Fantasy Premier League:The Real Reason Liverpool’s Key Attackers Have Been Dropped

Fantasy Premier League: The historic 247th Merseyside derby is set to kick off Gameweek 5 of the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) season, but the real explosion has already happened before a ball was even kicked. The official team sheets have dropped at Anfield, and they have delivered an absolute bombshell for millions of FPL managers worldwide, as Liverpool has made the shocking decision to bench two of its most explosive and widely-owned attacking assets.

The Liverpool Bombshell: Isak and Wirtz Sensationally Dropped

In a move that has sent FPL team plans into complete disarray, Liverpool’s prolific forward Alexander Isak has been relegated to the bench. While some insiders may have suspected a potential rotation, the decision is still a gut punch for the countless managers who had placed their faith (and potentially their captain’s armband) on him for this fierce local derby.

However, the even bigger stunner is the demotion of the in-form midfielder Florian Wirtz to substitute duties. This was a development few saw coming, and it signals a significant tactical shake-up from the Liverpool management following their midweek Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid.

These two headline-making changes are part of a wider overhaul, with a total of four players from that European triumph making way. Defensive regulars Andrew Robertson and Jeremie Frimpong also find themselves on the bench, suggesting a heavy rotation policy is in full effect.

Stepping into the fray are four fresh faces. Hugo Ekitike gets the nod to lead the line, while Alexis Mac Allister returns to orchestrate the midfield. In defense, Conor Bradley and Milos Kerkez are given the crucial task of managing the flanks in one of the most intense fixtures of the Premier League calendar. The absence of Wirtz likely means that the versatile Dominik Szoboszlai will be pushed into a more advanced, creative role, a prospect that will intrigue FPL managers who own the Hungarian star.

Consistency for the Toffees: Mykolenko’s Return a Major Boost

Meanwhile, on the blue half of Merseyside, the story is one of stability and a welcome return from injury. Everton has made just a single change from their last Premier League outing in Gameweek 4.

The crucial news for the Toffees is that first-choice left-back Vitalii Mykolenko is fit and returns to the starting eleven. This has a positive ripple effect across the team, as it allows James Garner, who had been commendably deputising in a makeshift defensive role, to move back into his preferred and more effective position in central midfield. The player making way is Tim Iroegbunam, who drops to the bench.

The Confirmed Starting Line-Ups for the Merseyside Derby

Here are the official team sheets for the Gameweek 5 curtain-raiser:

Liverpool Starting XI:
Alisson, Bradley, Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Salah, Gakpo, Ekitike.

Subs: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Endo, Wirtz, Isak, Jones, Robertson, Frimpong, Ngumoha.

Everton Starting XI:
Pickford, O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko, Gueye, Garner, Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish, Beto.

Subs: Travers, Patterson, McNeil, Barry, Dibling, Coleman, Alcaraz, Aznou, Iroegbunam.

For the millions of FPL managers with their Gameweek now hanging in the balance, it’s an anxious wait to see if their benched stars will make a late cameo and deliver some much-needed points from the sidelines.