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. MoSalad
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Even the 1pt bonus for a clean sheet is looking like a win at the moment.

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

    So I decided to ditch Salah and Bruno for Bale and Traore.. only bad call was I should've gone for El Ghazi instead of Traore but thats hindsight

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      I love your balls.

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Yes officer, this comment here.

    2. Alisson WondHaaland
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Nice Bale pick. Succeeding with a pick like that is as good as a feeling you can have in FPL

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Yeah totally.

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

        Yeah I've got my punts 50/50 this year

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

      Brave and exciting, well done

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

      Nice punt

    5. TOLV TUMS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Bravo. Nearly did bruno for bale but didn't have the minerals (and it felt like a lot on top of what was a -8 already). Very well done!

  3. Alisson WondHaaland
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Additional points prediction for the following players? (Ignore scores already gained)

    DCL
    Bruno
    Shaw
    Watkins

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

      DCL 15
      Bruno 12
      Shaw 7
      Watkins 2

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

      16
      7
      1
      2

  4. Muchentuchel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Only reason I'm keeping Salah is my rivals chasing me. Everyone of them has Salah and I hope they start selling asap so I can do the same.

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

      ?? Sell first

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

        I'm not going to make the first move and then be the only one not to get dodgy Salah points after another poor performance from Liverpool. When I sell he will score so I can only sell when my chasers do.

    2. Digital-Real
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      if your only objective is to win your mini league, then it's the safest approach to defending your lead.

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

        Exactly! That's my priority No. 1

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

          I think opposite.. attack it, ignore the ml.

          If you have a good overall rank you will likely win the ml regardless.

          At least not until there are only a few gws left, lot of games left to play yet.

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

        Isn’t that everyone’s prime objective?

  5. One Man
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Best defender 4.3 or below for the remainder of the season ?

    1. Jimmy Boy
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Slim pickings, hope this is for your bench but Burn might pick up the odd clean sheet

  6. fr3d
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Adrian keeping Liverpool in this

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

      Wut?

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

    Time to fire Klopp? I know his mother died but come on...

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Wow

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

      He can't change anything if the players are not good enough to change anything.

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

      Klopp could not win the league for the next 3/4/5 years and they still should not sack him. He's transformed that club. By the way, what a stupid comment.

      1. Cok3y5murf
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Sounds like Wenger...

    4. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Respectfully please shut up

      1. TOLV TUMS
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        This, please

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

        Agreed

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

      Half a team creating loads of chances ... why exactly?

    6. Old Bull
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Do you own Chelsea?

  8. Jindaljain
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Nora fatehi or Ema Watson?

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

      Ema Watkins

      1. Jindaljain
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Wife of Ollie Watkins?

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

      Nora Watson.

    3. Jindaljain
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Ask Any Indian you will get the answer

    4. pundit of punts
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Nora

      Any day every day

  9. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Each game that Kabak plays I can’t believe how bad he is.

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

      He is actually bad, like really really bad.

    2. threeputt
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      makes phillips look good

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

      Given he’s 20 and just joined I’d say he’s doing alright. One moment where he knew McGoldrick was off.

      1. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        He's been pretty bad from what I've seen.

        1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 28 days ago

          Given the context I think he has been okay

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

    Is Stones on the choppingblock?

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

      Laporte lurking?

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

        Just regular rotation.

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

      Uh, no.

  11. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Only 6 points for Kane???

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

      Yeah. He better deliver against Fulham.

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

      Played CDM as usual Son always a better option.

      1. Feed tha Sheep
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Lol could have scored a hatrick

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

      Missed a big chance assisted by Son in the last minute

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

      Seems like a lot after Bruno, Salah and Gundo blanks

      1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Salah blank at 45 mins?

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

        45 mins to go mate

    5. The VAR Team
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Missed huge chance, and Pope made a superb save

    6. Jindaljain
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Wait for his Hattrick against Fulham

    7. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Better than Bruno (Bruno TCer)

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

    Salah to Son tonight?

    1. The VAR Team
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Whatever the transfer is, don't do it tonight!

  13. The VAR Team
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Why didn't we target Sheffield defence for this plum fixture?

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

      Ramsdale essential. Seems obvious now.

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

      They won’t get such easy teams like Liverpool every week

      1. The VAR Team
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Yeah, too late now obviously

      2. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        This

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

      I've had Ramsdale as backup keeper since that week Martinez didn't have a game. Playing my BB this week

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

        Well done, mate

      2. The VAR Team
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Genius! Wish I made transfers anticipating 10 gameweeks ahead

  14. Alisson WondHaaland
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    I hope the front 4 of Bale Son Kane Alli becomes cemented over the next few months, if all 4 are in form they could really contend for that EFL cup as well as possibly the Europa league

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

      Bale is way too injury prone, dont see it happening

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

      Don’t think Bale is fit enough. Alli was awful when he came on.

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

        Moura was the 4th forward.

        1. Alisson WondHaaland
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 28 days ago

          He wasnt that bad. I do think he is slowly making a comeback

  15. One Man
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Is buying bale to risky with his injury history ?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      It's risky, yeah.

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

      Exciting pick for sure... Got a game in 29 too

      1. The VAR Team
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        You think he'll have recovered from his injury against Fulham by then?

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

          Ha 🙂

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

      But him for the Palace game in GW27, enjoy the points and then assess whether you want to keep him

  16. Totalfootball
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Lingard or Raphina ?

    1. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Prob Raph, Lingard can't play in 28.

      1. Totalfootball
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Have cover for 28

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Raphinha

    3. Union_Jacks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Yep

  17. One Man
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Who will score the most points out of
    Salah & Fernandez until the end of the season, bearing in mind Salah has the better fixtures ?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Salah

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

      If United aren’t getting dodgy pens ... Salah

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Do you not get tired of it?

    3. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Whoever you think gets the most pens.

    4. Alisson WondHaaland
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Federico

  18. OLD Rafiki
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    every gameweek salah tend to double cross me when he is the only one left to give me the final points of the week. like WTF?

  19. Tinmen
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Guys has Rob Holding most likely lost his place now ? Might have to sell

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

      Seems likely 🙁
      Had him since GW1 and there's no proper replacement!

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

      yes, dropped

  20. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    DGWKS are overated. It's the hope that kills you.

    1. TOLV TUMS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Always. And yet we have such short memories (self included).

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

        Leeds were super last dgw. Popular oicks delivered apart from ings

        Dgw 19 was very very good too

        1. TOLV TUMS
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 28 days ago

          Very true. I think SAT was suggesting that they never hit or exceed our dreamy expectations.

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

      Damned if you and damned if you don't.

      This DGW is far from over.

  21. Totalfootball
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Need a Salah hattrick to save GW

  22. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Barnes >...
    1) Tielemans
    2) Lingard
    3) Mount
    4) other?

    1. jdp219
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Already have Raphinha, FYI.

    2. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Jota if fit?

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

      Someone who plays 29?

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

      Trossard

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

      2 or Jota if fit

    6. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Lingard definitely worth a shout mate!!!

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

        But wont play GW28

    7. jdp219
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Wow. Totally forgot about Jota. Excellent shout, folks.

    8. MrBoombastic
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Messi lingard

  23. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Jones g

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

    Jones G

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

    that's way out

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

    Ruled out probably

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

    Ball is clearly out of play

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

      Nope. Brilliant by TAA

  28. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Liverpool goal

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

    wtf

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

      Crazy

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

    FINALLY