The Scout looks at players expected to progress and make a big impact in 2018/19 Fantasy Premier League.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (LIV)
The Liverpool right-back can become a Fantasy favourite.
Priced at only £4.5m in the season just gone, Alexander-Arnold started behind Joe Gomez in the pecking order.
He made only eight appearances in the first 25 Gameweeks.
But the 19-year-old became a regular on Jurgen Klopp's teamsheet over the final few months.
Alexander-Arnold started 10 of the final 13 Gameweeks, only missing out when rested around UEFA Champions League matches.
Outshining Robertson
His delivery proved a crucial weapon in Liverpool's armoury, as Klopp allowed both of his full-backs to raid forward.
Certain statistics suggest Alexander-Arnold could be set for more points than Andrew Robertson.
The right-back bettered the left-back for successful crosses, by 17 to 11, and chances created, 25 to 24, despite playing fewer minutes.
Alexander-Arnold's stock was also boosted by being given a share of set-piece duties.
Liverpool full-backs in 2017/18
Alexander-Arnold | Robertson | |
---|---|---|
Mins/shot | 131.3 | 161.9 |
Mins/chance created | 65.6 | 81.0 |
Mins/successful cross | 92.6 | 176.6 |
Liverpool's improved resilience since the arrival of Virgil van Dijk is another major factor in his favour.
From the point of the centre-back's debut in Gameweek 24, their eight clean sheets were more than any other side.
Alexander-Arnold's potential to produce goals and assists, as well as points from clean sheets, helped him average 4.4 points per match.
However, his ownership in FPL peaked at a modest 327,000 in Gameweek 38.
Triple competition
The teenager will have increased competition for a starting spot in the upcoming season.
He will battle with Gomez, the fit-again Nathaniel Clyne and perhaps even new signing Fabinho.
But Alexander-Arnold has the talent to rise above that challenge to play a more significant role in Fantasy in 2018/19.
Also in this series
Part 1: FPL rising stars: Jordan Pickford
Part 3: FPL rising stars: Ben Chilwell
Part 4: FPL rising stars: Benjamin Mendy
Part 5: FPL rising stars: Roberto Pereyra
Part 6: FPL rising stars: Jose Izquierdo
Part 7: FPL rising stars: Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Part 8: FPL rising stars: Jesse Lingard
Part 9: FPL rising stars: Manuel Lanzini
Part 10: FPL rising stars: Chris Wood
Part 11: FPL rising stars: Cenk Tosun
Part 12: FPL rising stars: Steve Mounie
Part 13: FPL rising stars: Kelechi Iheanacho