Scout Notes

Klopp’s rotation, Matip’s form and the title race: FPL notes

We round up the key Fantasy Premier League (FPL) talking points from Southampton v Liverpool in our Scout Notes summary.

The graphics below are taken from LiveFPL, Ragabolly’s excellent and ever-improving website, and our own Premium Members Area.

LIVERPOOL TAKE TITLE RACE TO FINAL DAY

Liverpool fought back to beat Southampton 2-1 on Tuesday thanks to goals from Takumi Minamino (£5.1m) and Joel Matip (£5.2m).

The victory means they move within a point of Manchester City going into the final day, and although it is still a big ask for the Reds as they will need Pep Guardiola’s side to slip up against Aston Villa, it does at least make things interesting.

Despite fielding a much-changed line-up, Liverpool completely dominated on the night, comfortably leading on shots (24/4) and possession (72%), with the likes of Ibrahima Konate (£5.1m), Kostas Tsimikas (£3.7m) and Minamino stepping up when needed.

As for Matip, the best-value defender in FPL netted his third goal of the season at St Mary’s and has now produced 80 points from Gameweek 26 onwards, eight more than team-mate Andrew Robertson (£7.3m) in that time:

KLOPP ROTATES

Jurgen Klopp insisted he had to freshen up his side against Southampton after Liverpool required extra time and penalties to beat Chelsea in the FA Cup final on Saturday.

Alisson (£6.1m) and Konate were the only two players to retain their places, as Trent Alexander-Arnold (£8.4m) and Sadio Mane (£11.8m) were both left out of the squad, while Robertson and Luis Diaz (£8.1m) were unused substitutes.

When asked about his decision to heavily rotate, Klopp said:

“Different things to consider. First of all, it was clear from the beginning we need here for this game, in the situation Southampton is, with the point they have to prove, with the results they had against other top-six teams, we need 100 per cent desire, fresh legs, we need to be ready for a proper fight, these kind of things.

From my point of view, you have to make a real starting line-up and then you need to have a look who can go after 120 minutes again, who is physically in the situation or mentally in the situation because obviously the season is intense for the boys. Some of them played pretty much all the time.

After the game against Chelsea, celebrations, then being really happy, then we settled, then… Southampton.

In the moment when I did the line-up I got really excited about it.” – Jurgen Klopp

With so many well-owned Liverpool assets either injured or handed a rest, here is a rundown of the autosubs coming off the bench for managers inside the top 10,000.

On the injury front, Klopp was forced into a half-time change after Joe Gomez (£4.7m) went down awkwardly on his ankle, which meant James Milner (£4.9m) was deployed at right-back after the break.

“I hope we are lucky. Joe [Gomez] himself has pain but not too much. He got, one time, a real shock to the system, but he is sitting in the dressing room and when I spoke to him he was in a good mood. I think maybe we were probably lucky but we have to figure that out.” – Jurgen Klopp on Joe Gomez

SAINTS LATE-SEASON STRUGGLES

After tonight’s defeat, Southampton have now lost eight of their 11 most recent league matches, with two draws and one win.

In that time, they have conceded a whopping 26 goals and rank 19th for expected goals conceded (xGC), which is encouraging for owners of Leicester City’s attacking assets ahead of Sunday’s King Power meeting.

“Like always a lot of ups and downs. We had the 40 points relatively early to stay in the league but couldn’t manage again to be higher. We must not forget that before this season they had us on the list to be relegated because we lost our best striker. We have a lot of things to do in the summer.” – Ralph Hasenhuttl on Southampton’s season

Romain Perraud (£4.8m), meanwhile, missed Gameweek 37 and will be out for five or six weeks with a fracture in his leg.


Southampton XI: McCarthy, Lyanco, Stephens, Salisu, Walker-Peters, Ward-Prowse, Diallo (Romeu 71), Redmond, Elyounoussi, Tella (S Armstrong 71), Broja (Adams 82)

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Gomez (Henderson 45), Matip, Konate, Tsimikas, Milner, Elliott (Origi 65), Jones, Minamino, Jota, Firmino (Keita 83)

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533 Comments Post a Comment
  1. boc610
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Hon 'the Blue Noses!

    Celtics title in the mud if Gers do the business tonight

    1. Drexl Spivey
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Title?

      1. JELLYFISH
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        another description for league champions which, it has to be said, as a evident Newcastle United fan you are unlikely to be familiar....

        1. Drexl Spivey
          • 5 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          He was on about Euro achievement, ya div.

  2. Ronnies
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Do we think Diaz starts Vs Wolves ?
    Considering getting him in for Coutinho.

    Problem is he could be subbed early of course.

    Cheers.

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Probably but who knows, I'd be tempted to go for someone more nailed Maddison/Mount etc

    2. No Kane No Gain
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      I think he plays 70+ Mins at least

      1. Arteta
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        I agree.

  3. Tsssst
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    **bottomed** 😉

    Boring FT here, leading ML's by 40 and 70 points, rivals have Diaz... but also the likes of James. Maddison and Kane who i dont.

    Either way, Jota > Diaz side crab?

    Team below:

    Pickford Foster
    Cancelo Robertson Amartey Cash Holding
    Jota Son Zaha KDB Coutinho
    Nketiagh Ings Richarlison

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      It's won unless another freak performance like KDB 4 goals. Jota to Maddison feels better move.

      1. The FPL Units
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        This

  4. antis0cial
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Very tight in ML, 2nd and 3rd have Kane.

    Salah + Toney to Kane + Maddison/Mount (-4) make sense? Anything better?

    Ramsdale
    TAA Robbo James Cancelo
    Salah Son Saka Kulu
    Rich Toney

    Schmeichel Nketiah Myko Gordon

    1. Boz
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Makes sense to cover them

  5. boc610
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Chelsea potentially going out of business barely getting a mention on here. if Abramovic doesnt agree to the sale structure by may 31-and so far he isnt budging- that would mean no Chelsea in the premier league next season

    1. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Guessing its not being talked about, as we know its not actually going to happen.
      The deal will be sorted out.

    2. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      https://www.football365.com/news/abramovich-uk-government-reach-legal-resolution-usher-through-chelsea-sale

      Already seems to have been resolved, and I think it always was going to be

    3. JELLYFISH
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Media sensationalism

  6. Boz
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Best punt for the last GW? 4.8itb

    A) Ings > Kane (have Son)
    B) Coutinho > Mane/Diaz/Foden?

    Don't have enough for KDB

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      A

  7. jason_ni
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Either worth a -4 for 38?

    A)Davies - James
    B)Elanga - Maddison ( bench davies)

    1. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      I own alonso and mount fwiw.

      And no other Leicester.

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      B

    3. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Elanga to Maddison.

  8. Hansel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    A) Saiss -> R.James -4
    B) Play Pukki (TOT)

    1. No Kane No Gain
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Not A if Reece plays 90 on Thursday as you cannot guarnetees he starts against Watford and for -4 is risky.

    2. Bggz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      It’d be very Tottenham to lose

    3. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Play Pukki.

      1. FPL Emu
        • 13 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Yeah last home game of the season, Could do ok

  9. FPL Emu
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    What would you do here? Plan was to go Dennis -> Nketiah, but not really loving Arsenal anymore.

    Alisson

    Robertson - Cancelo - Alonso - James

    Mount - KDB - Kulusevski - Saka

    Kane - Pukki

    Subs: Schmeichel, Dennis, White, Gordon

    0.0 in bank

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      KdB to Son

      1. FPL Emu
        • 13 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        I'm trailing my ML leader, so can't do that. Not sure I'd want to lose KDB either. Probably do something about either Saka or Dennis, right?

        1. The FPL Units
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          To Maddison then.

  10. Nightrain_
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    If you have Matip and James, which one is better for the final day :
    A. Cash to Alonso
    B. Cash to Robbo
    C. Foden to Mount
    D. Foden to Jota

    Trailing ML by around 10+ pts
    Thanks

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Great song. Foden to Maddi

    2. vova
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      B

  11. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Guys. On a FH 38............pick one to play.

    A, Maddison.
    B. Toney.
    C. Sessegon

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      A

    2. Mozumbus
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      B easy

  12. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Just noticed that Rangers progress in the EL has gained Celtic an automatic spot in the CL group stage next season, and Ranger will join them in the CL next season if they win the EL. Has Scotland had two clubs in the group stage of the CL before ?

    1. Sheffield Wednesday
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      From a 2017 article in The Scotsman:

      "And that is what the events of 2 and 3 October 2007 were. In pulling off a 3-0 win over French champions Lyon in their Stade de Gerland home, [Rangers] achieved the only Champions League away win by a Scottish team over an opponent from the big five leagues.

      "At Celtic Park the following evening, a spirited, last-gasp 2-1 victory over AC Milan marked the solitary occasion a Scottish side have defeated the Champions League holders."

  13. Josh.E
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Hello people! some needed help here, 1FT

    Pickford
    Cancelo, Alexander-Arnold, Thiago Silva, White
    Foden, Salah, Saka, Maddison, De Bruyne (C)
    Nketiah
    Subs: Foster, Richarlison, Mateta, Cash

    A. Salah to Son
    B. Salah and Foden to Son and Mount (-4)
    C. Other Suggestions appreciated

    1. Sheffield Wednesday
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Salah > Son(c)

  14. Mozumbus
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Want to triple up Chelsea but concerned heavy rotation keeping in view they have locked top 4.
    Should I triple up Chelsea?
    Yes or No

    1. Sheffield Wednesday
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      I have triple Chelsea but Laporte is first sub if it all goes pear shaped

  15. Mozumbus
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Thanks a bunch.
    Potato concerned about getting pear shaped is funny though 😀

  16. FPLzebub
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Which 2 should I bench?

    a) Alonso
    b) Cancelo
    c) Jesus
    d) Nketiah
    e) Maddison
    f) Matip