Scout Notes

Antonio update, Liverpool’s defence and Klopp on Jota: key FPL notes from Anfield

Liverpool 2-1 West Ham United

  • Goals: Mohamed Salah (£12.4m), Diogo Jota (£6.3m) | Pablo Fornals (£6.4m)
  • Assists: Xherdan Shaqiri (£6.4m)
  • Bonus: Fornals x3, Jota x2, Salah x1

Liverpool laboured to a win over West Ham that raised yet more questions about a defence with just one league clean sheet to its name all season.

Key injuries have hugely reduced coach Jurgen Klopp’s options at the back, with the latest player coming in at centre-half, Nathaniel Phillips (£4.0m), handed his league debut.

Nat’s The Way To Do It

It’s fair to say the 23-year-old let nobody down, earning himself plenty of post-match praise from Klopp.

He kept it really simple tonight, which was incredibly important for us. The boys supported him well and he supported the boys; he was vocal and he spoke on the pitch. In the challenges he was there, really aggressive but no fouls really, maybe one. It was a really good game.

Whether he keeps his league place is another matter, however.

Klopp has been non-committal about Joel Matip‘s (£5.4m) return from the knock he picked up in Gameweek 5, but with the games coming thick and fast – Champions League in midweek and a trip to Manchester City on Sunday – Phillips looks likely to be in the frame for at least one of those fixtures.

But however tempting a bargain basement Reds defender might be, Phillips is still a long way off holding down a regular spot in the team.

The Defence Rests

Not that Liverpool defenders, at any price, have been overly attractive this campaign.

Only Andy Robertson (£7.1m) has come close to justifying the lofty price tag that comes with being a member of the Reds’ backline, and that’s been thanks to the goal and two assists he’s produced to boost the one and only clean sheet.

Those attacking returns have saved him from sales…until now. After five weeks of ownership increases, the left-back now finds himself in the top 15 for Gameweek 8 transfers out.

His fellow full-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.4m), knows all about that feeling – he’s lost managers every week since Gameweek 1’s 4-3 win over Leeds United.

Neither were at fault for Saturday’s goal, scored by Pablo Fornals (£6.4m). The midfielder reacted smartly after Joe Gomez‘s (£5.4m) weak clearing header came straight to him, guiding the ball past Alisson (£5.9m) and in off the post.

Alexander-Arnold’s previously nailed-on supply of attacking returns has dried up to just one assist from seven starts and the full-backs managed only one chance created between them – take a bow, Trent – and one shot each against West Ham.

All of that, and Man City and Leicester to come next, suggests more backline sales for the foreseeable future.

Jota Joy

The ownership levels of big hitters Mohamed Salah (£12.4m) and Sadio Mane (£12.0m) have remained rather more stable, although a net -8,171 missed out on an eight-point haul for the former when he earned, and then scored, a penalty to level the score on Saturday.

The spot-kick award was generous, with referee Kevin Friend probably right to deem the contact from Arthur Masuaku (£4.5m) sufficient to be deemed a foul, if not enough to warrant Salah’s dramatic reaction to it.

Friend then went on to deny Mane owners an assist when substitute Diogo Jota (£6.3m) scored from what seemed to be a rebound caused by the Senegal international’s challenge on Lukasz Fabianski (£5.0m).

VAR invited the referee to take another look at the incident and he rightly chalked off the goal for Mane’s sliding tackle on the goalkeeper as it had little to do with the ball.

Minutes later, Jota scored again – from fellow sub Xherdan Shaqiri‘s (£6.4m) canny pass, and that effort stood.

The signing from Wolves now has three goals from his last three matches in all competitions, and three from five in the league, prompting some love from Klopp.

Diogo is in a good moment. He is a good player and we are really happy that we could make that signing, so it is a proper win-win situation. I think we can help him and he can help us a lot.

Jota certainly helps add some flexibility to Liverpool’s system as he started (and scored) in a 4-2-3-1 formation in Gameweek 6.

Klopp, however, reverted to his tried-and-trusted 4-3-3 against the Hammers and while the demands of this season will require frequent squad rotation, it’s hard to see Jota consistently breaking up the German’s preferred front three of Salah, Mane and Roberto Firmino (£9.3m) on anything but an occasional basis.

That’s not stopping managers buying into him – Jota is currently in the top 10 for Gameweek 8 purchases.

But there are nine midfielders around his price with more than the 26 points Jota currently has in Fantasy Premier League (FPL). All have played at least twice as many minutes, so while his output has been impressive – he’s scored three goals from 10 attempts – Jota will do well to sustain that kind of form unless his pitch-time improves.

Hammer Time?

It’s been a long time coming, but West Ham’s schedule is now finally easing, with their fixture list looking generally attractive all the way through to the end of January.

David Moyes’ men have acquitted themselves excellently through a brutal start to the season and their key attackers, such as Fornals and Jarrod Bowen (£6.3m), could well attract plenty of investment from now onwards.

The pair are in the top ten for attempts among midfielders, with 12 apiece, with Fornals the team-leader for chances created (six).

How the Hammers manage without striker Michail Antonio (£6.2m), who missed the match with a hamstring injury, could be key, although Moyes has been upbeat about the issue:

We’ve already got him on the bike and he’s moving, which for the type of injury we’re really pleased with. He had another scan and an ultrasound yesterday (Oct 29) as well. He’s in a good place.

All three midfielders should benefit from an improved schedule, with Fornals leading the way both in terms of points (39 to Bowen’s 33 and Soucek’s 18) and attempts on Saturday – only Salah could match him for the three shots he had.

Fornals looks the most rounded option, with two goals and three assists thus far, while Bowen has three goals to his name.

But despite facing Fulham next, neither are in the top 30 for transfers-in. 

In fact, only one Hammer is and it’s defender Aaron Cresswell (£5.0m), presumably because of the three assists he’s produced this season.


Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Robertson, Gomez, N Phillips, Alexander-Arnold; C Jones (Shaqiri 70), Wijnaldum, J Henderson; Mané, Firmino (Jota 70), Salah (Milner 90).

West Ham United XI (3-4-2-1): Fabianski; Cresswell, Ogbonna, Balbuena; Masuaku (Lanzini 88), Soucek, Rice, Coufal; Fornals, Bowen (Benrahma 89); Haller (Yarmolenko 74).

LESSONS LEARNED FROM FPL GAMEWEEK 7

1,155 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Jafalad
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Just watched the TOT/BHA game. How the ref missed the foul on Hojboj that led to Lamptey's goal is mystifying. The clearest foul you'll ever see and he had the benefit of VAR.

    Spuds looked devoid of ideas for the most part. BHA missed Maupay.

    1. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Remarkably poor decisions throughout the game..The fact that he rechecked the incident on the screen and refused to admit he missed out is laughable indeed

      1. Jafalad
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I can only think the ref thought the defender got some contact on the ball, but when you view it front on, the foul is clear to see. It is hard to understand how he could get it so wrong with the benefit of VAR.

    2. Mile Plankton
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Var is having pretty bad influence on the refferies. They all hesitate to make calls knowing the VAR is there to watch their back. That has led to some cringeworthy situations that were not resolved correctly, imo.

      And it's way different to look at that incident alone and judge it, and to look at it having in mind that it is actually goal/non goal decision. They can't tell me they can ignore that.

      1. Jafalad
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I would have thought that VAR offers support to referees rather than otherwise. If I was a referee, I would want that support because you are always going to miss something. They want to get their decisions right after all.

        1. Mile Plankton
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Agree. But it looks like it's backfiring. They are leaving too many decisions for VAR to decide. And they still get things wrong.
          Pickford's tackle on VVD, Lamela's elbow on Martial...

          1. Jafalad
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            I don't think they deliberately leave it to VAR - it's more a case of VAR flagging up incidents that might warrant a second viewing.

          2. Nightcrawler
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Agree with this entirely. Refs dont want to make certain calls or in case of penalties theyve been way too trigger friendly and var goes with this stupid clear and obvious rule

    3. Party time
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I still don’t know what type of football Spurs play

        1. Jafalad
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          It was only when the subs came on midway through the 2nd half that they looked threatening again.

          1. Party time
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Lol...

      • Weeb Kakashi
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        41 with Dallas and Areola to go. Is it average? Cannot log in to fpl.

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

          43 average.

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

          Average will be over 50 this week you'd think. Leeds v Leicester will mean points and the average will rise a fair bit when all the Saiss owners get Lampteys 9 pts off the bench

      • Shark Team
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Are these moves ok for free?
        Saiss Maupay OUT
        Coufal Bamford IN

        1. Mile Plankton
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I would hold on Maupay

        2. Party time
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Maupay has Burnley next. Keep imo

          • Boberella
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            I'd prob hold on Maupay until further news.

        3. subhojit123
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Which of these should be my priority signings -

          1. Ings -> Kane ( great fixture against Westbrook but then fixtures toughen up)
          2. Ings -> Bamford ( Leeds have nice fixture run)
          3. Bissouma -> Grealish(form and fixtures)
          4. Ryan -> Martinez (not sure why Ryan was dropped)

          1. Jafalad
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Not sure about the Leeds fixtures as there are still some tough games in the next 6 (WHM, CHS).

            I wouldn't get rid of Ings.

            Grealish is a no brainer for me. Always looks threatening.

            1. subhojit123
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Ings I was planning to get rid coz of the injury he picked at end of the match...
              And should I bring in Kane for this last good fixture of spurs ? This is another question I have...

        4. Gemma817
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          What to do here?
          Ryan
          TAA, Lamptey, Justin, Mitchel, Dunne
          Son, Salah, Rashford, Podence, Anguissa
          DCL, Kane, Bamford

          IBT: 2M, FT: 1

          Cheers!

          1. Party time
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Trent out & upgrade midfield?

            • Party time
                3 years, 4 months ago

                Either that or save imo

                1. Gemma817
                  • 3 Years
                  3 years, 4 months ago

                  Tbh I'm thinking of selling Trent too. Who'd you change Trent for and who'd you have in midfield?

                  1. Party time
                      3 years, 4 months ago

                      Probably for a sub 7/8m midfielder then Trent to Coufal/Masuaku/Lamptey/Ayling.
                      Anguissa to a 6m midfielder could also be an option, then you keep Trent.

                      I am tempted too but I will hold Trent for the time being although he is on the chopping board

                    • Party time
                        3 years, 4 months ago

                        Also Chilwell/Cresswell are nice options

                  2. The Head-Ake
                    • 7 Years
                    3 years, 4 months ago

                    Try getting Grealish in and TAA out.

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

                  Play 2 out of:
                  A) Coufal (FUL)
                  B) Lamptey (BUR)
                  C) Robertson (mci)

                  1. Party time
                      3 years, 4 months ago

                      AB

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

                      AB

                      1. subhojit123
                        • 7 Years
                        3 years, 4 months ago

                        Don't bench Robbo...so B and C for me

                    • FourLokoLeipzig
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 6 Years
                      3 years, 4 months ago

                      A and B as long as Lamptey’s definitely fit (or he could easily cameo from the bench)

                  2. Botman and Robben
                    • 7 Years
                    3 years, 4 months ago

                    Worth it to keep Maupay? They have Burnley next.

                    1. Party time
                        3 years, 4 months ago

                        Yes. Got him at 6.5 so a .1 drop won’t affect his price. Burnley next & other good fixtures. I need more info before deadline to be sure he starts the Burnley game otherwise I will sell

                    2. Nightcrawler
                      • 4 Years
                      3 years, 4 months ago

                      Wgats wrong with lamptey?

                      Was thinking lewos to lamptey

                    3. Sz21
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 12 Years
                      3 years, 4 months ago

                      Think I am going to remove TAA + Jimenez here.
                      Podence to survive another week and then him or Barkley (more likely) out.

                      Chilwell + Bamford/ Wilson (leaving 4.8m ITB) looking good options.
                      Any other guys I should consider?

                      McCarthy.
                      TAA, Robbo, Ayling.
                      Salah, Barkley, Podence, Son.
                      Kane, Jimenez, DCL.
                      Button, Justin, Mitchell, Bissouma.
                      2ft, 0.7m ITB.

                    4. Boomerang V
                      • 7 Years
                      3 years, 4 months ago

                      Mitchell,Pulisic -> Coufal,Bowen ?

                      That will enable Son to Kdb in gw9

                      1. The Handsome Hunk
                        • 9 Years
                        3 years, 4 months ago

                        I am also looking to bring some west ham players, dont know Bowen or Fornals whom to pick out of them.

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

                      Hi guys...

                      Harvey Barnes to

                      A) Zaha
                      B) Grealish
                      C) Other-Who?

                      Thank you

                      1. Party time
                          3 years, 4 months ago

                          B

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

                          B

                        • Boomerang V
                          • 7 Years
                          3 years, 4 months ago

                          C) Bowen or Fornals?

                        • PapaWengzz
                          • 4 Years
                          3 years, 4 months ago

                          B easy

                        • TKC07
                          • 4 Years
                          3 years, 4 months ago

                          A) Zaha is Pen taker & Next 4 fixtures for CPL are tempting.

                          1. Sloane426
                            • 4 Years
                            3 years, 4 months ago

                            Not the pen taker

                            1. TKC07
                              • 4 Years
                              3 years, 4 months ago

                              Milli suspended for next 3 games.

                      2. TKC07
                        • 4 Years
                        3 years, 4 months ago

                        With 1 FT 0itb, which transfer(s) would you suggest?

                        1. Sterling => Zaha (no hit) - Concerned about city form and next 2 fixtures.
                        2. Podence & Jimenez => Zaha & Wilson (for -4)
                        3. Replace one of the defenders (Saiss, Lamptey)?
                        4. Save FT

                        Martinez | Forster
                        Coufal | Konsa | Saiss | Mitchell | Lamptey
                        Salah | Sterling | Grealish | Podence | Bissouma
                        Kane | Werner | Jimenez

                        1. Winston.
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 10 Years
                          3 years, 4 months ago

                          4 or 2

                        2. Gazza2000
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 12 Years
                          3 years, 4 months ago

                          Get rid of Saiss or save

                          1. TKC07
                            • 4 Years
                            3 years, 4 months ago

                            Who's the best replacement def option for $5.1 budget?

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

                        B is the way to go..right? Or not?
                        A. Bruno + Coufal
                        B. Ziyech + Chilwell (+1.1 m)

                      4. Boomerang V
                        • 7 Years
                        3 years, 4 months ago

                        Bowen: 590mp 3g 0a
                        Vs
                        Fornals: 589mp 2g 3a

                        Which WHU mid would you get?

                        1. Nightcrawler
                          • 4 Years
                          3 years, 4 months ago

                          Bownals

                          1. Weeb Kakashi
                            • 8 Years
                            3 years, 4 months ago

                            Do you have a psn nightcrawler? I have a friend with same psn.

                            1. Nightcrawler
                              • 4 Years
                              3 years, 4 months ago

                              Yess

                              1. Nightcrawler
                                • 4 Years
                                3 years, 4 months ago

                                Are u who i think u are

                      5. subhojit123
                        • 7 Years
                        3 years, 4 months ago

                        Should I bring in Kane at this point? Or is it too late?

                        1. Weeb Kakashi
                          • 8 Years
                          3 years, 4 months ago

                          It is kinda late. He only has one green fixture coming up. Look for a differential there. Maybe Vardy

                          1. subhojit123
                            • 7 Years
                            3 years, 4 months ago

                            Thank you...

                      6. Weeb Kakashi
                        • 8 Years
                        3 years, 4 months ago

                        41 with Areola and Dallas to go. Need cs from both to get a green arrow right?

                      7. R.C
                        • 6 Years
                        3 years, 4 months ago

                        Any chance Struijk doesn't start?

                        1. FourLokoLeipzig
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 6 Years
                          3 years, 4 months ago

                          I replied on your previous post

                      8. Nightcrawler
                        • 4 Years
                        3 years, 4 months ago

                        Captain scores this season

                        40
                        10
                        10
                        26
                        32
                        4
                        16

                        = 138

                        Captain next week----> zaha

                        1. Chelsea91
                          • 5 Years
                          3 years, 4 months ago

                          I am on Zaha

                        2. Bushwhacker
                          • 4 Years
                          3 years, 4 months ago

                          Kane or Son

                      9. De Gea is GOAT
                        • 7 Years
                        3 years, 4 months ago

                        Can anyone help with the following please: what would be your priority with this team?1FT 0ITB Thanks heaps

                        Ryan*
                        Robbo Chilwell Mitchell*
                        Puli* Salah Son Grealish
                        Wood* Kane DCL

                        Forster Taylor Dunne Alzate

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

                          I would see Wood and Pulisic as priority removals
                          Maybe to Bamford/Wilson and Ziyech/Zaha

                          1. De Gea is GOAT
                            • 7 Years
                            3 years, 4 months ago

                            Thank you so much for this. Much appreciated

                        2. yash
                          • 12 Years
                          3 years, 4 months ago

                          Pulisic to Ziyech could be good option

                      10. Bielsa Murderball
                        • 3 Years
                        3 years, 4 months ago

                        i am not able to sign in ever since i logged out, and I am getting a message "Sorry, but there has been an unexpected error processing your request." What to do?

                        1. ChuckN
                          • 14 Years
                          3 years, 4 months ago

                          Nothing. See Hot topic.

                        2. HODGE
                          • 10 Years
                          3 years, 4 months ago

                          Think a lot of people getting the same error. I can log in on my laptop but not my phone.

                        3. Bielsa Murderball
                          • 3 Years
                          3 years, 4 months ago

                          So wait and see?

                      11. The Handsome Hunk
                        • 9 Years
                        3 years, 4 months ago

                        Best West Ham mid to own for upcoming good run ? Can't have Antonio as I am happy with my all strikers right now:-

                        A) Fornals
                        B) Bowen

                        Also, if Benrahma plays, who falls out of the team ?

                        1. Henryyy
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 8 Years
                          3 years, 4 months ago

                          B

                      12. Pukkipartyy
                        • 5 Years
                        3 years, 4 months ago

                        JWP good fpl pick or just kneejerk?

                      13. Chelsea91
                        • 5 Years
                        3 years, 4 months ago

                        Martinez
                        Robbo,PVA,Chilwell
                        Salah,Son,Grealish,Zaha(c)
                        Kane(VC),Dcl,Maupay

                        1ft 0 itb, anything worth transfer ? Suggestion please , Maupay to whom?

                      14. yash
                        • 12 Years
                        3 years, 4 months ago

                        Who to bench this week?
                        A) Lamptey
                        B) Robertson
                        C) KWP
                        D)Grealish

                        I keep on benching the wrong defender.
                        I think this time around many people got lucky with Lamptey from bench

                        1. Chelsea91
                          • 5 Years
                          3 years, 4 months ago

                          B mate

                      15. UnitednationsXI
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 12 Years
                        3 years, 4 months ago

                        any news on lamptey injury?

                        1. tokara
                          • 9 Years
                          3 years, 4 months ago

                          Too early

                        2. Bushwhacker
                          • 4 Years
                          3 years, 4 months ago

                          He’s not injured; precautionary ; he gave a post match interview on TV for heavens sake

                          1. UnitednationsXI
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 12 Years
                            3 years, 4 months ago

                            wasnt aware...hence asking.

                            Just read somewhere he was taken off due to a hamstring issue

                      16. Sid07
                        • 9 Years
                        3 years, 4 months ago

                        Have 2fts
                        Pulisic + saiss to ziyech + chilwell

                      17. Totalfootball
                        • 7 Years
                        3 years, 4 months ago

                        No idea what to do here
                        HELP

                        Meslier
                        TAA Robbo Lamptey
                        Salah Son Grealish Zaha Trossard
                        Kane DCL

                        4.0 Brewester Dallas Dunne

                        2FT 0.5itb

                        1. OPTA FPL
                          • 12 Years
                          3 years, 4 months ago

                          Taa and Ro bo need to go

                        2. Botman and Robben
                          • 7 Years
                          3 years, 4 months ago

                          Drop one of TAA/Robbo and get Chilwell or Zooooma.

                          1. Bushwhacker
                            • 4 Years
                            3 years, 4 months ago

                            This

                        3. Totalfootball
                          • 7 Years
                          3 years, 4 months ago

                          Cheers for replies

                      18. FPL Xylophone
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 8 Years
                        3 years, 4 months ago

                        Ralph on Danny Ings: “It didn’t look good, to be honest. I hope it’s not too bad. He was immediately shouting, ‘my knee, my knee’. He will have a scan tomorrow.”

                        What are you going to do Ings owners in case Danny is out for sometime? Which player are you thinking to get in?

                      19. tokara
                        • 9 Years
                        3 years, 4 months ago

                        What time does the FPL tower open for business? Dammit i want to logon my fpl account but have error!!!

                        1. Bielsa Murderball
                          • 3 Years
                          3 years, 4 months ago

                          same issue here

                        2. TorresMagic™
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • Has Moderation Rights
                          • 14 Years
                          3 years, 4 months ago

                          Need to sign in to email them.

                      20. Gazza2000
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 12 Years
                        3 years, 4 months ago

                        Any ideas for this lot?

                        Saiss, Hames, Podence and Jimenez can go and don’t mind a hit.

                        2FT 0.1 ITB

                        McCarthy
                        TAA Ayling Justin
                        Salah Son Hames Podence
                        DCL Kane Jimenez

                        Steer Bissouma Mitchell Saiss