Dugout Discussion

Mane, Fabinho and Alisson return for Liverpool as Guardiola benches Jesus

The most-anticipated Premier League fixture of the weekend, and perhaps the calendar year so far, sees reigning champions Liverpool take on current league leaders Manchester City.

Kick-off at Anfield is at 16:30 GMT.

A win for City would take them ten points clear of Jurgen Klopp’s side, with the blue half of Manchester also having a game in hand to play on top of that.

Klopp has brought back three of his big guns from illness and injury for this fixture, with Sadio Mane, Alisson and Fabinho returning to the starting XI.

Fabinho will be deployed alongside Jordan Henderson at centre-half, with the Liverpool boss resisting the urge to hand a first start to new recruits Ozan Kabak or Ben Davies – the latter of whom doesn’t even make the matchday squad.

Along with the three returning players above, Curtis Jones is recalled to the hosts’ line-up.

Xherdan Shaqiri, James Milner, Nat Phillips and Caoimhin Kelleher are the men to make way.

Guardiola has made two changes to his City line-up as Oleksandr Zinchenko and Phil Foden start in place of the benched Aymeric Laporte and Gabriel Jesus.

The form book points to City in this fixture, with the visitors on a nine-match winning run in the top flight.

Guardiola’s troops have recorded 11 shut-outs in their last 13 matches, too.

Liverpool have won only two of their last eight Premier League games, meanwhile, with many of their key FPL assets in poor form.

Andrew Robertson is on his longest barren run without an attacking return since his debut season at Anfield, while Mohamed Salah – who is still the division’s top goalscorer, lest we forget – hasn’t found the net on Merseyside since Gameweek 13.


Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Henderson, Robertson, Thiago, Wijnaldum, Jones, Salah, Firmino, Mane.

Manchester City XI: Ederson, Joao Cancelo, Stones, Dias, Zinchenko, Bernardo Silva, Rodri, Gundogan, Mahrez, Sterling, Foden.

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2,350 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A Gundo injury would really put the cat amogst the pigeons

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      What happens when you put a cat amongst pigeons?

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

        The pigeons fly away

      2. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Feathers fly

  2. afcblegend
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Well done to the sound button man for choosing 'polite applause' on Gundo getting to his feet

  3. SM001
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Gundo, Cancelo and TAA all on my bench. Wish me luck.

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      So you played DCL, Justin and Martinez in midfield. Well done.

  4. jason_ni
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Thiago is a dirty player.. never really watched him before he joined pool, but every game he is putting in rash dirty challenges.

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      This

    2. A. PRISE
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yep. Did that to Kane as well

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

        He tackled Kane

    3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Dirty and also struggling to keep up with the pace

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

        He’s a holding midfielder who sprays passes around

        1. Old Man
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          You mean he sprays opponents around

          1. Benjustjamin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Thanks for the giggle old man

      2. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        He has zero composure

  5. A. PRISE
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Thiago is disgusting

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Nowhere near PL level

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

        Lol

      2. DMP
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Neither was Bernardo or Cancelo. You Guys never learn.

        1. George Sillett
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          What on earth are you on about ?

  6. WVA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Thiago red card incoming

  7. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Sterling - Foden - Mahrez

    Maybe they'll switch it up later?

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Awful looking front three

  8. Jindaljain
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Sterling to score at anfield

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Amen

    2. Jindaljain
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Even after Thiago red card?

  9. mezza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Me: Cancelo +3
    Cup opponent: Stones + Firmino

    Bobby goal incoming

    1. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      My cup game is basically just city vs pool.

  10. ClassiX
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher:
    "There's been a lot of chat recently about what Thiago brings. What he does bring is a lot of fouls."

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      On point

    2. Muchentuchel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      hahaha Jamie you legend!

    3. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Very true, also spoils the fluid play they used to have back to front.

  11. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Thiago one of the worst signings of this season!

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

      What a load of garbage. Lol

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Salty Pool fan spotted

        1. Scots Gooner
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Nonsense

    2. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Very ordinary, certainly not what he was hyped up to be

      1. Muchentuchel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        It's common for players from the german farmer's league

  12. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is Salah due to come on second half? 😉

    1. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I presume someone’s told him the curse has been removed?

  13. Muchentuchel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Thiago's defo not one of the brightest footballers out there. What a douche...

  14. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Thiago slowly overtaking Maupay for the biggest ratbag in the PL

    1. Dennis System
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Random

    2. BobbyDoesNotLook
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Which team are you supporting in PL?

  15. Egg noodle
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    So much hate on Thiago

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

      Not a lot of intelligence here this afternoon

    2. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He deserves it. Seriously he does.

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

        For a tackle? Gundo is fine. Stop throwing toys.

        1. Pep Roulette
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Do you even watch all the games of the team you claim to be fan of?

          1. Danno - Emre Canada
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            You’re obsessed, has Thiago hurt you in a previous life?

    3. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Tried to injure FFS favourite player Gundo.

  16. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    On ability alone Thiago wouldnt get into a bottom half Premier league side

    Only the Bayern Tag keeping him in the team

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

      Stick to the day job

    2. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Liverpool are trying to get into bottom half of the table for him.

      1. ClassiX
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        😆

    3. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      His paces saves him

  17. WVA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bernardo destroys Mane, he's still running the wrong way

  18. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Thiago should play for Stoke!

    1. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Can he hack it on cold February Tuesday night though?

      1. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Well he’s out there hacking about now!

  19. Jindaljain
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I think every premier league team got to know tactics of Liverpools gameplay so they are getting hammered nowadays

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      They also lost the best defender in the world which hasn't helped

    2. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      And I'm not talking about Lovren before someone makes that joke lol

  20. WVA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Salah looks cold

  21. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Loving all the comments on Thiago here. Liverpool fans are too delusional to accept he is nowhere near PL level.

    1. Supersonic Marv'
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      It's a good job we've got a genius like you here to educate us.

    2. BobbyDoesNotLook
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      All the comments on Thiago are from you.

      1. Danno - Emre Canada
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Haha this, it’s bordering on stalking

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

      Yeah guy who wins everything with Bayern Munich including the CL .... hmm wait, that puts jim above every City player!

  22. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    zzzzzzzzzz

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Another big game that neither team dare not lose. Makes for a bit of a snoozefest.

  23. Bushwhacker
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Rodri such a dirty player

  24. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Micheal Olliver appreciation post

    Best of a bad bunch

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Oliver's Army!

  25. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Feel like every ‘Big 6’ game ends 0-0, expect the trend to continue here too

  26. ivantys
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    The comments here are entertaining.

    1. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      You're easily entertained

  27. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    No fudgy today?

    1. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      There is s God after all.

    2. Danno - Emre Canada
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Surely he quit...... again

    3. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      One less clown to worry about

    4. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      'Guys benched I DCL for Michael Jordan. Season over.'

      1. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah I much prefer the sound of silence or people posting jhuuuuuuuhuuh over and over again

  28. School of Poch
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Just looked at the fixtures for City and it's showing a blank in 33. Anybody know what this is for?

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      League cup final?

    2. Danno - Emre Canada
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      City v Spurs league cup final

    3. 2999 - Lady of Legend
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      League Cup Final?

    4. Muchentuchel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Celebration of their title.

    5. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      League cup final?

    6. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Of course! Completely forgot about the League Cup.

  29. Baron Penguin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Predicted a cagey 0-0 all week. Last minute moved Gundo in and benched Dias. Also shifted captain from Bruno to Antonio and benched DCL for Soucek. Oh dear.

    1. Vazza
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Your name. Haha!!!!

  30. WVA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Sterling runs in a straight line into opposition players or passes it to the other team, he needs a tap in