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

    Any assist?

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

      Firmino I think

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

        Cheers

    2. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      v unlikely but trent if anyone

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

        Huh, why Trent? Surely Firmino?

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

    Jonesy boy!

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

    Controversiallö

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

      Nope

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

    4.4 DGW hero!

    Salah who

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

    Sheffield to actually attack now and Salah to grab a couple on the counter

  6. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Cletus Jones goal lads

    Ball out of play tho?

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

      Nope

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

    That's out lol

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

      You need to go to Specsavers or get a better tv.

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

    On what planet is all of the ball out of play

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

      United fans

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

    I think Mark has Trent 😉

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

      ?? Firmino Assist Jones Goal

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

        Mark can make amazing things happen 😆

  10. Hect.OR 98th
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    I'm 9th in a ML where half of those ahead of me don't have Salah. Really need him to get a goal or two this week to stand any chance of getting near the top.

    1. KDB United
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Same, come on Mo!!

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

    Floodgates open please

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

    Bobby assist if anything but brilliant from Trent.

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

    LiVARpool strikes again

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

      It is SO clearly not over the line FFS

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

      If you feel you need to talk to somebody, I'll be there for you.

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

    Brewster time?

  15. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Cmon Mo

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

    No assist?

  17. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    hope liverpool park the bus now

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

      With this defense?!?

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

    6th

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

    Curtis G VAR Assist

    1. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      ffs sold var for -4

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

        Same, went VAR to Bruno for - 4

        1. djman102
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 28 days ago

          Understandable after that tweet that 4th official transferred him out of his team.

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

      as usual. pool getting the VAR decisions

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

      Even the commentators treat VAR as a person - 'Good day for VAR' in the Arsenal match lol

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

        It is a person, it stands for Video Assistant Referee.

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

          And he is doing a fine job! He is just being misunderstood sometimes.

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

          Not exactly correct.

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

            What do you mean? The cameras don't make the calls.

  20. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    I am fed up with Mohamed Blank. Should have sold on WC 100%

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

      You got suckered in by his tweet.

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

      Same here. And I think I am using WC too

  21. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Imagine owning 8.0 million more expensive Salah than Curtis Jones. Madness.

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

    People trust me, if the ball was even close to being out we would not get the call.

    In by a meter otherwise they screw us again

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

    Mane g offside

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

    Mane G

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

      Off

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

    Chances are there.

    Salah is marking the lino though.

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

      Very Sterlingesque

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

      Reminds me of Sterling against Everton.

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

    Salah playing far too wide for my liking.

  27. Nerdlinger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    I really needed that Trent assist! Think it's just gonna be one of those gws

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

      Trent never getting that.

      1. Nerdlinger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Well aware. Just bemoaning the fact that he basically made the goal but won't get anything. I'm just bitter with this gw already!

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

    Got my wheel barrow ready for all my points from DCL triple captain tomorrow.

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

    Salah not even on baps anymore

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

      Why should he be?

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

    lovren coming on for Sheffield.