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. Vinyl78LP
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    I have Mane (c) and Firmino - is that own goal decision likely to change again?

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      No chance

    2. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Nope. Definitely an own goal

    3. threeputt
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      No, why would it ?

    4. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Nope

    5. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      No. OG confirmed.

  2. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Having an amazing gw but have been close doing the Salah Bamford to Bale DCL move so Im feeling bad for this...

    1. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Just enjoy the amazing part.

  3. FFSbet.com
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Brewster rested for championship

    1. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Terrible shame. Should be playing every game.

    2. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Feel sorry for the lad. Clearly got sold a bill of goods by Sheffield

    3. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Has to be up there with Maguire & Pepe as the worst pieces of business ever.

      1. TheDragon
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        I think in the context of their season and why Sheff Utd bought him that it’s the worst transfer in premier league history

  4. Fred54
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    How come so many of have Salah TC? The idea just seems to come out of no where.

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Nostalgia pick

    2. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Nostalgia

    3. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Should’ve had a goal this game already

    4. moment
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      SHU are rubbish, and Salah's Salah. It's not a terrible decision, but didn't pass the eye test for me.

    5. Tcheco
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Top scorer playing a makeshift SHU defense

    6. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Stats kinda backed it up even though his form was questionable.

    7. That Was Easy!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Salah being Nostalgia lol

    8. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      He has a double gameweek
      One game is against Sheff Utd
      He has a pretty good record in FPL you know
      He scored 4 goals in last 5 league games

      I didn’t captain him by the way

    9. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Don't get me wrong, its not a terrible idea. Just saw no one mention it hardly and yet loads TCed him.

  5. threeputt
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    How come Klopp never takes Salah off ?

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Ridiculously fit.

      1. Cantona's Kung Fu Kick
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        he's his C on his fantasy team

    2. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Because we’ve no one to take his place

    3. Saka_me_sideways
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Probably forgot he’s on the pitch

      1. TheDragon
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Genuinely made me laugh

    4. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Game not safe.

    5. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Salah is not really a injury prone player, Klopp will always prefer to withdraw one of his midfielders who are more susceptible to injury

    6. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      He probably captained him

  6. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Surprised Klopp makes salah and Mané go 90 with only 2 days rest before Chelsea

    1. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      *4

      1. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        I stand corrected even though I call that 3

    2. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      True. If memory serves, Salah does not like getting taken off - he’ll want every opportunity to get goals

    3. FourLokoLeipzig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      4

    4. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Have no one to bring on

  7. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Mane should have gone to ground for a Pen

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Doesn't even want to give Salah FPL assist, does he? I

    2. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      But then it would be DIVER!!

  8. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Mane denies Salah a pen...

    1. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Milner

      1. That Was Easy!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Milner doesn't take pens anymore mate. Salah on them when playing with Milner. Been that way for awhile.

  9. Bushwhacker
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Mane stays on feet ... no penalty

    1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Would never get a penalty anyway. Why waste energy falling down?

      1. Bushwhacker
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        True

  10. Scoring freely
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Mane didn't captain Salah obviously

  11. Cok3y5murf
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Mane clearly needs diving lessons from Salah...

  12. IRBOX ⚽
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Anyone in a United shirt goes down there. Full credit to Mane. Love to see that

    1. El Matador
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Lol anyone besides Mane goes down there.

    2. TOLV TUMS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Sheffield United? I didn't think they had the reputation 😉

    3. Tcheco
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      If Mané was on pens he’d dive

    4. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Irbox praising Mane... Who hacked this account?

  13. Tcheco
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Sheffield hooooooold

  14. That Was Easy!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Happy with my logic behind Salah (TC). Had all the makings of a haul and could have easily braced today. Unfortunate it didn't come off.

    First TC ever was Aguero for a big haul, followed by blank after blank!

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

      Meh, the whole captain thing is so much luck. Hitting TC on top of that is even more luck

    2. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Definitely a fair bet, could’ve had two last week, could’ve had two this

    3. TOLV TUMS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      That's great to hear, not kidding around. I'm hearing that you feel you made the best decision based on your decision making process, both of which you're confident in, and that you're not going to moan just because it hasn't come off (yet).

  15. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Salah and Bruno are auditioning this week to see who keeps their place and who gets sold for Bale. Not doing themselves proud

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Salah had chances.

    2. Tcheco
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Surely Salah

      1. Tcheco
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        To go that is

  16. Scoring freely
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    The passing in this game is dire

  17. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Salah was through and suddenly Keita becomes blind. So annoying. TC fail. Should’ve scored this game.

    1. That Was Easy!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Way she goes, every chance of scoring against Chelsea. Good luck!

    2. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      He literally had no one in a radius of 10 meters around him...

    3. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      No one wants to pass to Salah

    4. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Game 1 of 2 I’ve escaped

  18. Says
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    lol commentator called him Allison again, Hinchecliff quickly mentioned Adrian in his next remark.

    1. TOLV TUMS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Spanish Karius sounds less like Allison

  19. Scoring freely
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    F**k me Arnold

    1. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      He is pretty cute

    2. TOLV TUMS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Are you on the correct website?

  20. DGW Sane TC Fail....
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Alisons had a cracking game lol

    1. Casual Player
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      In fairness, he hasn't done anything wrong.

  21. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    30 sec left for Salah to score

  22. Cantona's Kung Fu Kick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    US announcers called this a moral boosting win for Liverpool.....over the worst team in the league. LOL

    1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Damn straight

      1. Cantona's Kung Fu Kick
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Liverpool scraping the bottom of the barrel if this is a moral boosting win

        1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Damn straight again

          1. A. PRISE
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            Hey Mark how's the GW going? I see you are no longer ahead of me and "outfoxing" me

            Baaaah

            1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 29 days ago

              Two issues:

              First it's the middle of a gameweek so I will reserve judgement until the end of the week.

              Second how can we compare teams if you dont link yours?

              Are you 7 million, pretending to be top 40k?

              No clue. So no comparison.

              Well done on your supposedly good week but i need facts

    2. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      When everything is against you a win is a win

    3. afcblegend
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      he ain't wrong

    4. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Utd lost to this team at home.

      1. Cantona's Kung Fu Kick
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        united aren't "the champions"

  23. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Safe to come out from hiding yet?....

  24. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Son ahead of Salah going well so far.

  25. OLD Rafiki
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    I knew it would end with tears

  26. Jimmy Boy
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    pain

  27. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Not sure why I’ve Captained Salah in both DGW’s 🙁

  28. Scoring freely
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Salah minding the corner flag all game, like that episode of Father Ted

  29. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Son(TC) > Kane(TC) > Bruno(TC) == Salah(TC)

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      KdB in there too

  30. Party time
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Give Trent those baps