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. @persecuted_by_mods
      3 years, 1 month ago

      This game is easy, just sit back and watch everyone else panic and make mistakes 😛

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

      Salah G check
      Next Son G

      1. 007 [RoboKlopp]
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        This

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

        Pope CS and Mee goal is all I ask for.

    • AC Yew
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Lol almost benched but started in last second!

    • Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I hate Salah

      1. Kellz86
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Is he an orange?

        1. Do I Not Like Orange
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          An orange would've been more use in all those weeks I captained him

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

      Need a Leicester goal without Vardy involvement now.

    • arkom
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Marry me Mou!!

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

        Mourinho?

    • 1zverGGadeM
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Another Goal of the Month Award is going for Salah!

    • DropkickMurphys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I saw someone on this site writing recently that Salah is a bonus point repellent. I couldn’t agree more. After scoring a goal he is still not getting any bonus as of now lol.

      1. Yankee Toffee
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Its because he's selfish

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

      Nothing like a bit of football banter and ding dong on a Saturday!

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

        Nothing like seeing Mo sellers punished yet again

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

          Yawn

    • UKG
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Salah punishing sellers. Lovely.

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

        As always

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

        I still got him and I think he punishes those who keep him, week in and week out.
        He´s just not doing enough for a player that costs more than 12m

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

      salah still has 4 goals in 10 games. Form has been terrible lately but looks like he might be finding it again

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

      pointless goal though ... every one owns Salah so no move in rank

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

        20% don’t top 10k

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

        Not too bad to cover hits ... 2 relative points

    • aborg
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      WOW what an assist that was for Firmino....just sublime

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

        Definitely one of the absolute best I’ve seen

    • Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Ndidi still ahead of Salah in bps 😆

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

        Not sure if winning goal has been added yet

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

      Salah Nob jockeys emerge

      1. Punty McPuntface
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        What an odd post

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

        Always the same. Juvenile nonsense.

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

        Salah sellers in tears again

    • YEAH PITCH!
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Lol Sterling hasn't played yet......

    • Bounce
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Mark is having a nightmare.

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

        What? Why?

    • Yankee Toffee
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Salah still not in the baps...

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

        will be after his double 😉

    • lifes a pitch
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Can ppl stop moaning about Salah now

      1. Kellz86
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        When hell freezes over mate

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

      Everyone banging on like he's got a hattrick. Don't even think he's on for a bonus point atm.

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

      Ridiculous yc

    • SpaceCadet
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Kabak yelloy

    • JJO
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      This is not even a foul you fking muppet

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

        This.

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

      Salah goal inspires large volumes of mindless nonsense posts.

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

        Isn’t that always the case, regardless of who scored?

      2. Yankee Toffee
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Should be the headline of the next article.

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

      salah not even in bonus 😆

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

        Yet...

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

        As always

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

        They will add after 2nd goal

    • Londongeezaa
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Did Salah have many sellers this week?

    • Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Taylor playing for a Leicester goal now.

    • Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Mo Salah is officially back

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

      OK. Can we calm with the Salah talk. Important team news coming up

    • Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Not doing Salah to Fernandes might not hurt too bad after all!