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. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    61 (if Alonso doesn’t come on) with Bamford and Dallas to go

    I’ll take with Antonio(c)

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      And bloody Gundo benched lol

    2. Sid1891
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Nice score
      57 with Bamford
      DCL benched ouch

    3. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      65 with Antonio captain, Salah benched, Soucek zero and double City defense.

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

      Same score with Chilwell Raphinha and Bamford to go, 29 pts on the bench

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Ouch

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

          76 all out with Targett coming in for Dier but left DCL on my bench

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

    With WBA and Newcastle to come and possible DGW 26 which United player do you think best option alongside Bruno?

    A Rashford
    B Shaw
    C Cavani
    D Any better option?

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

      A

    4. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

    5. Indpush
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

    Captain prospect next week?
    A. DCL
    B. Gundogan
    C. Pope

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

      B

    2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

    3. Sid1891
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A at the moment

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

      a

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

      B

    6. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Dias for me...

  4. Littlefish92
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Score predictions for Chelsea game ?

    Any assets here we think

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

      0-2 Chelsea

  5. Dosh
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Best 3rd player from City? I own Gundo and Cancelo.

    1. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Dias

    2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Sterling

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

      Dias

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

      Foden with a decent bench option

  6. Lucky Z
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez
    Dias • Mee • Targett
    Sterling • Gundo • Son • Grealish • Bruno
    DCL • Bamford

    Forster • Dallas • Struijk • Brewster

    Anything need a hit here with 7.5 ITB?

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

    Gundo (C) locked in for next week. Was a tough decision before but that performance has cleared all doubts.

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

      Over DCL because Gundo has two haulable fixtures and DCL has one.

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

        True

    2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Gundo for sure. DCL plays City and an ultra defensive Fulham. Even two 60 min appearances from Gundo should be enough.

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

      Don’t forget the Jesus factor...

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

    Any suggestions? 1FT and £1.9M itb

    Pope
    Digne Dias Cancelo Maguire
    Salah Gundogan Bruno Rashford
    Bamford DCL

    Steer Grealish Coufal Brewster

  9. Says
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Roy Keane on another great rant

    1. Here's Tom with the We…
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Telling it like it is.

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

      He’s right though. And one could say it’s been like this since they lost to Watford last year.

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

    Martinez, Forster
    Cancelo*, Stones*, Coufal, Dallas, Douglas
    Bruno, Salah, Son, Gundogan*, Grealish
    DCL*, Bamford, Antonio

    2 FT, 5.1M ITB

    Tempted to transfer:
    Forster + Douglas > Pope + Digne

    and BB this bunch in 24. Good idea or go with the popular WC 25, BB 26 strategy?

  11. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    People need to relax over (c) and transfers for next GW. Let the FA Cup fixtures play out in midweek.

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I may do this for a change..

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

      Always my tactic, even if prices may change. Got to be wary of injuries

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

    what's everyones view on foden?

    the difference now is no kdb + I think he is above bilva and Mahrez in the pecking order

    if he gets a rest in the cup will anyone be tempted for the double ?

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He is a rotation risk because he is young and City have a lot of games in a short space of time.

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      If he misses the Swansea game I will probably bring him in

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

        Thing is I’m not sure he will be rotated much less than stones, and the upside seems a lot bigger

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

          Think Stones has had his haul now so can live without the additional clean sheet from Stones. Foden has much more upside while City are playing like this

    3. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Rotation risk

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

    GW 10 - 2.6 million. Finally made it in to top 100k (77k) with Bamford and Raphinia to go! Did the wrong Hokey kokey with Son / Kane at the beginning of season and playing catch-up in all mini leagues since then.

    Not supposed to be a brag, just happy and am sure if everyone on this site keeps plugging away then ranks will keep going in the right direction 🙂

    Only just past half way and some big weeks coming up too to make up more points...

    1. Sid1891
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Well done
      Took me forever to get to top 10k and almost became a chess game
      Kinda less fun but still enjoyable when you doing ok

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

        Impressive week by week progress!

    2. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Very well done.. I’m with you, took a -12 couple of weeks back and I dropped around 200k to 400k.. This week everything went right, I even bought son (c) + Shaw in for Soucek/Robertson-4 I just went with my own decisions and ended up on 81 with 1 to play..

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

        Nice work! 🙂

        I do tend to find when you go with gut instinct it tends to pay off. But this site is great for giving you all the knowledge you could possibly need in one place. Then just a case of making your mind up from everything..

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

    "It's a problem that we have. In important moments we cannot miss it, and it doesn't matter the taker. Again, I'm going to think about Ederson, he might be the taker next time."

    Ederson essential? Haha

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Why can't it be Ederson?

      Chilavert used to take them because he was the best in the team. Just leave a few more players back in case he misses.

    2. Tinkermania
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I think he will take but not at 0-0 or 1-0. At 3-0 last 10mins maybe.

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

      Gotta see it happen first

    4. Party time
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Well, I have Ederson so why not

    5. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      For DGW24 I have Cancelo, stones, Gund, DCL..with two FTs who is most important to get in? Have 8M ITB

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

        Burnley defender probably, or Leeds player for GW26

      2. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Pope

      3. R.C
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Mee and Raphinha

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

      Who are the two best Man City defenders to own?

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

        Dias and Cancelo

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

        Stones and Cancelo

    7. Flynny
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Are Kane and son both essential for dgw26?

      Spurs have Burnley home and likely to get another decent home game

      Many will triple one of those players.

      Will cost me - 8 to have them both - but think it may need to be done.....thanks

      1. Make United Great Again
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yes I think so

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

          Me too

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

        I think one of them is enough. There are other players who could easily haul too. Triple Villa essential there and Everton might be too if they beat spurs in the cup.

    8. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Who would you C if you had both Gundo and Sterling?

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

        The one on pens

        1. Mr Bird
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Is Gündo still on pens after that? I guess Sterling did the same not long ago but it’s surely anybody’s guess right now.

      2. Mr Bird
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Honestly I only have Gündo but i’d pick him of the two for cap.

      3. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Gundo

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

      Best Burnley defender?

      1. R.C
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Mee

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

        Mee

      3. Mr Bird
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Mee?

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

        Tarkowski

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

        Cheers 🙂

      6. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Mee

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

        Lowton for price.

    10. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      McCarthy
      Dias Stones Shaw
      Salah Grealish Bruno Gundagon
      DCL Bamford Antonio

      Forster, Son, Holding, Mitchell.

      McCarthy > Martinez for free?

      A. Yay
      B. Nay

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

        Would do Pope if you can

        1. Make United Great Again
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          I can. But I want to set and forget on Keepers

          1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Get Martinez in that case

            1. Make United Great Again
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Cheers

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

        Yes, McCarthy has been killing my team for weeks

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

        Get Pope for double. I have Pope and Mart

        1. Make United Great Again
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Thought about it. But I’d leave Martinez there for the season. Pope would be a transfer waiting for happen imo

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

            I want to rank high as possible

            1. Make United Great Again
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              And I think Martinez outscores Pope!

    11. jdp219
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Did Chilwell > Mee this week. Meaning, Chilwell will score today. Sometimes I need to just follow my gut.

      1. mr messi
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I did Chilwell to Dallas

        1. jdp219
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Mine was in preparation for dgw24.

    12. mr messi
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Is Dias, Cancelo, Gundo, Pope and a possible Taylor enough for the double or should I take a hit to bring in another dgw player?

    13. Tinmen
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Folks, am I playing the right players?

      Martinez
      Dias Stones Cresswell Rudiger
      Salah Bruno Grealish Gundy
      DCL Cavani
      Bamford Son Mitchell

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

        Not Cavani IMO, Bamford or son. Cavani is rotation risk

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

        Mitchell not ideal and I'm not sold on Cavani, but otherwise looks good

    14. Chilli Heatwave
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      28 points on the bench... Can anybody beat that?

      1. user.n
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Hshssh

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

        31

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

          Martinez Watkins DCL Digne

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

            My commiserations

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

        Dude I had Gundo on the bench and Soucek starting.

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

        No but 99 over the last 4 weeks, gutted I didn't get the 100

    15. user.n
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bruno to Rashford ore Son to Foden to get Kane?

      1. Mr Bird
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Or just stick with Son?

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

        You possibly cannot take away Bruno. You have to have Son and Kane in the same team IMO. Get rid of salah if you have him

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

        Son to Foden, but there is a rotation risk

      4. R.C
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Stick with Son

    16. bigdip
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Thoughts guys? (No FT and 3.8mn itb)

      Mcarthy (Forster)
      Pieter Rudiger Cancelo (Justin, Lewis)
      Salah Fernandes Gundogan SON (SOUCEK)
      Antonio Bamford DCL

      A) Son to Sterling for -4 hit for DGW
      B) Soucek to JRod or 9mn mid for -4 hit for DGW (bench Bamford)
      C) No hit

      1. FPL Space
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        C

    17. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Already preparing for my next H2H ML. Which one scores more:

      A) Pope Son Maddison
      B) Martinez Salah Mee

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

        A

      2. Mr Bird
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        B

    18. kenzo.
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Hey guys off topic but what was the name of the second person who started the Fantasy Football Scout podcast along with Mark? Thanks

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

        Granville.

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

          Thank you

      2. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Granville

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

          Thank you

    19. Ozzy smith
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Foden benched next game for gobbing off during his post-match interview about City starting off slow etc lol.

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

        No chance Pep glowing saying he is learning every game he play

        1. Ozzy smith
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          My comment was tongue in cheek to be fair.

          Dunno what you were watching, but Pep effectively used his post-match interview on SkySports to reprimand Foden. Zoned in on his lack of positional awareness in the false 9 position first-half, kept making the point that he's very young and needs to learn etc.

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

      After a long time Wolves played well tonight and should have won.One more poor performance from Semedo and Neto didn't play well.Doherty is a big loss.