Dugout Discussion

Kabak makes Liverpool debut and Vardy returns to Leicester City starting line-up

Ozan Kabak (£5.0m) is the latest man to partner auxiliary centre-half Jordan Henderson (£5.4m) for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.

With Fabinho (£5.4m) ruled for the Reds with a muscle injury, the German’s hand was forced into another backline shuffle.

Ben Davies (£5.0m), also brought in as centre-back cover, is not part of the Liverpool matchday 18 due to a knock. Nat Phillips (£4.0m) is on the bench after deputising in Gameweek 22. On Kabak, Klopp said ahead of the early DGW24 kick-off:

It was a good training week for him, an important training week for him. Unfortunately, Ben Davies picked up a little knock as well so…it’s unbelievable.

Ozan looked good in training. The boys got used to each other. Of course today is a proper test against Leicester; against Vardy, against Maddison, against Barnes. It will be tricky but we think we are prepared.

On Leicester, Klopp added:

They can change systems, they are really strong and are extremely good at the counter attack.

Along with Fabinho, Thiago Alcantara (£5.6m) is the other player to drop out of Klopp’s XI from the 4-1 defeat to Manchester City in Gameweek 23. James Milner (£5.3m) is the man drafted into the midfield three.

Otherwise things are as we might expect for the champions. Mohamed Salah (£12.6m) Sadio Mane (£11.9m) Roberto Firmino (£9.3m), Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.4m) Andy Robertson (£7.3m) and Alisson (£5.9m) all start. Ahead of kick off, Alexander-Arnold told BT Sport:

It’s huge for us, coming here is always difficult. We’ve had a week to work on things, it’s chop and change at the back at the moment but we have to get used to that.

We are prepared for a few systems that Leicester may use and we think we can hurt them.

In embargoed quotes on Friday night, Klopp had said of Kabak and Davies:

Yeah, [Kabak is a] calm person. So, both Ben [Davies] and Ozan are calm people, willing to learn, great attitude. They really throw themselves in everything that is ahead of them – what a defender should do. Making big steps, adapting to the way we play, that’s important.

We have still a clear way to defend, which is important, because if both of them would be on the pitch, then there are still nine players who are used to what we did before – so if the two players would do something differently that would lead to a strange situation.

It’s all good so far. Now we have to make decisions. We have to change again because of Fab and now we will see which solution we will take.

Leicester could be using a back four or a wing-back system at the King Power stadium, with Brendan Rodgers coy in his pre-match interview. When BT Sport suggest the Foxes were in playing in a different shape, Rodgers responded:

Well you’ll see…not really. I think we have the flexibility to play in that [different formation]. That’s been the pleasing element of the team’s development in specific games. We can adapt and change.

Jamie Vardy (£10.0m) returns to the Leicester league XI for the first time since Double Gameweek 19. The forward did log 29 minutes as a sub in GW23 and started the midweek FA Cup win against Brighton.

James Maddison (£7.4m) and Harvey Barnes (£6.9m) could flank Vardy in a 3-4-3 set up, while Wilfred Ndidi (£4.8m) also makes his injury return to start in midfield.

Ricardo Pereira (£5.9m) looks set to operate at either left-back or left wing-back, with £3.9m defender Daniel Amartey playing on the right-hand side of Rodgers’ defence.

Unfortunately, the aformentioned James Justin will be out for a lengthy period after an ACL injury in that FA Cup this tie. Rodgers stated on Saturday:

He [Justin] has an operation next week and hopefully he’ll be back within a number of months. Big blow for us.

Leicester XI (4-1-4-1 or 3-4-3): Schmeichel; R Pereira, Soyuncu, Evans, Amartey; Ndidi; Barnes, Maddison, Tielemans, Albrighton; Vardy.

Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Robertson, Henderson, Kabak, Alexander-Arnold; Jones, Wijnaldum, Milner; Mane, Firmino, Salah.

1,411 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FPL price manipulators are …
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play up Partridge

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Tungsten tip screws.

    2. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      what this means?

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

      Nah you’re alright!

    4. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Smell my cheese

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

        In off the red

  2. Im New Here
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Good luck for the GW everyone!

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

      Cheers you too

  3. FPL price manipulators are …
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is FPL hooliganism a thing? I enjoy the toxic atmosphere on here during match day.
    FFS Ultras!!!

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

      I love it, sit back and watch the carnage/arguments unfold.

      1. FPL price manipulators are …
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Lighting a flare in my living room to give it a Galatasary away feeling. Apparently someone actually did this whilst playing Football Manager

    2. aleksaa2
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I miss Brosstan for that. He always used to wind up 95% of the forum by calling them out for their casual picks and jamminess.

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

        Has he been banned or just quiet or something?

        1. aleksaa2
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Banned, but they kept Mandalorian who made a post that we should let older people die, because they don't matter, so that we (younger people) finally won't be isolating anymore

    3. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      FFS casuals are on their way. Just got a text from the boss. Meet at bus stop on page 5 for a rumble

      1. FPL price manipulators are …
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Casuals always get paggerred by the Ultras

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

        Ha, just realised many probably won’t remember 80’s casuals rather than FPL casuals.

        #adidastrimmtrab

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

          I'm among those who know what you're on about

          1. Jafooli
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            😛

            I was a peripheral member of the North Glasgow Express (NGE) - Partick Thistle

            Me and a couple mates used to follow them around walking about 50-100m behind them 😆

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

              Haha, tough guys

              I just know of the movement, a few years before I was going to games but not that long

              1. Jafooli
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                There was only about 50 of them and they got a kicking every week 😀

        2. Pep bites Kun
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          That's going back a bit ..

          1. JOELIO8701
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Petition to #bringbackbrosstan

  4. Kryptonite666
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Wanted to do play Cavani ahead of Soucek for a -4. Was meant to be one week punt but chickened out at last minute.

    Wise move ?

    1. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

  5. Well you know, Triffic
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Pools midfield looks a bit.....

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

      Only Gini can claim to hold down a spot there usually.
      Thiago, Fabinho injured, and Hendo at the back.
      Should be some fire in it though - Jones and Milner.

  6. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Hi, 5 for Sterling captains. Joining, Daniel. Ronka and Magnus 🙂

    Showyourselves 🙂 😉

    1. FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Booo

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

      We are here

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

      o/

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

      Triple cap here. See I'm in good company

    5. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      TC o/

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

      o/
      900K rank here, thought have some fun

    7. Gross Blank Point
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Sold Salah for him! This may be the first time I've ever owned Sterling in all the years playing lol

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Good luck all let's rise up the rankings

  7. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who wins?

    A) DDG, Mee, Coufal
    B) Pope, Son, Cresswell

    Thanks

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

      B, I dreamt Son assisted Kane

    2. aleksaa2
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B slightly

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers both

    3. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers

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

    Yes Bamford. Captained yourself vs. Arsenal and have Raphinha in the XI.

    Go big!

  9. Super Nashwan
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I brought in Erik pieters last minute. Instantly regret it when he realised charlie Taylor is close to return.
    bad move? Or will pieters keep in place?

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

      Guessing game at this point. If Taylor is fit again, you'd think he plays. But we have no idea how close he truly is.

    2. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Good chance Taylor plays LB and Pieters OOP in midfield, happened after the restart

    3. Well you know, Triffic
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Taylor may come back against Fulham. I doubt they will risk him though tbh.

  10. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I can see the headlines after Liverpool go 2 - 0 down before Kabak scores.
    Kabak On

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

    Leicester could well be lining up:

    3-4-2-1.

    We'll see shortly.

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

      With

      Amartey, Evans, Soy.

      Pereira, Tielemans, Ndidi and Albrighton.

      Maddison and Barnes.

      Vardy.

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

      Yeah - seems it will be 3 CBs (Evans, Soy, Amartey) & 2 WBs (Albrighton & Pereira).

      I thought it was Amartey LB earlier but that'd be far too much of a treat for Salah.

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

        Soy on the left i think and Pereira in front of Amartey.

        This article thinks 4141 or 343 but we will see.

  12. marcos11
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Activate wc now or wait til later in the week? Surely can’t hurt to activate now

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

      I forget with WC, can you deactivate it?

      1. marcos11
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Don’t think so, but I can move players in and out freely all week so I don’t have much to lose

    2. Waynoo
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Just done mine

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

    I bought Pope and Shaw last night and thought I’d saved bench boost.

    Just logged in to find Shaw and Pope on my bench and no BB activated. Just about sums up everything for me this season.

    McCarthy in goal. What am I like?

    Ultimately I’m doing so crap this year it won’t really make much difference but it’s just typical of everything that’s been going wrong for me this season.

    This is going to hurt watching Pope on my bench. I actually thought I moved him into starting keeper role too (I did but obviously didn’t save it properly before I went to sleep).

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

      See below.. maybe not as bad as yours!

      I was only planning on keeping cavani for next 2, before kane comes in, and now I've missed edisons best fixture.

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

        We can commiserate with each other.

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

      Ahh annoying. At least they have good fixtures next GW that you could still maybe BB if you wanted to?

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

        I have to laugh, or else I’d throw my IPad in the river!

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

          Don't worry I played my BB this week and will no doubt do the same when three of my XI inevitabley blank!

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

      That is painful man.

    4. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Pray McCarthy gets dropped for Forster

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

    Damn.. made my first deadline fluff up.

    Did last minute transfer for cavani last night in for wilson before bed.

    Forgot to replace dcl in my line up.. ffs!

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

      See above, not as bad as what I’ve done!

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

      DCL might not play.

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

        Wilson was last on bench lol.. so there is no chance edi comes in, unless dcl and Bamford miss out!

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

          Aaaah ok, 3rd on bench, like I said, DCL playing MCI is not a given, he's injured after all but Bamford will start.

  15. davies
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Must haves on wildcard?

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

      Bamford

    2. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bruno

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

      Kane

    4. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      3 x Man City

  16. CONNERS
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    My likely bench next week:

    Martinez / Watkins - Stones - Digne

    Can I have a second BB please?

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

      I am not sure I'd want to BB that.

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

      Hopefully won't lose too many points.

    3. aleksaa2
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I wouldn't BB that either

  17. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Source Live FPL.

    top 11 players by Effective Oernrship %

    GÜNDOGAN 130.29%
    FERNANDES 108.76%
    SALAH 82.27%
    BAMFORD 70.87%
    STERLING 69.56%
    ANTONIO 59.04%
    CANCELO 57.46%
    STONES 55.41%
    GREALISH 42.27%
    DIAS 37.76%
    MARTÍNEZ 36.46%
    MEE 36.28%

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

      Hopefully having Cavani will offset the non-captained Bruno haul.

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Dias is surprisingly so low

    3. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No Foden 😮

      Massive differential

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

        In (one of) my Draft teams 😎

    4. FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Watkins still a differential

    5. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Go Sterling!

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

      Surprised to see Mee higher than Pope

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

      That's 12 players...

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

        Also I'm sure Son should be in there

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

    Just realised 3rd place in my ML has Ederson, Soucek, Cancelo and Digne on his bench. Must have forgot to activate BB surely?

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Blimey, yeah must have

  19. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Going to be tough deciding whom to sell for Raphinha this week

    Bruno & Gundo are locks

    Its between one of Salah, Grealish or Son

  20. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Time to get the popcorn out, Fudgy has played his BB

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      😆

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

      Hahaha

    3. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Burnley games will be entertaining for sure

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

    I don't know if this was there last week, but I love the "Team of Threats around your rank" on LiveFPL, Ragabolly.

    The skull emojii for major threats, haha!

    So appropriate.

  22. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone activated WC??

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

      o/

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

        Hows she looking?

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

          Pope
          Cancelo AWB Lowton
          Gundo Sterling Rash Bruno
          Bamford Ings Watkins

          Martinez Raphina Dallas Targett

          GW25: No transfer
          GW26: 2 transfers (Rash + Ings > Son + Kane) and Bench boost

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

            26 will be a -4 remember.

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

              Sorry, I meant i activated it for this week

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

          Just activated, couple transfers just to not lose TV, nothing more. More thinkering and all around Thursday when we hopefully know more about doubles.

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

      yep, here goes nothing

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

    Ederson on WC is safest bet right?

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

      City defense-wise, yes - but that means you're probably missing whatever DGWs Martinez has too...

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

        Unfortunately true so I’ll steer clear but I defo see major rotation in City defense soon

  24. Pompel
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Always enjoy checking updated team in antixipatiob of next GW. Going to be a tough call between captaining Bruno or Leeds player

  25. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Early GW25 WC draft

    Johnson, McCarthy
    Dias, Cancello, Shaw, Sturijk, Targett
    Bruno, Salah, Son, Gundogan, Pereara
    Watkins, Adams, Bamford (Kane in GW26)

    If GW29 postponements are in GW26 my BB would be

    McCarthy (eve, tot)
    Sturijk (AVL) Has DGW25
    Targett (lee, shu)
    Pereara (BRI, EVE)

    Is that strong enough ?

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Those goalkeepers wouldn't get near my team.
      Also no Grealish?
      And Adams??

      1. bitm2007
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Saints are likely to have 3 DGW in a row, will switch them out after that.

  26. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would you bench boost this next week?

    McCarthy - Johnstone
    Alioski - Ayling - Lowton - Mee - Stones
    Gundo - Sterling - Bruno - Salah - Son
    Watkins - Bamford - Adams

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Why not wait until the DGW?

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

    Rival has played wc

    Triple Everton, triple Leeds, triple city, triple United double Burnley !

  28. npjones
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    So Moyes' exact quote on Antonio says "hopefully he will be very close for the weekend"

    Most people taking this to mean that he has a good shot of playing the next game but...

    They don't play this weekend, they play Monday night. So does he mean "hopefully close for next weekend" (when they play on Sunday)?

    There's a chance I'm misinterpreting this or have missed a secondary quote which clarifies but if not then what the hell are sports journos being paid for, if not to catch ambiguous statements like this and request clarity.

    Full disclosure - transferred in Gundo and cocked up by leaving him first on bench instead of swapping him in!

    #clutchingatstraws

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

      You're just reading too much into it.

    2. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I’m pretty sure he was talking about the visit of Sheff and perhaps simply overlooked the fact they play on Monday

      1. npjones
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        That's what I thought :'(

  29. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    GW25 Lookman>Raphinha (roll 2nd ft)
    GW26 Antonio>Kane

    Martinez
    Shaw AWB Dallas* Dias
    Salah Bruno Son Gundo Raph*
    Bamford*

    (martinez, stones antonio dcl)

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

    Can’t wait to do lacazette > Kane