Scout Network

How FPL managers are handling Liverpool’s latest injury crisis

Fantasy Premier League managers are having to re-evaluate everything they know about Liverpool assets heading into Gameweek 9.

Their start to the season has been plagued by a series of injury problems including the loss of a fit-again Alisson (5.9m), then long-term knee injuries to Virgil Van Dijk (6.3m), Joe Gomez (5.4m) and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (6.3m).

Trent Alexander-Arnold (7.3m) now has a calf problem, there have been muscle issues for both Fabinho (5.4m) and Jordan Henderson (5.4m) as well as a knock for Thiago Alcantara (£5.9m), and Andrew Robertson missed out on Scotland’s game over the weekend thanks to his hamstring.

Couple all of this with Mohamed Salah (12.3m) returning a positive coronavirus (COVID-19) test on international duty and Liverpool are stricken right across the board.

The most frustrating factor in all of this is the uncertainty. It is entirely possible that some of the Reds’ flagged assets could feature in Gameweek 9, we just don’t know which ones yet.

So what should Fantasy managers do about the problem? Do we sell our Liverpool assets and wait for the injury storm to pass? Or should we hold on and bench them for the time-being?

We asked members of the Scout Network, to see what they had to say on the subject.

El Statto

Graph from El Statto to show Liverpool’s top 10 most-owned players and their points returns so far this season

I think the easy plan, that many have already set in motion, was to avoid Liverpool’s defence for now. Clean sheets weren’t a regular occurrence anyway and Robertson is the only one providing much in the way of attacking returns. I would move the money into midfield and attack for now. It’ll be interesting to see how Liverpool line up over the next few months with the shortage of centre backs. Will Robertson continue to push forward in attack or will he take a more conservative approach to protect the defence? Will a £4.0m defender for the champions become a viable option?

El Statto

FPL Poet

Is now the right time for some restructuring? 2

For Gameweek 8, I had Salah, Sadio Mané (£12.0m) and Robertson. When Alexander-Arnold was taken off with an injury, I sold Robertson and Rhian Brewster (£4.5m) in order to get Ollie Watkins (£6.1m) and Ezri Konsa (£4.7m) with four-point hit. Now we know Salah has tested positive for COVID-19 and, since I do not have Bruno Fernandes (£10.6m) or a Manchester City attacker for their promising run of fixtures, I feel tempted to sell the Liverpool ace. Then again, the Reds are to play Brighton and Fulham in Gameweeks 10 and 12 respectively, in between a home clash with Wolves, so Salah may punish his sellers. For the time-being, I am sticking with him, playing someone from the bench and hoping that he fetches me a haul when he returns for the Brighton game. However, if someone has not made a transfer already (unlike me), they could get Fernandes for Gameweek 9 for the West Bromwich Albion match and bring Salah back in Gameweek 10 or 11.

FPL Poet

Mini League Mate

With limited exposure to Liverpool’s woes in just owning Salah, I’m going to hold him and hope he is capable of a fairly quick recovery. Once again, we are reminded of the importance of a strong bench this season! Jarrod Bowen (£6.3m) will take Salah’s slot and I quite fancy his chances against a struggling Sheffield United. It is, however, a few days before the deadline and, if I know myself, then temptation to hop onto someone else may prove too strong.

Mini League Mate – Logan

FPL Poker Player

Sadio Mane

I’ve not had more than one Liverpool player in my team at any stage this season. Admittedly, my decision to start the season without Salah backfired big style when he was gifted two penalties in Gameweek 1. The only Liverpool defender I. have owned van Dijk for the first four Gameweeks and, in a rare instance of good timing, he was a makeweight for my Salah transfer in Gameweek 5 just before Jordan Pickford (£4.9m) injured the centre-back. Fortunately for me, I have not been punished for staying away from Liverpool’s defence since then. Looking ahead, I see no reason to be invested in their backline, given that my spreadsheets predict they only have strong prospects of a clean sheet in one of the next six Gameweeks. Offensively though, Liverpool are predicted to score at least two goals in each of their next six Premier League matches, and a case could have been made for a Salah and Mané double0up prior to the Egyptian’s positive COVID-19 test. I am of the opinion that now would not be the time to be planning on going without Salah for the medium/long-term. Therefore, I would be recommending Wildcarders have a plan for how they will integrate Salah back into their teams once he is available for selection again. Diogo Jota (£6.5m) looks an enticing proposition now, of course, especially if managers are in the luxurious position of being able to hop off Salah in the short-term.

FPL Poker Player

FPL Partridge

Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk

Looking at Liverpool’s upcoming fixtures (Brighton, Wolves and Fulham) I do feel that, despite the injuries, they are likely to pick up one or two clean sheets. I also wonder how the injuries will impact Robertson (if fit). Will he be on more set pieces? Will he have to take on more of the attacking responsibility? There’s a lot of uncertainty but I also think there’s a lot of potential upside for Robertson owners. I certainly won’t be selling for a hit. I could be tempted to sell for a free transfer but is Robertson my biggest issue right now? Probably not.

FPL Partridge

FPL Family

Liverpool’s Andrew Robertson

This international break has proved to be a tough time to own Liverpool players. With Gomez picking up a knee injury in training with England, potential injuries to Robertson and Henderson while away with Scotland and England respectively as well as a positive test from Salah whilst on duty with Egypt, on top of a series of other injury concerns we as FPL Managers are now left with key decisions to make.

The injury to Alexander-Arnold in Gameweek 8 made the decision to sell him easier and right now not owning a Liverpool defender feels like a good idea especially as there are so many injuries to key Liverpool defenders as well as a lack of clean sheets. Even if Robertson recovers from his hamstring injury ahead of the Gameweek 9 deadline I’m not sure he is worth the money you need to invest in him when he is playing in a makeshift defensive unit.

Salah is a more complicated issue. His positive test leaves him isolating in Egypt until he returns a negative test – hopefully this will mean only missing one Gameweek. Having owned Salah since pre-season I would stand to lose 0.2m in him by selling now and, therefore, for me, I will be holding him as I will want him back as soon as he is allowed to play again – especially right now when attack is Liverpool’s best form of defence.

FPL Family Sam

What’s going on in the Scout Network?

El Statto

El Statto used the first week of the international break to take a break from writing articles and turned his attention to his much anticipated video content. This week he produced a short video instead summarising Chilwell on the back of last weeks Scout Network question on Chilwell and Chelsea after last weeks question from Scout

FPL Poker Player

This week FPL Poker Player published a blog reporting the key trends this season so far as identified by a review of my spreadsheet’s rolling data which contained good news for managers transferring in assets from Aston Villa and West Ham, and some mixed news for those bringing in Bruno Fernandes. I

Poker Player has also prepared a first draft of his weekly poker tables blog, which is due out next week. His latest 6 gameweek spreadsheet was emailed to customers around the world, if you would like to receive it don’t forget to sign up.

FPL Family

Lee and Sam had a busy week last week last week recording a Scout Question and Answer session as well as Sam appearing on last weeks FPLShow alongside Duncan Alexander. This week Sam will be on the Official FPLPodcast and Lee and Sam will be back streaming as usual on their YouTube channel at 20:30 GMT on Sunday night. The FPLFamily are also fast approaching 15k subs on YouTube – if you haven’t already hit that subscribe button!

FFS International and Scout Academy

FFS International 1

We were thrilled to expand both our FFS International and Scout Academy communities this week with a variety of Content Creators from across the world:

You’ll be able to hear more from these additions to our network over the rest of the 2020/21 season and beyond! If you want to be part of our community be it – Scout Network, Scout Academy, FFS International or Community Trials then please get in touch!

Sam FPLFamily <p>Fantasy Football Scout's General Manager. Half of the FPLFamily. Pundit on the FPL Pod, Fantasy Show and Sky Sports News&nbsp;</p> Follow them on Twitter

858 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Possibly doing Salah to Mane/KDB/Bruno if he is out for more than 1GW.
    Initially wanted to do Son to Bruno.

    Thoughts?

    2FTs 1.6ITB.

    Martinez
    Robo/Kilman/Chilwell
    Salah/Son/Hamez/Grealish
    Kane/DCL/Bamford

    Martin/Reguilon/Mitchell/Stephens

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

      If he's out more than 1 GW, I'll ship him too.

      Probably for Bruno this week, then Son->KDB next.
      Wouldn't go for Mane with Liverpool being so injury plagued.

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

    I'm beginning to think I should be prioritizing Bamford over both Watkins and Antonio.

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

      I've come round to this idea too, albeit I'll have Watkins alongside him and DCL.

      Budget strikers to come with their caveats but I feel we've seen enough now from Leeds/Bamford, and Villa/Watkins, to suggest that they can continue to provide great value, especially with Villa's upcoming fixtures. Leeds also look like they can score against anyone.

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

        He's getting so many chances, it's incredible.

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

      I've been thinking to bring in Watkins since the start of the IB but slowly swaying towards Bamford

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

        Watkins having pens is very appealing.

  3. Vlekz
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Who is the best keeper on wildcard?
      1)McCarthy doesn't have the fixtures
      2)Martinez is 4.8 and targett is 4.5, I don't see a reason to pay more for a keeper.
      3)Fabianski has the same problem. Coufol is 4.5.
      4) meslier. Aren't keeping cleansheets
      5) leno. They are great 1 week(defensively), hopeless the next
      6) any other?

      1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Martinez, I'm ready to pay more for keeper because cheap defenders are for rotation while keeper will play every week and set and forget so not the worst idea to spend the extra

        Mendy also good option but assuming you have Chilwell it blocks a future attacking double up

        1. Vlekz
            3 years, 4 months ago

            If you got targett would you bench him in any game for next 6?

        2. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Would just go McCarthy Forster now that Martinez is pushing 4.9

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

        Bruno leading c poll.

        Im not even sure I want to own him.

        Prefer Grealish and Ziyech for 2-3m less.

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

          You could cap DCL too.

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

          Rashford 8% ownership is calling my name

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

        Are there better players in the YT game than FPL Wire?
        Just watched a 105 mins long video

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Blackbox is also decent whenever I’ve watched it

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

            Yeah I watch it too those 2 are my favs

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

        Already on a -4 and looking to hold Salah.

        Do I get Bamford in for Maupay after GW9 because Watkins would require me to move out Steer too?

        Martinez
        Coufal Chilwell Kilman
        Salah* Grealish Son Bruno
        Maupay Kane DCL

        Steer Lamptey Dallas Bissouma

        1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Yeah that sounds good

      5. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Play Lamptey or Cancelo?

        1. Champione
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Cancelo imo

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

          Humptey Lamptey

        3. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Cancelo

      6. Champione
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Play 1:
        A) Brewster
        B) Lamptey
        C) Trossard

        1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          C but ideally sell him and start the replacement

      7. DAZZ
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Who’s the best 1 week punt for Salah if WC’ing next GW? MF is - Salah/Son/Bissouma/Grealish/Bowen

        1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Ziyech/Auba

          1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Ignore this,I thought you had Bruno.

            Bruno it is.

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

          Mane ofc

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

          Bruno or Rashford

        4. Kadi_J
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Rashford

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

          Rashford

        6. 2999 - Lady of Legend
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          1) Bruno
          2) Mane
          3) Rashford.

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Long chance

          1. dicky2014
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Shane Long has a chance?

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

            Thanks, yes I’m sure you’re right. Just looking at options.

      8. Kadi_J
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Like many, I'm toying with the wildcard.

        Please RMWCT

        Martinez

        Coufal Justin Clyne (Kilman Mitchell)

        Salah* Grealish Ziyech Bruno KDB

        Vardy Watkins (Brewster)

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

          Looks great bar the Clyne pick.

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

          Defence to weak

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

        If Jota keeps starting, anyone else eyeing a double-up with him and Salah for Fulham onwards?

        Would give me this midfield:

        Salah - Jota - KDB - Fernandes - Grealish

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

          If Jota keeps starting, he'll be the only essential player in the game.

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

          Yep, true. Surprised he'd still under 10% owned.

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

          *he's

      10. trimpos
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Martinez
        Robbo* Saiss coufall
        Bruno Jamez sterling grealish
        Bamfort kane DCL

        Steer justin dunne jorginho

        1ft
        1.1 itb

        Any thoughts?

        1) transfer out robbo for telles/PVA/ cancelo/ cresswell
        2)transfer out sais for telles/PVA/ cancelo/ cresswell
        3) transfer out jorginho for 4.5 (to save some money for later)
        4) 1 & jorginho to jota (-4)

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

          Or save to save the ft for the next gw

      11. farmerfat
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Martinez
        James Coufal Bellerin
        Salah* Mane Bruno Bowen
        DCL Watkins Werner

        Already made 1ft, makes sense to hold Salah and just let C . Taylor come off the bench?
        Mane and Bruno for captaincy options

      12. Jonesfromthere
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Are those captaining Timo not worried of another random benching? He played over 70 mins in both internationals and Lampard had mentioned managing his minutes.

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Can’t see it in the PL just yet, possibly in the UCL though

          1. Hangman Page
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            He was already benched in the Premier League once though - Pulisic injury in warm up the only reason he started v Burnley.

            1. Miguel Sanchez
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Leeds at home in GW11 probably the most likely Premier League game to rest him in, otherwise the UCL games against Krasnodar and Rennes are best opportunities.

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

          Now I am!

        3. El Presidente
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I didn't watch the first match but watched Spain vs Germany and he looked tired.. very low key, slow...

      13. Feed tha Sheep
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Is Foden > Grealish worth a -4 if I intend to WC shortly?

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

          only if you plan to captain Grealish this week IMO

          1. Feed tha Sheep
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Don’t think I will be was thinking of DCL

        2. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Not for a hit if you aren’t captaining and WCing soon

        3. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Yep, get jack.

        4. ppv
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Jack definately worth -4 over Foden

      14. AF90
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Robertson, Pulisic, Salah -> PVA, Fernandes, KDB -4?

        1. Hangman Page
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Seems reasonable.

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

          Why not wait another round and then bring KDB for free?

      15. Andrew
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Thoughts on this team please guys, obviously Salah is unlikely to play but do I bench or replace with Mane? Any other glaring errors or areas that need attention?

        Martinez (Button)
        Reguilon Cresswell Kilman (Dallas Mitchell)
        Salah Son Bruno Zaha (Bissouma)
        Kane DCL Watkins

        £0 ITB and 1 FT

        1. Assisting the assister
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Save and bench Salah

        2. stepper1971
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Kilman unlikely to play too after the passing of his father

      16. ClothedinSun
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Digne worth a look-in with those next three fixtures? Or avoid?

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

          He will haul in one game, blank in the next and then a red card to finish off

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

            Accurate. I'll avoid.

      17. Andrew
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Will Kilman play this GW?

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

        What is this rumour that Max Kilman may not be available this week ?

        1. stepper1971
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          His father passed away

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

            yes, but has it been reported that he is unavailable to play ?

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

        What would you guys do here?

        (A) Play Bissouma (avl)
        (B) Play Justin (liv)
        (C) Take out Salah or Mitchell for -4

        1. The Knights Template
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          A

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

        Just watched Cavani's tackle onto Richarlison's ankle. I have to admit that this could be lot of damage to Rich's ankle and I believe that he isnt gonna be available for this week

      21. The-Red-1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Anyone else been stung by a Martinez / Steer double up in order to protect from injury, but now have to use a transfer to get in Grealish and Watkins? Annoying!

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

          It is unfortunate. No-one would even thought it was a viable option to triple up on Villa at the start of the season

      22. George James
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Best option for next 3/4 gw

        A) Kane / Grealish / Cancelo (no United cover)

        B) Watkins / Bruno / Robertson

        1. The Knights Template
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          A

      23. TMF86
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I'm considering TC Vardy.
        He loves playing the big boys. Hat trick vs City.
        A Liverpool team that haven't been great at the back and now missing more and more players. I'd imagine them sticking to playing high and Vardy with lots of space to get in behind. IMO, seems a better use of TC than him vs lower ranked teams.

        Am I losing my mind after God knows how many months locked up inside?!

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

          This infuriating myth of Vardy being worse off against lower ranked teams needs to stop. It's not 2017 anymore.

          Go look at where most of his returns came from last season.

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

          TC insane imo, but he could do well against that defense yes. Thinking of bringing him in myself, but have not decided yet on who’s the best pick for the next 4-5 GW’s: Vardy or Bruno.

        3. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          You ain't doing that

      24. Parsnips
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Not really sure on what to do with my team as I have got 3mil in the bank and have already taken a hit...

        Martinez (Ryan)
        Robo Chilwell Coufal (Mitchell Dunne)
        Anguissa Zaha Fernandes Barkley (Salah)
        Werner DCL Watkins

        Was thinking Anguissa > Soucek as Anguissa won't get points. Or should I wait for the Salah news and possibly get De Bruyne in? Or any other opinions.

        1. All For One
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I would hold as you've already taken a hit.

      25. All For One
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Kwp, Bissouma, Kilman

        Any changes to bench order?

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I would have Kilman first

          1. All For One
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Cool

      26. Gudjohnsen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        My defence is an utter shambles with Robertson, Chilwell, Coufal, Mitchell and Dunne.

        I got 3.5 itb.

        Do I need to get a defender for a hit with Chilwell and Robertson flagged or do they both start at the weekend?

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

          Both Robbo and Chilwell in contention to play tonight

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

            That's good news

      27. white heart pain
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Want to get KDB & Grelish in.
        0.1 short of son to KDB
        1FT 2.1bank

        Martinez
        Chillwell Coufal Kilmann
        Salah Fernandes Son Foden
        Kane DCL Bamford

        Nyland* Burke* Mitchel* Dunne*

        A) Son > Grelish
        B) Son + Dunne > KDB + N.williams (-4)
        C) Son + Foden > KDB + Barkley (-4)
        D) Son + Foden + Dunne > KDB + Soucek + Zouma (-4 over 2 weeks)
        F) Son + Foden + DCL > KDB + Grelish + Watkins (-4 over 2weeks)

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

          A

          1. white heart pain
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            A) means I have not way to get KDB though

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

              If you really want KDB then I don't know why you gave A as an option. Clearly it is F if you want both Grealish and KDB. I would rather lose Kane than DCL at the moment

              1. white heart pain
                • 13 Years
                3 years, 4 months ago

                Just exploring options and looking for advice.

                Can’t have them all i guess. DCL has good fixtures and form so don’t really want to lose but can’t squeeze out any more 1.0 from my team