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

    Is Lookman an option for Norwich game given Maddison may have injury and Vardy looked knackered- Nacho and Lookman front 2?

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

      Nacho going AFCON so 1 week punt

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

    Looks like Bernardo needs a rest

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

    James owners what's your plan?Keep or sell?

    1. drughi
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Him or Rudiger is going to fund My lacazette > kane move

      1. Royal5
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        They don't really cost much though

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

        For who?

        1. drughi
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          Davies most likely

      3. POGON 1948
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        How can you do that tho unless you're somehow upgrading from Lukaku? Money itb?

        1. drughi
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          Yeah need 1.4 so rudiger/James > 4.5 ish defender

          1. POGON 1948
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 2 Years
            2 years, 3 months ago

            Nice, i'm jealous

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

      Castagne?

      1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        I was considering him since Perreira is out long term. But can Leicester show some sort of consistent solidity?

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

      cheers all.Castagne is a good pick.

    4. DycheDycheBaby
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Got him at 5.6 so I don't think it's worth selling him .

  4. Bod
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Is there a list somewhere of players that will be gone for ACON?

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

      The very helpful Freshy posted this the other day:

      AFCON 2021

      Arsenal: Thomas Partey (Ghana), Mohamed Elneny (Egypt), Pierre Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon), Nicolas Pepe (Ivory Coast)

      Aston Villa: Mahmoud Trezeguet (Egypt), Bertrand Traore (Burkina Faso), Marvelous Nakamba (Zimbabwe)

      Brentford: Julian Jeanvier (Guinea), Frank Onyeka (Nigeria), Tariqe Fosu-Henry (Ghana),

      Brighton: Yves Bissouma (Mali)

      Burnley: Maxwel Cornet (Ivory Coast)

      Chelsea: Edouard Mendy (Senegal), Hakim Ziyech (Morocco)

      Crystal Palace: Cheikhou Kouyate (Senegal), Jeffrey Schlupp (Ghana), Jordan Ayew (Ghana), Wilfried Zaha (Ivory Coast)

      Everton: Jean-Philippe Gbamin (Ivory Coast), Alex Iwobi (Nigeria)

      Leeds United: None

      Leicester City: Daniel Amartey (Ghana), Nampalys Mendy (Senegal), Wilfred Ndidi (Nigeria), Kelechi Iheanacho (Nigeria)

      Liverpool: Mohamed Salah (Egypt), Naby Keita (Guinea), Sadio Mane (Senegal)

      Manchester City: Riyad Mahrez (Algeria)

      Manchester United: Eric Bailly (Ivory Coast), Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast)

      Newcastle United: None

      Norwich City: None

      Southampton: Moussa Djenepo (Mali), Mohammed Salisu (Ghana),

      Tottenham Hotspur: None

      Watford: Peter Etebo (Nigeria), William Troost-Ekong (Nigeria), Adam Masina (Morocco), Ismaila Sarr (Senegal), Emmanuel Dennis (Nigeria)

      West Ham: None

      Wolves: Romain Saiss (Morocco)

      1. Royal5
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Nice

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

        This is brilliant. Thank you!

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

        Why no Benrahma?

    2. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      There is an article on this site

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

      Thanks!

  5. 1justlookin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Not intended as a brag post but im currently on 43 points, seems quite low but looks ok all things considered

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

      Bowen captain?

      1. 1justlookin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Ronaldo mate. Hopefully more to come. Ive got Bowen, Son, Antonio, King, and Guaita

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

      thats a monster score this week, i'm currently on 23 and green arrow

      1. 1justlookin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        23 seems ok as well. 🙂

    3. Will Kane
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Guess that's not the correct team link then?

      1. 1justlookin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Ha, no! Ive changed it now though

    4. Boberella
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      I was disappointed with my Son (C) as hoping for more, but 35 from 5 seems pretty good compared to most, so can’t complain.

      1. 1justlookin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah thats good mate

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

    Any Rodgers post-match quotes on here?

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

      "We showed great character"

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

      Outstanding!

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

      Ze Austin, are you from Nigeria?

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

      Wee Joe Allen was superb

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

      Anyways, either way, a great podcast about the Nigeria Olympics '86 winning team. Plenty of other good shiws on Giant too.

      https://open.spotify.com/episode/0gq2GlIP55xxdp4aLtczDy?si=coww7sMUR8KuN6klhwb5nA&utm_source=copy-link

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

    Salah + Broja to Bowen + Kane for a -4?

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

      Broja is gonna have a double gameweek this week most likely.

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

        yeah but my man is on the bench most of the time

      2. Scholes Out For Summer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Will Newcastle game be on?

      3. Fish up a tree
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Newcastle just got Everton game called off due to lack of players available so there is a good chance they don’t play Southampton which is only 3 days later

  8. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Ronaldo and Salah captains on consecutive nights. Should have been major haulage.
    Total. 2 points.

    1. drughi
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Crazy really

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

      My captaincy picks average out as two points (including the double) for the last year and a half.

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

      I had two Fodens and a Salah for 0,2,0

  9. Zenith UK
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Took Salah & Jota out for Mahrez and Rashford.

    Score currently:
    2 v 12 with Rashford and Mahrez to play. LETS GO!

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

      Why would you do that?

      1. Zenith UK
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Did it GW19 (no game for either of them, don't want them for CHE game then Salah & Mane away for 22/23

  10. Baines on Toast...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Oh well, did an FH to get Salah back in. Could’ve been a very different story if the penalty went in. Don’t feel too bad as I like the look of my team for next week and onlu played this FH because I have two of them, but still the timing of the penalty miss is quite amusing.

  11. sentz05
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Sold Salah for Son last week and gained half a mil and 9 points. Didn’t bring him back in as part of my wc and all my rivals captained him and earned themselves 0 points. I’m one smug guy at the moment. I’m afraid I’m going to laugh at all of those of you that told us that we were mad for selling him two weeks before AFCON.

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

      You got incredibly lucky

      Even a blind squirrel finds nuts some of the time

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

        It's not really lucky though. Son has matched him over 5 90s. Salah blanked a game, Soon had two nice fixtures. It looked a lot like there wasn't a lot of risk in it. Missing the pen is just a cherry on top for Son cappers

    2. POGON 1948
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Why be so smug about it when it's mostly down to being lucky today.. Let's not act like we weren't sh*itting ourselves prior to kickoff.

      For reference, I did Salah -> Son last GW as well.

    3. Granville
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Don't be that person

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

      You're a valued member of the FFS community.

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

    Rough
    Foster (Ramsdale other keeper) to Pickford (dnp)
    Smooth
    Lacazette/Wilson (0) to Edoard/Antonio (19)

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

      Edouard! Wtf?

  13. Pedersen
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Is Foden or Bernado to Bowen worth it? Got 2 ft. Will of course wait till deadline

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

      Yeah I would

  14. Bleh
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    The good: Took Salah out last week
    The bad: Replaced him with Ronaldo

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

      That isn't looking too bad now, once you didn't get Salah back.

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

        Yeah I was so close to bringing him back too but luckily decided to play the risky game!

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

      Salah has 0 points over 2 weeks.
      Ronaldo 1.

      Ronaldo is better....heheh

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

        One way to look at it

  15. RogDog_jimmy
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    I have a plan.

    I'm currently around 210k - still got 7 to come this week so maybe I can get up to around 170k or so if things work out (don't want to get too ambitious)

    I'm going to WC21 - jump into the top 100k
    Then BB22 - jump into the 50k.

    If I type it out maybe it comes true!

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

      Good luck

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

        Thanks! I think it's fool proof. Just gotta hope we get the fixture announcements to get the right WC team...

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

      Haha that's too ambitious but GL

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

        haha - gots to go for it!

        I'm currently 51 points out of top 50k.

        My logic is I gain 10pts the remaining fixtures this week (DDG, Alonso, James, Cancelo, Foden, Gundogan, Ronaldo)
        Gain 20pts with the WC.
        Gain 20 pts with the BB.

        All seem reasonable in isolation (if a little ambitious collectively)

    3. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      theres two weeks between your WC and your BB

      So many things could happen that after those two weeks your team could be decimated.... Wouldnt blow your WC that quickly mate

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

        True - but with big risk come big potential!

        Maybe the smarter move is use my first FH in dgw22 and WC out of it if needed.
        Just try and stem the bleeding one more week.

    4. Bleh
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Anything is possible this season!

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

      A good plan always comes true..
      Good luck.

  16. Bleh
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Do either of the FH chips have an expiry date, i.e. like the first wildcard?

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

      No

    2. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      No, you can keep them for as long as you wish.

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

      Technically GW36, can't use them back to back

    4. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      conceptually the first FH deadline is gw36 - because if you play it in gw37 you then wouldn't be able to play the second in gw38

    5. Bleh
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Thanks all, good to know!

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

    If only Bernardo and Ronaldo don't haul that's gonna be a really great GW. DDG maybe too. Was afraid of this fixture but will probably end up on a green arrow. That was thanks to a huge luck not gonna like.

  18. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Any early suggestions with what to do here? 1.5m in the bank and 1FT

    Lloris
    TAA - James - Rudi - Cancelo
    KDB - Son - Jota - Bilva
    Antonio - Broja

    Bachmann - Dennis - Lamptey - ESR

  19. Dreams
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Can't believe this season. Bought in Martin Dubravka and DCL and this fixture gets postponed. Atleast I will get the King points off the bench.

  20. Hiddenpaw
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Was Maddison injured?

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

      Yes

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

        Thanks, hmm that throws a spanner in my plans

    2. moz_1983
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Looked like a muscle tweak. Instantly motioned to the bench he needed to come off but walked off ok.

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

    A double city clean sheet with a Foden brace tomorrow would be lovely.

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

      Don't be surprised if pep benches Cancelo for the banter.

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

        I don’t mind as long as Laporte starts.
        Everyone has cancelo

  22. DannyDrinkVodka
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    My Foden captaincy punt is looking good for the next 20 hours or so

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

      Same with my KDB one..

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

      Sterling for me ... just hope he starts

      1. DannyDrinkVodka
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        These are the GWs where the Man City captain punts can do some serious damage

  23. markmcr
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Didn’t see the game tonight, Iheanacho sub was anything other than tactical?

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

      Rested for Norwich likely, he's off to AFCON after.

  24. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Why didn’t VVD try to tackle Lookman or at least block the shot?

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

      didn't seem confident lunging in - seemed to adopt a 'block' pose too early too.
      just poor defending

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

      He did but thought he'd go right, was a superb finish inside the near post.

  25. fricky_
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Lookman triple captain vs Norwich then?

  26. Can’t beat em so&hell…
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    A) James + Antonio -> Amartey + Ron
    B) James + Bilva -> Royale + Sterling
    C) neither

  27. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    I assume many have the same issues in their fpl teams in defence. The big sides all playing each other.
    Because the Arsenal game was called off (had to ship two Arsenal outfielders)
    - I am now left with Double Chelsea defence - plus TAA, Cancelo and Tierney.

    Are most breaking up the big at the back? Given upcoming fixtures and blanks. I really don't likely consistent performers beyond Spurs/Chelsea/Arsenal/Liverpool.

    Is the best thing to do just sit it out and hope for a Chelsea / Man City 1-0 wins in their fixtures?

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

      you should probably sell at least 1even 2 Chelsea, a quick look at the ticker and its grim reading for them

    2. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Start by selling a Chelsea def, poor fixtures then blanks.

      1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Which team would be top of the list to target? I have even considered Villa.

        1. antis0cial
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          Hopefully we get some idea of DGWs shortly and work around those fixtures.

  28. Bleh
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Are we expecting DGW news tomorrow or closer to the deadline? No point planning transfers before then really.

  29. fricky_
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    GW21 looking absolutely horrible for me

  30. MikeS
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Brenda masterclass tonight