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, 2 months ago

    A Gundo injury would really put the cat amogst the pigeons

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

      What happens when you put a cat amongst pigeons?

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

        The pigeons fly away

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

        Feathers fly

  2. afcblegend
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

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

  3. SM001
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

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

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

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

  4. jason_ni
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months 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, 2 months ago

      This

    2. A. PRISE
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yep. Did that to Kane as well

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

        He tackled Kane

    3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Dirty and also struggling to keep up with the pace

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

        He’s a holding midfielder who sprays passes around

        1. Old Man
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          You mean he sprays opponents around

          1. Benjustjamin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Thanks for the giggle old man

      2. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        He has zero composure

  5. A. PRISE
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thiago is disgusting

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

      Nowhere near PL level

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

        Lol

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

        Neither was Bernardo or Cancelo. You Guys never learn.

        1. George Sillett
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          What on earth are you on about ?

  6. WVA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thiago red card incoming

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

    Sterling - Foden - Mahrez

    Maybe they'll switch it up later?

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

      Awful looking front three

  8. Jindaljain
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Sterling to score at anfield

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

      Amen

    2. Jindaljain
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Even after Thiago red card?

  9. mezza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Me: Cancelo +3
    Cup opponent: Stones + Firmino

    Bobby goal incoming

    1. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      My cup game is basically just city vs pool.

  10. ClassiX
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months 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, 2 months ago

      On point

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

      hahaha Jamie you legend!

    3. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

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

  11. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thiago one of the worst signings of this season!

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

      What a load of garbage. Lol

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

        Salty Pool fan spotted

        1. Scots Gooner
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Nonsense

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

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

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

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

  12. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is Salah due to come on second half? 😉

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

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

  13. Muchentuchel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

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

  14. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thiago slowly overtaking Maupay for the biggest ratbag in the PL

    1. Dennis System
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Random

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

      Which team are you supporting in PL?

  15. Egg noodle
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So much hate on Thiago

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

      Not a lot of intelligence here this afternoon

    2. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He deserves it. Seriously he does.

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

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

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

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

    3. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Tried to injure FFS favourite player Gundo.

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

      Stick to the day job

    2. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

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

      1. ClassiX
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        😆

    3. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      His paces saves him

  17. WVA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

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

  18. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thiago should play for Stoke!

    1. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Can he hack it on cold February Tuesday night though?

      1. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Well he’s out there hacking about now!

  19. Jindaljain
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months 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, 2 months ago

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

    2. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

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

  20. WVA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Salah looks cold

  21. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

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

    1. Marvin Moon
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months 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, 2 months ago

      All the comments on Thiago are from you.

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

        Haha this, it’s bordering on stalking

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

    zzzzzzzzzz

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

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

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

    Rodri such a dirty player

  24. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Micheal Olliver appreciation post

    Best of a bad bunch

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

      Oliver's Army!

  25. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

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

  26. ivantys
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    The comments here are entertaining.

    1. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      You're easily entertained

  27. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    No fudgy today?

    1. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      There is s God after all.

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

      Surely he quit...... again

    3. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      One less clown to worry about

    4. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

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

      1. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months 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, 2 months 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, 2 months ago

      League cup final?

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

      City v Spurs league cup final

    3. 2999 - Lady of Legend
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      League Cup Final?

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

      Celebration of their title.

    5. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      League cup final?

    6. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Of course! Completely forgot about the League Cup.

  29. Baron Penguin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months 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, 2 months ago

      Your name. Haha!!!!

  30. WVA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

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