Gameweek 23: Schade & Garner Transfers Explode as Liverpool Defence Crumbles

Welcome back to Who Got The Points, your daily FPL briefing delivered straight to your inbox! Thanks for subscribing. With the Gameweek 23 deadline approaching on Sunday at 11 AM, we've got crucial transfer intel, captaincy insights, and tactical moves you need to make right now.

Gameweek 22 delivered some jaw-dropping results that are reshaping FPL strategies heading into GW23:

These results have triggered massive transfer activity, with managers scrambling to adjust their squads. Let's break down exactly what you need to know.

Bruno G Injury Concern: The Newcastle midfielder is doubtful for the clash with Aston Villa due to an ankle injury (75% chance of playing). However, he started and played the full 90 minutes in GW22's 0-0 draw with Wolves, so monitor team news closely before the deadline.

Brentford's Attack Stalls: Kevin Schade and Thiago both started against Chelsea but couldn't deliver points. Schade managed just 1 point despite playing 81 minutes, while Thiago played the full 90 but blanked. A concerning sign before their GW23 fixture.

Wilson's Solid Run Continues: Fulham's Wilson played 87 minutes and secured a clean sheet against Leeds, continuing his consistent performances even without attacking returns.

B.Fernandes Explodes: Man United's talisman delivered 10 points against City with 1 assist and 2 bonus points. He now faces Arsenal on Sunday with only 2.4 expected points, but his form cannot be ignored.

Liverpool Defence in Crisis: Virgil managed just 2 points against Burnley as Liverpool conceded yet again, bringing their season tally to 29 goals conceded - a worrying trend for what was expected to be a defensive powerhouse.

Transfer Activity: 85,000 managers bringing him in

Season Stats: Despite blanking against Chelsea, Schade has accumulated impressive numbers across 21 appearances with 6 goals and 4 assists. He faces Nottingham Forest at home in GW23 with a massive 7.2 expected points.

The Case For: Brentford have found their form, and Schade is their creative outlet. The home fixture against Forest looks extremely promising for attacking returns.

The Concern: That 81-minute showing against Chelsea raises questions about his guaranteed minutes. Monitor rotation risk.

VERDICT: ✅ Good buy, but monitor his minutes closely. The fixture is too good to ignore.

Transfer Activity: 109,000 managers bringing him in - the week's biggest mover!

GW22 Performance: 4 points with 90 minutes played and a clean sheet. He's a budget enabler who keeps delivering consistent returns.

Defensive Strength: Everton have secured an impressive 9 clean sheets this season under David Moyes. They face Leeds on Monday night with 7.0 expected points.

The Key Advantage: At £5.2m, he's freeing up crucial funds that allow you to upgrade to premium attackers elsewhere in your squad.

VERDICT: ✅✅ Essential for budget midfield slots. This is the enabler everyone needs.

Transfer Activity: 89,000 transfers in despite Arsenal's defensive concerns

Recent Form: 5 points last week with 90 minutes and a clean sheet against Forest. Season totals show 10 clean sheets, 2 goals, and 4 assists - impressive attacking contribution from a defender.

GW23 Fixture: Faces Man United on Sunday - a tough test given United's recent form shock against City.

The Long Game: Arsenal's schedule beyond GW23 looks excellent, making Timber an attractive medium-term hold for those thinking ahead.

VERDICT: ✅ Good buy for medium-term holds, especially with Arsenal's upcoming fixture swing.

Transfer Activity: 79,000 managers shipping him out

The Damning Stats: Just 2 points against Burnley. Liverpool have now conceded 29 goals this season - a shocking defensive record that has FPL managers losing patience.

GW23 Fixture Concern: Liverpool face Bournemouth away, where the Cherries have already scored 4 times at home this season. Virgil's 3.9 expected points isn't cutting it at £5.9m.

The Bigger Picture: Liverpool's defence under Arne Slot has been genuinely disappointing. This isn't a temporary blip - it's a season-long trend that shows no signs of improving.

VERDICT: 🚫 Sell if you need funds or have better defensive options. Liverpool's defensive assets are no longer essential.

Transfer Activity: 136,000 transfers OUT (despite 293,000 coming in) - this is massive template disruption!

GW22 Blank: Played the full 90 minutes against United but delivered zero attacking returns. Season stats of 10 goals and 5 assists are solid, but...

City's Form Collapse: The champions drew with Brighton and lost to United in their last two games. The concern isn't Semenyo's ability - it's City's collective struggles.

GW23 Outlook: Wolves at home with 5.1 expected points sounds good on paper, but can you trust City's attack right now?

VERDICT: ⚠️ Hold if you've got bigger fires to fight, but he's not essential anymore. Not a priority sell, but no longer a must-own.

Transfer Activity: 275,000 managers dumping him - the injury concern is causing panic

The Injury Cloud: Ankle injury with only a 75% chance of playing. Recent performance showed 3 points last week, but the uncertainty is killing his appeal.

Quality When Fit: 8 goals and 5 assists this season demonstrates his quality. The talent isn't in question.

GW23 Fixture Analysis: Newcastle face Aston Villa who've conceded just 27 goals this season. Even with 5.4 expected points, the injury cloud makes this a risky hold.

VERDICT: 🚫 Sell if you need certainty, but if he's declared fit, he could be a sneaky hold. Wait for team news if you can afford the risk.

Why He's Interesting: 5 goals and 4 assists this season with consistent minutes (87 minutes against Leeds with a clean sheet).

The Fixture Edge: Fulham face Brighton who conceded 3 goals in their last match. At 4.6 expected points with under 3% ownership, this is a genuine differential that could pay off big.

Risk Assessment: Low ownership means if he hauls, you gain serious ground in your mini-leagues. Perfect for those chasing rank.

The Surprise Package: 4 goals and 3 assists this season shows he's getting involved in attacking phases. Delivered 3 points against City playing 80 minutes.

United's Momentum: Form is improving dramatically under interim management. Arsenal away is tough, but at 1.3% ownership, if United pull off another shock result, you're laughing all the way to green arrows.

When to Use Him: Perfect for Draft FPL or as a bench option who could explode. Not recommended as a starting XI pick unless you're feeling extremely brave.

Price: £7.2m | Ownership: 37.7% | Expected Points: 7.6

The Numbers Don't Lie: 16 goals this season makes Thiago the league's most consistent forward. Despite blanking against Chelsea in GW22, his track record demands respect.

The Fixture: Nottingham Forest away is a dream matchup. Forest have conceded 3 goals in recent matches, and Brentford at home are genuinely dangerous.

Why Pin the Armband Here: High ceiling, favorable fixture, consistent track record, and reasonable ownership means this is a safe-aggressive captain choice. If he blanks, most of your rivals are in the same boat. If he hauls, you're in great shape.

Don't Panic-Sell B.Fernandes After His 10-Point Haul

Yes, Arsenal away is tough. Yes, his expected points are only 2.4. But here's the thing: Man United's momentum is real under interim boss Michael Carrick. They just embarrassed Man City 2-0 at home. That kind of confidence and tactical organization doesn't disappear overnight.

B.Fernandes delivered 10 points in GW22 with 1 assist and 2 bonus points. He's the creative heartbeat of this rejuvenated United side. Sometimes holding form beats chasing fixtures, especially when that form involves a player with 5 goals and 9 assists this season.

The Smart Play: If you don't own him, no need to chase. But if he's in your squad, give him one more week to prove this wasn't a flash in the pan. United's upcoming fixtures improve significantly after Arsenal, and you don't want to sell right before they hit a purple patch.

TOP 3 TRANSFERS IN:

TOP 3 TRANSFERS OUT:

Gameweek 23 is shaping up to be crucial. With the deadline at 11 AM on Sunday, make sure you've addressed these key areas:

The template is shifting. With 136,000 managers moving away from Semenyo and 275,000 dumping Bruno G, there's opportunity to differentiate your squad. But remember: differentiation for its own sake is pointless. Make moves that improve your team's expected output, not just its uniqueness.

Trust your gut, back your research, and don't be afraid to hold players with good form even when fixtures look tough. Sometimes momentum trumps matchups.

That's all for today's briefing. Make those transfers count, captain wisely, and remember the deadline is 11 AM on Sunday. We'll be back tomorrow with fresh insights and analysis.

Good luck in Gameweek 23!