl

    80?

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

      38

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

        24 imo

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

      Bellerin nein

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

        bellerin to saiss?

    3. pratul09
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      53

    4. Joggers Nipple
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      55ish?

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

        bellerin to saiss? a good move?

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

      6
      1 2 5
      2 12 8 1 1
      4 6

      48 points

  21. LE CHARO
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Would you get Mitchell on a WC at 4.1m, hoping he might keep his place a little longer, or go for a 3.9m def and definitely forget about the 5th defender spot to save 0.2m?

    Current WC team is :

    Martinez
    TAA, Robbo, Lamptey
    Salah, Son, James, Trossard
    Kane, DCL, Watkins

    Forster, Soucek, Justin, Mitchell*

    1. pratul09
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Mitchell for me

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

      5/10

      double pool defence is not good with adrian
      trossard not great for fpl atm

      1. LE CHARO
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        That wasn't really my question, but thanks.

        I'm keeping the Liverpool double up, they are in my team for the attacking returns, CS are merely a bonus. If it doesn't work, it's an easy swap to any other defender in the game.

        Trossard has 3 returns in 4 games, is cheap, and plays in an attacking team. He's a great differential imo.

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

      Nope

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

        Getting Mitchell that is

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

      I would leave 5th defender as fodder and change Justin

      1. LE CHARO
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        That's a nice suggestion, thanks. Kept Justin on WC because I had built some value, but I'm unlikely to play him anytime soon and Ricardo Pereira will be back at some point.

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

    Fanteam - would you WC this team?

    Mccarthy Messlier

    Dallas Robertson Mitchell KWP Semedo

    Sterling Salah JRod Grealish Zaha

    Wilson DCL Werner

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

    Do we know how long Kdb will be out? What are the odds of him playing gw6?

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

      No Idea
      Think pep mentioned “weeks” as opposed to “a week”

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

    Do we think Mane starts ??

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

      Not sure why he wouldn’t?

  25. john25
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Best fwd from this lot for WC?

    A) Watkins
    B) Maupay
    C) Wilson

    Cheers

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

      B by far

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

      B

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

        maupay is a bit of a how do i say it, not a nice person

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

    Deffo not selling Robbo before SHU and WHU! Just seen those two coming up.

  27. akhilrajau
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    What about zaha. Need to replace for -8 or wait

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

      Wait

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

        Thank u

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

      Wait hell probably play

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

        Thanks

  28. thetommy14
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Pulisic or JRod on a WC?

    1. pratul09
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Hames

  29. KanteTouchThis
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    What to do with KDB

    Kdb to Pulisic? - 4
    KdB to someone punty like rash or Bruno? - 4
    Play podence and keep

    Current front 8

    Kdb* salah son jrod podence
    Werner dcl brewster

    Thoughts appreciated

    1. pratul09
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      not worth a hit!

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

      I think keep and play Pod - reassess next GW

  30. pratul09
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Since KDB is out for more than 1 week,
    1. Keep Him, hoping he will be fit for the next GW
    2. Get Rashford
    3. Get Sterling
    4. Get Bruno
    5. Get Grealish and save money for next GW

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

      I think KDB is disillusioned with man city and will leave next year

      1. pratul09
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        haha