Dugout Discussion

Salah and Jota start together as Klopp benches Mané against Aston Villa

Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) and Diogo Jota (£7.0m) start together for Liverpool as they host Aston Villa in Gameweek 31.

The two players contributed to the Reds’ impressive finish against Arsenal in Gameweek 30 and were both inside the top-five most-bought players for the most recent round of action.

Sadio Mané (£11.8m) is the man to make way this afternoon, dropping to the bench for the second time in four Premier League matches.

That means Jota starts on the left-hand side of Liverpool’s front-three, spearheaded by Roberto Firmino (£9.0m).

Curtis Jones (£4.4m) misses out as a precaution which means Georginio Wijnaldum (£5.3m), James Milner (£5.3m) and Fabinho (£5.4m) are the midfield trio today.

Nathaniel Phillips‘ (£4.1m) stock remains high, earning his fifth Premier League start from a possible six alongside Ozan Kabak (£5.0m).

There is also plenty of revived interest in Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.4m) this afternoon.

Having produced 33 points across his last five matches, the Liverpool right-back was purchased by 190,000+ managers ahead of the Gameweek 31, the most new owners for any defender this week.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa are still without Jack Grealish (£7.5m) who recently suffered a setback on his return from a shin injury.

Bertrand Traoré (£5.9m) and Trézéguet (£5.2m) provide the width either side of Ollie Watkins (£6.5m) while Marvelous Nakamba (£4.3m) and Douglas Luiz (£4.8m) both feature in midfield with John McGinn (£5.5m).

Gameweek 31 Line-ups

Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Robertson, Kabak, N Phillips, Alexander-Arnold; Wijnaldum, Milner, Fabinho; Jota, Firmino, Salah.

Aston Villa XI (4-2-3-1): Martínez; Targett, Mings, Konsa, Cash; D Luiz, Nakamba; Trézéguet, McGinn, B Traoré; Watkins.

Gameweek 31 so far…

Fantasy Premier League managers who swerved from their Leeds assets found their Gameweek 31 win at Manchester City hard to watch.

Stuart Dallas (£5.1m) was the second-most benched player for the latest round of action but bagged a brace at the Etihad Stadium.

To add insult to that decision, Patrick Bamford (£6.6m), the third-most sold Fantasy asset ahead of Gameweek 31, provided the assist for his opener.

From a Manchester City perspective, this match was all about Pep Guardiola once again.

Kevin De Bruyne (£12.0m), Rúben Dias (£6.2m) and Riyad Mahrez (£8.2m) were all unused substitutes while Ilkay Gündogan (£6.0m) and Phil Foden (£6.0m) both emerged from the bench for one-point cameos.

Ferran Torres (£6.9m) and Bernardo Silva (£7.4m) got the only attacking returns of the afternoon.

Provisional bonus points

  • 3 – Stuart Dallas
  • 2 – Bernardo Silva
  • 1 – Oleksandr Zinchenko

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1,221 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    17 from 1 any good?

    1. TheBiffas
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Pretty average so far

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Decent

    3. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      7 from 4. Beat that

      1. threeputt
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        6 from 3 inc (c) ?

        1. JONALDINHO
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Captain played here too

    4. Gross Blank Point
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Most captained Dallas so not great

    5. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Lucky not good 😉

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        It’s not luck. I’ve not made a transfer in 4 weeks just for this game.

        1. TheDragon
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Targeting city at home - perfect

          You are playing 4d chess whilst I am playing checkers

    6. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      it'll do i suppose.

    7. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      And how many from the bench?

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Don’t think I have a bench.

    8. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Neigh.

    9. LSK
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Better than me. I’m on -7 from 1.

      1. Amsterhammer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        It's a fine club to be in!

    10. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      You rather blew captaincy this week - bad luck that

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        -15pts from 1 for me.

        Anyone worse ?

  2. Amey
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Hopefully Haland & Co will take City out of CL !

    1. Max City
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Amen

  3. Konstaapeli
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Dallas last on my bench. Love this game.

    1. Max City
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      +1

    2. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Mini league leader ... 2nd on his bench .... Antonio in his first 11 definite no show ... and KDB no show ... in he comes with his 17 points ..... oh bloody hell.

      I took him out on my wildcard but I have to be honest he would have been third on my bench so I can’t complain about selling.

  4. Khalico
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Whats are the chances either Cresswell, Reece James or Shaw no show?
    I have Dallas 2nd on bench.

    1. HaveYassineChikhaoui
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Gotta hope Shaw doesn't turn up or is rested, 50% chance I'd say based off Ole's comments.

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      James is very possible

  5. HaveYassineChikhaoui
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    That change from Laca to Jesus is going to come back to bite me now isn't it.

  6. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Sterling probably had the worst match I've ever seen him play.

    1. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      He has a shocker every time I captain him I swear

    2. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      That some even captained him is beyond me

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Absolutey absurd. His track record this season has been horrendous. It's equatsble to captaining Mané or Pepe this season. (Although Pepe could do well this week!)

        I'm surrosied people like Mark did it. Historical bias.

    3. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      He has been terrible this season. As has Mane. As has Auba. The wide forwards (other than Son) have not lived up to their price tags.

      Hopefully they reprice next season and put Salah, KDB, Fernandes, Kane at high prices and Mane, Son, Auba, Rashford, Sterling at about £1.5m less. With Mahrez, Firmino, Laca, Jesus another £2.0m less than those guys.

    4. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Should have had two YC imo

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Yeah. That tackle on Raphinha was terrible.

    5. hueycho
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I would ship him out ASAP if i were u

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I don't have him. That would be stupid.

  7. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Did anyone sell Dallas for a -21 point hit?

    1. Bennerman
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Not the extra -4, no. But just having sold him is still hurting my balls real bad

  8. Hangman Page
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    The headline of this article should be SMUG DALLAS OWNERS IN TIGHT BATTLE TO POST MORE THAN MOANING SELLERS

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Stunned sellers with nowhere to hide.

      Bewildered benchers bucked.

    2. Nanoelektronicar
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I am not sure should I be sad that I haven't kept him on wc, or happy that I haven't 17 on the bench 😀

      1. Eh, just one more thing ...
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        This.

  9. The Senate
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Salah (C), Phillips and Watkins next - 2 points each?

  10. mgilbert86
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Gotta leave city assets

    Next level rotation

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Gone from my team by next week, Gundo the last one

    2. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Sold Gundo, Stones and Cencelo after gw28 ... been "punished" by the 4 points total for the 3 of them in the 3 following gws

  11. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Was Raphinha injured at the end?

    1. Nanoelektronicar
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      He might, but I am not sure.

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Was tacked strongly a few times in the match. Yes he had a knock.

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Ta

  12. Nanoelektronicar
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Salah(C), Jota and TAA owner, Liverpool fan. Either dreamland or horror show. No middle.

    1. Bavarian
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      same here, good luck...

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yep! My whole last minute WC sits with this game. Whole weekend ruined if it’s 1-0 Villa! The app will be deleted and I’ll be logging out from here 😆

    3. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      0-1 Martinez...

      Anfield nightmare has to end soon, surely...

    4. beric
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      What if you won 2-1 with a salah and jota assist? that would be pretty middling

      1. Nanoelektronicar
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        No, still horror 🙂

    5. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Holding the same three and captain ... fingers and toes crossed.

    6. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Good luck to us

  13. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    1 from 1, solid start

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      3 from 2 including (C) 😉

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Yeah. I feel stupid picking up Gundog again. Especially as I want to BB next week

    2. Max City
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Bamford on my 2nd bench
      Dallas on my 3rd..

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Bamford 1st on mine, Dallas third. The a Gundogan subbed blocked even just one of them, haha.

    3. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      0 from 0 ... just Coady 6 points as 3rd sub

    4. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Auto sub 6 from 1

    5. MightyGar
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      2 from 2, on course for a solid 12

  14. FPL DONKEY
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Missed the deadline last night and had Dallas in my first 11

    On the flip side I also had my WC active

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      🙂

  15. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Everyone has got jota now so zero interest in this game now

    1. Hangman Page
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      16.2% ownership.

      If any player I own scores I enjoy it, even if there ownership is 1,000%.

      1. TRE2
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        68 % top10k

        1. Hangman Page
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          I honestly don’t care. EO just ruins the fun for me. Just concentrate on enjoying the footy and on my own little points targets.

      2. Eh, just one more thing ...
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        This

    2. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Am I wrong in saying that a salah haul as a capt should give a pretty good swing.

      1. Ruth_NZ
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        He'll probably have 45 mins to do it in. 😉

  16. Max City
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Between GW 22 to GW 27 my benches scored exactly 120 points..

    Now Dallas is on my 3rd bench.. Nice!!

    1. 272MK
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Dayyum. Shows how much additional points we can gain if we get our 1st 11 right.

      Then again most of the time the players we put on pur bench are usually predicted to suck for that gw.

  17. 272MK
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Man. One thing i love about having bench fodders is you dont have to stare at a 17pts 3rd on your bench.

  18. jason_ni
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    The cooper red card really hurt.

    Bamford owner, so lose his potential extra points gets subbed off.
    Struijk gets subbed on, 2nd on bench, will now take dias spot, rather than the unlikely points id may have got from veltman

  19. School of Poch
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Of course Dallas scores a brace when I take him out on WC

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      He’s an incredible player

      1. School of Poch
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        He is. I had him majority of the season. I'm still happy with my WC but it is gutting missing those points! There's a chance I might have benched him anyways and that would feel even worse.

    2. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Showing early season Grealish form - scores every 3rd match - 12, 15, 6, 17
      Book him in for gw34 (bha)

    3. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Same but he would have been third on my bench today if I retained him which would have been worse.

  20. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    All hail the Lundstram of 20/21!

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Congrats, you started him right?

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Yes, about to be punished by Pool though!

      2. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        He did better than that

        Took a hit to sort his defence and then benched Rudiger for Dallas.

        Genius play

    2. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Dallas is a much better footballer than lundstram, but I know what you mean!

    3. MrZ
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Enjoy while we can, next season will not be the same

  21. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    So, people will play Dallas v LIV next GW? 😉

    1. MrZ
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Probably, don't want to miss his hattrick

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        😆 yeah yeah

  22. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    As predicted Pep is PUNISHED for dropping all 4 of his big boys!

    Blessed to have trusted my gut and starting Dallas X

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Congrats. For those who started Dallas completely deserved the pts.

    2. Nanoelektronicar
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I need all three clean sheets just to match that, but I hope getting Salah(C) on wildcard could still justify it.

    3. MagicMessi
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yessir nice decision

    4. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      People will be rolling their eyes but it was a great call and when people do go against the grain they deserve to reap the rewards.

    5. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Fluke. Send Pep a nice card

  23. GOTHAM City F.C.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    WCs first proper game.

  24. Tshelby
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Veltman and shaw you playing this week guys?

  25. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    If Burn doesn’t play it’s Dallas coming on for me.
    Nervous next days...

  26. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    5.5m next year ? Dallas that

    1. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      He’ll be a mid

    2. Nanoelektronicar
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      6.0 - 6.5 mid, no interest.

    3. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Good arguement for at least 6m given Leeds could feasibly strengthen defensively.

      I think Doherty after his first season at Wolves is the barometer.

      1. MrZ
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Dallas is more close to lord lundstram than doh

    4. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Midfielder

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I actually didn't even consider that. Yeah. Very good chance.

  27. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Shame James Justin got injured. Think he would have been pushing Dallas for best cheapie defender this year.

  28. ‘Tis the Season
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Transferring Sterling out for Bruno very satisfying!!

  29. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    If Salah and Jota go mental here this could be shaping up to be an epic gameweek

    1. Nanoelektronicar
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Let's hope. Need some TAA assist to spice it up.

  30. 272MK
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    In my ML top 10, I'm the only one that has Alonso
    I also captained him.

    The others have Jota. Some captained him too.

    Pls let this week be my resurgence week!!

    1. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Keep us updated