With 2018/19 Fantasy Premier League now over, The Scout reviews each position to highlight players to consider for 2019/20.
Defenders
The success of Liverpool defenders could have a significant impact on the tactics of FPL managers.
Liverpool’s top five FPL performers
Jurgen Klopp’s men produced 21 clean sheets in 2018/19, more than any other side.
Combined with their huge attacking potential, Andrew Robertson (£7.0m), Virgil van Dijk (£6.5m) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.0m) finished as the three top points-scoring defenders in FPL and below only Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) and Sadio Mane (£11.5m) in the points for Liverpool.
Both Robertson, with 213 FPL points, and Van Dijk (208) broke the record for a defender of 196 points.
Robertson’s raids forward down the left supplied 12 assists over his 36 Gameweek appearances.
Van Dijk, who was Liverpool’s only ever-present in defence, chipped in with four goals and four assists.
And although Alexander-Arnold was limited to 29 appearances, he still delivered one goal and 13 assists.
Price hikes looming
Indeed, the right-back’s 6.4 points per match was the third-highest average in FPL last season.
Robertson, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold are among the most expensive defenders to select this term.
Yet their displays in 2018/19 indicate they will still be worth the outlay.
Indeed, both Robertson and Van Dijk outperformed the top-scoring forward, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.0m), who returned 205 points.
Rearguard revolution
For many managers, a three-man defence has been the preferred tactic when selecting a starting XI.
Opting for a 3-4-3 or a 3-5-2 allows them to field seven attackers in a Gameweek.
But the outstanding success of Robertson, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold under Klopp could change that.
The Liverpool trio have shown they have the potential to rival the most expensive premium attackers for overall points.
This could drive more funds into FPL defences, with managers playing four or even five at the back to take advantage of Liverpool's backline stars.
