Team News

FPL Gameweek 8 team news: Alexander-Arnold and Jota expected to be available

Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m) and Diogo Jota (£7.6m) are expected to be available for Liverpool’s Gameweek 8 clash with Watford on Saturday.

Alexander-Arnold missed the Reds’ last two competitive fixtures before the October international break due to a groin problem, while Jota withdrew from Portugal’s national team squad on Monday having not kicked a ball for his country over the last week.

But both players are set to rejoin full training with their club colleagues ahead of the trip to Vicarage Road.

“They are all good, they are all in a good way, let me say it like this.

“So it looks really like Trent and Diogo will be fine, they will train with us tomorrow completely normal, that’s the plan.” – Jurgen Klopp, speaking on Wednesday about his side’s fitness

Both Liverpool players have hemorrhaged owners since Gameweek 7, with Alexander-Arnold the most-sold defender ahead of this Saturday’s FPL deadline and Jota fourth for transfers out among midfielders.

The right-back will surely return to the Liverpool starting XI this weekend if fully recovered but with Roberto Firmino (£8.8m) not involved with Brazil over the last fortnight, there is less certainty over whether Jota will be handed his fifth successive league start regardless of fitness.

The Saturday lunchtime contest is likely to come too soon for Thiago Alcantara (£5.3m), who has a calf problem.

“Thiago needs probably a little bit longer, [he] was not in team training yet – that’s always not a good sign for starting the next game.

“And the rest [of the] international [players], some are back, obviously some are not back yet. And we will see.” – Jurgen Klopp

Elsewhere on Wednesday, Harry Maguire (£5.4m) revealed he was “progressing” from a calf issue but had still not been involved in full training with Manchester United, which suggests that the Red Devils are set to be without both first-choice centre-halves for the trip to Leicester City.

The only official pre-match press conference of the day saw Claudio Ranieri on media duties for new employers Watford.

The Hornets earlier confirmed that Joshua King (£5.5m) would be assessed after a return to training but that Francisco Sierralta (£4.3m), Christian Kabasele (£4.4m) and Peter Etebo (£4.5m) remain out with muscle problems.

We should have a minimum of five pre-Gameweek 8 press conferences taking place on Thursday, with the rest following on Friday.

881 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Berkshire Hafaway-Line
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Egads! My squad is riddled with yellow-fever.

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Rud, TAA and Raph for me... Could be worse I guess.

  2. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Now the getting rid of Trent to fund Lukaku regrets kick in.

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Early transfers are bad mmkay?

      1. gart888
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah, the stress/regret I've saved over the last month or so is easily worth the 0.3ish team value I've lost by not doing them.

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      The cool kids kept Trent.

      1. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        The cool kids don't even play FPL. 😀

        1. Gunners in Haaland
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          This

      2. Yank Revolution
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        The coolest kids sold 2 weeks ago and will -and have- profited from his sale by spreading his cost around to fill existing holes.

  3. Podorsky
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Do I have balls to bring in and captain Mahrez for Burnley?

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      No

    2. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      No

    3. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      No you do not.

    4. Totalfootball
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Nope

    5. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Balls of steel required...

    6. BrockLanders
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Looks a real good one week punt tbf

    7. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Never

  4. Podorsky
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    I didn't think so

    1. Podorsky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Cpuld be a good punt to try and catch up in my minileague though.

  5. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    1) Walker
    2) James
    3) Laporte

    Habe Cancelo, TAA

    1. Fish up a tree
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      2

    2. Slitherene
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      2

    3. Beizer
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      i am going for 3.

      1. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Why? Was in my team until now

        1. Beizer
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Next three fixtures look great. seems to be quite secure starter for the best defence in the league and offers some threat. i have white, duffy rüdiger and cancelo too, so a no-show wouldnt hurt too much.

    4. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I'm going James.

  6. Igz08
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Quite undecided on who to play this week.

    Currently starting
    Sarr, Liv, Toney

    Currently benching
    Duffy, Raph

    Gtg? Sanchez in goal

    1. Slitherene
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Start Raphinha for Livramento

      1. Igz08
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Well Raph surely won’t play, but yeah I could. I’m more wondering whether I should bench Sarr/Toney and give Duffy a go

    2. Dr. Jepsen
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Duffy has Norwich. Play him over Sarr

  7. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    So many uncertainties...

    Sanchez | Steele
    Rudiger* Dier White
    Salah Jota* Raphinha* Gray Gallagher
    Ronaldo Lukaku
    ¦ Digne* Dennis Ayling*

    0.0 ITB, 1 FT

    Ayling, Jota -> Azpi/Dias/Cancelo, Mbeumo, for a hit?

    1. BrockLanders
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I wouldn't

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Not for a hit

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

    Mahrez (c) at Burnley. FT for Sarr

    Yay or nay?

    1. Beizer
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      FT yes, but no (c). i think that is too much of a risk with salah playing Watford.

  9. Fish up a tree
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Is Raph totally out or start on bench?

    He played 45 & then 30 from bench so far this IB but they play Friday morning….

    1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Tite said he'll start. At best I'd say cameo from the bench

      1. Fish up a tree
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers, would you start Livra ahead of him?

        1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Yeah, although I was considering starting him even if Raphinha was available fully

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I think there's no chance he plays.

  10. winchester
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    On WC. Who to fill the empty slots? Basically have 10.2m to spend

    ramsdale
    taa-cancelo-***-(***-livra)

    A) rudi+duffy
    B) james+jansson/white
    C) 6.2m+manquillo
    D) any other combo?

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Dias+Manquillo

      1. winchester
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers.

    2. KunDogan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A

      1. winchester
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Is rudi fit? Worth risking it?

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          No news yet on Rudiger. Still flagged though.

  11. Fish up a tree
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    B

    1. Fish up a tree
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      User malfunction re Winchester

    2. winchester
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Cheers. Do u have any intel on james, is he fit and will he play? Jansson doing pretty well in BRE currently as well, right?

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        James is hit and miss just like any other Chelsea defender bar Rudiger who is flagged.

      2. Fish up a tree
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        James is more attacking so for the easier run of games coming up I’m guessing he will start as he can supply the ammo for Lukaku

        1. Fish up a tree
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Not sure on fitness, wait for update later this week

  12. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Best way to launch a new feature, skip past it after 120 minutes.

    Truly inspired

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

      It's almost as if they are clueless.

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      They need a editors favourites down the side to pin articles like that.

  13. putana
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    still deciding between cancelo and dias.

    If zinchenko comes into the side would cancelo move to the right or be benched?

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Cancelo has played at RB vs Spurs and RB Leipzig this season. He has not missed one match.

      Walker was subbed off for Zinc half time vs Arsenal.

      I reckon Cancelo is nailed.

      1. putana
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        i think he is too. but the chances of him being rested are much higher than dias. Need to decide if the extra attacking potential is worth the few games he will be benched

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Who do you have on your bench?

          1. putana
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            liv, gilmour, tsimi. still have wc

            1. FOO FIGHTER
              • 4 Years
              2 years, 5 months ago

              Not a great bench. I would go Cancelo irrespective.

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I will go Dias myself.

  14. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    I have both TAA & Jota. Jota for one more dance to become Raph next week .

  15. tristanabc
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Realise a bit unconventional, but thoughts on Livra -> Cancelo for a back 5 for the next few weeks? Have exact cash and gives me below.

    Sa (Steer)
    TAA Alonso Rudi Cancelo Tierney
    Salah Raph Saka (Gray, Gilmour)
    Ronny Antonio (King)

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Hmm, not a fan of a back 5. A lack of CSs in a GW and you will have it bad. GW7 as an example.

    2. putana
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      the problem with having that much money tied up in defence is it becomes more difficult to transfer in expensive mids and forwards.

  16. norab
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Correct bench order in case Raph no shows?

    Toney, Gallagher, Liv

    1. putana
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      liveramento playing against a leeds side with no bam or raph so i have him first sub, potentially starting

      1. norab
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Great point

  17. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Which combo is best?

    A) Cancelo and ESR

    B) Dias and Mbeumo

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      B

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Cancelo Mbeumo

    3. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Cancelo and Mbeumo. Find money.

    4. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      c

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        sorry, typo, meant B 🙂

  18. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    a jota and pogba to son and saka
    b pogna and semedo to foden and cancelo

    for free

    thanks

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      i would do semedo to laporte following gw if that helps 🙂

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Can you not try find a way to fit in Cancelo and Son?

  19. gonzalocampos
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    I have Rudiger, Christensen, Dias, Cancelo and Livra as defenders. Should I swap Christensen for Azpilicueta (more nailed)? I dont care if Rudiger wont play this GW, Livra can cover.

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      No plan to get Trent?

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

        Probably after the United game

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          If Rudiger is not fit then most likely Christensen will start.

          Think it is a waist of a transfer even though Azpi has a higher ceiling.

          If I were you and had enough cash I would rather do Christensen to Trent.

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

      I’d work in TAA instead, 3 premo defenders is enough, otherwise you’ll be scrambling in future to release the 4th to generate funds needed in attack

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Correct

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

          I think you may have outlined this to me the other day, passing on your knowledge bombs mate

          Could you assist below please

          1. FOO FIGHTER
            • 4 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Dangerous to take my advice. I have triple LFC and Everton mate, ha ha.

            It is just common sense to get TAA if you do not have him.

  20. amonito
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Next three weeks:

    A) Foden
    B) Torres
    C) Benrahma (save)

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      a

    2. Fantasyfreakstradbally
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      C

    3. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      B

  21. Tomas_brolin
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Greenwood and Shaw to Torres and Dias for free? Exact money so can’t afford cancelo

    Feel like a punt on a city attacker. If he no shows I’ll get Sarr off the bench

  22. Gunners in Haaland
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Is Cancelo Rudiger Dias a good defence for the next 3?

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Trent, Cancelo and Dias and you will be flying.

      1. Gunners in Haaland
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers mate

  23. Pedersen
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Azpi vs Walker ?

    1. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Azpi for me

    2. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Walker

  24. Stranger Mings
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    I assume no chance raphinha can play at the weekend?

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

      Still a chance

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Hope so but he is playing at 1;30am in brazul then Leeds game at 3pm next day

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

          I mean it’s unlikely but there is still a chance… let’s see what Bielsa says

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Unlikely I think, if Tuchel was saying Thiago Silva comes back on match day. Maybe makes the bench to come on at the end if Leeds struggling.

  25. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Does Raph stand a chance of playing this gw?

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

      Definitely still could, he’s pivotal to Leeds attack

    2. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Can’t see it as he is playing on Friday then Leeds game is on Saturday ?

  26. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    WC draft, GW8 lineup

    Ramsdale
    TAA Cancelo Rudiger* Duffy
    Salah Foden* Raphinha
    Lukaku Antonio Jimenez*

    Foster Livramento Mbeumo Brownhill

    1. Rudiger Foden Jimenez
    2. James Son Hwang

    Thanks guys

    1. winchester
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I am on 2 atm.

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      2 would be the perfect WC team! Nice work

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

        Thanks mate. I’m actually on 1 currently:

        I can’t seem to get away from Foden (albeit a big rotation risk)

        The more nailedness of Rudiger over James returning from injury

        And Jimenez over Hwang as he’s on pens…

        Tough dilemma(s)

  27. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Best first on bench option

    A Semedo
    B Livramento

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      B

    2. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Livra

  28. Fantasyfreakstradbally
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Ramsdale Foster

    TAA Dias James Walker Duffy Liv
    Salah Raph Jota Gray Mbeumo
    Lukaku Antonio Hwang

    Any thoughts guys. Is it too much money in defence? Could take a €1m drop on one of the defenders and put where….?

    Another IB in a few weeks time!! Hence strengthen the bench a bit.

    Unforgotten men Bamford (fixtures!!) and DCL. Is Antonio the right one of these three.

    WC during international break… hmmm

    And then there’s Vardy

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Benching headaches.

    2. Beizer
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      thats 6 defenders.

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

        Defo too much spent in defence then!

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

      You have 6 defenders, very defensive even for mourinho that.

    4. Fish up a tree
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Hold up, you got 6 defenders…

  29. soup natsi
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    What's the deal with Reece James? Back to training afaik but amber on fpl? I thought he was on yellow with 75% chance to play.

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

      Perhaps not match fit just yet, let’s see what Tuchel has to say

  30. jason_ni
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Lets say ita best case and my flags rudi and lukaku are fit to start.

    I have Alonso
    A) save ft and hope he starts
    B) Alonso to James (dbl with rudi)
    C) Alonso to Walker (dbl with cancelo)

    If I go A and he's benched, ill have Brownhill for his city game.

    1. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I'd go with B

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

        Thx, leaning this way, will wait and see what tuchel has to say!