Fantasy Premier League

FPL experts: Do you NEED a Liverpool star for Gameweek 2?

16 Aug 2023

Some of the world's top Fantasy managers discuss whether a Reds player is essential v Bournemouth

The Scout's panel of Fantasy Premier League experts discuss whether it is important to own a Liverpool player for their plum home fixture against AFC Bournemouth - a match they won 9-0 last season - in Gameweek 2.

Gianni Buttice (@GianniButtice)

Bournemouth registered an Expected Goals Conceded (xGC) score of 1.66 at home to West Ham United and I think Liverpool could have some fun at Anfield.

I don't hate the idea of a one-week punt on Luis Diaz (£7.5m) or Diogo Jota (£8.0m) if you can reach them without surgery, but I wouldn't be taking a hit to bring them in.

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Lee Bonfield (@FPLFamily)

I went into Gameweek 1 with Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) and I'm happy to have him already part of my squad for Gameweek 2. He's the obvious choice, but if you need a more budget-friendly option, Diaz got off the mark in Gameweek 1 against Chelsea and looks reasonably assured of a start again off that left-hand side.

Jota can play there too, but I think Jurgen Klopp prefers the Portuguese more centrally.

Holly Shand (@HollyShand)

Having watched Salah's performance against Chelsea, I'm excited to have him in my team and carry high hopes for him against the Cherries.

Those who went without Salah will find it difficult to fit him in. I wouldn't recommend major surgery to bring in the Egyptian.

Nick Harris (@WGTA_Nick)

I won't be making any drastic changes to fit in Liverpool players. Salah's threat was always known and unfortunately he isn't affordable without making major sacrifices.

Diaz is a player that impressed me at the weekend, and given his price, he seems a much more affordable way of covering the Liverpool attack.

Pras (@Pras_FPL)

I think you need to look at Liverpool as a block of two matches, versus Bournemouth and Newcastle United - one easy, the other tough.

For this reason, I don't think ripping up your team for any player is viable. Having said that, Salah is clearly the best captain option this week, so if you own the winger, don't be afraid to captain him!

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Harry Daniels (@FPL_Harry)

I will not be owning one for Gameweek 2. FPL picks are for life, not just for one Gameweek. It is too difficult to predict the front three, so all the options other than Salah are a no-go.

Salah is too pricey to fit into my team. At the other end of the pitch, without a central defensive midfielder, they are too fragile defensively.

Ali Jahangirov (@FPLGunz)

I don't have a Liverpool player in my team and the only one I am considering to bring in is Diaz. After scoring a goal, I believe he has secured his spot in the starting XI, at least in the short term.

Taking hits in Gameweek 2 is not ideal, but Bournemouth at home is a good fixture if anyone wants an instant pay-off.

See: The advantages of starting FPL in Gameweek 2

Salah would be a great addition if he is accessible with only one hit, otherwise I would wait to have more data before bringing him in. Jota, Cody Gakpo (£7.5m) and Diaz could all cover Salah's output in the upcoming fixtures.

Sam Bonfield (@FPLFamily)

As a Salah owner, I will be handing him the armband this weekend. Liverpool looked shaky defensively in Gameweek 1, but their high-press attack look good for goals. I can see Liverpool scoring plenty in their first home match of the season, so Salah is the standout captain and Reds pick.

If you want to take a risk on one of the others starting then Diaz is my preference, but I could see Darwin Nunez (£7.5m) getting the nod against Bournemouth.

Mark McGettigan (@FPLGeneral)

I don't currently own any Liverpool players which feels odd, but also fine. Saving the cash by not going for Trent Alexander-Arnold (£8.0m) or Salah has allowed me to select a strong, balanced XI that I really like. I'm sticking to the plan of banking the transfer this week and going without them.

Utkarsh Dalmia (@Zophar666)

If you decided to go without Salah in Gameweek 1, stick to your guns. We saw nothing to indicate that it is worth ripping up your team to get the Egyptian in.