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. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Congrats to BARTOWSKI for "Milner's Crossing". Yes he is

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

    Gonna be 1-4 I think

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

    Not many more frightening things in the world than watching Liverpool attack relentlessly when you've not captained Salah.

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Correct!

  4. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Ended up with this WC team -

    Ramsdale
    TAA - Dias - James
    Salah - KDB - Foden - ESR
    Lukaku - Armstrong - Hwang

    Foster - Livramento - Manquillo - Brownhill

    Plan to do KDB + ESR + Armstrong to Son + Raphinha + Toney over the next 3 gws

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

      Thanks

    2. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Looks good

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

    Danny Rose might retire at half-time.

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

      And then go on and open a pub

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

      Don't remember him being this bad, thought he was fairly decent at spurs

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

        he was once upon a time but there's a reason he's no longer a spurs player

    3. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Retire to the buffet!

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

      Danny has struggled for form and consistency since his Spurs debut

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

    My captains do their best to avoid getting involved in goals no matter how many their team score

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

    This is basically just Liverpool vs Sarr

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

    Virg…..like a boss….

  9. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Keita hits the bar

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

      Celebrating already?

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

    Best way to get Trent in?

    Sanchez
    Cancelo | Alonso | Shaw
    Salah | Mahrez | Raphinha | Sarr | Benrahma
    Kane | Antonio

    Steele | Livramento | Williams | Scarlett

    0.8ITB

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

      Do you still own Kane!?

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

        Ron/Lukaku blanking so may as well

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

          True I guess. Vardy is the man.

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

        Finally own Salah though lol

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

        He's contractually obliged to own him at all times. FPL gave him a verbal agreement that he could transfer him out at some point but he never got it in writing.

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

      Kane to Hwang

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

        Thinking Benrahma downgrade and going 4-4-2

      2. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Or Pukki / Armstrong?

    3. Walter White (WW)
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Sell Shaw & Sarr/Benrahma

      1. Walter White (WW)
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Or Alonso if he gets benched again

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

      Shaw, Mahrez > TAA, Saka
      or
      Benrah to fodder. Williams to White later, for better 4-4-2 options

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

    Salah gone missing the last 20 mins

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

      Quel suprise

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

      He’s drifting onto the wing all the time , that’s why I was recommending Mane earlier, far more chances

  12. DaniCT
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Van Dijk casually defending against a child. LOL

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

    I know historically it was and I know it’s now not, but does anyone else fin Coca Cola quite medicinal?

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

      Trace elements of cocaine are definitely still in there...

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

        Yeah, I reckon so….hence why the recipe remains so secret

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

      It's probably the fact Coca Colo is the only company with the right to legally import coca leaves. That's the medicinal effect you're getting....

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

        That and the sugar…. *wide eyes*

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

        Coca Colo Toure

    3. Hairy Potter
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Not as good as hot lemonade.

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

    Stop it Milner...

    Better than Prime Iniesta?

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

      😀 😀

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

      😀

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

      Milner on 3 BAPS

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

      Milniesta.

  15. Walter White (WW)
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Salah doesn’t seem interested in the game anymore

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

      He’s interested, he’s just unfortunately changed his boots back onto the wrong feet, as he has done for approx 3 of the last 4 years

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

        PL: 32, 22, 19, 22 and 6 so far this season.

        You say what?

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

          The 22, 19, 22 goals were from 20, 21, 22 XG though.

          That’s 63 goals from 63 XG.

          The average player would also score 63 goals from 63 XG.

          The 32 was excluded by definition - that’s why I said 3 of the last 4 years (and not 4 of the last 4)

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

            Then factor in penalties

            In those 3 seasons 13 of the goals were from pens

            A pen is 0.75 XG

            So from play he’s scored 50 goals from 53 XG in the last 3 & a bit seasons

            Meh

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

      He’s out wide on the wing that’s why .

      1. Walter White (WW)
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        He’s taking too much time to sort his feet out when cutting in. Hopefully he’ll get a goal in the 2nd half

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

    I just packed Icon prime Milner. 75 rated

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

    Who is Liverpool playing in CL midweek? Could Salah be subbed around 70 ish min?

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

      Atleti away...

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

        Oh dear…

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

          I mean does it really matter. Everyone will have captained him.

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

            I haven't

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

              Me neither.

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

      atletico
      think mane comes off for Ox

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

      I guess 60 mins

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

    Reckon Greenwood starts? Was he involved in internationals?

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

      He wasn’t involved and better fooking starts lol

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

        My only differential this GW….

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

          Mine is Ronaldo(c) 😎

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

            😮

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

      Most likely.

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

        Cheers JBG…

  19. Sandy Ravage
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Prime ribs is better than tenderloin

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

      Is that code for Mahrez and Cancelo starts?

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

        Comparing ribs and tenderloin?

  20. JBG
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    The early word is that Harry Maguire will start for #mufc today. [Samuel Luckhurst, MEN]

    https://mobile.twitter.com/UtdDistrict/status/1449347913541246980

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

      Miraculous recovery by slabhead

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

      Vardy party!

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

    John Moss running at full pelt is a sight to behold 😆

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

      He should run straight into the old peoples' home down on the South coast. The worst referee in the Premier League.

  22. PogChamp
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Mane saving my horrible season. What a shame he never ever gets baps.

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

      Milner hogging them

    2. F4L
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      it's weird isn't it, only blanked twice but no 2+ returns. Need that brace in the second half, thought Salah would square it when he was through, shame about the touch

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

        It is weird. 5 goals, one assist, no baps.

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

      Yep very wasteful. If he finished like Mo hed likely have more points this season

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

      It’s because his conversion rate is terrible and he is mega greedy

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

    Origi to get some mins today, Jota to stay glued on the bench?

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

      Jota knock not worth risking if it stays this comfortable. Origi & Ox attacking replacements.

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

        When they hit 0-3 some changes I think

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

        Thanks Klopp

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

    Half-time tinker
    What do you think of Shaw > James, and benching one of the * players

    Foster
    Cancelo Trent* Tierney*
    Foden Grealish Raphinha ESR*
    Lukaku Vardy Jimenez

    Bachmann | Odegaard, Livramento, Shaw | 1FT. 0.1 ITB

    Going for a strong bench strategy so far this season with covid and rotation risks, but could switch it up with all chips still to play.

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

    Literally anyone could have played in goal for Pool that half. Apart from Karius.

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

      It's probably Milner's best position

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

      And obviously foster

  26. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    As a non Salah(c), I’ll feel like I’ve got away with one if he only gets 6 points

  27. N00B
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Disappointed. I was expecting a hattrick from Salah by now.

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

      Trust the process

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

      could have been done inside 10 mintes

  28. Amartey Partey
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Sissoko v Liverpool this.

    Watford are so bad.

    1. F4L
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Ranieri was the wrong appointment

    2. Hairy Potter
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Newcastle should have scored a load of goals against them a few weeks ago. Maybe if Wilson had been fit they would have.

  29. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Did I hear right? Salah should of been in from a Trent assist only for a bad touch?

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

      Yep 13 plus points peed against the wall

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

      Yep. Didn't even get a shot off so no BCC for Trent.

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

        Damn, didn’t realise that. Was wondering why TAA was so low for bps

    3. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      yep

    4. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Yuck, that would have paid off my -8 immediately

    5. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      *should've

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks old man 🙂

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

          Apologies for being a pedant. "Should of", "Would of" and "Could of" drive me absolutely wappy! (of course I have a certain inherent wappiness anyway).

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

      Yep I own them!

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

    What an unnecessary risk going with Lukaku cap over Salah

    Gutting!