Dugout Discussion

Leicester v Liverpool team news: Vardy, van Dijk and Tsimikas start, bench for Tielemans

Following the rare sight of weekday 15:00 (GMT) kick-offs, Tuesday’s action concludes at the King Power Stadium when Leicester City host Liverpool.

Kick-off is at 20:00 (GMT).

Liverpool have made five changes from the 11 that played nine days ago at Tottenham Hotspur. Their Boxing Day match with Leeds United was postponed, giving more time for Virgil van Dijk and Fabinho to recover from Covid-19 and return to the line-up.

There are no shocks regarding much-owned trio Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota – all three start tonight, as do Sadio Mane and Alisson.

Their three-man midfield has changed completely, with Jordan Henderson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain joining Fabinho in replacing Naby Keita, Tyler Morton and James Milner. The final change sees Kostas Tsimikas step in for the suspended Andrew Robertson.

Takumi Minamino and Thiago miss out with minor muscle soreness, whilst Divock Origi still hasn’t recovered from a knee problem. Sat amongst the substitutes are Roberto Firmino and Ibrahima Konate.

Things are trickier for Leicester, as the hosts are without the likes of Harvey Barnes, Patson Daka and Ricardo Pereira. All are joined on the injury list by Caglar Soyuncu and Ryan Bertrand, as confirmed by Brendan Rodgers:

“Patson [Daka] will be three weeks, Soyuncu will be out for three weeks and Ricardo Pereira will be six to eight weeks. That’s so frustrating for him with how hard he has worked. It’s a fractured fibula and he’s lucky it’s not worse. Ryan (Bertrand) twisted his knee in the warm-up, which was disappointing.”

Unlike Liverpool, the Foxes played just two days ago and had to manage the minutes of Jamie Vardy and Wilfred Ndidi accordingly. Both start here, with Timothy Castagne replacing Marc Albrighton at right-back.

In-form James Maddison is chosen for the sixth consecutive time, having returned four double-digit hauls in his last five games. The 53 points of this spell average out at 10.6 per match, linking up well with Kelechi Iheanacho during a strong second half at Manchester City.

Yet their defence conceded six times on Sunday and Salah captainers will relish the sight of Daniel Amartey and midfielder Ndidi being paired at centre-back in the absence of Soyuncu and Jonny Evans. There is only a place on the bench for Youri Tielemans, as Hamza Choudhury makes his second league start of the season.


GAMEWEEK 20 LINE-UPS

Leicester City XI: Schmeichel; Castagne, Amartey, Ndidi, Thomas; Dewsbury-Hall, Soumare, Choudhury; Maddison; Iheanacho, Vardy

Substitutes: Ward, Daley-Campbell, Nelson, Vestergaard, Albrighton, McAteer, Tielemans, Lookman, Pérez

Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, van Dijk, Tsimikas; Fabinho, Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Salah, Jota, Mane

Substitutes: Kelleher, Konate, Milner, Keita, Firmino, Gomez, Jones, Beck, Williams

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2,337 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Danstoke82
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    I got supremely lucky not having Salah tonight, just want to thanks all those that told me to captain Son. I’ll take that assist!

    1. Dammit_182
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Don’t forget the baps!!!

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

    Been on the wrong end of the Salah 24 pointer at Old Trafford and that zero pointer today. My main ML rival captained him at Old Trafford and Son today.

  3. borat
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Remember Salah non owners. He will punish you badly next GW by bagging a hattie against Chelsea

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

      If you think he’s getting a hatrick at Stamford bridge then you are delusional

      1. borat
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        relax man it was just a joke to pi$$ salah non owners

      2. FPL_ UP_Down
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Haha

    2. el polako
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah right.
      He looked slow, weak and sluggish more importantly he won't get great balls with Henderson playing in midfield.

    3. Casual Player
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      If that happens will only need one assist by Son in the next three weeks to match Sarah’s GW19-23 points.

      1. Casual Player
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Or three blanks will do

    4. F4L
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      depends how Tuchel approaches the game, sit back like they did vs City and Pool might struggle, they did tonight against a bus (and at Anfield earlier on in the season)

  4. Alisson WondHaaland
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Absolutely gutted, was so close to getting Schmeichael this week despite the bad fixture since I expect Leicester to have 2 DGWs in 21 and 22. Went for Sanchez instead

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Ah you can't predict a pen save, don't beat yourself up over that of all things.

    2. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      I bought Pickford for my sins

      1. Make Arrows Green Again
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Damn, you must really have done some sins

  5. el polako
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    To be fair penalty or not, LFC and Salah looked shite. O or 7-14 points, not a massive difference.

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      High line at the back has been ropey all season, caught out vs West Ham, didn't take chances again tonight & caught out by quick attack again.

      City always look in control, especially defensively, its chaos for Liverpool.

      1. Conor1
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        They are the only 2 defeats in the last 29 league games. Hardly a bad record.

  6. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Rival WCed to have Salah(C)'s big zero 😀

  7. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    TAA (c) was a fail, should’ve gone Son, 8 point swing ugh

    But Salah 0 is a lifesaver, crawls out from behind sofa*

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

      It's only 4 points difference.

      1. KirkhamWesham
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        I had TAA captained, until the last 30 mins.
        PHEW!

      2. FCSB
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Sht sorry, I need to wake up. Ok so not as bad at all

        Did you end up going with TAA too in the end, I knew you had it on him

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

          Might as well have. Capped Jota.

    2. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      4, not 8

    3. AIRMILES
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah, you got 10 instead of 14.

      1. FCSB
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Sorry my bad, thanks

    4. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Went Trent as well and still own Salah.
      Hindsight is a beauty but obviously selling last week for Son was the right call and cost myself when the site crashed. What’s worse is the funds would’ve allowed for ESR to Bowen as well.

      Plenty of fires still to put out next week. Very likely FH22

      1. TomSaints
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        It’s the right call with hindsight but 9/10 Salah scores penalty, Liverpool put 3-4 more past levitated and it’s and easy 15 pointer Salah.

        Game of luck which doesn’t make it a good / bad decision

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

    3 Pool plus cap against a makeshift backline that plsyed two days ago and let in 6.

    Good idea bad outcome, thats how it can go now and again. Done on the river.

    But keep getting in these positions and you will gain way more than you lose over time.

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

      Sadly we won’t get many amazing opportunities like this a season which is why it is so frustrating

      Non salah owners have gotten unbelievably lucky - season defining given the divergent strategies

      1. Pacer.
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Not really. Salah has wound down a little and Son has ramped up. The most likely outcome was that they'd both get somethig

    2. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Agreed. Just one of those things where it's a surprise result. We move on.

  9. KirkhamWesham
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    What points do everyone, currently, have.
    I'm on 19 with James, Cancelo, Foden, Bilva to go.

    Crap tally, I know, but my rivals are pulling at my tail, at the top.
    Thankfully, they captained Salah, whom they brought back for a hit.

    1. EL tridente
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Have 26 with Foden, Bernardo, James, Cancelo and DDG left

      1. KirkhamWesham
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Lovely stuff! I didn't switch my keeper. Left him blank.

        Let's hope we get the points we're waiting for tomorrow.

    2. AIRMILES
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      22 with 6 to go. Very low scoring week.

    3. Crouching Tiger
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      17 from 5 including captain. Quite awful.

    4. JariL
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      37 after BAPS with DDG and Cancelo to go.

      Bowen saving my GW unless the City boys or Ronaldo haul big.

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

      40, it’s been a good week so far

      Luck 100% of course

      1. KirkhamWesham
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Nice one, guys!

    6. jia you
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      44(-4) with KdB, Foden, Cancelo and James...Jota(C) fail and Dennis points benched

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        22 last week so badly needed!

    7. Iceball
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      35 with DDG James Alonso Cancelo Foden to go.

    8. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      39 (-8) with Cancelo, Foden, Bernardo, Mount and unfortunately Pickford!! 95k > 67k live rank, i'll take it!!

    9. LIARS POKER
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      40 (-8) with Ronaldo, Foden, Cancelo, James and DDG to go

    10. Matjes_taet
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      31 with six to go.

    11. lugs
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      23, 6 to go

    12. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      9 points
      Rank 1k at start of December
      Rank 22k at end of December
      Tough month!

    13. bso
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      30 points (no hits) Dalot, James, Cancelo, Mount, Bernardo, Ronnie to play. OR 65k...pretty happy.

    14. LosBlancos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      34 with Foden(C) Dias Cancelo DDG and Ronnie to go.
      Pretty happy with that Liverpool game some people have been talking about 🙂 Got lucky, ngl

    15. Firminooooo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      24(-4) with 6 to go. Maybe my red arrow can turn green.

  10. camarozz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    So Maddison in v Norwich mightnt be a good idea now? Was it kitsjust cramp or wht?

    1. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Or because it NOR a perfect time to rest him….

      1. FCSB
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        How’s your GW going big man?

        1. FPL_Crisis
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          Trent captain fail. Foden vc
          Salah Jota fail but so many own them
          Started Dennis and Antonio
          Livra no show so down to 10 at best
          Went Ramsdale to DDG and rolled other transfer

        2. camarozz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          U talking to me?

    2. F4L
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      looked like a muscle injury, hammy/calf; will be a doubt for Norwich

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

      Didn't look like cramp, he put his hand up to the physios knowing he needed to come off

      1. camarozz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Might take a punt on Tieleman 🙂

  11. King Carlos
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    I blame our Salah (C) fail on that african voodoo priest who put a spell on him.

    Again.

    Sell Salah NOW!

    1. boc610
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      yikes some nice stereotyping there....you do realise live and let die wasnt a documentary yeah?

  12. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    CR7 (c) for a hit, followed by Salah (c) for a hit went well.

  13. Random Name
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    No other club hands as many premier league titles to the Manchester clubs than Liverpool. I still wonder why they fought so hard to beat Newcastle and hand United the league all those years ago

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Of course you don't understand that. You support Arsenal and therefore have no integrety.

      1. Random Name
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        lol salty

  14. Jump in Micah
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Is there a list of teams likely to have DGW in 21/22 anywhere?

    1. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Ben Crellin on twitter

      1. Jump in Micah
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks

      1. Jump in Micah
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks!

  15. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Is anybody planning to Free Hit in GW 21?

    1. Casual Player
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Too early to plan for it - don’t know what games are off, what games will be added

  16. CroatianHammer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Look at the space in the box for WHU's 4th... Watford were back in the dressing room

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qi56t_aieLQ

    1. Lord of Ings
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Kane (c) locked in already

  17. el polako
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Schmeichel speaks better English than Rooney.

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

      speaks better English than Kane

      1. el polako
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        I thought Kane was Welsh...

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

          Irish apparently

    2. Johnjo
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Well he did live most of his childhood in England while his Dad was playing football for an English club so why wouldn't he speak perfect English?

  18. Super-Anders
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    If only the site hadn’t crashed pre deadline last week. Mo and Watkins to Bowen and Ronaldo would have been done. And served me a lot of undeserved points. The diff this gw is sick: 0+0 vs 14+x

  19. Gubby-Allen
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    My total points from the three times that I have captained Salah this season:

    4 (8)

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      You really are doing it wrong.

      1. Gubby-Allen
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        I had made a plan to pick a captain, stick with him no matter what over the whole season, after a disaster last season and GW1. I decided Bruno but then they signed Ronaldo. Gave it one week (second mistake) then decided. Ronaldo no matter what anyone else does, it will balance out.

        Did it ****. About 9 points in the next six weeks, whilst Salah got 50 odd. Finally, I gave in, Salah blanked and Ronaldo scored.

    2. JariL
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Please let us know the next time you captain him.

  20. Pompel
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Oh well, 2 from four, including Salah(c). Anyone match that?

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      4 from 2. I wish I did not miss out on Salah's haul.

    2. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      How?

      1. Pompel
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Salah(c), TAA, Livra, Gallagher (no playing subs)

  21. dshv
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    What do you think about maddison’s injury?

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Think he's injured

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Going off so quick is rarely a good sign.

    3. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Too early to tell.

    4. Jump in Micah
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Looked an injury

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

      Looks very obvious to be rested for Norwich

    6. Qui-Gon-Joe
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Poor chap. Shame, I wanted to buy him

  22. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Who’s everyone got coming off the bench for Salah then?

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

      Livramento for me.

  23. JBG
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Amartey 3rd on my FH bench.... But lucky me I had TAA, Salah(C) and Jota.

  24. Lord of Ings
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Crazy how Son and Kane ended on equal points today lol..Kane should’ve easily had atleast a brace but oh well

    1. AIRMILES
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Three goals in three games though. His season has started. Glad I brought him in last week over Ronaldo.

      1. Lord of Ings
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah I’ve captained him the last 3 weeks (6 each over the last 3 has been ok comparatively) and will be captaining him against Watford as well.
        He’s due a big big haul.

  25. Athletico Underachieving
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    You’ve gotta laugh really. Fair play Leicester, some brilliant defending

  26. Qaiss
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    If the VAR wasn’t a bitter Ronaldo owner, is Kane cappers would have 14 more points this evening and 26 points over most Salah owners.

    What a ridiculous decision that offside call really was.

    1. Lord of Ings
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Yup really annoying lol
      It’s even more pissing off how Son Kane ended on equal points

      1. Qaiss
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        I own both, so really annoying they didn’t get anything more after the red card. Kane should have hauled today.

    2. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Can't believe the image they shared was the best angle. Very odd.

    3. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Couldn't agree more, never off!!

  27. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Omg what to say with no salah, jota vc and jesus c, better to shut up 🙂
    Predicted 1-0 win for leicester whole day tho

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

      This is hilarious.

    2. Casual Player
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      I feel sick enough just owning Jesus, big ones captaining him. Hope it works out.

    3. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Why did you captain salah then?

  28. Grande Tubarão
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    If you still own Salah and have been moaning about how lucky everyone who wasn’t too scared to get rid of him were - please now get rid of him. I don’t want to see a load of bleating about how unlucky you are after the Chelsea game

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      You're on the wrong site if you don't want to watch people whinging about what could have been.

      1. Grande Tubarão
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Lol, true

  29. FPL_Crisis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    So City and Chelsea are the only two teams yet to be impacted by covid related postponements

  30. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Got to love how Dennis is the third fastest riser right now. You’re in for a surprise…

    1. I Must Break You
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      ???

    2. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      One more game....

    3. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Looks like the surprise might be for you. So behind the times you must work for the Nigerian FA

      1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        He’s not going??