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. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Bobby off

    Mane on

  2. Bartowski
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Where the arse is Christensen?

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

      Injured.

      1. Rotation's Alter Ego
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Has that been confirmed anywhere?

        I do assume thats why, but also heard everyone trained yesterday so wasn't expecting this

        1. Rotation's Alter Ego
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Ah, he did train but pulled out. That makes sense.

          https://twitter.com/siphillipssport/status/1380908548582948868

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

          https://twitter.com/CarefreeYouth/status/1380905994310520834?s=19

          Not officially confirmed, but would make sense.

  3. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Robbo booking boosts Salah's baps chances.

  4. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Jota awful captain punt

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

      Not as bad as Sterling punters

      1. Duke Silver ☑
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Well technically equally as bad.

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

    Ah man it’s going to be so annoying if people get Dallas points off the bench when I had the balls to start him 🙁

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

      Plenty will be getting him off the bench, me included

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

      Boasting yet attempting to make people feel sorry for you? That's a new one!

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

      Crazy to start him away v City, don't think many will get him off the bench with Gundo etc coming on, your luck this season has been sensational, defender playing for a 10 man team away v best defence in league scores two lol!

  6. REDMOND IN SANDALS
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    salah 2nd on baps lets go

  7. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Brilliant. Cheers for nothing Jota, another WC fail.

    At least I didn’t captain!

    Cmon Rudiger now!

    (Would also love Martinez to save a Salah pen)

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

    Alonso wagon threatens to gather momentum before losing both its back wheels, careering off the track and exploding

    NO Refund for passengers

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

      No the first Alonso wagon to cras...

      Never mind.

  9. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Hold those 2 baps Phillips!

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      He’s been impressive today

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

      That would be nice having got him for a hit this week

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

        WTF!?

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

    Didnt even know firmino was on the field

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

    Come ooon Jota

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

      Salah*

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

        Both actually

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

    Alonso James Dias and Christensen means Dallas pts 🙁

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

      It really is so annoying, we should get more for starting him to make up for it lol

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

        Having said that I’ve just seen that many actually sold Dallas this week!

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

      That's annoying, players rewarded for poor picks - Dias aside.

  13. dansmusen
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Watkins second on bench with Dias no show really is annoying.

    1. Postman Ty
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Really should have Watkins higher in the pecking order against a struggling Liverpool defence with molasses for centre backs.

  14. Flair
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    2nd Salah goal needed

    1. Bees4Lyf
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      THIS

    2. Bees4Lyf
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Wouldn’t mind a TAA or Jota assist tbh

    3. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Agreed.

  15. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Alonso stays on the bench?

    1. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Possibly but if he now fancies Chilwell as no. 1 then he could see reduced minutes with the CL in mind.

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

      Depends on who Tuchel is planning to start in UCL. Could sub Chilwell early if he wanted. Then again, Emerson is around.

      1. Weeb Kakashi
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Kovacic and Pulisic i reckon do come off. Third Havertz maybe?

  16. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Alonso doesn't start. Holding first def on the bench. Dallas 2nd with 17 points.

    1. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Think you may jam it

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        How?! Holding should start

  17. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    2 bonus points for Phillips, wtf!

  18. JBG
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Wtf was TAA doing there?

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

    Black box take home notes for anyone that missed

    - jota essential
    - Reece James nailed

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

      Love it!

    2. Postman Ty
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Did they actually call James nailed? The only reason Odoi was out of rotation was he picked up a little injury. I wouldn't call him any less of a risk than Chilwell/Alonso.

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

        Az said cho was ‘off the scene’

        Not hating btw I just think it’s funny

        1. Postman Ty
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          I love those two. Can't expect them to know every situation fully.

  20. Jon Snow
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Not seeing much justifying Trent's price tag here. Hoping to see more of him against weaker opposition

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

    Come on MOUNT ... add some cheer to my game week sir!

    1. Postman Ty
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Great pick at the moment.

  22. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    1 more goal Mo.

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

      This

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

      Yeah ... all will be forgiven ... and if either TAA or Jota were to assist said goal ... well ...

    3. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      5 % chance

  23. 272MK
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Crap. My captain alonso not starting. Just when everyone else didnt have him as well.

    Dayyum. Couldve been good. Oh well

  24. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    10 minutes left?

    1. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yeah plus stoppage time

  25. Cojones of Destiny
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Q lads: if first sub player also had no show do i get second sub points or?

    1. Tinkermania
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Provided you have at least 3 defenders. Yes.

      1. Cojones of Destiny
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        thx

  26. pjomara
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Captained Alonso 🙁

    1. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Vice captain?

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

      Vice?

    3. pjomara
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Kane. Can't see Chilwell playing 90 min twice in a week. 1 pt cameo guaranteed for Alonso

  27. 272MK
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Come on Chillwell. Get a 1 week injury while warming up

    1. Postman Ty
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Never wish injury mate come on.

  28. ivantys
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Villa's midfielders all made of glass

  29. camarozz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Anyone else having issues with Flashscore?

    Any other recommendations where I can get footie n golf livescores?

  30. Pat Bonner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Villa tactics are awful. Could’ve easily won this game but more interested in time wasting