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. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    I have never seen such passion and mentality from a team with 11 points after 26 games.

    1. Well you know, Triffic
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Leave my fpl team out of this

  2. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    I believe Brewster -> Sheff Utd is the worst transfer in premier league history.

    My reasons
    - The context: Sheff Utd desperate to buy a goal scorer who essentially will have to score them 15+ goals if they want to stay up
    - They buy Brewster for a club record transfer fee of £20m+
    - Brewster has never started a premier league game before (it’s a bold strategy cotton...)
    - Brewster has scored 0 goals this season plus 0 assists
    - Sheff Utd are all but relegated, can’t score for love nor money and yet in the last 5 gameweeks Brewster has played a total of 4 minutes (tells you how highly the manager thinks of him)
    - Brewster is a promising young talent and this must be destroying his confidence / development
    - Brewster has gone from being a future Liverpool striker to next season being a sub striker in the championship.

    It’s the worst transfer in premier league history isn’t it?

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

      Joelinton likes this

    2. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Well when you put it like that

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

      There's been worse, i.e players that aren't even professional footballers.

      1. TheDragon
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        But not as an overall transfer though - in the context in the impact on the club.

        This transfer effectively relegated them, ruined Brewster career and cost them more money than they’ve ever spent

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

          That transfer was not the reason they got relegated.

          You can't say its ruined his career when he's still very young. Liverpool would have let him go if they thought he'd be a mega star & Brewster obviously could have said no.

          1. TheDragon
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 28 days ago

            If they buy a striker who scores 15+ goals (which they absolutely should have been able to do for £23m) I don’t think they’d be relegated

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

              As per the below, any striker is going to struggle to score goals the way their whole team plays.

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

      Wilder has absolutely spunked money up the wall on the Championship, he has absolutely no clue of the player market outside the UK

    5. Well you know, Triffic
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Any striker would have failed. The way they set up to play is not very conducive to scoring goals.

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

        This.
        And for Brewster, he is is a very good finisher, but not similar to the other rams they have up front.
        Brewster needs creativity around him to feed him.
        Sheff U are completely devoid of creativity. It is all crosses from out wide for headers.

        1. TheDragon
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 28 days ago

          But you are supporting my argument aren’t you? That it was a terrible transfer as they purchased a striker that can’t score them any goals

          My post isn’t having a go at Brewster at all (he is so young I think it’s ridiculous he was out in this position)

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

            Oh, yes. They bought the wrong kind of player, deffo.
            Shame that they don't ´play to his strengths at all on top of that.

  3. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Chance Salah is rested in the second game after 90 minutes there?

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

      What do you think

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Unlikely, but he has been prone to the odd benching this season (e.g Burnley)

    2. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      0%

    3. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      No chance

    4. Rassi
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Vs Chelsea? Zero.

    5. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Not against Chelsea

  4. HollywoodXI
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    I’ve scored 40 points so far but my team is good. Barnes was unlucky. Cancelo was unlucky. Holding Bruno and Salah hasn’t worked so far. Hoping for a turnaround!

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

      same here but (-8)

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

        Fingers crossed the luck turns in our favour for the second matches!

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

          it will! 😉

  5. Dirty Harry
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    What to do with Barnes? Poor bugger getting injured, just when we thought we were flying up to GW29 with him then he unfortunately gets injured.

    This season strikes again!

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Selling him of course . Only got him this gw 🙁

      1. Dirty Harry
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Yeah but for who? Without FH I'll have to target a GW29 player I think.

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 28 days ago

          Lingard

    2. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Given out for at least 4/6 weeks has to go

    3. Sharkytect
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      I'm selling for KDB.

      (Most don't have this option - I have only 2 City players and 4mil in the bank)

    4. nolard
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      I don't know yet.
      Will think about it.
      Could be a double move to get Son as replacement.

  6. Buck The Trent
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Kane (c), Son, Salah tonight = grey arrow

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Lots of United defence part if the issue

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

    63 with Martínez, Dias, Stones, Digne, Salah, Gündogan, Bruno, DCL, Watkins, TC Kane.

    That is good, right?

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Good but only good, not amazing

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

      No, terrible

    3. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Great

    4. Casual Player
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      livefpl.net

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

      You´re missing one player from your team.

    6. Vamos Los Celeste
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Top 10k average 50 from 12
      Overall 40 from 11
      So it s good.

  8. Wılly
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Barnes to Raphinha an obvious move?

    Leaves enough to bring in Grealish if he returns from injury for Gundogan during the blank

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Like it.

  9. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    2nd half of the dgw will hopefully be better as a cancelo and sterling owner

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

      I hope so.

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Foolish Foden owner here, hoping hoping hoping.

      Nb to self - hope is not a strategy.

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

        Fingers crossed he top scores vs Wolves

    3. jammie26
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Cant get any worse.

  10. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Son and Kane owner

    Salah to Bale looks fun for BGW29 (WC 30)!

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Sure is

      Came close this week but it was another minus 8 to get Kane too. Now with Vardy essentially crocked with no Barnes Maddison it's very much on the cards for me.

      Just calculating 33 blank and waiting on appearances v Fulham.

      1. Groot the Leveller
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        My Leicester punt did not go well either
        Barnes out, vardy out, bale in, Antonio in.

  11. Nedvěd11
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Sell Gundo after next DGW?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Why?

  12. VaVaVoom14
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Do we reckon Kdb starts against wolves?

    1. Nedvěd11
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Doing a Sterling to KDB swap if he does

    2. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Yup

    3. AzzaroMax99
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Lol my same question. Hope that he starts 😀

    4. jammie26
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Of course he starts.

  13. Toby Lerone
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Grealish back for 27?

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

      Nobody knows.

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Definitely*
      * Have no idea.

    3. jammie26
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Yep

  14. AzzaroMax99
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Should we expect KDB to play vs Wolves or rest?
    He is my Salah switch and a differential in my ML.
    I need him to play xD

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

    Ward Prowse for Barnes?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      No thanks.

  16. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    60 with 14 to go!

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

      64 with 14 to go here. TC Salah fail is annoying though

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Nice going, I had a terrible start with no Stones or Dias but Kane and Son have helped today.

        You got DCL tomorrow?

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

          Yes. With his EO a goal doesn’t really matter anyway

          1. Big boy Bowen
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 28 days ago

            What is it?

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

              78% Top10k

              1. Big boy Bowen
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 28 days ago

                Small gains to be had still 🙂

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

      32 with 11 to go..

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Ouch unlucky so far

      2. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Oooof unlucky

    3. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      78 -4 here with 14 to go.

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Bale your hero! What a shout

    4. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      70 with 13 😀 Delighted after a rough season

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        You were due a good week, enjoy!

    5. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Nice,top10k would be big achievement

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        It would for my history!

    6. Doctor Evil
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      74 with 16 to go

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Amazeballs!

    7. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      It’s only slightly over average isn’t it?

      Im 61 with 14 to go and it’s a modest green (could easily still be a red as 3 of my 14 are Johnstone, Mitchell & Lowton)

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        It feels quite good given how many left to play - I don’t know what the average number of players left to play is

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

      56 with 14 - and back in the top 78k!

      1. Vamos Los Celeste
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        85 with 17 to go.

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

          WOW - excellent work!

    9. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      65 (-4) with 13 to go here

      Green arrow for now. Second half could easily go the other way though!

  17. Wings Fan
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Just crawling out from my hiding space behind the sofa.

    Fortunately Salah, Sterling & Ings > KDB, Son & Kane (-8) has worked out so far.

  18. Chandler Bing
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Already cursing myself for bringing Salah in on WC 25. Was just happy without him. But with those fixtures till the end of the season, I can't remove him either. So annoying.

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      You do know he was cursed?

  19. Baines on Toast...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Salah TC....Miracle I haven’t been absolutely destroyed by Kane already. I’d happily take him blanking again if Kane did as well.

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Unlucky with that far post miss... Should have buried it!

  20. Baines on Toast...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Maybe DCL was the way after all.

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

      Hope so

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Bale was the way.

      1. Warby84
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Didn’t even contemplate him..

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

    I assume KdB holders are hoping for a no show next to all but guarantee an appearance against Southampton, Play against Wolves suggests a no show against Southampton given he is a shoo in for the derby

    1. DGW Sane TC Fail....
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      i think he will play him to bring him up to speed

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Perhaps as he missed the CL game but high risk imo

  22. Reddonkeyham 42
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    I don't pay attention to how price rises etc work, but do injured players prices still drop ? For some reason I keep thinking they freeze, but no idea why I think that.

    Thanks in advanced

  23. mezza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Biggest game of my season tomorrow night.

    DCL (TC), Rodriguez and Digne.

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Good luck! Spurs today gave me 33 points, hope Everton give u more 😀

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      I don't own any of those players and therefore wish you the best of luck and a high scoring gw but only for those players we share in common.

      1. Big_Andy_GAWA
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Hoping for a 5-0: Richarlison hatty with 3 x Digne assys, 2 goals and 3 x Richy assists...

        1. The Knights Template
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 28 days ago

          Do you own Gundogen?

  24. EWH2020
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Madness to do

    Salah and Bruno to Son and KDB? -4

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      If KdB plays against Wolves he seems unlikely against Southampton given he will play United surely.

    2. Casual Player
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Only if removing the highest and 3rd highest scorer all season for a hit is mad.

      1. Chrisitis
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Kdb and son have one extra game next 3 gws

    3. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Maybe. Could be time for a change.

  25. Doctor Evil
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    74 -8 what could of been if Mitchell, Cancelo, Jorginho had actually played not to mention Bruno & Salah blanks

    1. jammie26
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Jorghino? Really, what were you thinking?

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

        I went for it too. He’s been playing more than Kante and is on penalties. At 4.7 seemed like a great deal. He’ll be in my bench after this but I boosted this week so it seemed like a decent punt

  26. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Hi. Any early thoughts on what to do here please? Using fts for gw29. Wildcard in 30 / 31

    A.....Barnes to lingard (bench raphinha at west ham)

    B....save ft. Start raphinha. Reassess

    C....roll the dice.....take a hit for kdb if he looks best captaincy option.....means leaving Barnes to languish on bench....

    Thanks

    Martinez
    Cancelo dias pereira (dallas coufal)
    Salah bruno Raphinha gundog (barnes)
    Kane dcl Watkins

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

      Need to hear whether Martinez out or not first- Barnes to Lingard good and gives you week 29 player but keep in mind cannot play v United in week 28

  27. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Tempted by going Son/Kane for the captaincy next GW...

    United good vs top 6 teams, KdB rotation risk, not overly fussed by Gundo now he is off pens and KdB is out and I fancy us to smash Palace...

    Am I mad?

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

      Nope. Thinking of doing the same.

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      What do you mean kdb out ?

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Sorry, meant KdB is back so he looks less of an option!

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

      Whoever Pep rests against Wolves is being given the armband. City will annihilate Southampton

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

      Not at all

      It's typically low scoring between us and we're back to last season attitude is only caveat. You should feast.

    5. AzzaroMax99
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Currently on Kane(C), but if I decide to get also Son for a hit...then he will be.
      Palace are whipping boys. Also Antonio vs Leeds is interesting.

    6. Toby Lerone
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      I might do Salah to Bale this week. Captain Kane though

    7. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Dias for the Dbl clean sheet and bonus...

  28. AzzaroMax99
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    50 from 9...not great, not terrible xD

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      When you are mediocre you're always at your best. Congrats!

  29. Peter Ouch
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Bruno to Son next week

    1. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Yeah,will outscore him in next 3-4

      1. Big_Andy_GAWA
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Was intending to save FT, but that never, ever ends up happening for me. Am defs gonna make that transfer myself.

  30. Scots Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    The stage is set for D(C)L

    1. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      First time I've seen that on here. Like it! Lol.