Liverpool players are typically very popular in Fantasy Premier League, but entering the 2026-27 season, there appear to be limited options, particularly in attack
Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool during preseason
Dominik Szoboszlai is one of a few Liverpool players popular in Fantasy Premier League entering the season(Image: Photo by Lewis Storey - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Liverpool’s lack of activity in the summer transfer window is having an impact on which players are available to pick in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) to start the season.
Historically, Liverpool players are popular choices in FPL, which kicks off for another season on Friday, Aug. 21 when title holders Arsenal face promoted side Coventry City in the opening fixture of the 2026-27 campaign. Ahead of the new season, just four different Liverpool players are selected by more than five percent of all FPL teams, fewer than Arsenal (10 players), Manchester City (nine), Manchester United (six), Chelsea (six), and Tottenham (six).
A big reason why Reds players are out of favor is the club’s lack of transfer activity this summer, although that could soon change if deals for Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye can get over the line.
Barcola and Mbaye could both end up being intriguing FPL options, especially if Cody Gakpo transfers to Spurs.
However, with both players currently unproven in the Premier League, it would come as no surprise to see them sparsely selected until they show they can produce week-to-week.
With no Mohamed Salah – who finished top-3 in total FPL points in seven of his nine seasons at Liverpool – in the picture anymore, fans are banking on Alexander Isak (selected by 15.4 percent of FPL teams) and Florian Wirtz (14.7 percent) to produce goals and assists.
Dominik Szoboszlai (selected by 41.3 percent of teams) is by far the most popular Liverpool player in FPL this year after scoring 160 fantasy points last season, second at the club to Virgil van Dijk, who finished on 175 points and is currently selected by 17.9 percent of all FPL teams ahead of 2026-27.
Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool during the during the pre-season friendly match
Virgil van Dijk led all Liverpool players in total FPL points last season(Image: Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
When breaking down Liverpool’s FPL options by position, there is a glaring hole in the forward area.
Isak is currently the only fit Liverpool forward in FPL, with Hugo Ekitike still recovering from an Achilles injury that will keep him out another several months. Jayden Danns is the club’s only other listed forward.
Even if the Barcola and Mbaye transfers are completed, both players would likely be listed as midfielders, giving FPL players the conundrum of picking between them versus Szoboszlai or Wirtz, both of whom are popular picks heading into the year.
Other midfield options such as Gakpo, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Rio Ngumoha, and Victor Munoz are all currently selected by fewer than four percent of all FPL teams.
In defense, Milos Kerkez (selected by 4.4 percent of teams) and Jeremie Frimpong (3.2 percent) are not popular picks, while Jeremy Jacquet (2.2 percent) and Ronald Araujo (1.5 percent) still must prove themselves in a Liverpool shirt before earning the trust of FPL players.
Despite the lack of popularity and diversity of options of Liverpool players in FPL, things can change rapidly if the goals start flowing and the defense sures up in early days under Iraola.