The Scout looks at the players impressing in pre-season who managers may consider for opening Fantasy Premier League squads.
Darwin Nunez (LIV) £9.0m
Managers in Fantasy have flocked to the Liverpool striker after his four-goal display against RB Leipzig on Thursday.
The Uruguayan was found in just under 10 per cent of squads, prior to the Reds' emphatic 5-0 win in Germany.
But he has now climbed to 13.2 per cent ownership on the back of his devastating second-half cameo, making him the fifth most-popular player in his position in Fantasy.
Time to enjoy @Darwinn99's first-ever hat-trick for the Reds ⚽⚽⚽ pic.twitter.com/vztvgVwHzx
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 21, 2022
Nunez’s performance, combined with doubts over the availability of his strike rival Diogo Jota (£9.0m), strengthens his chances of starting the campaign as Liverpool's lone forward.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have one of the kindest early runs of opponents, facing just one of last season’s top six in the first seven Gameweeks.
Liverpool's first seven Gameweeks
| GW | Opp | FDR | GW | Opp | FDR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FUL (A) | 2 | 5 | NEW (H) | 3 |
| 2 | CRY (H) | 2 | 6 | EVE (A) | 2 |
| 3 | MUN (A) | 4 | 7 | WOL (H) | 2 |
| 4 | BOU (H) | 2 | - |
Although Mohamed Salah (£13.0m) remains the go-to Liverpool attacker, doubling up with the Egyptian and Nunez, rather than winger Luis Diaz (£8.0m), could prove a wise move.
Diaz is currently the second most-owned midfielder in Fantasy, but his ownership has dropped to 29.8 per cent of squads on the back of Nunez’s midweek showing.
De Bruyne at the double
Elsewhere, managers have a decision to make on their Manchester City big-hitter after Kevin De Bruyne (£12.0m) impressed in their first summer friendly.
The Belgian netted both his side’s goals in a 2-1 win over Club America, while new signing Erling Haaland (£11.5m) missed out as a precaution.
Haaland had been the most-popular player in Fantasy since the game launched earlier this month, but his ownership has steadily dropped due to a lack of action.
De Bruyne's first goal v Club America
Giving you all the angles of this goal! 🎥🤩@KevinDeBruyne 👏#ManCity pic.twitter.com/Okyg8NkJGD
— Manchester City (@ManCity) July 21, 2022
Gabriel Jesus (£8.0m) is now the most-selected player overall, found in 60.4 per cent of squads.
The Arsenal forward has three goals and an assist over the summer since joining from Man City.
If Haaland does not feature in Man City’s next match against Bayern Munich on Saturday, his absence could have a huge impact on Fantasy, with the start of the season only two weeks away.
Also in this series
Part 2: Son and Kane in red-hot form