u/Upstairs_Ad_9262

As has been doing the rounds on this subreddit, I would like to provide a little perspective on Liverpool. There is a lot of uncertainty around the club at the moment but I believe that we are in for a pretty explosive season under Iraola. This is only my opinion so feel free to disagree! Granted, certain picks are subject to change if Liverpool make new signings. 

TDLR - Expect high intensity transitional play that will score and concede a lot of goals. 

BEST BUYS - Wirtz, Gakpo, Szoboszlai, Kerkez. 

Others …

RISKY VALUE - Isak, Van Dijk.

WAIT AND SEE - Mac Allister, Araujo, Jacquet.

NO BUY - Gravenberch, Frimpong, Ngumoha, Alisson + others… 

My predicted lineup against Newcastle.

4-2-3-1

Alisson

Frimpong, Araujo, VVD, Kerkez 

Szoboszlai, Gravenberch 

Ngumoha, Wirtz, Gakpo

Isak 

Player details below:

Wirtz - £7.5m

Serious potential this year. If you can afford the extra 0.5 you should upgrade from Dom. Nailed in the 10, diligent in the press, will generate a lot of chances when Iraola seeks to spring those possession traps off the ball. He will push higher up, not involved in slow build like under Slot, and get into the box as a second striker on the shoulder of Isak. High ceiling in a second year where he has settled, has a point to prove, and has new responsibility at the club. Risky as he hurt a lot of managers last season but I am prepared to back him. The is a lot of indication that he will come to life this year. BUY

Gakpo - £7m

Nailed starting LW as it stands but depends on Barcola. Liverpool’s left side will be where most danger is created. Gakpo will be heavily involved in chance creation this season. Fans have not been the most kind to Gakpo, especially as opinion soured on Slot, but the truth is that he suits an Iraola system. Very experienced attacker in the squad, he likes to cut in and fire the ball into Wirtz and Isak or cross into the back post, and he is not afraid to shoot. Under Slot where everyone was static, his limited skillset was exposed crudely, yet in this high intensity system it works. At just 3.4% ownership for the same price as Dom he is a fabulous differential… IF he stays as the main LW option. Expect goal involvement. BUY

Szoboszlai - £7m

Second highest owned midfielder in the game. Priced at just £7m for Liverpool’s best player last season. 90 minute man, fresh from no World Cup and a full preseason under his belt. On free kicks with an absurd conversion rate, plus corners, and sometimes penalties. On paper he’s a great pick, BUT I don’t think he’s essential. Isak should be on pens. Dom plays in a double pivot, but this Liverpool will keep possession more than Bournemouth. No defcon guaranteed. The biggest issue is huge Salah-shaped void. Dom was a threat in the half space on the right when players were occupying Mo. Here he could link up with Salah or he could drive into that vacated space and take the shot himself. Current RW falls to Ngumoha on his weaker side or Harvey Elliot who has been killed by that Villa move. Less than ideal. Plus, Frimpong has struggled with his defensive duties so Dom will be marshalling him or dropping back to cover when Frimpong overlaps. Liverpool’s right back issues are by no means solved, and Szoboszlai could find himself there in order to push Frimpong further forward. What you will get is his output from corners and free kicks. And he is sexy. So… BUY?

Kerkez - £5.5m

Very promising differential. £1m less than VVD if you want coverage for decent opening fixtures. Thrived under Iraola two years ago and will have a lot of confidence again. Nailed. Will get forward and press when Liverpool look to pounce on transition. I believe our left side to be much stronger than our right. A lot of play will be fed through left hand channels, giving Kerkez room to overlap. With the crosses and attacking threat he has shown in the past this can cover clean sheet uncertainty. Has risk. Not a pick for the weak but there is a lot of upside. BUY 

Isak - £9m

Expensive but nailed at ST. Likely on pens. Has built more fitness, confidence and connection with his teammates. Goal against Monaco shows that he still has that killer instinct. Could be his return to form. Last season he barely touched the ball, whereas in his first half under Iraola he averaged double the touches than a whole 90 under Slot. Would not choose if he forces other team downgrades. If no-Haaland is meta, or Joao Pedro is an FPL trap, Isak is very interesting. Great differential if you back other ST to flop. Personally, I would wait and see unless you are looking to reject template. RISKY 

VVD - £6.5m

Expensive, imperious, nailed. Good chance of defcon. Fullbacks will push higher and he could be exposed. Heavily involved in buildup and distribution. No slouch at scoring from corners, potential double digit returns. Huge question mark over our defence this year, and clean sheets maybe be hard to come by. You will probably find better value elsewhere with cheaper players as Liverpool will be leaky. Wait and see how defensive shape looks. RISKY 

MacAllister - £5.5m

Last season was lost and exhausted. Racked up some of the highest minutes in the World Cup. In an Argentina team committed to rugby he was back to his best tenacity wise. New Spanish-speaking coach and signings will work wonders. May take time to be reintegrated and build fitness, but big role to play especially if Jones leaves. Gravy and Dom are ball carriers, whereas Mac shines in progressive passing. If he starts at his price point I find him a worthy pick to consider instead of Groß or Ampadu or Sangaré in that a cheaper rotating midfield spot, with the occasional long range screamer and a knack for scoring headers from set pieces. Keep an eye on this Scottish Argentinian. Differential with potential. WAIT AND SEE 

Jacquet & Araujo - £5m & £?

New signings bring depth but are expected to rotate alongside Van Dijk. Araujo is the experienced loanee and will start a lot more games with the potential to be a defcon monster, I imagine FPL price him at £5.5. Jacquet is the longer term prospect and will rotate in as he builds his confidence and ability. As it stands, cautious of both until Iraola reveals his favourite. If one gets injured, the other will be worth considering. Finally, a more defensive RB than Frimpong could suit Iraola’s system. Potential for them both to start together as Araujo moves to RB. Could both he be viable FPL options if this happens and would help clean sheet chances. Keep an eye on them both as Iraola experiments. WAIT AND SEE 

Frimpong - £5.5m

Limited defcon whilst operating on a weaker right hand side. Kerkez is a much better pick and Frimpong may even end up losing a starting spot to Dom or Araujo. NO BUY

Gravenberch - £6m

Weakest pick out of midfield options, mainly due to price. Tidy player, can have sporadic returns. More of a rotation risk with Nyoni performing well in preseason and impressing a lot. Iraola is known for developing youth and could take minutes of the dutchman, who would benefit from some more rest. Does operate on the left of midfield and has already picked up an assist in preseason, but I would steer clear. For £6m better off downgrading to a 5.5 or 5m as 5th midfielder, or for more attacking personal with higher upside if you plan on starting. NO BUY  

Ngumoha - £6m

As with Gravenberch has an awkward price. Interesting prospect with a bigger role this season. Still has limited minutes under his belt, and will rotate with Munoz, Gakpo, and any new signings. I imagine he will start the season against Newcastle operating on the right where he has much less output and is still developing his game. Much better options and differentials elsewhere. NO BUY

Alisson - £5.5m

Liverpool’s clean sheet odds alone are by no means worth this price. For 0.5 more you should grab Raya or save the money elsewhere. NO BUY

Leoni - £4.0m

Currently returning from injury and unlikely to get many minutes in the premier league instead of Van Dijk. However he is a serious future prospect and if Van Dijk was to pick up an injury, suddenly a gem of a cheap option. Not one to pick unless this happens. NO BUY

Nyoni - £5m

Another gem of a youth prospect, this young lad could definitely break into the team this season, but not worth consideration unless an injury crisis hits and he becomes a nailed starter. NO BUY

Remaining NO BUYS and abysmal squad depth picks:

Bradley - £5m: Injured

Tsimikas - £5m: Comfortably second choice LB.

Elliot - £5.5m: Not the same player after his mini-retirement at Villa.

Jones - £5.5m: Heavily linked with an exit.

Chiesa - £5.5m: Spaghetti mafia looking to make an impact off the bench.

Munoz - £6.5m: Too early to assess and too expensive. One to watch. 

Gomez - £5m: Injury prone.

Bajectic - £5m: Makes Gomez look healthy in comparison.

Ekitike - £7.5m: Long term injury.

Endo - £5m: Guaranteed 10 min cameo in a tight game and a yellow card. 

Mamardashvilli - £5m: No challenge to Allison’s spot unless injuries.

If you’ve made it this far, thanks for reading! Good luck with your teams, hopefully this was useful.