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

    Jonny Evans

    Limping since 2015

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

      He was good for United

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

        I never disputed that

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

      Taught Aguero everything he knew....

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

    Tiago is terrible for this team

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

      I don’t get why there is so much Tiago bashing here.

      The entire team is below par for ages, it’s very clear.

      1. No Professionals
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        He is awful for Liverpool. Slows them down, gives the ball away.

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

          I don’t agree at all. I think main reason why Pool is struggling is vvd injury and Hendo, Fabinho not playing in middle

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

        I think a lot of it comes down to the hype Liverpool fans have him. He was supposed to be their Bruno/KDB

        1. how now brown cow
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          1 goal in 10 avg for Bayern & Barca with all the goals they score meant he was never going to be that.

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

      *Thiago

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

      Yeah but look at his pass accuracy

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

        Most of them go about 5 yards sideways though.

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

    Would you BB this team?

    Pope
    Dias Stones Mee
    Gundogan Bruno Salah Son
    Bamford Ings Watkins

    Martinez Dallas Bednarek Raphinha

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

      Leeds players off the bench makes it less appealing but yes.

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

      100%. 7 players on your bench

    3. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes looks strong

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

    Johnny Evans captained himself in FPL

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

      Just make it to 60 and bank that clean sheet

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

      Wants to get to the 60 minute mark for a cleanie then he’ll be waving to come off ...

  5. Stormbringer22
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    If Trent's season Carrie's on the way it has been, what do you reckon his starting price tag would be next season? £6.5?

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      *carries

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

      5.5

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

      6.0

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

        This

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

      4.5m

      1. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        May as well barter down to 4.0

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

          Nah. We don't half the game to own him at that price

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

      6.5m.

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

    Playing Henderson as a CB should be banned by law

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

    Any sign of black smoke at Selhurst Park?

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

      It's coming

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

      Just seen getting off the Popemobile....

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

    FK for Salah upcoming

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

    Salah needs to be 9.0 next season otherwise I'm not falling for the trap.

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

      40 pts in GW1

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

        Only if you had him and captained.

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

      He's useless without pens.

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

    I brought Watkins in for DCL this week. My minileague rival seems to have done the opposite. Guaranteed DCL will start against Fulham now.

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

      He's been ruled out haha

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

    Salah assist if this goes in

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

    Another shocking dive from Salah. Sniper spotted in the stands. He shouldn’t have gone down there. Disgraceful

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

    Trent unlucky

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

    If Liverpool didn’t have bad luck they’d have no luck at all.

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

      boo hoo 🙁

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

    Trent bar, Salah assist

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

    Sold TAA for cancelo. Could do without free kick heroics please

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

    Can anyone justify why Thiago should cost a penny more than 4.5m?

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

      Nope

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

      BPS magnet.

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

        He's had more YCs than bps

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

    Would’ve been Vardy OG even better

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

      At least he posted before the deadline this time.

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

      Pyrite.

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

      The most insufferable of FPL 'pundits' those two.

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

        Sam "For me" Bonfield. Take a drink every time she says it.

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

          Just the 9 times during this week's Official FPL Podcast...

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

    Champions league Tuesday, let's get those big guns off for a rest!

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

      They're playing for position here with Leicester.

      I predicted a draw in my ScoreApp.

  20. Bounce
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Salah is absolutely not worth his price tag anymore, it's as simple as that. He's become Aubameyang 2.0

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

      He also has more than twice Auba's points.

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

        Doesn't count because all of his points came before GW14.

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

          30 points vs whu for cappers

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

      Timing

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

      Ball bouncing in the net, Salah goal

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

      Salaaaaah

  21. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    no sign of a goal

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

      Game died when Tiago came on. 0-0 is all but in.

      1. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Has been very error-prone and slows down the game too much

  22. Stormbringer22
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Ndidi and Henderson have been LEI and LIV best players respectively in this game so far

  23. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    awful game

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I think we all expected at least a couple of goals by this stage

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

    Salah blank but clean sheet point good or bad for rank if you’re an owner but not captainer?

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

      He is only 80% ish effective ownership

    2. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Given his EO is less than 100%, any points are good for you. Hoping he gets a goal

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

      Lol. Desperately clutching at straws.

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

        Not now 🙂

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

      All CS are bad

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

      Sorry for timing

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

    Vardy eyeing up a 88th minute winner?

  26. Ha.
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Watkins going to haul on my bench

    Never thought about benching Salah

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

    OMG Salah

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

    Mo

  29. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    salah goal