Liverpool’s midfield has been one of the major talking points of the Premier League season so far.
While they haven’t exactly had the most prolific strikers in the league, it has been their midfield which has fired them in to the top four and contributed heavily to them being the joint highest scorers in the league after just seven games.
Jurgen Klopp has a devastating midfield at his disposal, which combines the likes of pace, skill, creativity and high-pressing to create an attacking force that doesn’t particularly need a striker in front of it to convert chances.
They’re quite capable of doing that themselves, evident by the fact 13 of their 18 league goals this season have come from midfield players.
So when it comes to picking your Fantasy Premier League team, having a Liverpool midfielder in your squad should be high on your list of priorities.
However, with so many of them performing well each week, which is the one who is more likely to get your more points each in the long run?
Here’s a look at the five most effective points scorers at Liverpool right now, based on their average points per game in 16/17…
5. Sadio Mane – 5.2 PPG
Sadio Mane arrived at Liverpool in the summer with something of a reputation of having a high points per 90 average.
Over the last two seasons he averaged 5.54 points per 90 minutes in 15/16 and 5.78 in 14/15 for Southampton, which will explain his high value of £9m at the beginning of the season.
This season has been no different, having averaged 5.2 points per game after contributing with three goals and one assist for the Reds.
He’s an expensive option, more expensive than any other Liverpool midfielder, but certainly worth considering if you can afford him.
4. Adam Lallana – 5.9 PPG
Adam Lallana has come on leaps and bounds under Jurgen Klopp this season and is now a genuine attacking threat within Liverpool’s midfield.
If it’s not evident from his performances on the pitch, they’re certainly evident in his improved points per 90 average since signing for Liverpool.
His last season at Southampton saw him average 5.19 points per 90, but the following two seasons with Liverpool had him averaging 4.70 in 14/15 and 4.65 in 15/16.
However, the England international’s form this season is his best yet – averaging an impressive 5.9 points per game.
He has contributed three goals and three assists in just seven games so far this term and you can expect him to continue such devastating form as we progress through the campaign.
And as one of the cheapest Liverpool midfielders available (£7.2m), he’s certainly one you should be considering.
3. Philippe Coutinho – 6.1 PPG
The Brazilian averaged 5.82 points per 90 last season and is already on course to better that this term after recording an impressive average of 6.1 points per game after just seven appearances this term.
There was a lot of talk last season about whether you should have both Coutinho and Firmino in your team at the same time, but this season that wouldn’t necessarily be a problem.
Coutinho has contributed with three goals and three assists to Liverpool’s impressive start to 16/17 and priced at a modest £8.3m, he’s an affordable high scoring midfielder to consider.
However, 34% of FPL players own him, which means you’re probably better off looking elsewhere in Liverpool’s midfield if you want to get the edge over other players.
2. Robert Firmino – 6.3 PPG
Roberto Firmino enjoyed a relatively successful debut Premier League season in 15/16, averaging a whopping 7.07 points per 90.
And although he hasn’t quite performed to that extent so far this term, he is currently pulling in an average of 6.3 points per game after just six league appearances.
That makes him the second highest performing Liverpool player in terms of points per game , mostly because of his three goals, two assists and 5 bonus points.
Firmino is a sensible pick for any FPL player because, although he is only slightly more expensive than Coutinho (£8.4m), he is owned by just 10.2% of FPL players, compared to 34% who own Coutinho.
If you’re looking for the edge over other FPL players, especially your mates, that extra £0.1m could be well worth the outlay.
1. James Milner – 7.2 PPG
There are pros and cons to James Milner in Fantasy Premier League this season.
He has technically been playing as a defender for Liverpool so far this season but due to the fact he is listed as a midfielder on FPL, he’ll be getting less points per clean sheet.
That’s reflected in both his price (£6.6m) and the fact only 4.8% of FPL players have him in their team.
However, the positives are that he’s scoring goals. All of his four Premier League goals have come from the penalty spot this season but Liverpool’s attacking threat means they’re probably more likely to get more penalties than anyone else.
His performances for Liverpool have also been impressive, which has led to him averaging a whopping 7.2 points per game after just six appearances.
His highest average points per game before this season is 5.51, which he achieved in the 14/15 season.
