Podcast

How to handle Liverpool’s blank and the Christmas period

The Scoutcast returns to familiar ground ahead of Gameweek 18 where Liverpool and West Ham have no Premier League fixture.

The latest episode starts at 20:00 GMT on our YouTube channel and runs until approximately 21:00 GMT.

We started thinking about our plans for the first Blank Gameweek of the campaign in last week’s episode and are able to take a much more focussed look now that Gameweek 17 is out of the way.

Joe, Karam and Andy will reveal their plans for Liverpool assets as Sadio Mané (£12.3m), Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.3m) and Mohamed Salah (£12.2m) are all without a match.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are proving a problem for Fantasy managers as they have now lost two favourable fixtures in a row, scoring just once in the process.

Our Scoutcast crew weigh up whether to trust them in a Gameweek 18 trip to a resurgent Spurs under Jose Mourinho.

Finally, after assessing the best differentials and clean sheets for the forthcoming weeks, we will discuss how to approach the Christmas period considering that some managers still have a Wildcard to wield.

1,726 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Fuddled FC
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    I cannot decide between Alli or Son

    SSon rising tonight is panicking me to go for him now..

    Or is Alli a better bet anyway?

    Thoughts?

    1. Syd.
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      SON

    2. Phlajo
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      If money no problem then Son.

    3. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Son is better

    4. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Son is the better player by far

    5. Longlatini
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Son for sure I would say

    6. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Alli all day. Son was anonymous against Wolves, Alli was quite decent and almost set up Dier who poorly missed that big chance. He is transformed but Son will do marginally better in lesser games.

      1. ZeBestee
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Games against lesser teams*

    7. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Cool kids got both

      1. 7shadesofsmoke
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        sorry, i know that was not helpful. Son is my preferred player of the two

  2. Ask Yourself
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    This is just poor team selection from Klopp. What on earth was he thinking...

    1. Syd.
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      He tried his best to lose the last game against Arsenal

      Wasn't going to make the same mistake twice

      1. I'm out of name ideas
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        He tried to get disqualified too by fielding an ineligible player in an earlier round.

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Mickey Mouse competition, only a small club would label it as part of a Fourmidable winning season.

    3. Monkey Hanger
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      KLOPP OUT.

    4. Party time
        4 years, 6 months ago

        4 nil already... wow!!

    5. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Given tonight’s score line, do we think Grealish will get his starting spot back at the weekend or has he now lost his place?

      1. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Jokes aside these Villa backups are shite.

        A few injuries and they are rightly fooked.

      2. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Sell him

    6. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Anyone tempted by Kane over the christmas period? He usually explores! Was thinking of getting Alli to go along with Son and Aurier but might want to leave a spurs slot open for him

      1. TheDragon
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        He isn’t playing well tonight and based on this performance I highly doubt he forces his way into Liverpool’s first team so I’d avoid

      2. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Yes.

        GW19 & 20 captain when you can trust him to start is tempting.

      3. Feanor
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        I wish he would explore the opposition penalty area.

      4. Party time
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Alli Son Aurier. I can't have a player who claims a team mate's goal & swears with his daughter's life in my team

          1. RAFA THE GAFFA
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Still upset with that??

            1. Party time
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Nah... but Son/Alli better picks imo

            2. Miguel Sanchez
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Agree that Alli/Son and Aurier are the three to have from Spurs

              1. Party time
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  Absolutely, I've got them 3 atm

                  1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                    • 14 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    Same

                    Spurs buddies 🙂

                    1. Party time
                        4 years, 6 months ago

                        hehe... hopefully sweet points from those fixtures 🙂

              2. Longlatini
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Really want the old Kane back

                Was trying to gather some thoughts about him on here before I bring him in and (c) for the next couple

              3. 7shadesofsmoke
                • 11 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Explores!

                Like Dora, what an attribute.

              4. RAFA THE GAFFA
                • 8 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Explodes 😆

                1. 7shadesofsmoke
                  • 11 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  😆

                2. 7shadesofsmoke
                  • 11 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  thought you were doing a bit of a Raffa accent... Rafccent

              5. I Member
                • 8 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Getting him and captaining in GWs 19, 20 and 21. Not confident at all but I need to take risks to make up ground in my ML. He's nailed, on pens and potentially explosive.

              6. KAPO KANE
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Yes I've got him 🙂

              7. teneighty
                • 9 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                I brought in as a punt when Mou took charge. Can't see myself wasting a transfer on him or even taking a hit with all the other fires to put out in my team so he stays over the holidays. Would probably not get him in at this point though when there are plenty of other options.

                All that said, he is my cap for the weekend.

              8. elchilangles
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                nah, he barely touched it in the first half against Villa!

              9. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                • 14 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                I was but then I saw he already has 3 blanks from 5 under Mourinho and the eye test is generally horrific with him, the odd unmarked 35 yarder vs a shambolic Burnley aside

                He bloody loves a Christmas hattrick though

            3. beric
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Did rare early transfers to avoid price changes. Hows it looking fellas?

              Pope
              Rico Lundy Aurier
              Son kdb mount traore
              Jesus jimenez vardy

              Mane targett kelly

            4. Bob B
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              GTG for GW18 or would you take a hit? 0.5ITB

              Gazzaniga
              Lundstram Rico Kelly Taylor*
              KDB Alli Pulisic
              Vardy Abraham Rashford(c)

              Dendoncker only sub to come in if Taylor doesn't play

              1. beric
                • 12 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Dont think id take a hit

            5. Eat my goal!
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Nice evening out for the Liverpool kids

              1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
                • 10 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                When do the electronic tags start going off?

                1. FlyingWithoutIngs
                  • 6 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  obsessed with Liverpool aren’t you

              2. Syd.
                • 15 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                This community service lark does have some benefits

            6. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Repost soz

              How does it look? Cheers

              Firmino+Mount+Cantwell--->Mousset,Alli,Grealish

              1. Syd.
                • 15 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Looks alright

            7. rdamjan
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              2 options, both looks great. My head hurts:P

              A. TAA & Zaha -> Aurier & Alli
              B. Mane & Zaha -> Son & Alli

              1. Make Arrows Green Again
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                B

            8. Syd.
              • 15 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Kodger will be getting his Todger out

            9. Niho992
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Aston Villa is pathetic

              1. Syd.
                • 15 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Wills will have your head

              2. Rainer
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                He’s not used to hitting the target, never mind scoring.

                Let him have his moment.

                1. Niho992
                  • 5 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  i hope they relegate

                  1. 7shadesofsmoke
                    • 11 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    whats you beef?

                    It's the ¼ final of a competition - might not be the champs league but its a chance at silverware and the bigger shame is on a team who've chosen to not take it seriously.

                    1. Niho992
                      • 5 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      nothing, just hope Villa will play in championship again

                      1. 7shadesofsmoke
                        • 11 Years
                        4 years, 6 months ago

                        🙁

              3. Longlatini
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                *are

            10. Rainer
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Wesley minutes & goals needed for confidence.

            11. Monkey Hanger
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Getting embarassing.

            12. FlyingWithoutIngs
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Kodjia celebrating like that against kids, Hahahaha guy is finished

            13. TheDragon
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Klopp is really disrespecting the cup with this performance - disappointing

              1. Syd.
                • 15 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                He didn't really have a choice

                1. Epic Fail
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 13 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  They are professional athletes. They should be able to quite easily play this game, flu around the world to the next venue, have no sleep and then immediately play again. No excuse.

                  1. Epic Fail
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 13 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    fly*

              2. tisza
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 9 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Need to get used to it. They expand this European football competition and (if the league cup survives) it'll be all U19s/U23s sides playing for the top sides

            14. KAPO KANE
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Time to sell Pool assets

              1. Party time
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  kodjia essential

              2. ‘Tis the Season
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Play Tammy or Maddy this week?

                1. 7shadesofsmoke
                  • 11 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  you have a choice?!

                  coin toss

              3. -Klaus-
                • 4 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Alan Hansen was right....

                1. TheDragon
                  • 6 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  If he had been talking about Liverpool he would have finished his infamous sentence after the word ‘anything’ 😉

                2. Syd.
                  • 15 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  So is a broken clock twice a day

              4. Nomar
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Can’t really see the point of entering the tournament if you aren’t going to at least give the impression of taking it seriously.

                Just withdraw and give Villa a bye.

                1. I'm out of name ideas
                  • 7 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  I think you are missing some key information regarding the team sheet tonight.

                  1. Nomar
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 14 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    No, I assure you I’m not.

                    Villa at least have some fringe first teamers in their line up.

                    I understand Liverpool’s situation but why bother go through with this charade and charge people to watch it too?

                    Just say sorry Carabao, we have too many commitments this year and let Villa have a bye to the next round.

                2. Syd.
                  • 15 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  I remember when West Ham got to the semi final a few years ago and give up

                  What is the point of giving up at that stage

                3. FlyingWithoutIngs
                  • 6 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  It’s hardly Liverpool’s fault? Our squad has prioritised a more important competition because we’ve been punished for being European champions. Had the clash not occurred we would have had a fairly strong side out.

                  1. TheDragon
                    • 6 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    ‘More important competition’

                    Never forget your roots

                    1. I'm out of name ideas
                      • 7 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      Of course it's more important. Only one team in Europe gets to play in it each year. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity for a lot of players.

                      1. TheDragon
                        • 6 Years
                        4 years, 6 months ago

                        Liverpool don’t win many trophies - league cup was a huge opportunity for the club

                      2. FlyingWithoutIngs
                        • 6 Years
                        4 years, 6 months ago

                        The guy is clearly trolling

                    2. FlyingWithoutIngs
                      • 6 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      It is a more important competition??? anyone who says otherwise is deluded, would you rather be champions of the WORLD, or winners of the Carabao cup?

                  2. Syd.
                    • 15 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    The World Club Championship is more of a Micky Mouse competition than the League Cup

                    It is really all about the money / sponsors

                    1. I'm out of name ideas
                      • 7 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      Ok mate.

                      1. Syd.
                        • 15 Years
                        4 years, 6 months ago

                        I reckon must people didn't even realise such a competition existed

                        Nobody gives a shite about it

                        1. I'm out of name ideas
                          • 7 Years
                          4 years, 6 months ago

                          Sure.

                    2. I Member
                      • 8 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      No it isn't.

                    3. FlyingWithoutIngs
                      • 6 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      Yeah I mean you’ve only got to win the champions league to be in it hahhah Mickey Mouse cup

                    4. ‘Tis the Season
                      • 5 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      The competition gave away US$28 million in prize money and its TV rights, worth US$40 million, were sold to 15 broadcasters across five continents. Not Mickey Mouse mate...

                      1. TheDragon
                        • 6 Years
                        4 years, 6 months ago

                        The total prize money for the whole competition buys you 1/3rd of a Harry Maguire

                        1. Nomar
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 14 Years
                          4 years, 6 months ago

                          Which is ironic really, as that’s about all Man Utd got of him too....................

                      2. Syd.
                        • 15 Years
                        4 years, 6 months ago

                        So you agree with me that it is all about the money

                        1. ‘Tis the Season
                          • 5 Years
                          4 years, 6 months ago

                          Totally agree and caravan cup least important comp to win

                    5. tisza
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 9 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      let's be honest this Liverpool U23 could probably beat some of the teams in the 1st round of the World club "whatever it is".

                  3. Nomar
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 14 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    See above.

                    Not saying it’s Pools fault, but I don’t think this really is the decent way to handle it.

                4. tisza
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 9 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  PL sides have been "disrespecting" it for years. Always putting out reserve sides / youth players in early rounds at least.
                  Even Championship teams use it to rest players

                  1. Nomar
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 14 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    This.

                  2. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
                    • 10 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    Yep sad as it is the league cup serves a purpose for the bigger boys keeping fringe players match fit. Just not enough room in the calendar. I just like to see the FA cup get respected if possible

                    1. tisza
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 9 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      sadly FA cup is treated same way if PL sides are drawn against lower league opposition

                5. elchilangles
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 5 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  it doesn't feel like a 4-0 game, the kids are playing quite well i thought, especially in first 20 mins

              5. gryffsonofarthur
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                A bit sad that because of scheduling commitments you’re supposed to be playing in a quarter final of a domestic cup competition, but you’ve flown thousands of miles away to play in a Mickey Mouse tournament.

                It’s a bit like home alone. Anfield is deserted, so a bunch of Kevin mcallisters have been enlisted and sent to Birmingham to take on the villains.

                1. FlyingWithoutIngs
                  • 6 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  I’m failing to see how it’s a Mickey Mouse tournament it’s qualification requirements are EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS and the winner is being crowned the best team in the WORLD only teams who aren’t good enough to get in it are saying it’s a Mickey Mouse cup.

                  1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                    • 14 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    It’s criticised because it blatantly doesn’t contain the best teams in the world - it contains the teams that won continental cups in different geographies - those are two very (very) different things

                    1. FlyingWithoutIngs
                      • 6 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      Okay so by that logic then the actual World Cup should be criticised because not all the best teams qualify from every single continent? For example Europe last year in the word cup the Dutch missed out but they’re still one of the best teams in the world so does that take anything away from France winning it? No. Liverpool were the best team in Europe so if they beat the best teams from the respective continents they are therefore the best team in the world it’s not that tough to understand.

                      1. Nomar
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 14 Years
                        4 years, 6 months ago

                        To be fair, they do let some bad teams in every World Cup at the expense of good ones.

                        But them’s the rules, innit.

                      2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                        • 14 Years
                        4 years, 6 months ago

                        Yes I think the quality of teams in the World Cup is generally horrendous - what do you think of the quality of international football in general?

                        Ithink it’s appalling personally - it’s light years behind the top european leagues in terms of actual quality - as is the club World Cup unfortunately

                        Its considered a nice feather in the cap by some allright, and I wouldn’t begrudge Liverpool winning it - but it’s not he high quality football tournament some would sell it to be (imo)

                        1. 7shadesofsmoke
                          • 11 Years
                          4 years, 6 months ago

                          this.

                        2. FlyingWithoutIngs
                          • 6 Years
                          4 years, 6 months ago

                          Agreed international football to me is a farce in the way it’s run.

                          I agree that the quality of opposition at the club World Cup is also poor but I think it’s unfair that people are suggesting Liverpool are wrong for prioritising a cup that for us we’ve been unable to compete in since 2005. It’s a cup that doesn’t come around every year so I agree that it should be prioritised over a league cup that we can compete in year after year.

                          1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                            • 14 Years
                            4 years, 6 months ago

                            Oh yeah absolutely I’m not criticising Liverpool at all - they’re doing what they have to do, and what they have to be seen to do

                            But I do understand (and to be fair, agree with) the criticism of the competition they’re playing in, and the organising body who orchestrated it and sell it as something it’s blatantly not (I.e. an elite quality football tournament)

              6. gryffsonofarthur
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Unlike home alone, Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern have murdered Macauley within the first 10 minutes.

                1. Nomar
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 14 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  Which is the way it would have gone down in the film, too, if they made it realistic.

              7. SALVA
                • 9 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Pulisic to Alli or Grealish (Have son)?

                1. Epic Fail
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 13 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  Alli

                2. Woy_is_back
                  • 6 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  I might get both for a hit but Grealish next two fixtures too good to pass on. Villa defence is crap so they will attack like crazy

              8. Wild Rover
                • 13 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Villa four goals from three attempts. Clinical

              9. andres
                • 12 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                What is the move here?

                Hedno
                Kelly Soy Lund
                Cantwell Alli Son Madds
                Rash Vardy abraham

                TAA, mane, Pieters 0.6 ITB 1FT

                1. 7shadesofsmoke
                  • 11 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  save your FT

                  1. andres
                    • 12 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    Why would I do that, grealish and kdb are tempting..

                    1. 7shadesofsmoke
                      • 11 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      so you have 2FT next week.

                      You have a good XI

                      who will you be selling for KDB?
                      Who will you sell for Jack Greazy?

                      1. andres
                        • 12 Years
                        4 years, 6 months ago

                        Madds and Mane? to get salah in

              10. Je suis le chat
                • 10 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Not as if Pool can discard trophies. Surprised they didn't leave half their main squad for this tie, other half for the world cup thingie. Hope Villa get another 6 goals

                1. Rainer
                  • 7 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  One gives you a couple of 100k to win and isn’t considered a major trophy.

                  The other, 4.5m and is.

                  1. Je suis le chat
                    • 10 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    All about the money. When a pudding like Ruiz got 7 million for turning up clinically obese in Saudi Arabia, one realises the World's gone mad.

                    1. Rainer
                      • 7 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      So you missed the major trophy part bit.

                      CL winner the only one in Europe who qualify.

                  2. gryffsonofarthur
                    • 5 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    Nice

              11. HD7
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                1 FT, 2.2 ITB

                Kasper
                Willems Lund Kelly Rico
                KDB Maddy Pulisic
                Ings Rashford Vardy

                Subs: Button, TAA, Mane, Hayden

                A) Pulisic to Alli
                B) Pulisic Maddy to Son Grealish (-4)

              12. Woy_is_back
                • 6 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Mane & Pulisic to Grealish & Alli -4

                YAY?

              13. Eleven Hag
                • 6 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Is it a good idea to bring in rashford for Tammy tonight ? Or do u consider Tammy to better rashford for next few GWs?

                1. gryffsonofarthur
                  • 5 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  Rash

              14. manu4life99
                • 14 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                A) Maddison Grealish
                B) Maddison Alli
                C) Alli Grealish (-4)

                WC in gw20

                1. John Nerdelbaum
                  • 11 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  B

              15. John Nerdelbaum
                • 11 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Any thoughts on this potential WC team?
                My TV is terrible before anyone starts. 0.5 ITB to do Sterling to Mane/Sterling if it all goes t*** up

                Ryan Button
                Aurier Lundstram Willems Kelly Rico
                KDB Sterling Son Alli Grealish
                Vardy Abraham Greenwood