Dugout Discussion

Jota and Firmino both start as Jesus returns for Man City’s clash with Liverpool

The Premier League winners and runners-up in each of the last two seasons clash at the Etihad this afternoon.

Manchester City v Liverpool gets underway at 16:30 GMT.

Debate has raged this week over whether Diogo Jota (£6.4m) or Roberto Firmino (£9.2m) would get the nod to join Mohamed Salah (£12.4m) and Sadio Mane (£12.0m) in the Liverpool attack but, in the end, both players start for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Barring any curveball formation choices, the Reds’ boss seems to have opted for a similar 4-2-3-1 set-up that he trialled in the Gameweek 6 win over Sheffield United.

Klopp has made two changes from last Saturday’s win over West Ham, with Jota replacing Curtis Jones (£4.4m) in one of those alterations.

Joel Matip (£5.4m) is in for Nat Phillips (£4.0m) at centre-half in the other.

Pep Guardiola has also made a brace of changes from Gameweek 7.

Gabriel Jesus (£9.3m) is back to lead the line, with the Brazilian making his first Premier League appearance since the opening weekend of the season.

Ilkay Gundogan (£5.4m) also returns to the heart of the City midfield, with Riyad Mahrez (£8.3m) and Bernardo Silva (£7.4m) making way.

There is again no place in the hosts’ starting XI for Phil Foden (£6.6m), who hasn’t started a league match since Gameweek 5.

It’s not often that we can say that the majority of City assets are differentials in FPL but that is the case at present, with Kevin De Bruyne (£11.5m) the only member of Guardiola’s squad who boasts a double-digit ownership.

They are even less popular within the top 10k, with Kyle Walker (£6.1m) – who sits in 8.15% of these squads – the most-selected option.

Salah is by some distance the most-owned player in this fixture, both within the top 10k (65.34%) and overall (46.9%).


Manchester City XI: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Laporte, Cancelo, Gundogan, Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Torres, Sterling, Jesus.

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Gomez, Robertson, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Jota, Firmino, Mané, Salah.

GET IN-GAME DATA AT LIVE FPL

Check your own rank and in-play FPL stats on LiveFPL.net every Gameweek

1,570 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Mario Balofail
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    I am sorry but Marvelous Nakamba should be a fictional character 🙂

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

      His name does sound like he belongs in Mos Eisley Cantina

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

        Probably playing sacsofon

    2. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Hes a side character in Black Panther 2

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

    Jimenez replacements?

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Richarlison

    2. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Martial or Antonio

      1. Jolly Good
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Is Antonio back from injury?

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

      Watkins or Bamford or Che Adams

      Many options

  3. LC1
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Who's the best replacement for TAA out of the following;

    a) Chilwell (Already have James)
    b) Cancelo
    c) PVA

    Thank you

    1. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

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

    That could've been a big score for KDB, maybe he won't be on pens again anymore, people still getting him for GW9?

    1. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I'll probably wait untill gw10

    2. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Got him this week, not annoyed at all...

  5. NO SALAH
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Sterling&Son&Reguilon to Bruno&Ziyech&Cancelo for -4

    Thoughts?

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      What’s the plan to get KDB in the week after?

      1. NO SALAH
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        City does not impress in attacking wise. When they start ticking i’ll do the plan

    2. George Agdgdgwngo
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yes

  6. Forever In Our Shadow
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    What do you think of these moves? Obviously I would wait until the last possible point during IB to do it (or price rises or falls imminent).

    For next gw; TAA, Son & Romeu to Coufal, Ziyech & Bruno -8

    Would give me this;

    Martinez
    Coufal Chilwell Lamptey
    Salah Grealish Zaha Bruno Ziyech
    DCL Kane

    Steer Bamford Justin Mitchel 0.1ITB.

    Thanks.

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

      What's the plan to get KDB in the week after?

      1. Forever In Our Shadow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Grealish Zaha Bamford to KDB Soucek Brewster or Bruno Bamford to KDB Brewster is another option.

    2. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I like those transfers A LOT. I'm normally averse to big hits like that but those are tasty.

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Looks good, should quickly cover the hits

  7. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone else doing Son -> Fernandes?

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I made my bed with Rashford. Gotta lie in it...

    2. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yes see above.

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

      Madness to sell Son

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

        its not. Pity you are not a member.

      2. S.Kuqi
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Not necessary. Selling him is a risk worth taking with those fixtures

      3. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Why is it ?

    4. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Tempted. No rush. Will mull it over during IB.

      1. S.Kuqi
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I got the exact money to do the transfer so I'm pretty much forced to do it early

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

      Probably doing that one

  8. bso
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    What are you guys doing with your Spurs (Kane + Son) assets going forward? Holding both? Selling?

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Selling both see below

    2. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Keeping Kane. Bye bye Sonny.

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Selling both but probably not both on the same GW.

  9. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    How does this team look after removing Son & Kane? Transfers have not been made, mind 😉

    Martinez (Ryan)
    Chilwell Coufal Cancelo (Taylor Mitchell)
    Salah Bruno [C] Grealish Zaha (Burke)
    Werner DCL Vardy

    1. thetommy14
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Looks great

    2. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Nice.

    3. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      City attack plan?

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Jesus for Werner

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

      Dat defence

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        What about it?

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

      Looking good!

    6. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Cheers all, think I could be priced out at the end of IB but will not make transfers until close to deadline ... Son Kane are still great options!

  10. CrouchDown
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Foden to Jota anyone?

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Anyone for Foden is good. Although in this case is it like for like. Ie Potential benching for potential benching.

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

        Yeah you’re right.

        I think Jota will get more minutes though, eventually replacing Bobby who has been poor

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Transfer two players that are not nailed, not for me

  11. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Narrowed down TAA replacement to 3 players. Which one would you bring in?
    1. Cancelo (Mendy due to come back after IB)
    2. Coufal
    3. Cresswell

    1.5itb 2ft
    Martinez Peacock
    Chilwell Taylor Justin Ayling TAA
    Grealish Salah Son Rodriguez Bissouma
    DCL Kane* Vassilev

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      2. Would let you do Son to KDB easily.

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        All 3 options allow me to do Son to KDB

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

    TAA to PVA good move with bur, NEW and wba in next 3 or move to Cancelo and play v Spurs before good fixture run to follow from week 10?

    1. LC1
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Thinking the same tbh. However, I don't have Chilwell and practically everyone else does so may have to prioritise him..

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

        Yes, luckily I already have Chilwell

        1. LC1
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Good stuff. I'd say go for PVA then mate. Always good attacking returns and great fixtures!

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Cancelo

  13. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Guys Kane 3 bonus confirmefd?

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

      yes

      1. SHOWSTOPPERRR
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks

    2. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      yes

      1. SHOWSTOPPERRR
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks

  14. Jolly Good
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    McCarthy, 4.0
    Robbo, Chilwell, Semedo, KWP, Justin
    Bruno, Son, Mahrez*, 4.5, 4.0
    Werner, Jiminez*, DCL

    2FT, 1.5 itb. Mahrez and Jiminez need to go...

    A) KDB and Che Adams
    B) KDB and Bamford
    C) Jesus and Ziyech
    D) Any other combo for 18.3mio

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

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

    I should've gone for the template team which Berbs posted since GW1 then WC to the perfect team in GW6... oh well hindsight

    1. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I wish I'd had a team of the highest scorers every week.

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

        You can
        You need to be ruth less 😎

  16. Wizard of Ozil
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    finally time to Ditch TAA??
    Have kept faith but now hes history. Who is a good replacement, have Chilwell, Mitchell, Saiss and Dallas. plenty in bank

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

      Maybe get Coufal or AV defender and upgrade other areas in your team

  17. screamer73
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Liverpool fans, please help out. Looking for a 4.0 enabler. If TAA is out for a bit...

    A) N Williams
    B) R Williams
    C) N Phillips

    (B and C after considering a scenario where Gomez moves to RB.)

    1. George Agdgdgwngo
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Nico surely?

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Nico, I don't see Gomez shifting over to RB

  18. MarcoHammy111
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Going to get rid of Doherty . With Shaw out injured , anybody thinking of bring in telles?
    Should be back fit by end of international break

  19. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    People with TAA:

    Thoughts on being maverick and getting Robbo instead of Chilwell?

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Could be a massive attacking outlet for pool now, even more so

    2. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Biggest sideways move in human history. No

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

      If you get Chilwell that's 14 identical players to my team lol

    4. MGMT
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Could be good

  20. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Jota rising tonight. He looks first choice. Bring him in or? He could do good in a 5 man midfield me think

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

      Still very wary, I'd wait if I were you. He's a risk therefore waiting until the internationals finish is probably the best move for more info.

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

    There was a scout cast episode last season where the guys were talking about FPL and mental health. I must admit, whilst I have felt a little low at times after bad days, I never really considered FPL and mental health to be much of a thing.

    This season though I'm actually starting to feel it. It seems like every Sunday after the live matches on sky, I'm spending the evening with a horribly low mood. Sick to death of watching my big hitting players and captains fail week after week.

    This season I've captained KDB and Sterling twice each and they have returned 4 blanks. What are the chances of that?

    For my own reasons, I don't own Kane or Son. After dodging Son, Kane has to pop up right at the end of the game with a goal and 3 bp to ruin things. Then onto the Leicester game. Justin is denied an assist because Vardy misses the pen and then is denied another assist because Barnes misses a sitter.

    Still I'm thinking good prospects for the Liverpool game. Most people's captain's have played and I still have Sterling (C), Mane, Robertson and Foden so great points potential. I then watch yet another game involving my players (like the previous 2 Utd home games) with absolutely nothing happening and I get a pathetic total of 9pts from those players!

    It's just a joke. In the 15yrs I've been playing FPL this is by far the worst sustained variance I have suffered. Maybe the time has come to look for other hobbies and ditch FPL. Too much time invested for no reward.

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

      I agree, sometimes FPL can be very harmful for your mental health. You just have to connect with family and friends when FPL is going badly, trust me, it helps you to gain perspective and realise how little it matters. Just hanging out with friends or family is a great cure. Don't stay holed up in front of your screen when you do badly.

    2. Joey Tribbiani
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      For your own reasons you dont own Kane or Son?

    3. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      FPL isn’t a hobby

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

      It's a game.
      Take 2 week off.

      You'll be fine. No worries if you fail. Try n enjoy it. Results aren't in our hands

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

      I've had this to a degree. Not as extreme, but annoying. Funnily enough I'm on a long stretch of bad form. Absolutely nothing going right for my team this year.

      The longer it's gone on, the less I care, or the better I've dealt with it.

      I'm watching less football which is either a cause of the bad form, or the reason I'm beating myself up less about it.

      One of the worst things to do is to see how others are doing since only the people doing well will be loud. Try to spend less time on real-time forums/feeds and that brings the anxiety levels up constantly refreshing. If you're in a WhatsApp group/Discord, mute it during the course of the game. Any time you hear it vibrate, probably means someone else has got some points and more often than not, they'll want to run it in your face.

      Try to fill your time with something else. Absolutely still watch games, but not every game. Depending on where you are and how lockdown affects you - you could try to go out for a walk during games/play a video game etc whilst games are on.

      The excitement to get updates as they come is addicting, but it can be harmful.

  22. HaffNanner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Sacrificing a Spurs attacker. Which is the move?

    A. Son > Fernandes
    B. Son > KDB
    C. Kane > Jesus
    D. Kane > Vardy

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

      Son > Fernandes > KDB

  23. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Guaita
    TAA / Chilwell / James / Lamptey
    Salah / Son / Rodriguez / Foden
    Kane / DCL

    Forster // Podence / Kilman / Brewster

    Son has been annoying of late, but I've got some bigger question marks in TAA, Foden & Podence. Transfer-wise:

    TAA / Foden >> Cofaul / Fernandes (?)

    Yay or Nay? Alternative?

    Could add a -4 for:
    A) Son > Ziyech
    B) Son > Grealish
    C) Kane > Vardy
    D) Hold.

    1. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

    2. MGMT
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      D

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

      Cheers both. I won't make the -4 early due to the International Break, but I'll be thinking about it.

  24. FPL_Crisis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone else concerned about jumping on city assets?
    I know that sounds crazy with the fixtures coming up post spurs game, however that’s 5 games in a row scoring 1 goal

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

      Will do it after their game against Spurs..

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      They'll score against Fulham, but yeah hard to pick the right one.

      Cancelo looks a very good shout with less goals, if he keeps his place. Does well on BAPs and is fairly attacking himself. Less goals means a better chance for bonus.

  25. Hattrick Harry
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    VAR reject

  26. Marcin the Pole
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Injury dependent, I've decided Podence will go instead of Mitro this week. Everton defence is leaky so Mitro afforded a final hurrah. Question is, who is the best Podence replacement? Likely to only be fairly short term, as WC still in the bank.

    A) Grealish
    B) Ziyech
    C) Jota
    D) Hamez
    E) Eze (save cash for elsewhere)

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

      Grealish

    2. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      just sell both

  27. Better Call Raul
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Time to wildcard the following? Have 1 FT 0itb

    Martinez (4.0)
    Bellerin-KWP-Taylor (Saiss) (Mitchell)
    Salah-Mane-Son-Soucek (Bissouma)
    Kane-Jimenez-Mitro

    Tempted to hold and use FT as looks ok for next GW but concerned about missing the boat on Bruno, Grealish, Chilwell etc