Updated after Brentford 1-2 Liverpool. Liverpool's FPL hierarchy changed materially on Saturday. Alexander Isak scored the winner, Bradley Barcola assisted it, Florian Wirtz created nine chances from open play and Dominik Szoboszlai suffered a recurrence of his injury.
The short answer
Current attacking ranking:
- Alexander Isak — best goal route
- Florian Wirtz — best creative-process route
- Bradley Barcola — high-upside differential
- Gakpo — role/minutes still need monitoring
- Szoboszlai — avoid while injured
This is a much more investable Liverpool attack than the one that blanked against Fulham earlier in the season.
Isak: safest direct FPL route
Isak scored the winning goal at Brentford and now has five Premier League goals this season. The Premier League's Saturday review highlights his sharp touch and finish, while Liverpool's own post-match reaction confirms he remained the central attacking reference point. (Premier League) (Liverpool FC)
That matters because FPL managers want:
- central striker role;
- secure starts;
- repeated box touches;
- goal involvement;
- premium ceiling.
One of the earlier concerns around Liverpool was whether the attack would spread minutes too widely.
Isak's central role remains the easiest to understand.
Verdict
BUYABLE / strongest Liverpool goal pick.
Latest FPL news
Wirtz: the biggest process winner
Wirtz created nine chances from open play at Brentford.
Liverpool report that this was:
- the highest such total by a Premier League player since 2021;
- the highest away total for more than 15 years. (Liverpool FC)
That is enormous creative evidence.
An assist in one match can be random.
Nine open-play chances are not.
They show:
- central involvement;
- ball progression into dangerous areas;
- repeated chance creation;
- assist ceiling independent of set pieces.
Does Wirtz need goals to become a good FPL pick?
Not necessarily.
A midfielder can justify selection through:
- assists;
- bonus;
- clean-sheet point;
- occasional goals.
But price matters.
If Wirtz costs significantly more than Groß, Manzambi or other value mids, he needs either:
- stronger goal threat;
- more assists;
- better minutes;
- or a better fixture run.
The Brentford display pushes him strongly upward, but does not make every cheaper midfielder obsolete.
Barcola: role strengthening
Barcola assisted Isak's winner after his midweek Champions League hat-trick.
That combination is important:
- huge European output;
- direct league involvement;
- continued competition for starts.
He is no longer a speculative summer transfer.
He is a real first-team FPL differential.
The risk remains minutes because Liverpool's front line is deep.
Verdict
WATCH / differential buy only when expected start is strong.
Gakpo: competition is the issue
Gakpo's FPL problem has moved away from pure fitness.
The competition now includes:
- Barcola;
- Isak;
- other flexible attackers.
If he is not the most secure starter, managers should require:
- favourable fixture;
- strong expected minutes;
- clear role.
Do not buy only because Liverpool's attack improved in one second half.
Szoboszlai injury changes the midfield
Liverpool confirm Szoboszlai had to leave after 32 minutes and suffered a recurrence of the same problem that had kept him out. Iraola said Liverpool will lose him "for some time". (Liverpool FC)
That makes the FPL action clear:
Owners: SELL/replace if absence is confirmed across multiple Gameweeks. Buyers: avoid.
The second-order question is more interesting:
Who gains?
Possibilities include:
- Wirtz taking more creative responsibility;
- changes to set pieces;
- another midfielder gaining starts;
- tactical reshaping.
Do not assume the exact beneficiary before the next lineup.
Brentford red cards: important context
Liverpool's comeback came against reduced opposition.
Brentford lost Yarmoliuk before half-time and later finished with nine men.
The Premier League's Saturday review explicitly notes this caveat. (Premier League)
That means:
- Isak's finish still counts as strong individual evidence;
- Wirtz's chance creation remains excellent;
- but the total second-half attacking dominance should not be projected unchanged into every future match.
Context matters.
Brighton next
Liverpool's next league fixture against Brighton is a significant FPL test.
Brighton are a stronger side than a ten-man Brentford team.
But the game can still suit Liverpool attackers because:
- Brighton play proactively;
- space can appear in transition;
- Liverpool's front four have high individual quality.
This is a fixture where Isak remains highly playable.
Wirtz and Barcola depend more on expected minutes and price.
Use Fixtures before making the transfer.
Best Liverpool FPL player by need
| Need | Best route |
|---|---|
| Goals / forward slot | Isak |
| Creativity / assists | Wirtz |
| Differential upside | Barcola |
| Secure defender | Compare current defence + fixtures |
| Injured midfielder replacement | Do not replace Szoboszlai with another Liverpool player automatically |
Isak vs João Pedro
Isak
- premium goal route;
- central striker;
- higher price;
- Liverpool attack.
João Pedro
- cheaper;
- Chelsea attack;
- easier squad structure.
If Isak requires downgrading Saka or a premium defender, the cheaper forward can remain better for the full squad.
Wirtz vs Groß
Wirtz
- elite creativity;
- Liverpool ceiling;
- likely lower ownership.
Groß
- penalties;
- set pieces;
- value;
- stronger proven FPL scoring routes.
Wirtz is the differential/process route.
Groß remains the safer points-per-million route.
Barcola vs Cherki
Both are high-upside rotation plays.
Barcola's recent evidence is stronger because:
- European hat-trick;
- league assist;
- Liverpool's injuries can open space.
Cherki just received zero league minutes.
If you already own Cherki, do not automatically sideways-transfer.
If buying new, Barcola can be the more interesting risk if predicted to start.
Should managers triple up on Liverpool?
Not yet by default.
A double-up can be justified:
Isak + Wirtz
or
Isak + secure defender
depending fixtures.
A triple-up requires more confidence in:
- Barcola/Gakpo minutes;
- defensive stability;
- upcoming fixtures.
Internal links
Use:
The best Liverpool transfer is the one that survives European rotation and still improves your overall structure.
OneFPL verdict
Isak is the No.1 Liverpool FPL pick after Brentford. Wirtz is the biggest riser. Barcola is the differential watch.
The Saturday result gave us stronger evidence than a simple 2-1 scoreline:
- Isak central + scoring;
- Wirtz elite creation;
- Barcola direct involvement;
- Szoboszlai injury recurrence.
Liverpool's attack is becoming more attractive, but the red-card context means managers should not assume every opponent will allow the same second-half dominance.
European rotation checkpoint
Liverpool's next European lineup should be treated as the final filter before buying. If Isak is managed while Wirtz or Barcola play heavy minutes, GW8 start probabilities can move again. Recheck Team News before committing a transfer.
FAQ
Who is the best Liverpool player to buy in FPL after Brentford?
Isak is the clearest goal-scoring route after another central start and his fifth league goal. Wirtz has the strongest creative-process case, while Barcola is the higher-risk differential.
Is Florian Wirtz now a good FPL buy?
His nine open-play chances at Brentford are elite creative evidence. He is highly interesting, but managers should still compare price, goal threat and Liverpool's European workload before transferring.
What does Szoboszlai's injury mean for Liverpool FPL?
Liverpool say he suffered a recurrence of the same issue and will be out for some time. That removes one midfield competitor and can increase set-piece or creative responsibility for others, but the exact tactical redistribution needs monitoring.