Dec 14

Liverpool - Team & Player Guide 2015/16 - Fantasy Premier League Tips

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We're teaming up with knowledgable fans ahead of the 2015/2016 Fantasy Premier League season to get some tips on their players potential, starting lineups, transfers and much more. This article will focus on Liverpool who under Brendan Rodgers will be looking to get back into the Champions League spots. A Liverpool fan from Reddit has provided us with his expert insight in to the club and hopefully his predictions and player analysis will help you choose which Liverpool players should make your FPL teams. We will also be at hand to answer any of your Liverpool related questions in the comments section. Without further ado, here's our Liverpool team guide and player tips for the 2015/16 season

OPENING FIXTURES

Stoke City (A) Bournemouth (H) Arsenal (A) West Ham(H) Manchester United (A)

SET PIECE TAKERS

Penalties: Jordan Henderson, Christian Benteke Freekicks: Philippe Coutinho, Jordan Henderson Corners: Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Philippe Coutinho

TRANSFER TARGETS

Defender - Lucas Digne (Transfer rumour)

PREDICTED LINEUPS

Mignolet Clyne Skrtel Sakho Moreno Milner Henderson Lallana Coutinho Firmino Benteke

LIVERPOOL'S DEFENSIVE RECORD

Last season Liverpool were hot and cold in terms of their defence, they started quite shaky and they constantly looked like a ticking time bomb that was going to make a mistake. Rodgers' soon sorted this out and Liverpool came strong at the back and tough to break down, their defensive stability lead to Mignolet keeping the joint most clean sheets in the Premier League with Joe Hart on 14. In total they conceded 48 in the Premier League with 20 coming at Anfield. It seemed that once Rodgers' had his preferred defence they were reliable.

GOALKEEPER ANALYSIS

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[/mks_one_half] [mks_one_half]Simon Mignolet (5.0m) - Believe it or not Mignolet was the second highest scoring goalkeeper in FPL last season due to a fantastic run of form Liverpool put together. He was for the most with Joe Hart on 14. VERDICT: Will have a better defence in front of him this year but is prone to the odd mistake and for that we'd advise spending your money elsewhere.[/mks_one_half] [/mks_col] Adam Bogdan (4.5m) - He's going to come in and be the second choice goalkeeper taking Brad Jones place on the bench. Isn't likely to be playing much in the league so is rarely going to score you points. VERDICT: We'd avoid unless in a weird situation, Liverpool have a good run of winnable games and Mignloet suffers an injury Bogdan will be number 1 and may have the chance to pick up a few FPL points.

WHICH LIVERPOOL DEFENDER SHOULD I PICK FOR MY FPL TEAM?

Liverpool's defenders don't tend to score much so a goalscoring defender really isn't something to look for in Liverpool defenders. Instead we've looked at defenders who are going to provide assists in the final third as well as be solid defensively. This lead us to Clyne who is our pick for a Liverpool defender, he was a go-to pick for Southampton last season and earned his move to Anfield this summer. He will be looking to continue his form and stay in both Rodgers' plans and England's plans. He's an attacking threat who is very dangerous down the right and creates goal scoring opportunities. If you want a Liverpool defender, he's our choice.

DEFENDER ANALYSIS

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[/mks_one_half] [mks_one_half]Nathaniel Clyne (5.5m) - Clyne enjoyed a fantastic season with the Saints' scoring 142 FPL points. An attacking threat and strong defensively. Clyne will danger going forward and assurance at the back. He's going to be a nailed on starter. VERDICT: If you want a Liverpool defender Clyne is your best option you have to consider him. [/mks_one_half] [/mks_col] Martin Skrtel (5.5m) - There is some debate if Skrtel will be starting at the back or not due to Sakho and Lovren he should however beat both of them to start for Liverpool. He was the highest scoring Liverpool defender last season (this doesn't include Clyne) He doesn't score enough though only one goal last season and was booked eight times which is another thing that puts us off him. VERDICT: Avoid him, he doesn't score enough goals for someone of his stature and his discipline is also a worry. Dejan Lovren (5.0m) - It's a difficult one with Lovren, he was fantastic with Southampton but struggled last season at Liverpool. He showed signs of the player he was at the Saints but he's likely to be third choice behind Sakho and Skrtel. VERDICT:  We wouldn't advise spending 5.0m on a third choice defender. Alberto Moreno (5.0m) - An incredible player going forward but is very raw defensively. Currently he will be Liverpool's starting left back but there is talk that Liverpool want to bring in Lucas Digne. He's going to score the odd goal and pick up assists but is shaky when defending. VERDICT: If you can't afford Clyne then settle for Moreno, the same player just with less assists and worse defensively. Mamadou Sakho (5.0m) - A solid defender who is likely to be the partner Skrtel at the back he doesn't score enough though. VERDICT: Due to his low goal output we'd avoid him. Tiago Ilori, Kolo Toure, Jose Enrique, Jon Flanagan, Joe Gomez (4.5m) - For the price of 4.5m you'd be better of spending the money on a start for Sunderland or Leicester someone like Jon O'Shea or Robert Huth. Joe Gomez may feature occasionally but not enough to score you points on FPL. VERDICT: I'd be avoiding all of them, they won't score points on a regular basis and there are better options who will for 4.5m.

WHICH LIVERPOOL MIDFIELDER SHOULD I PICK FOR MY FPL TEAM?

With the addition of Firmino, Liverpool now have a handful of creative players. Firmino was sensational in the Bundesliga last season scoring seven goals and assisting 10 for Hoffenheim. Whilst Coutinho scored and assisted five. The best pick for us though is Henderson. He's taken the arm band from Gerrard and will be one of Rodgers' starting midfielder in the middle of the park. His price tag seems very cheap for a player who brings creativity and most probably the penalty taker for the season. He's priced at a very appealing 7.0m and for that price could be a bargain for your side.

MIDFIELDER ANALYSIS

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[/mks_one_half] [mks_one_half]Jordan Henderson (7.0m) - Now the captain of Liverpool and is a nailed on starter. He will take the odd free kick and has a fantastic creative side to his game that is usually overlooked. He will also score his fair share of goals throughout the season. VERDICT: A fantastic pick for 7.0m you could spend that money on a lot worse players, you should consider him. [/mks_one_half] [/mks_col] Roberto Firmino (8.5m) - Took the Bundesliga by storm over the past two seasons and earned his move to Liverpool because of that. He's a very dangerous attacking option who provides extra creativity to the Liverpool attack. He's a very exciting prospect but his price tag seems expensive for a new signing. VERDICT: Keep an eye on him, let him find his form in the Premier League before selecting him, you could get Ozil, Mata or Yaya Toure for the same price. Philippe Coutinho (8.0m) - Last season he was one of Liverpool's best players, he scored some fantastic goals and ended up with 134 FPL points. He is a fantastic playmaker and creates a lot of chances for Liverpool. If he is to become a regular FPL pick he needs to score more often - only scoring five last year. VERDICT: He was very influential in Liverpool's attacking play last year but the addition of Firmino may reduce his time spent on the ball. We'd probably say avoid him but put him on your watch list. Adam Lallana (7.5m) - Last season he was one of Liverpool's best attacking players but he did suffer injuries meaning he missed parts of the season. It's difficult to say if Lallana will have a massive impact in Rodgers' system. VERDICT: For the start of the season we'd avoid him, see how he fits into Liverpool's attacking plans before selecting him. James Miner (7.0m) - If there is one thing Milner brings to any side is a lot of versatility and a hard-working ethic. Last season at Man City he scored 107 points. In the blue of City he scored five goals and eight assists. He will probably start but won't score a load of FPL points for you. VERDICT: Avoid him, Henderson for the same price is a lot better way to spend your cash. Lazar Markovic (6.0m) - Didn't really do much to impress last season in 19 games he scored two goals and yielded one assist, this meant he ended up scoring 47 FPL points. It'll be hard for him to break into the starting lineup this season. VERDICT: Probably best off to avoiding him, struggled to make an impact on the side last year and will probably be the same this year. Jordon Ibe (5.0m) - He's looked very lively in pre season and could benefit massively from the departure of Sterling. His game has similar traits and he may be a surprise package of the season for FPL. He's still a little raw and Rodgers' may want him to develop a little bit more before he throws him in the deep end but as we've seen in the past the Liverpool manager isn't scared to put young players under the spot light. VERDICT: If Liverpool use him as a winger and play him on a regular basis you should consider him, otherwise avoid. Emre Can (5.5m) - Can is a very promising player but Rodgers used him as a defender last year, in the Euro 21 tournament this season he was used for Germany as a midfielder and impressed massively . If he's used there again in a further forward position he could be a good addition but there is no guarantee as to where Rodgers will play him. VERDICT: If he's used in a further forward position he could pick up a few assists and goals but it's to much of a risk to put him in your side hoping Rodgers' will play him there. Joe Allen, Sheyi Ojo, Lucas Leiva 4.5m-5.0m - Allen and Lucas are going to be rotated in and out the side and are going to be backups for Liverpool. Lucas has a good chance of being a first team player is Rodgers sets up like he did last season but even then he won't score enough points as he will be defensive. Ojo is not going to play much either and that's reflected in his cheap price tag. VERDICT: Avoid all three of them, whilst Allen and Lucas may play the occasional game neither will make enough impact to score you FPL points. Jo is unlikely to play.

WHICH LIVERPOOL FORWARD SHOULD I PICK FOR MY FPL TEAM?

Two seasons ago you would have been silly to not have a Liverpool forward in your FPL side in the shape of Luis Suarez but times have changed since then. Last season Liverpool strikers really failed to live up to their ability. Big things were expected from Sturrdige but he failed to deliver and ended up spending most of the season out injured. Lambert were not given the chances to prove himself, whilst Balotelli really struggled. This season Liverpool have bulked up their striking options with Benteke and Ings, whilst Origi rejoins from his loan at Lille. We think the new signing from Aston Villa would be a great addition to your FPL side. He's quick and strong and is a proven Premier League goalscorer he's also a nailed on starter and likely to be Liverpool's top scorer this season.

FORWARD ANALYSIS

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[/mks_one_half] [mks_one_half]Christian Benteke (8.5m) - You may well believe Liverpool overpaid for the striker but he is going to be a good investment for any FPL side. He's a proven Premier League scorer and will probably be the starting striker for the near future until Sturridge is back. He scored 13 goals last season and missed parts due to injuries. [/mks_one_half] [/mks_col] VERDICT: He'd be a fantastic signing for your side, more than likely to be the starting striker for Liverpool and will be the focal point of their attacks. Daniel Sturrdige (10.5m) - He's going to be out injured until October at the earliest but Liverpool won't want to rush him back due to his history with injuries. When he's fit and injury free he's one of the best strikers in the Premier League but he hasn't been at that level since the 13-14 season. Since then he's struggled for fitness and game time. VERDICT: To start the season we'd advise be avoiding him, he's not going to play till at least October or November. Danny Ings (7.5m) - He was a fantastic cheap option for your side when he was at Burnley but his price tag has risen since his move to Anfield. To start the season he will be second choice being Benteke and will most likely feature as a sub and play in Europe. Once Strurridge is back he will be third choice. VERDICT: Not the best option as he won't be playing enough to score FPL points. He has a very expensive price tag for a second and soon to be third choice striker, avoid him. Mario Balotelli (7.0m) - It looks from the outside that Liverpool are trying to push Balotelli out of the side but we've seen before how good he can be when he wants to play. It's 50/50 if he will leave or stay either way it's unlikely that he will see regular first team football with Liverpool. VERDICT: Don't waste 7.0m on him, he's not going to feature or score. Divock Origi (6.0m) - Struggled in Ligue 1 last season after being loaned there by Liverpool. He's still a promising youngster who Liverpool could use either as a wide man or the striker. He's probably though going to be third and fourth in the pecking order. VERDICT: He won't play consistently so you're best off avoiding him. Fabio Borini (5.5m) - He's going to be at the back of the pecking order, it'll be a spurs if he plays more than 5 games for Liverpool this season. Expected to go out on loan and play his football away from Anfield. VERDICT: Avoid him, we'd only recommend considering him if he gets a move to a team where he's going to be the starting striker.

OVERALL SUMMARY

Starting in goal Mignolet is the only choice we'd consider for a Liverpool goalkeeper. He scored a lot of points last season and will be expected to do the same this season. Rodgers' has stuck with him through his mad times and we can't see that changing this campaign. In defence you have a varierty of options, they all bring clean sheets to the table but Clyne and Moreno bring an attacking threat. Clyne is likely to score more points whilst Moreno is the cheaper option. We feel that the extra 0.5m will be justified in the points that Clyne earns. Moving into midfield you could choose from two Brazilian gems in Firmino and Coutinho, they will both create a lot of chances and bring some flair to Liverpool but our pick in Henderson is cheaper and will bring consistency as well as an attacking threat. Finally upfront - for now we would stay with Benteke, he's scored goals in the Premier League before and will be Liverpool's first choice striker until Sturridge is back. If Benteke falls out of the side due to injury or poor form you should consider Danny Ings. Otherwise stay with the big Belgian.