Firmino ends drought to revive FPL form

The Bonus Points

Roberto Firmino (£8.5m) returned to the scoresheet to help inspire Liverpool’s 4-1 victory over Stoke City at Anfield, sealing the maximum three Fantasy Premier League bonus points in the process.

As well as his goal, Firmino completed three dribbles and 84% of 38 attempted passes and provided four chances to record 34 in the Bonus Points System (BPS).

Adam Lallana (£7.5m) netted Liverpool’s first and equalising goal, completing 85% of his 42 passes to register a score of 31 in the BPS and claim two bonus points.

The remaining bonus point went to striker Daniel Sturridge (£9.7m), who emerged from the bench to record 29 in the BPS, scoring Liverpool’s fourth goal in a 21-minute cameo outing. 

The Scout Notes

Lallana’s goal was his fourth in as many Gameweeks and seventh of the season.

With six assists also accrued, he has moved to 98 points and sits fourth in the overall midfield standings.

Lallana has attracted more than 39,000 new FPL owners ahead of Friday’s 7pm GMT Gameweek 19 deadline and is the current top-midfield target.  

But Firmino now trails Lallana by only six points, having scored his sixth goal of the campaign to revive his FPL fortunes following six successive Gameweeks without a goal or an assist. 

Elsewhere, Divock Origi (£6.9m) failed to find the net but did record an assist. He has now provided attacking returns in five of his previous six appearances.

Liverpool host Manchester City on 31 December and also have meetings with Manchester United and Chelsea to come over the next five Gameweeks.

Stoke City now face a testing trip to leaders Chelsea, whom they have never beaten in a Premier League match at Stamford Bridge.

But, following that, Mark Hughes’ side face four of their next six Gameweek fixtures at home.