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. rnrd
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    TAA not taking any corners today ?

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

      Surprised too

    2. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Milner off so he is now

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

    Salah :facepalm:

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

    Currently on 1pt, anyone doing better?

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

      -3

    2. Boomerang V
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      2

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

    Thiago on. Leicester to win now

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

    Milne to Thiago

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

    Predictions for VVD price next season?

    5m or 5.5m?

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

      0.5 under full backs.

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

        Yep

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

      Still 6.5

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

        6.5 is too much . Hope they price him like Dias this year

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

          Wrongly?

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

      Not under 6m

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

      Well if TAA and Robbo are £6.5m he should come in at about £6m

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

      6.0m if we're lucky.

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

    Someone needs to tell
    Salah he doesn’t play for Man United or isn’t streetwise enough like Sterling.

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

      He already cheated a few this season.

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

    Thiago on!
    Time to put all of your money on Leicester.

  9. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Maddison or Barnes ? Cant wait to own one of them 🙂

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

      I prefer Maddison he's on set piece.

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

      Just got rid of Maddison for Foden, had him for his purple patch 🙂

  10. Boomerang V
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I played Maddison over Coufal aginst SHU

    I hope my courage pays off

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I fear not.

  11. Zladan
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Thiago on, Milner off.

    Prepare for hundreds of backwards and sideways passes as the tempo of the game comes to a standstill.

  12. threeputt
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    firstrowsports not doing it for me today unusually, anybody else having difficulties ?

    1. Chelsea Rangers Loyal
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Same here.

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

      Or Forster owners

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

        Or GW24 bench boosters like me. 😆

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

      Good news for me if true

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

      For Pope most likely, nothing to see here...

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

        Although Mccarthy has a DGW next week, so wouldn't he have gotten rid of his other keeper instead?

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

          He won't get double if he's dropped am I right?

          Besides don't overestimate Jack's FPL prowess, he's probably 4m OR and doing transfers for fun 🙂

  13. dogtanion
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Leicester really being schooled here

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

    salah messes up a good chance

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

    Salah composure today in front of the goal os absolutely terrible

  16. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Salah is dead as an FPL
    pick.

    1. Maarrrr17
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Lol, troll.

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

      Nah

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

      See you at full time troll

  17. The Senate
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Horror challenge by Mane that. VAR check?

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yellow at worst

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

        Behave.

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

      On another day Salah would have been on a hatrick already

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

      Salah out on WC then I guess

      1. The Senate
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        he's got 70 more mins and is getting chances tbf

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

        No brainer.

      3. FFSbet.com
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        😀

    4. dark91
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      If only Salah had a decent right foot

    5. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 1 month ago

        20 mins in and Salah has already had 3-4 great chances

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

          And 1 point with BAP hope dead.

          1. @persecuted_by_mods
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Nervous seller? 🙂

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

          Pereira has Salah in his pocket today

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

            Salah has been in behind twice lol what are you watching?

            1. @persecuted_by_mods
                3 years, 1 month ago

                Mix of both, one on one duels he's got salahs number so far. However it's not his natural position so he isn't tracking him that well when the ball takes him out of it

            2. Eh, just one more thing ...
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Salah has had a good few opportunities already so Pereira must have a few holes in his pocket.

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

              He’s terrorising him lol.

            4. CRO KLOPP
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Salah is number 11 mate

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

            TAA finally on corners

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

            Looks like McCarthy will be dropped for Saints

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

              Pasta with no sauce?

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

                From Inazuma? Unbelievable.

          4. JONALDINHO
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Thiago struggling really shows the level of Fabinho, Hendo and Gini. World class players extremely underrated

            1. Penang Sandman
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              out of his usual position

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

            Salah, with those chances slot 1-2 of them in lad!

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

            Lol, Cujo! Spread the fouls out a bit!

          7. Penang Sandman
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Why Klopp keep playing Thiago out of position, dude cant even sprint

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

            firmino misses a sitter

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

              Sky is blue, grass is green

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

              Flagged but continued.

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

              It was an incredible save by Kasper at the same time.