FPL

FPL team guide 21/22 – Liverpool: Best players, stats and more

Our team-by-team guide to the new Fantasy Premier League (FPL) season continues with this preview of Liverpool.

The Reds’ title defence floundered badly but they ended the campaign in good form, with a late-season comeback enough to earn Champions League football.

Jurgen Klopp’s side won eight of their final 10 league games to lock in a third-place finish.

With Liverpool hoping to have several defenders back fit this season, another title challenge should be on the cards at Anfield – and their players will once again be at forefront of Fantasy managers’ thoughts.

As well as reading this preview, subscribers of Fantasy Football Scout can get in-depth Opta player and team data on Klopp’s troops in our Premium Members Area.

FPL price reveal and launch reaction from three-time top 200 finisher Lateriser 1

Backs to the wall

Maximising Profit With Your Wildcard

Having lost Virgil van Dijk (£6.5m) and Joe Gomez (£5.0m) to long-term injuries early in the season, Liverpool’s defensive crisis became even worse when Joel Matip (£5.0m) – who had been playing sporadically – saw his campaign curtailed by injury at the end of January.

Liverpool defensive statsTotalRank v other PL teams
Goals conceded424th
Clean sheets125th=
Shots conceded3322nd
Shots in the box conceded2264th
Shots on target conceded1406th
Big chances conceded8114th
Expected goals conceded (xGC)43.636th

Liverpool’s ranking for big chances conceded portrays how Klopp’s defence struggled in the absence of three senior centre-backs.

The Reds (14th) allowed 45 more gilt-edged opportunities than Man City (1st) and 39 more than Chelsea (2nd).

Three of the six sides to give up more big chances than Klopp’s team were relegated last season.

Eleven of those 81 big chances were conceded in defeats against Aston Villa (7-2) and Manchester City (4-1).

While Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m) and Andy Robertson (£7.0m) have many more routes to FPL scoring than just clean sheet points, owners will be hoping that Liverpool can tighten up significantly in 2021/22 – and the return of several key centre-backs will surely only help in that regard.

Full backing

Liverpool’s leaky defence has not stopped FPL managers buying both full-backs in droves.

Alexander-Arnold currently sits in 27.2% of squads, with Robertson making 12.6% of selections.

After ending the season at £7.8m, ‘TAA’ returns to the same price tag with which he started the 2020/21 season.

After a largely underwhelming campaign, Alexander-Arnold was back to his best from Gameweek 28 onwards.

The right-back racked up 75 points at an average of 7.5 per game, creating 11 more chances over that period (33) than nearest challenger Luke Shaw (22).

218 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Ze_Austin
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    3-5-2 looks like it could work at Spurs with the current squad and minimal new additions. Nuno has had previous success with it

    But Nuno is frustrating when it comes to stuff like this, and Spurs have promised to attack. This might get painful quickly

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Conte was the man for them. 3-4-3 guy who knows how to set up a defence. Sell Kane, Lamela, Ndombele and Alli, sign Vinicius, Gil and Bale (not because they want to sell Kane, but sometimes you just have to take the money because the player is unhappy and the uncertainty is screwing up the squad mentality).

      Lloris
      Dier Alderweireld Davies
      Doherty Hojbjerg Lo-Celso Reguilon
      Moura Bale Son

      Hart
      Sanchez Tanganga Rodon
      Aurier Sissoko Winks Sessegnon
      Bergwijn Vinicius Gil

      Backups: Whiteman (GK), Carter-Vickers (DF), Skipp (MF), Clarke (FW)

      1. Ruth_NZ
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        No, Mourinho was the man for them but Levy sacrificed him a week before a cup final to distract from Spurs' ESL adventure. The squad badly needs investment; Spurs are generally a slow, almost pedestrian team, especially in defence, the midfield has lacked craft since Erikson left and the whole is built around Kane being allowed to do whatever he wants, so lacks structure.

        There's also the problem that Spurs fans generally gloss over the fact that Spurs have won exactly 2 trophies (both League Cup) in 30 years. They seem to have the idea of Spurs being a giant club when their results are anything but. So they harbour expectations of something Spurs have never been able to consistently deliver (well, not in the last half-century anyway)

        Levy talked about Spurs "returning to their DNA" with the new manager but it's very hard to figure out what that means unless it's not winning anything and scrabbling around to finish 4th to 6th in the PL as they have done in 10 of the last 16 seasons (3 times lower, 3 times higher).

        It is quite likely that for all the protestations and smokescreens, the appointment of Nuno signifies an alignment with Mendes and Gestifute, meaning that Levy & Enic are looking to do some commodity trading with players as the commodities. That's what Gestifute specialise in. Spurs are the most indebted club in the world by a distance, they owe far more than RM or Barcelona, who are both in dire straits financially. They need to maximise profits, end of story. It's true that much of the debt is long-term and they have hopes of making money from the new stadium (for example via the NFL tie-up) but they are unquestionably cash-stressed.

        In other words, Nuno has probably been brought in to keep the fans happy and aid the tie-up with Mendes. Paratici (new DoF) is a Mendes associate as well. But any idea that Spurs are aiming to challenge for titles is guff. They are nowhere near and can't afford the investment it would take.

        If Sir Harry wants to win things, he needs to get out. Problem for Levy is that even £120m would make only a small dent in the debt (which is near enough £1.5bn) and would upset the fans. That situation could well get ugly.

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Never rated Wolves defence that highly here. They may not have conceded many but equally they were never a clean sheet machine. Was 2019/20 with 13 clean sheets their best effort?

      Can see a similar pattern at Spurs - just the audience will be less understanding this time around at goals being consistently dribbled in.

  2. Fake Madrid
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Does anyone fear the COVID situation with players being ruled out like last season?

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      If the PL protocol is that only those infected have to isolate, it theoretically shouldn't be too bad.

    2. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Not much we can do about it. Only really factors into 50:50 decisions. I don't think many people would choose cheaper starting XI players for a heavier bench, or choose worse players to avoid doubling up

      For instance: An outbreak at Liverpool, Man U or Leeds, and many would be down to 0, 1, 2 or negative points from their 2nd/3rd sub

      It's part of the game now

    3. Wılly
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Probably the same advice as I'd suggest for it being the start of the season but 'd probably minimise double or triple-ups because we don't know how teams will perform but also in case matches are called off.

  3. Sgt Frank Drebin
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Maybe it's even better that Chelsea has difficult fixtures at the start of the season. We will have more time to assess how will they line-up and if Havertz is nailed. Then after GW6 it looks like the perfect time to get their assets. Or maybe we should look at Chilwell or Rudiger already for the first GW1? After all, towards the end of the last season, defensively they were the top team in Europe and maybe Tottenham and Arsenal away aren't that difficult fixtures. Thoughts?

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      The former. I'll try to hold out playing my WC until c GW7 then pile on City and Chelsea. Before then, load up on United and Pool.

  4. Malcolm Tucker
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Feels heretical to drop Bruno, although I do like the beefed up backline, but is it worth it?

    Ederson
    TAA - Robbo - Shaw - Chilwell
    Salah - Grealish - Raphinha
    Iheanacho - Wilson - Antonio

    Foster - Harrison - Bissouma - Omobamidele

    1. Wılly
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      The issue with having so much money at the back is that your money is spread right across your squad and makes it harder for a change of system/to upgrade players as you'll constantly have to take money out of the backline = more hits.

      1. Thomas Magnum
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        I agree with this, say there’s a player in midfield or attack that starts the season off well and you want them in your side, you’d most likely have to downgrade a Liverpool defender to fund them. But if they’re also doing well at the start you wouldn’t want to sell either of them so would have to hit the WC button early

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      It looks good on paper because the players are good players. But it overlooks two things IMO:

      1) GK get save points. If CS (and pen saves) were the only route to points for GK then Ederson would be a great pick. But there are too many GKs who rack up saves so the extra £1.0m / £1.5m on Ederson isn't good value.
      2) You need more than one (c) option to cover yourself. If you are comfortable that is TAA or Grealish etc. then fine.

    3. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      You're a few tweaks away from my team on the last page, but I'm not that big a fan of where the Bruno funds went.

      This could be an awesome zombie team with Salah perma-cap, but you might find yourself making many changes by GW4 if you're active

    4. Tarby
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Ederson seems a waste to me.

      Also you're all in with Mo as captain every week, having a secondary option is probably wise.

      I do like the heavy stacked defence, but I'd downgrade Ederson, swap Harrison to Gilmour as bench fodder and probably change one of the forwards to Wellbeck and then upgrade Grealish to Bruno.

      I would be nervous about your front 3. Inheanacho had a great end to the season but will he revert back or stay great? Also with Leicester in EL, having Daka added, and going into the season with Maddison and Barnes both fit might they sometimes play only 1 up top or even with 2 might there be more rotation?

      Wilson and Antonio both very injury prone, I'd be concerned to have two injury prone forwards. I like Watkins and Jiminez (there is a danger as to his level after such a big injury of course though) most at £7.5m and Wood at £7m is a good price I feel. Toney £6.5m and Wellbeck and Pukki at £6m are solid options.

      Best of luck though!

    5. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I don't see where the Bruno funds have gone, it's a better team with him in it, also wouldn't load up on one team with COVID being so rife

      Sanchez
      TAA Dias Digne Cresswell
      Salah Bruno Raphina
      7.5 7.5 Toney
      4.0 ESR Brownhill 4.5

      I'm quite keen on a playing backup keeper right now but would mean a 4.0 def on bench.

  5. Thomas Magnum
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Other than Toney, are there any forwards priced under 7.5 that are worth starting the season with at this point?

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Pukki.

      1. Thomas Magnum
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Do you think Pukki can still get points with the tough fixtures to start the season. I know he did last time but that was 2 years ago and no Buendia now

    2. Wılly
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Wood or Pukki

      1. Thomas Magnum
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Issue with Wood is Olympics and Pukki tough fixtures 🙁

    3. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      keep an eye on Tammy and Origi if they get moves away

    4. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      No is the simple answer

    5. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Not at the moment at first glance, but there probably will be in 3 weeks.

    6. Westfield Irons ⭐️
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Do you mean 7.0 and under?
      Not really no, Toney is worth a punt and his ownership means you are betting against him proving great value.
      However, if you were maverick, there are proven prem forwards at 7.0 or under that MIGHT do OK : ASM, Adams, Wellbeck, Deeney. I know generally people hate doing it, but if you can't afford a decent forward, go super cheap 4.5, make 3rd sub and use that 7.0 on a decent mid of excellent defender? you can always wildcard out of it

    7. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Considering fixtures, only Welbeck

    8. Jaws
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Keep an eye on J. Pedro from Watford.

    9. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Welbeck is the most obvious call from week 1. Matched or outperformed the 7.5s generally towards the end of the season. Could make same point about Tekkers but I will refrain. But does go to show that there is likely value in that bracket - just uncertain where it is.

      Basically agree with Jarvish that by week 3 say there may be options there.

    10. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Excellent responses, everyone. Much obliged!

  6. FPL_Pugster
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    What do you all think?

    Sanchez/Steele
    TAA/Shaw/Coufal/White/Lampety
    Bruno/Raphina/Salah/Pepe/Bissouma
    Watkins/Antonio/Toney

    I know Pepe is abit risky but we saw the real deal end of last season now he's arsenal focal point. Plus is likely on FK(maybe Pens).

    1. AD2110
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Nice team. Could maybe get Barnes in for Pepe if fit, then upgrade Coufal to Digne?

  7. dbeck
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    i'm seeing a lot on RMT with Ben White in, Tierney is 0.5m more and offers attacking returns, is anyone stumping up that extra dosh?

    Is there any strong thoughts on Tierney out there, interested to evaluate if thats 0.5m well spent

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I wouldn't spend more than 4.5 on an Arsenal defender

      1. dbeck
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        how comes? my read is we will see an improved Arsenal side this year, no Europe i think is big for them

        1. WVA
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Injury prone, rotation but most of all they are rubbish especially when you can pick up better players at the same price

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

        This, for me. It's like Spurs - you don't have enough faith to invest 5m, but you'll take a punt on a 4.5 defender who can sit on the bench if they don't start well.

    2. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      If Arsenal is impressive in the two tough games and he's convincingly fit and nailed, Tierney might come in for me by GW4. I haven't really considered White in preseason because of the likes of Lamptey, Ayling and Ait Nouri. Heck, Dier/Davies under Nuno might match him. But White remains a good option for CS in that run. If things really set off, there might be a double-up bandwagon

    3. Wılly
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Probably because he'll be a guaranteed starter at 4.5 in a top-half team and when you weigh up 4.5s normally you're picking them against Brighton & Burnley defenders for example.
      Tierney is a nice pick though but do you want to spent 5.0 on an Arsenal defender, that's the question.

    4. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Tierney very much on my radar

      Think 5.0 is a cracking price for him and also accept that he isn't a long term hold.

      Amused by the apparent certainty of all those on Shaw at 5.5.

  8. KING KOUNDER
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Gundagon seems overlooked a lot, 13 goals & 8 assists at 7.5 m playing for Man CIty, screams gold to me.

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Prefer Torres, didn't all Gundagons goals come in one hot streak?

      1. KING KOUNDER
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Torres isnt nailed, Gundogan is. Think that carries weight.

    2. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      perhaps so, i am in the narrative of last season being an outlier for him and a bit of a spike. I prefer perhaps more consistent performers like Raphina, Maddison, Zaha, Grealish around that same price point.

      I also didnt own him last year so i am bias as hate him

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

      Flash in the pan for me, went on a hot streak then faded

      1. KING KOUNDER
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Man CIty faded as a team when the title was wrapped up, they had their attention on UCL. Gundagon was the main guy, he played very advanced and can actually finish.

    4. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Gundo has always had that in him. Remember how Mahrez played with a striker in front of him? Pep hasn't given him that. Pep has a lot of talent in his squad but uses them as chess pieces instead

      With goals scarce and KDB down, Pep changed Gundo's role and he became a goal machine. With things sorted elsewhere, Pep changed Gundo's role back to what it had been for ages, which is unattractive in FPL

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

    Question for you - Wilson or Toney + 1m that will only really mean making a 4.0 defender a 4.5 for security and starting season with 0.5 ITB

    1. Wılly
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Even without the extra security of the money, I'd be picking Toney over Wilson even if they were the same price. (I'm not picking either in my actual team)

      1. Wılly
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Reasons, they'll be fighting for similar positions in the league and Wilson's injury record is very poor.

    2. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I'd want Toney to start with

    3. Westfield Irons ⭐️
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Toney and 1.0 in ITB. Don't bother with a 3rd sub 4.5 DEF, you'll want that money on active players soon enough

  10. ALegendJ
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Hi all, I hope it is fine to post this here...

    If you:

    - Have played FPL for 3+ years;
    - Feel like you spend a lot of time on FPL;
    - From outside Europe; and
    - 18+ years old

    Please get in touch. We are writing an academic paper that discusses FPL and we are looking for voluntary interviewees. The online interview would take 30 to 45 minutes and you will be assigned a pseudonym.

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

    I must say this is the strongest, most balanced and COVID secure squad I can come up with, what do you think?

    Sanchez Bachmann
    TAA Dias Digne Targett Ayling
    Salah Bruno Raphina ESR Brownhill
    Watkins Iheanacho Toney

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Dislike the defence but see the concept.

      Dias was frankly poor in the second half/last third of last season and has almost no upside.

      Digne I understand but will personally avoid - don't think those fixtures are that good really.

      Targettt would be down my list of 5.0s. Likely to lose set pieces? I'd invest in Keane (better valuer for Everton defence) Dunk (the Brighton defender to be on imo) Coufal instead and forget the gk rotation. If one goes down with COVID so what?

      Have ESR right now but its Arteta so pessimistic sadly.

      1. WVA
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks mate, appreciate the feedback.
        I see Dias getting nearly 200 points this season, 20 clean sheets plus an attacking return or two.
        Digne is my favourite Everton player, I'm not even sure Keane is first choice anymore, Godfrey and Mina ahead of him IMO.
        Villas first three are worth Targeting 😉 he will become Coufal after hopefully.
        Also very pessimistic about ESR but no other options around that price and he was their best player towards end of last season, if no big signings he should push on

      2. WVA
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Would love Dunk but wouldn't double up on Brighton defence, won't rotate the keepers unless fixtures are blatantly obvious but like the COVID/injury backup as don't want to have to transfer.

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Have yet to put a serious team together but imagine when I do I'll go Dunk over Lamptey and Sanchez. Would love Lamptey but suspicious and think Dunk will be value over Sanchez.

          Generally, have been thinking about a "COVID side" but not sure I'm going to compromise beyond a playing second sub and even then may just pop 0.5 itb. Last season I got almost no points off the bench and when I did they all came from Soucek!

          I need to think about premium defence. Right now my strategy is just to go with TAA (or possibly just VVD 😉 ) and simply move money back when a defence starts to fire. Not sure of the logic here - could simply shift money sideways in defence after all - but feel happier with money upfield early season.

          1. WVA
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            Sanchez should score the same as Dunk with the same minutes.
            I also got no points from the bench last season, not even from Soucek despite starting the season with him in my starting 11. Rival got a tonne of points from the bench and beat me by 2 points overall so I feel I need to strengthen that area of my team this season especially with Delta being so infectious.
            It's the lack of 5.5/6 mids and forwards pushing my funds into defence.

      3. St Pauli Walnuts
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Frankly, Dias wasn't poor in 2nd half of the season! The man got City player of the year and had plenty of competition.

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          FPL poor - real life beast

          Held City defence way too long here. Think I got more goals from Stones than clean sheets - or something close to it.

          1. St Pauli Walnuts
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            Fair enough. SS makes valid point though that with City securing the league early, didn't do much for their FPL prospects. I wouldn't let that put me off their assets and would assess on period before that rather than total season. That said, with pretty poor fixtures to start and not great attacking threat (fancy him for a couple of headers a season at best), I'd want a bit more for the 6 mil starting.

  12. FPL MAN 123
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Had another go.....Feel pretty good about this one, pick it apart!

    Martinez
    Shaw | TAA | Cresswell
    Salah | Bruno | Beundia | Raphina
    DCL | Toney | Nacho

    Foster | Gilmour | Williams | Manquillo

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

      Looks solid