Liverpool have the look of Champions
A last-minute penalty at Leicester… A late equaliser at Man United… coming from behind to beat Tottenham… Klopp’s lot are showing all the hallmarks of title winners. Mane or Salah or both are stick-ons.
As are at least one of their phenomenal full-backs – Alexander-Arnold just pips Robertson for me, but their numbers are similar. Liverpool are not racking up the clean sheets that were a feature of last season – only two so far (both away) – but they swung in 25 assists between them last term. And are on three apiece already this.
James Maddison. Not having it.
Far be it from me to take a swipe at Leicester after handing out a holy beating to the Saints. But sorry, James. I’ve lost patience.
For me, if you’re putting nine past a team your No. 10* should be running amok – getting 2 or 3 goals and 3 or 4 assists. Maddison scored once, from a set-piece. Which he is well capable of – he’s a talented boy. But I think he’s got a touch of the Adam Lallana’s about him.
Both are lovely footballers. Very easy on the eye. Neat, tidy, beautifully balanced. But ultimately flatter to deceive, in my opinion. And Leicester have a better FPL option in the ranks.
(*Yes, I know him, and Youri Tielemans share attacking responsibilities – I’m getting to that…).
Maddison’s Belgian midfield partner has become the man at the King Power. Same goals and assists, but looks more dynamic than James. And £0.8m cheaper.
Where are you, Pukki? Let’s be ‘aving you…
Everyone’s favourite Fin has run aground over the last month. His six goals in 5 matches ratio was never destined to last. But the likes of Burnley, Palace, Villa, Bournemouth – and even Man United these days – should’ve been more productive for Teemu and Norwich alike. So, we can expect his 30 per cent ownership to dwindle over the coming weeks.
But Blades are here to stay. For a while, at least.
On the flip side, Sheffield United dug out another decent result at the weekend. And although it is still likely to be a long, hard season for the Blades – their attacking threat is likely to diminish before their defensive resilience does.
So, defender John Lundstram remains the bargain of the season so far. Only Riccardo Pereira (at Leicester) has performed better – which is why he is mixing with FPL’s biggest hitters in the selection stakes (with 34.9% take-up).
Only Tammy Abraham and Mason Mount (CHE), Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva (MC) and Virgil Van Dijk (LIV) are more popular picks.
