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

    So 28 points on the bench in the end

    Played Pope over Martinez
    Played Antonio over DCL
    the real kicker
    Played Soucek over Salah

    Record bench high for me!

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yikes, not much more to say really.

  2. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What do people think the ideal City 3 to own are now? Wondering if it's worth pivoting from double def to double mid...

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

      They weren't really clicking offensively but Foden and Gundo could be very tasty

    2. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Still double defence. Why would it change? They should have kept a clean sheet if the referee did his job properly

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

        Think it was a penalty, but agree liverpool were not in that at all and it shoudl have been a Man city win to nil

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

          As a neutral and a Salah owner, that wasn’t a penalty. Complete dive.

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

            Agree.

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

              But Dias made it an easy decision for the red. Slight touch and he’s down - we all know the drill

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

                Not red - penalty I mean

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

      Ideal... Sterling Gundogan Cancelo

    4. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      including a hit?

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

      Sterling Gundo and Dias for me. I won Cancelo but feel Dias better here due to Cancelo being rested for the easier games.

    1. MoSalad
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Wow

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

      43 bench points!?

      1. sunzip14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        41

        1. sunzip14
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Sorry forgot bonus

          1. sunzip14
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            44

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

      makes me feel better about my meagre 28!

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

      Makes me feel SLIGHTLY better

      Any chance Bamford doesn’t play tomorrow? DCL bench points are upsetting me

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

        None at all if fit

    5. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Must be a few mega benches out there

      I saw this team benched 22 points this week, 38 last week and 29 the week before! https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/513396/event/23

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

        Jeez

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

    Think I have to bench boost next gameweek!?

    POPE Martinez
    CANCELO STONES MEE Coufal Dallas
    Salah Bruno Son Grealish GUNDOGAN(C)
    DCL(VC) Antonio Bamford

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

      Looks good, but I still think GW 26 will be better if suits strategy. Am in similar boat.

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

        I don't have FH which is the only issue hence why I'm tempted to BB next week so I don't have to factor it in when I WC?

        1. My heart goes Salalalalah
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Sound reasoning. Same for me

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

          I don't have FH either. Not completely got my head around it but hoping to just BB GW 26, dead end team GW 29, and wildcard GW 30. Can't say am completely up to speed on everything but at the moment that seems best. Guess just need to wait until mid week FA Cup matches out of the way and assess then when knowing more about GW26.

  4. Bonus magnet
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench

    DCL 12 pts Foden 15pts

    Over to you Rudiger ( bet he gets 12 now)

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

      What 4 defenders did you start?

      1. Bonus magnet
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cancelo Justin Mee Dallas

    2. lugs
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Gundo + Martinez here, their replacements are Areola & Kane so not a complete disaster

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

      Mate benched Martinez DCL Cavani and Gundo

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

    Fpl cup round 7 comes down to

    Him: Dallas, Rudiger, Abraham(gund 1st sub)

    Me: 14 points

    WHO wins?

    YOU DECIDE!

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

      Abraham should come on and get 1 point, Rudiger is 6 points max. Just pray Dallas doesn't haul

    2. Ejaaz11
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Most likely your opponent

    3. jammie26
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      You

  6. pablo discobar
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Foden and Digne -4

    Or Lookman, Sterling, Digne -8

    Tough one!

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

    So I guess all that time deliberating between benching DCL or Gundogan "paid off" gaining me that 1 point difference

  8. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Ask him where he got his haircut. Prat

  9. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Absolutely magic!

    No Dinho, no Walker, no KDB, no recognised striker as in no Sergio or Jesus (most the match), it should have been 5 and a whole lot more!!!

    What a day as a Blue!

    Not to mention Chilwell is starting, I captained Son and started Salah!

  10. ChelseaGuy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Foden seems to hit the points against tougher oppositions. His other double digits scores were against Chelsea and Brighton. Brighton went on to keep 4 CS in 4 matches after that.

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

      City have a nice run of tough games coming lol

  11. frenchfries
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Best City player for GW24 to add to Dias and Gundogan?

    1. Jebiga
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cancelo

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

    Is Son on 2 or 1 baps?

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

      2

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

        Cheers Ninja!

    2. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      You have FPL don't you?

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

        I do but I was unsure whether they both get 1 or 2 with Kane.

    3. Jersey Boy
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      2

  13. Jersey Boy
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Everyone thinking they have benching headaches, spare a though for Gareth Southgate would you

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

      Southgate couldn't pick the best XI even if he had only XI to choose from.

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Least he's getting Pope off the bench for Pickford this week

      1. Jersey Boy
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Haha very good

  14. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is Bruno a viable captaincy considering I have tripple city defence and no Gundo? or I give it to Dias?

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

      Someone on a double game week.
      Maybe change stones out for gundog?

      1. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Is Stones + Son > Mee + Gundo (-4) good enough?

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

          With Kane back might want to hold onto Son esp. with their DGW coming up. Also might depend how much, if any, money you have tied up in him.

  15. Avery
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    When I die my I want my fantasy team to lower me into my grave so they can let me down one more time...

    1. Mario Balofail
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      😀 this is huge 😀

    2. I'M 2 OLD FOR THIS HIT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

  16. El Presidente
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What a beating that was!! RIP Liverpool...

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

    Need Zouma to stay on the bench to go through in the cup. Even a 1 point cameo and I'm out.

  18. LLoris
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What day and time to price changes occur?

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

      Just under seven hours from now

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      1:30am every morning

  19. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Madison to Gundo (c) for free ?

    1. The Mighty Hippo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

    2. Avery
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Do it!

  20. Reeker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Such a difference between the two teams from last year. I went into this game not even expecting Liverpool to score.

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

    Salah dreadful yet again.

  22. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Best 3rd City player going forward ?

    Cancelo Gundogan and

    A Dias
    B Foden
    C Sterling

    1. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A for the nailedness factor I think
      Was on 3bps before the soft penalty too

  23. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Should I try get Gundo if I have Sterling Stones and Cancelo? Wildcarding next week but only 1 FT

  24. LLoris
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bring in Dias or Gundo or Foden?

    Already have Sterling and Stones

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

      Gundo

  25. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Need Foden points

    Bamford needs to take the night off tomorrow

    🙁

    1. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      DCL would come for me. Deal

    2. jammie26
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'm happy with this, would get my Watkins points.

  26. Stranger Mings
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Guys which best please I have 2 FTs a) Bowen & holding to mee & Rodriguez, b) holding to mee and roll 1 transfer c) something else ?!cheers

  27. Party time
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Best jam I ever had in fpl. Sir Gündoğan!

    • Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Sheffield goal needed

      1. Sun Jihai
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Can't see it happening with McBurnie and Burke up front
        FPL may as well add the Chelsea CS on now :/

    • MoSalalalalalalalalah
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Even as a Liverpool fan I feel as if we are 100% a system team. If someone is injured the whole team falls apart. Although, Henderson and Fabinho have been strong defensively, they don't offer aerial threat, long balls, and ability to bring the ball into the midfield like VVD, Gomez and Matip can

      1. Party time
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Henderson should play in midfield. I think Klopp is lost. He doesn’t know what else to do

          1. MoSalalalalalalalalah
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            100% agree, would have obviously been risky to throw the new boys in Vs City today so I understand why he left them out. However, from now we should have at least 1 natural CB starting all the time

            1. Party time
                3 years, 1 month ago

                He could even switch the system to 3-4-3 to provide more protection in defence while Robbo & Trent play the WB role which I think would help Liverpool

                1. MoSalalalalalalalalah
                  • 5 Years
                  3 years, 1 month ago

                  Yeah would make for a confidence boost if it works