Dugout Discussion

Jota benched as Alexander-Arnold returns to Liverpool starting XI

Diogo Jota is the main omission from the Liverpool starting XI this afternoon as Watford welcome the Reds to Vicarage Road in Claudio Ranieri’s first match in charge.

Kick-off is at 12:30 BST.

Jota is only among the substitutes for the visitors but Trent Alexander-Arnold has recovered from a groin injury to return at right-back, with James Milner moving into midfield.

Caoimhin Kelleher lines up between the posts, meanwhile, with Brazilian duo Alisson and Fabinho not involved after representing their country in the early hours of Friday morning.

Naby Keita starts in place of the injured Curtis Jones, with Roberto Firmino brought in at Jota’s expense to line up alongside Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

Salah has been massively backed with the captaincy in Gameweek 8, with not far off 90% of the top 10,000 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers handing him the armband.

A total of 3.5 million Fantasy bosses captained Salah overall, while he was transferred in by just over a third of a million more FPL managers ahead of this morning’s deadline to swell his ownership to 63%.

The Egyptian’s highest-ever Gameweek score of 29 points came against today’s opponents back in 2017/18, and he has 10 attacking returns in six meetings with the Hornets.

As for the hosts, Ranieri has made three changes from Xisco Munoz’s final starting XI as Watford boss.

Francisco Sierralta and Joshua King are out injured, with Craig Cathcart and Cucho Hernandez replacing them. Ozan Tufan is benched, meanwhile, with Adam Masina taking his place.

It’s a 4-4-1-1 on paper for last season’s Championship runners-up but it remains to be seen if the veteran Italian has other ideas come kick-off.


GAMEWEEK 8 LINE-UPS

Watford XI: Foster, Rose, Ekong, Masina, Cathcart, Sissoko, Femenia, Sarr, Dennis, Hernandez, Kucka.

Subs: Bachmann, Ngakia, Louza, Cleverley, Pedro, Sema, Gosling, Fletcher, Tufan.

Liverpool XI: Kelleher, van Dijk, Milner, Keita, Firmino, Mane, Salah, Henderson, Robertson, Matip, Alexander-Arnold.

Subs: Adrian, Konate, Gomez, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jota, Minamino, Tsimikas, Origi, Williams.

MATCHDAY LIVE WATCHALONG

1,403 Comments Post a Comment
  1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Salah close

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Mane Street

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

        Mane Street Preachers

        1. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          😀

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

      Dijk's Avenue

    3. tiger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Firmino Avenue

    4. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Matip End

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

      Rose Shambles

    6. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Trent Bridge

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        😛

    7. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Keita Boulevard

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

      Open Controls

    9. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      The Milner Mile

    10. Bartowski
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Milner's Crossing.

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

    Lukaku cap over salah fail

    1. Not again Shirley
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Lol that’s a very early call for that statement. Salah only has an assist thus far.

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        He's actually being quite restrained!

    2. alsybach
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      How do you know you pessimistic git?

  3. Diddly Squat
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    That’s 5 goals and an assist so far this season

    1. Mario Balofail
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      It is 😉

    2. DARE TO BISCAN
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      At least.

  4. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Liverpool are going to have trouble getting around Rose

  5. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    When will this one season wonder slow down?

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Rainari‘s done it with Chelsea & Leicester, hardly one season wonder….

      1. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Gone by Tuesday?

        1. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Half time….for a nap

  6. Cok3y5murf
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    By the way, Mane finished they said

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      who said ?

  7. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Watford looking like Deontay Wilder between rounds 5 and 11

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Just takes one knockout blow 'eh?

    2. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I remember when wilder knocked out a guy in a foam animal costume, he didn’t realise it was a real person but some robot

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

    Salah wasteful so far...

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

      As per

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Well I for one am shocked at this unforeseen development

  9. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Rose blocks Salah shot tbf

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

    What's the highest ownership a player has had in fpl?
    Still 37% of teams that don't own Mo, albeit a number of dead team or managers that have given up already

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

    Need a Sarr goal as a Trent non owner

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

      Highly likely

  12. TomSaints
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    I can’t win.

    13 blanks in 15 games when I captain early kick off big hitter but whenever I don’t they haul =(

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Come on man. Salah vs. Watford, who he has a fantastic record against, who have a terrible defense... of which Danny Rose was expected to defend Salah...

      Hope your other choice does just as well.

      1. TomSaints
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        I agree obvious and any other slot I’d captain him, but already had a Salah and Ronaldo blank this season and just so many failures over last few seasons

    2. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Who did you pick? Lukakus form is awful. Salah was obvious this week.

      1. TomSaints
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        KDB

        1. Royal5
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Aha. Could still pay off though. Especially if Salah keeps wasting his chances.

          1. TomSaints
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            I obviously own Salah so damage isn’t too bad but I thought Watford would be much better than this with new manager bounce

    3. alsybach
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Who exactly are you talking about?

    4. Philosopher's Stones
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Was looking for the guy who's cursing these blanks. Finally found you.

      1. TomSaints
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Ha

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

      One assist is hardly a haul at this stage, KDB (c) could be much better IMO

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

      This is basically still a blank

    7. JackJack
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Grow a pair.

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

    Liverpool playing with real purpose and confidence here.

  14. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Free Meal cancelled for Watford

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

      Maybe they can still get free pizza

      1. tiger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        think they might have to work in the kitchens to make the pizza

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

      Jota missing out on a feast today

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        He'd miss his mouth anyway.

    3. Philosopher's Stones
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Ranieri happy he's gonna save some money today

  15. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Salah is finished!

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

      Sloppy Mo

  16. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Salah is playing better than Messi atm

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

      Thats cuz he is better

      If he was playing with iniesta xavi he would have scored 50+ each season too

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Not better than that Messi for sure, better than this one yes

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

          Salah prime is better than messi prime

          1. @persecuted_by_mods
              2 years, 5 months ago

              Surely nobody can be this deluded

            • La Roja
              • 12 Years
              2 years, 5 months ago

              You what?

        2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          If Son had Salah’s role in the Liverpool team, and had penalties, he would score far more than Mo

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

            Son cant play that role. Salah makes most of his chances through his movements chances just dont fall into plate for him

            1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
              • 14 Years
              2 years, 5 months ago

              Son can perfectly play a wide forward or inside role

              He would easily outscore Salah

              1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                • 14 Years
                2 years, 5 months ago

                And vice-versa

                If Salah had Son’s role in that Spurs team, and no penalties, we wouldn’t even know who he is

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

        Well Messi has been shite in Paris

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Salad wastes TAAssist 🙁

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

        Shock

    3. R.C
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Salah wasteful

    4. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      13 points plus down the pan

    5. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Rumours that Ranieri is going to be dragged away at half time

    6. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      300 > 260 > 230 > 230 > ???

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

        250

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

        220

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

        270

    7. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Liverpool slicing through the Watford back line like a pizza cutter.

    8. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Big Trento is back & bang on it today as usual

      Non-owners shifting very nervously in their seats

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        shitting*

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          True - but I’d be banned for a month if typed that 😆

          1. Hazz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            😆

          2. Hotdogs for Tea
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            not with the new owners …

      2. Royal5
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Not really. Most with a good rank got rid a while ago tbf

        1. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Ben White covered for him in GW5/7

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

      Firmino has been god darn awful so far, Jota will walk back into the starting XI

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

      30 minutes of Jota could be very nice.

    11. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Someone should tell the Watford lads that they're allowed to pass to their own teammates.

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

        All they see is a red blur

    12. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Can you turn off the commentary on BT leaving just the crowd?

      JJ is rather annoying!!

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

        He is

      2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Can’t listen to him - he is absolute nightmare fuel

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

        Don't mind him myself

    13. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Jota against tired legs ?

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        They're tired already.

    14. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Nice back flick from Liverpool and last minute tackle to keep a clean sheet!

    15. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Does that count as an attempt from Watford, given that the flag was up (foul but advantage played)?