MX23RW : Saturday, January 18 18:02:08| >> :60:1117:1117:

Liverpool defenders are top pick for FPL

Liverpool defenders are top pick for FPL
© Reuters
The unbeaten Reds have conceded only six goals in 15 games so far.

Liverpool's rock-solid defence is the place to look if you need to bolster your Fantasy Premier League team this weekend.

The unbeaten Reds have conceded only six goals in 15 games so far, while Jack Cork's strike for Burnley on Wednesday is the only one against Jurgen Klopp's side in their current four-game winning run.

They have locked out the defensive podium in Press Association Sport's Transfer Score index this week, with goalkeeper Alisson Becker also in the top 10 picks.

Rock-solid Reds

Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold has put himself in the spotlight (Peter Byrne/PA)

A player's recent form is the most important factor in his transfer score – the player averaging most points over the last six gameweeks scores 99 in that key category while the lowest scores zero.

That is given triple the weighting of the other categories, price tag and ownership percentage, where lower values are more desirable – so a player owned by no managers at all would score 99 in that category.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has been ever-present during Liverpool's winning run and tops the form standings with an average of 8.3 points per game. He also costs only £5.4m in FPL, so even with a relatively high ownership percentage he has a transfer score of 89.7.

His more experienced colleague Virgil Van Dijk is second at 84.9 while Andy Robertson rounds out our top 10 at 74 – and if that was not enough, Alisson slots in sixth at 77.7.

Sane still a sound selection

Leroy Sane
Leroy Sane is in top form, but is not our leading midfield pick (Martin Rickett/PA)

Manchester City winger Leroy Sane is by far the form midfielder in the game right now, averaging eight points per game, with only his £9.5m price tag serving to cap his transfer score at 82.4.

That makes room for a surprise usurper at the top of the midfield standings, with three goals across gameweeks 13 and 14 propelling Southampton's Stuart Armstrong to a transfer score of 83.

You will have to consider whether that form is sustainable, though, particularly as those 20 points account for almost two thirds of the Scot's season total of 32.

Huddersfield's Aaron Mooy (76.2) and Crystal Palace's Andros Townsend (74.9) are not far behind while Sterling has slipped to 68.2, 16th among midfielders and 36th overall.

Big names lurk behind top striker Rondon

Salomon Rondon celebrates scoring against Bournemouth
Salomon Rondon could provide an answer up front (Owen Humphreys/PA)

Salomon Rondon has cemented himself as Newcastle's first-choice frontman during their recent resurgence in form, with his two goals against Bournemouth and another at Everton helping him to 6.3 points per game and an 81.3 transfer score.

That is the best among strikers by almost 10 points from Wolves' Raul Jimenez (71.5), with Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic third (70.7).

Three marquee names lurk just outside the podium positions, though – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is averaging seven points per game and Harry Kane 7.3, with the Tottenham star's £12.5m cost dropping him fractionally below the Arsenal hitman in transfer score.

Roberto Firmino is just behind the pair, somewhat cheaper at £9.2m while averaging 5.8 points per game, with his 67.8 transfer score keeping Liverpool well represented at both ends of the pitch.

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Tom White and Pete Fabianski, Press Association Sport');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', 'fe39b22c-7c05-4934-a316-2dce8ea9094a');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Liverpool defenders are top pick for FPL'});

ID:343625: cacheID:343625:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:9841:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson in action during the Premier League clash with Brighton & Hove Albion on August 25, 2018
Read Next:
Turf Moor win proves Liverpool can handle pressure, says Henderson
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool21155150203050
2Arsenal21127241192243
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest21125430201041
4Newcastle UnitedNewcastle22115638261238
5Chelsea21107441261537
6Bournemouth22107536261037
7Manchester CityMan City2110563829935
8Aston Villa2110563132-135
9Fulham228953430433
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2171043229331
11Brentford2284104039128
12Crystal Palace226972528-327
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd217592629-326
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham2275102743-1626
15Tottenham HotspurSpurs21731143321124
16Everton203891526-1117
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2144133148-1716
18Ipswich TownIpswich2137112037-1716
19Leicester CityLeicester2235142348-2514
20Southampton2113171347-346


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!