Gameweek 16: Liverpool Crisis, Bruno's Explosion & Essential Transfer Targets

Welcome to your essential Gameweek 16 breakdown! With Saturday's 1:30pm deadline fast approaching, we're cutting through the noise to bring you critical injury updates, explosive transfer trends, and the captaincy calls that could define your weekend. Let's dive straight in.

Liverpool are in crisis mode heading into their home clash with Brighton. Mohamed Salah is a major doubt with a groin issue, and Cody Gakpo is also sidelined. To make matters worse, Alexander Isak has picked up another groin problem, throwing the entire Liverpool attack into chaos. For FPL managers heavily invested in their front line, this is massive news that demands immediate attention.

Over 780,000 managers brought in the Manchester United captain, pushing ownership from 25.6% upward. His Gameweek 15 explosion against Wolves was spectacular: 2 goals, 1 assist, and 18 points including maximum bonus. That brings his season tally to 4 goals and 6 assists (85 total points), averaging 5.7 points per game.

Fixtures: Bournemouth visit Old Trafford on Monday night, where Ruben Amorim's attacking system is starting to click. With 8.8 expected points for GW16, Fernandes is firmly back in premium midfielder conversation.

Verdict: Good option if you don't own him, but be aware the Monday night fixture limits flexibility. If you're using transfers elsewhere, he can wait.

Over 637,000 transfers in as Newcastle's Brazilian maestro continues his incredible hot streak. His Gameweek 15 performance against Burnley brought 10 points thanks to a goal, taking his season tally to an impressive 5 goals and 4 assists (81 total points).

Stats: Averaging 5.8 points per game with 4 clean sheets banked. At £7.0m, he represents incredible value in a Newcastle side pushing for European spots.

Fixtures: The Sunderland derby at the Stadium of Light looks tasty, with 7.8 expected points suggesting continued returns.

Verdict: Essential. If you haven't got him, this is your week. At this price point, he's a no-brainer.

The Everton midfielder is criminally overlooked at just 9.2% ownership, but over 560,000 savvy managers brought him in this week. His Gameweek 15 haul was exceptional: 1 goal, 1 assist, clean sheet, and maximum bonus for 16 points against Nottingham Forest.

Season Performance: 4 goals, 3 assists, and 6 clean sheets already (74 total points). He's playing advanced in David Moyes's setup and clearly thriving in that role.

Fixtures: Faces Chelsea at Stamford Bridge with 5.8 expected points suggesting continued returns. Everton's fixtures turn after this, so jump on now.

Verdict: Excellent differential at £5.1m. Perfect enabler with genuine attacking upside.

Over 125,000 managers sold him, and rightly so. Zero minutes in Gameweek 15 against Burnley is a killer. The Newcastle winger has just 3 goals this season and hasn't assisted once in 14 gameweeks. His 3.1 points per game average is woeful for a £6.4m asset.

Verdict: Sell immediately. With Anthony Gordon, Jacob Murphy and others ahead in the pecking order, Barnes is a bench option at best. There are far better £6.4m midfielders available.

Over 100,000 bailed after 4 points in Nottingham Forest's thrashing at Everton. While he's been okay this season (62 total points from 1 goal and 2 assists), that 5.2 expected points doesn't inspire confidence ahead of the Tottenham clash.

Verdict: Hold if you're priced out of moves, but he's sellable if funds are needed elsewhere. Forest's defensive fragility is hurting midfield assets, and at £5.4m, Dewsbury-Hall offers much better value.

Over 100,000 moved him on despite Chelsea keeping a clean sheet. The Spanish left-back got 6 points in the bore draw with Bournemouth, but his attacking returns have dried up completely. Just 2 assists all season and zero goals for a £6.2m defender in a top-four side isn't good enough.

Verdict: Sell if you need to fund upgrades. With Trevoh Chalobah at £5.4m offering better value with 3 goals already, Cucurella feels overpriced. His 3.5 expected points for Everton at home is poor for that price point.

Looking to separate yourself from the template? These under-owned assets could deliver explosive returns:

The Brentford midfielder has 3 goals and 4 assists this season (62 total points) and faces Leeds at home. Leeds shipped 3 to Liverpool in Gameweek 15, and Dango creates chances in Keith Andrews's system. At £6.1m, he's a punt that could pay off big.

The criminally overlooked Fulham winger has 2 goals and 3 assists this season. Fulham visit Burnley, who've conceded in almost every home game. Marco Silva rotates, but when Chukwueze plays, he delivers in the final third. 5.8 expected points suggests an upset haul is possible.

The Sunderland midfielder has 56 points this season from 2 goals and 3 assists. Sunderland host Newcastle in a tasty derby, and at £4.9m, he's the ultimate enabler with genuine attacking upside if the Black Cats grab a surprise result.

Captain Pick: Bruno Fernandes is the standout captain choice for Gameweek 16. Bournemouth away on Monday night gives him prime conditions to build on that 18-point haul. If you want safer, Bruno Guimarães at home to Sunderland offers similar ceiling with derby motivation.

⚠️ Important: Avoid Liverpool assets until we get clarity on Salah and Gakpo's fitness. Don't captain blindly into uncertainty.

This is the defensive budget pick everyone needs. 11 points in Gameweek 15, 7 clean sheets, and 3 goals already (82 total points). Chelsea face Everton at home, and he's the set-piece threat every defensive budget needs. At £5.4m, he's outperforming defenders costing £1m+ more.

Gameweek 16's Saturday 1:30pm deadline means you need to act fast. The Bruno double-up (Fernandes and Guimarães) looks essential, Dewsbury-Hall is the budget enabler we've been waiting for, and don't forget about Chalobah's defensive value.

Monitor Liverpool's injury news closely - if Salah is ruled out, that changes everything. Make those moves count, trust your research, and remember: the early deadline means less time to react to team news.

Good luck with Gameweek 16, and remember: always back yourself!