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. smix
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 15 days ago

    RMWCT

    Martinez
    Chilwel Sa’iss PVA
    Salah Son (c) Pulisic Grealish
    Kane DCL Maupay
    Martin Lamptey Dallas Romeu

    1. noone
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      Solid

  2. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 15 days ago

    Play:

    A. Jorginho (sou)
    B. Brewster (ful)

    1. noone
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      Jorgi? We don't know who starts for sure? so why not go with the guy on pens?

    2. lilmessipran
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      Brew

    3. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      Cheers all

    4. NoName
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      Brewster

  3. FPL Alaska
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 15 days ago

    Any changes on this WC team? 0.8 ITB

    Martinez
    Robbo - Chill - Saids
    Salah - Son - Pulisic - Grealish
    Kane - DCL - Maupay
    (Steer; Dallas, Kilman, Stephens)

    Could do either Grealish or Pulisic to Rodriguez

    1. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      Really like it. I’ve tinkered with it this week but decided against it. If I had gone for it I’d have something similar.

      I like the grealish and pulisic picks. Keep them

    2. bso
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      I doubt Kilman and Stephens are going to be a regular starters Not for me on WC. Otherwise good team.

    3. Front 442
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      Im guessing that is Saiss at the back?
      Im on my WC and can't this team for the money I have.....what is your team value with 0.8m ITB?

  4. noone
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 15 days ago

    Is Mane set to start? Thinking of doubling up on Salah and Mane for tomorrow by shipping out KDB for a hit. What do you guys think?

    1. Scotty Dog
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      I wouldn't against everton

  5. Bad Kompany
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 15 days ago

    Really lost on captaincy this gw. Thoughts?

    Son/Kane - Tottenham have looked really good apart from their loss to Everton. A lot of their goals have come against high lines though and west ham have done very well so far this season

    Salah - leads the captain poll but away to Everton shouldn’t be easy. Mane also likely back

    After that no one really stands out. I’m not interested in captaining a city player this week with no KDB. I don’t trust any Chelsea attacker (don’t know how pulisic will look his first game back). Man U has been poor although Fernandes could be a punt as he will likely be playing at the top of a diamond and Newcastle have been more attacking and open. Also obviously has pens

    1. Joggers Nipple
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      Ignore the Poll on here, when I look there are only about 8 choices and no Kane or Son.
      Capt this week for me is Son

      1. Bad Kompany
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 15 days ago

        The poll normally does well over the season. Why son over Kane? Everyone I see seems to be on that

        1. Joggers Nipple
          • 15 Years
          4 years, 15 days ago

          I mean the poll doesnt work this week! No one, well I at least, cant vote for Son or Kane.
          Just toss a coin on Kane vs Son imo

          1. Bad Kompany
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 15 days ago

            That’s strange. The poll works fine for me

            1. Joggers Nipple
              • 15 Years
              4 years, 15 days ago

              When i look at options i dont have the usual long list. On laptop

              1. Bad Kompany
                • 6 Years
                4 years, 15 days ago

                I’m on mobile if that makes a difference

    2. noone
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      The majority say, Salah. So, you know the answer if you're really going to make decisions based on the comments you receive here

  6. Emiliano Sala
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 15 days ago

    Sorry to ask again

    Which one on WC??

    A) Werner + Reguilon
    B) Richarlison + Robertson

    *Own TAA, Pulisic and Hames

    1. lilmessipran
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      B but get DCL instead of richa

      1. Emiliano Sala
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 15 days ago

        Don't like him

  7. NoName
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 15 days ago

    Bottomed. Captain Kane or Son?

    1. lilmessipran
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      Kane

    2. Holmes
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      Going with Kane. Fed up with trying midfielders as captain due to greed of mega hauls.

    3. NoName
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      Cheers both.

  8. lilmessipran
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 15 days ago

    Which one to start

    A lamptey
    B coady

    1. NoName
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      Lamptey

    2. Holmes
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      Coady

    3. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      A

    4. Emiliano Sala
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      A

    5. lilmessipran
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      Thanks all

  9. Hot Fuzz
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 15 days ago

    Only 6 hours 46 minutes and 17 seconds to go......

    1. Scotty Dog
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      Getting excited already prems back

      1. Hot Fuzz
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 15 days ago

        Yeah man, but somehow time us passing in slowmo,cant wait

  10. pratul09
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 15 days ago

    With KDB Injured,
    1. Keep KDB?
    2. KDB to Bruno/Pulisic/Rashford/Grealish/Sterling?

    1. Bank$y
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      Puli

    2. Holmes
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      Depends if you have a backup plan

      1. Holmes
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 15 days ago

        2 is sensible if you dont have a backup

      2. pratul09
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 15 days ago

        Got Son, Salah, Hames, DCL, Jimi, Bamford - Front 6
        With KDB to Grealish, I can upgrade a striker with +4.5 itb in the next GW!

  11. The Wanton Trader
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 15 days ago

    McCarthy
    Robbo / Chilwell / Coleman
    Mo / Raz / Bruno(c) / Grealish / Trossard
    DCL / Mitrovic

    Button / Brewster / Cooper / Ferguson

    Am I all G2G...??

  12. Bank$y
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 15 days ago

    Who is taking a chance on Bale?

    1. The Wanton Trader
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      My mate at work just sent me a screen shot with Bale(c).

      Good luck to him... 🙂

      1. Bank$y
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 15 days ago

        Brave

  13. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 15 days ago

    Morning dzz,

    My bad decision of doing Son > Barnes last gameweek continues to destroy me.
    - missed out on Son’s haul And wasted my gw4 FT
    - corrected my mistake and brought Son back in for a hit a few days ago!!
    - with the Kdb injury, should I now take another hit (never taken a -8 before) to do Kdb > Salah or else start Mitchell/James and hope one of them plays.

    Could have just done Kdb > Son had I not done my early transfer and saved an 8 point hit

    1. Scotty Dog
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      I'd be tempted with the hit i would never not have salah! Done plenty -8's in the past and still done well through the season. My only concerns would be playing a good everton team and mane back to take points away from him so could maybe hold out 1 week and pray

    2. UnitednationsXI
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      its just sooo frustrating, the domino effect of doing Son >> Barnes a few weeks ago.

      would have been 17 points and saved 3 tranfers (incl the 8 point hit).

  14. Aurora Borealis?
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 15 days ago

    Before it gets a bit to crazy in here, could I get peoples thoughts on the below WC team:

    Martinez
    Robbo Chilwell Saiss
    Salah Son James Barkley
    Vardy Werner Maupay

    Steer Lamptey Ferguson Stephens

    Thanks

    1. Aurora Borealis?
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      alternative is Pulisic, Grealish, DCL for Barkley, James, Vardy

      1. pratul09
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 15 days ago

        I would go with Puli Grealish and DCL

      2. Make United Great Again
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 15 days ago

        Much better.

    2. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      Is vardy definitely to play. Wouldn’t want him on wc if he’s a doubt. Prefer kane or DCL to him either way

      1. Aurora Borealis?
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 15 days ago

        no not definite, sorry my alternative team was Pulisic, Grealish, DCL, Kane for Barkley, James, Vardy, Werner.

        might be the alternative team seeing as it has both Kane and DCL

    3. FPL Alaska
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      I would go Pulisic, Grealish, DCL

      1. Aurora Borealis?
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 15 days ago

        Thanks AK, another vote then for the alterative team.

        1. Kip
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 15 days ago

          That alternative team is pretty template

  15. MikeBravo
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 15 days ago

    Done. Back to the Liverpool defensive triple-up.
    Mary, Mary, quite contrary....

    1. MikeBravo
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      Mary, Mary, quite contrary,
      How does your defence grow,
      With Virgil, Trent and Robertson,
      Three Reds all in a row.

      I thank you.

  16. fish&chips
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 15 days ago

    Havertz (c)

    A) crazy
    B) no stand out choices. Go for it

    1. Jamb0
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      B

    2. Amey
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      Has he even scored in Prem yet ?

      I'm sorry but i don't like it at all mate.

      You surely would have other proven options

      1. fish&chips
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 15 days ago

        Decent point but he certainly has the quality to do it. Otherwise it's son or salah but I just feel like he's gonna do something this week

        1. Amey
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 15 days ago

          Gut feeling huh
          Fine !
          GL 🙂

          1. fish&chips
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 15 days ago

            Haha thanks mate. How's your season going so far?

    3. The Wanton Trader
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      I’m captaining Bruno on the same grounds.

      Seems like a good week to be a bit different...

  17. Emiliano Sala
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 15 days ago

    Start Brewster or Hames?

    1. Dexters Laboratory
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      Hames, Everton are top of the League XD

  18. Jamb0
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 15 days ago

    Any help here guys... 2FT's 0.0ITB.. what to do?

    Ramsdale
    TAA Justin Davies
    Son (C) Pereira Sterling Salah
    DCL Werner Mitro

    Steer Bissouma KWP Ferguson

    1. Scotty Dog
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      I'd probably oust pereira & mitro possibly werner too for a hit

  19. FPL Alaska
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 15 days ago

    Thoughts on the 5th defender spot on WC?

    A) Stick with Mitchell/4.0 despite nobody nailed now
    B) Upgrade to 4.5

    1. FPL Alaska
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      Is this too much in defense?
      Robbo - Chilwell - Saiss - Lamptey - Dallas

      1. Dexters Laboratory
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 15 days ago

        Throw in ferguson. He might return at some stage

    2. BooYaKasha
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      WC

  20. Caleb's Kitties
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 15 days ago

    A. Saiss maupay

    B. PVA antonio

    1. GGMU11
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      A, PVA a risk and Antonio fixtures poor.

    2. The Wanton Trader
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      Both seem valid options, but B excites me more.

    3. FPL Alaska
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      A

    4. Dexters Laboratory
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      A Short Term (Next 3 GW)
      B Long Term

  21. Emiliano Sala
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 15 days ago

    Thoughts on Werner as pulisic is fit?
    And he will likely play as CF?

    1. GGMU11
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      Think Werner will be much better with Pulisic pace up there now. Too slow around him so far.

  22. GGMU11
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 15 days ago

    On WC
    Robbo and Trossard (have Maupay)
    Or Coleman and Pulisic (play Brewster over Coleman)

    1. Emiliano Sala
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      Latter

  23. Holmes
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 15 days ago

    Podence, Podence, Podence....

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      Last week for him in my team. Regardless of what he does!

      1. sminkypinky
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 15 days ago

        I think so too. Not taking a hit to replace but seemed way off the mark last week. Better options out despite wol fixs.

  24. Make United Great Again
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 15 days ago

    A. Watkins & Hamez

    B. Grealish & Maupay

    1. Dexters Laboratory
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      B

  25. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 15 days ago

    Pulisic on Hamez?

    1. Emiliano Sala
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      Naughty

      1. SpaceCadet
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 15 days ago

        lol *or

        1. Emiliano Sala
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 15 days ago

          The one who is "on"

          1. SpaceCadet
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 15 days ago

            Leaning towards him. Should start right?

            1. Emiliano Sala
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 15 days ago

              Yes

              1. SpaceCadet
                • 10 Years
                4 years, 15 days ago

                Its on!

    2. FPL Alaska
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      I am currently on Pulisic, easy downgrade to James if it doesn't work out

    3. Dexters Laboratory
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      I went with KDB to Pulisic

  26. LegendMoon
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 15 days ago

    Starting PVA over DCL am I a fool?

    1. Dexters Laboratory
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      Yes, surely you've a defender you can bench for PVA?

      1. LegendMoon
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 15 days ago

        Chilwell, Telles, PVA and Lamptey which one shall I jetison?

    2. Scotty Dog
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      Yes

    3. DantheManinaPan
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      Completely

    4. LegendMoon
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      ok you've talked me out of it lamptey on bench welcome back DCL

  27. Dexters Laboratory
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 15 days ago

    Bench:
    A) Saiss
    B) Lamptey

    Captain:
    1) Kane
    2) Son

    Hit (-4)
    X) James - Chilwell
    Y) Foden - Grealish
    Z) None

    1. LegendMoon
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      Bench Saiss, Captain Kane and James -Chilwell but what do I know!!!

      1. Dexters Laboratory
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 15 days ago

        You're a Legend, Thanks

  28. as33
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 15 days ago

    Any nailed def for 4.2m 🙂

  29. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 15 days ago

    My bench-
    Burke Dunne Mitchell
    Have Kdb, already on -8
    Just roll with it this weekend?

    1. Amey
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      Who's the one you're looking to get ?

      1. The Red Devil
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 15 days ago

        Ideally mane, but not enough ITB
        Maybe grealish?
        I can do klich & kdb to grealish & Rodriguez next GW

  30. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 15 days ago

    Last question - any nailed 4.4m defenders?

    1. DantheManinaPan
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      Jack Robinson looks good at Utd. They have a strong defence as well

    2. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      Jamal Lewis

    3. Emiliano Sala
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 15 days ago

      Balbuena maybe. Lewis. Cooper ...

      1. SpaceCadet
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 15 days ago

        Might go with lewis. Cheers.