Dugout Discussion

Rare start for Adrian as Alisson sits out Liverpool’s Double Gameweek 26 opener

Two out-of-sorts sides meet in the last of five Premier League matches to take place on Sunday.

Kick-off at Bramall Lane is at 19:15 GMT.

Liverpool are in particularly woeful nick, sitting in the bottom three for form when Premier League sides are filtered by their last six, eight and ten matches.

The Reds have kept only one clean sheet this calendar year.

The good news for Jurgen Klopp’s side is that they are taking on a team that are rock-bottom of the division and who have lost 20 of their 25 league games this season.

Even the Blades have won more matches than the reigning champions in 2021, however.

Klopp has made two enforced changes to the side beaten in the Merseyside derby at Anfield last time out.

Alisson (£5.9m), absent following the tragic death of his father this week, is replaced by Adrian (£4.2m) between the posts, with Nathaniel Phillips (£4.0m) covering for the injured Jordan Henderson (£5.4m) at centre-half.

Academy goalkeepers Jakub Ojrzynski and Liam Hughes are among the substitutes, along with the fit-again James Milner (£5.3m).

Diogo Jota (£6.6m) had been on the cusp of a comeback but doesn’t make the matchday squad due to illness.

There are two changes for Sheffield United following their defeat by Fulham, with Oliver Norwood (£4.5m) coming in for the injured Chris Basham (£4.6m) in midfield and David McGoldrick (£5.2m) replacing Billy Sharp (£5.5m) up top.


Sheffield United XI: Ramsdale, Ampadu, Jagielka, Bryan, Baldock, Norwood, Lundstram, Fleck, Stevens, McBurnie, McGoldrick.

Liverpool XI: Adrian, Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Kabak, Robertson, Wijnaldum, Jones, Thiago, Mane, Salah, Firmino.

DOUBLE GAMEWEEK 26 SO FAR…

A first blank in five matches for Bruno Fernandes (£11.6m) arrived at an inopportune for Fantasy managers who had backed him with the Gameweek 26 captaincy.

The Portugal international was well shackled throughout, with his expected goal involvement (xGI) total a paltry 0.09 against Chelsea on Sunday.

Manchester United were fairly anaemic overall, mustering just two shots in the box in the stalemate at Stamford Bridge.

An easier test awaits in midweek, at least, with Crystal Palace unlikely to prove such stubborn opposition as a Chelsea side who have now kept five clean sheets in seven Premier League matches under Thomas Tuchel.

Cesar Azpilicueta (£5.7m) has quietly gone about his business under his new manager, averaging 6.3 points per match and starting every game since the change in the hot seat.

It was the two goalkeepers, plus Andreas Christensen (£4.7m), who took home the bonus points in west London, which gives the impression the game had more action than it actually did.

David de Gea (£5.3m) did make one excellent stop to keep out Hakim Ziyech (£7.9m) but clear-cut chances were scarce.

Timo Werner (£9.2m) and Marcos Alonso (£5.7m) were the latest victims of Tuchel’s tinkering, dropping to the bench for this dour draw.

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1,320 Comments Post a Comment
  1. thewakka
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    How is Liverpool looking in the first 20?

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Couple decent chances

    2. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Like I should have saved my TC for a different GW.

  2. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Crazy to bench Rashford (mci) for Saka (bur) next GW?

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Not crazy

    2. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Not really no

    3. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Nope.

    4. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Nope

    5. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      I'm starting Saka for sure.

  3. Bushwhacker
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Lee Mason not fourth official because of “injury”. Riiight .. brain injury?

    1. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Something got bruised alright

  4. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Lee Mason picked up an injury in the West Brom game yesterday 😉

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Dunk in the car park

      1. Duke Silver ☑
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        I read that as "Drunk" 😆 either one makes sense.

    2. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Embarrassment more like. Wouldn't be surprised if Dunk was waiting for him.

  5. GROBARI
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Ramsdale save

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Like Pickford last week ... suddenly a genius

  6. Supersonic Marv'
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Liverpool's kit is giving my eyes PTSD.

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      It's not over yet

    2. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Do you know what that means?

      1. Supersonic Marv'
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Yes.

  7. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Klopp sold Salah to fund Kane...

  8. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Ramsdale on fire

  9. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Suddenly thinking to go without Salah and Bruno for the next few runs. Bale and KDB are knocking the door! Thoughts?

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Don’t trust either starting every game is my worry

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        True, but it's more exciting than most expensive premiums with 100%-ish EO that you won't captain week in week out

        1. thewakka
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 28 days ago

          Why you need premiums though?

          1. Magic Zico
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 28 days ago

            Defensive action I guess, most rivals have them. People here call it 'shield' or so.

    2. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      I'm happy enough to risk going without Salah but I do think Bruno will haul

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Understood, but really not captaining him is so boring. Goals and red arrow, sigh.

      2. thewakka
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        If you think Bruno will haul against City then I feel sad for you. Keep your hopes up, little guy!

        1. Magic Zico
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 28 days ago

          Wow, he could though even it's less likely

  10. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Just seen Kane only one goal. So happy as DCL TC-er. Absolute mauling tomorrow

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Cue 2 points

      1. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        And YC.

  11. Fred54
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Stat padders FC

  12. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Thiago giving away FK again

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Ahhh wondered when the Thiago hate group would show its face

      1. Forever In Our Shadow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Great player, wrong club.

        1. Utopsis
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 28 days ago

          This

    2. NATSTER
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      many unnecessary fouls

  13. aborg
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Condolences to Alisson for the passing away of his dad.
    Hope he gets through this difficult time. Really not his year !

    1. Supersonic Marv'
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      It's awful isn't it. What a thing to happen.

      1. aborg
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Yes, it would have been so shocking for Alisson to have received such news suddenly.

    2. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Terrible circumstances too. So tragic.

    3. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      My countries commentador said something about issues attending his funeral too

      1. aborg
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Yes, due to covid restrictions but can’t understand because his dad did not pass away due to Covid !

  14. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    this is poor

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      If you’ve not noticed pretty much every game is poor. What happens when idiots schedule such a difficult season.

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        It started off with a bang...

      2. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Are you always like this or Liverpool's abysmal displays made you like this recently?

    2. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Liverpool matches are often poor. It has to be said. Done amazing last 3 years but it's not fun to watch them like it is Man City.

      1. Bushwhacker
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Liverpool A team is entertaining. Liverpool B team not so much

        1. Pep Roulette
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 28 days ago

          So Salah, Mane, Firmino, Thiago, Robbo, Alisson, Trent, Wijnaldum are Liverpool B team players?

    3. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Very, did this team win the Premier league last year?
      Championship play now.

  15. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    What minute will the Liverpool CS get wiped this easy fixture?

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 28 days ago

        74

    2. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Rule number 1 of FPL: never get optimistic.

      1. Forever In Our Shadow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Rule 2. Never check your rank after the first game. Good or bad.

    3. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Imagine TCing Salah with no Henderson in the team.

      1. thewakka
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        or Jota

      2. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Is it like fish and chips without salt and vinegar?

      3. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        One goal and he will be ahead of Kane TC

        1. R.C
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 28 days ago

          This ain't the only week to TC lad

          1. Pep Roulette
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 28 days ago

            I haven't used it. But when people can TC Kane this week, they surely can TC Salah.

      4. Bushwhacker
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Or VVD, Gomez, Matip, Jota, Allison, Fabinho

    4. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      I just heard about the sad passing of Glenn Roeder. He was in the first Watford team I supported when I first got into football

      https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.skysports.com/amp/football/news/11095/12232053/glenn-roeder-dies-aged-65-after-long-battle-with-brain-tumour

    5. GROBARI
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Ramsdale 3 saves

    6. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Crazy rival has gone Kabak+Phillips on FH

      1. Dthinger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        I would have. That’s awesome.

      2. Fred54
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Low ranked rival?

        1. Egg noodle
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 28 days ago

          600k

      3. Keep calm and hoof me the b…
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Fair play to them. That is properly maverick

    7. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      It's Ramsdale's day

      1. Bushwhacker
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Was Pickford’s last week ... history repeatinf

    8. FCSB
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Kane TC’ers, happy?

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Not bad

        1. FCSB
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 28 days ago

          Yeah I’ll take that... shame no bps but can’t sniff at a return at least

      2. Gudjohnsen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        It's not over yet.

        Can't judge it yet.

        1. FCSB
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 28 days ago

          At this point... are you happy

    9. Cantona's Kung Fu Kick
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Salah has 2 open teammates, but the selfish player he is, he shoots rather than passes. LOL

      1. Bushwhacker
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        What are you watching?

    10. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Seems there will be quite a few price changes tonight. Can just afford Salah, Barnes to KdB, Son. Thoughts?

      1. Bushwhacker
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        If you can accept the risk of KDB rotate

      2. Qaiss
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Yeah, stupid. There's games to play. If injuries happen or Salah scores a hat trick against Chelsea, what do you do?

        1. Pino
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 28 days ago

          Salah wont score a hat trick against Chelosea.

        2. My heart goes Salalalalah
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 28 days ago

          It's just affordability. Won't be able to later on

      3. Egg noodle
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Patience

    11. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      For GW 27 should I start Pope (against Arsenal) or Johnstone (against Newcastle)?

      1. Forever In Our Shadow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Johny

    12. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Ramsdale performing like Martinez,unlucky TAA, Salah owners

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        True.

    13. GROBARI
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Again Ramsdale,whats going on here?

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Seems like he became a world-beater over night.

        1. GROBARI
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 28 days ago

          This

    14. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Sheffield United just throw themselves to the ground in their own penalty area to slow the game and win fks. Weird.

      1. Forever In Our Shadow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Not weird at all. That’s all they have to fight teams like Liverpool.

    15. A-L
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Dear Mohamed Salah,

      Please play closer to goal.

      Thanks

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        And score when you have got there

    16. Rains of Castamere
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Not watching but fearing Salah points. How is he looking?

      1. Cantona's Kung Fu Kick
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        like garbage

      2. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        No need to hide game is going Sheffield way

      3. GROBARI
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        He had 1 shot saved,and nothing else. Very quiet game from him