Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.3m) is continuing to thrive in his new advanced role for Liverpool ahead of Blank Gameweek 32 in Fantasy Premier League.
The right-back has moved into central midfield when his side are in possession over their last two matches against Arsenal and Leeds United.
Trent's second assist v Leeds
Wait for it...🫵🫶 pic.twitter.com/rMARXKGTuB
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 18, 2023
He has supplied three assists over those encounters and collected 14 points, despite failing to keep a clean sheet.
Liverpool’s top-scoring players, GW30-31
| Player | G | A | Pts |
| Salah | 3 | 0 | 19 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jota | 2 | 1 | 18 |
| Alexander-Arnold | 0 | 3 | 14 |
| Gakpo | 1 | 1 | 12 |
The underlying numbers show Alexander-Arnold’s huge influence during those contests.
Liverpool’s top creators, GW30-31
| Player | Chances created | Big chances created |
| Alexander-Arnold | 6 | 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Henderson | 6 | 1 |
| Gakpo | 6 | 1 |
| Jones | 3 | 1 |
His six key passes are a team-leading total along with Jordan Henderson (£5.3m) and Cody Gakpo (£7.6m), while his three big chances created are at least two more than any team-mate.
When compared with his fellow full-back Andrew Robertson (£6.8m) over those encounters, Alexander-Arnold is clearly the best Liverpool pick in defence.
Alexander-Arnold v Robertson, GW30-31
| Player | Alexander-Arnold | Robertson |
| Final 3rd touches | 52 | 39 |
|---|---|---|
| Final 3rd passes received | 38 | 26 |
| Final 3rd succ. passes | 26 | 17 |
| Crosses | 9 | 6 |
| Key passes | 6 | 1 |
| Shots | 1 | 1 |
In the final third of the pitch, Alexander-Arnold had more touches, received more passes and made more successful passes.
Robertson’s drop-off in creativity has been particularly noticeable over the same period.
He made only one key pass, with his average of 180 minutes per chance created more than three times slower his previous average of 48 minutes.
His downturn in creativity suggests Robertson is perhaps best avoided for managers looking to double up on the Liverpool defence at home to Nottingham Forest in BGW32.
In attack, Mohamed Salah (£12.8m) is far and away the Reds' form player.
See: The Scout: Sign Salah as a priority
He has been their top performer over those last two matches, scoring three goals and earning a team-high 19 points, despite missing a penalty against the Gunners.
Liverpool’s top goal threats, GW30-31
| Player | Shots | Shots in box | Big chances | Shots on target |
| Salah | 13 | 13 | 5 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jota | 6 | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| Gakpo | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
Salah’s huge threat is underlined by the statistics, with his 13 shots, 13 shots in the box, five big chances and five shots on target all more than double any team-mate over the last two Gameweeks.
Diogo Jota (£8.7m), Gakpo and Darwin Nunez (£8.7m) have also produced attacking returns recently, with the Portuguese claiming his season-high 16 points at Elland Road.
See: FPL experts: Best Liverpool pick alongside Salah and Trent?
Jota and Gakpo appear to have secured their roles as regulars, starting four and three of the Reds’ last four matches respectively.
By contrast, Nunez started one of those contests and is no more than an impact substitute at present.
Ultimately, Gakpo’s classification as a midfielder, which gives him extra points for goals and clean sheets, sways the decision in his favour as the best third Liverpool pick.
Jota, on the other hand, has a number of in-form forwards rivalling him for attention in BGW32, while the return to action of Luis Diaz (£7.8m) at Elland Road is a further indication he could be rotated towards the end of matches.
Remember, the BGW32 deadline is at 18:30 BST on Friday 21 April.
