Arsenal’s Brazilian is the standout defender for DGW34 due to his huge potential at both ends of the pitch.
Gabriel has been a key figure in a rearguard that has helped the Gunners to 14 clean sheets, at least four more than any other side.
His threat at free-kicks and corners has also been a significant factor in recent months.
At set-piece situations, Gabriel’s two goals, 16 shots and 14 headed shots all place among the top two players in Fantasy since Gameweek 21. By contrast, no other Arsenal player managed more than two headed shots from set-plays in that period. If you’re looking to invest in Liverpool’s defence for DGW34, the centre-back is a more secure pick than Trent Alexander-Arnold (£8.4m) and Andrew Robertson (£6.4m), who are more likely to have their minutes managed following their recent returns from injury.
There’s no denying Jurgen Klopp’s side have struggled for clean sheets, claiming only one across their last 11 league outings.
However, it is Van Dijk’s goal threat from dead-ball situations that can reward investors in Fantasy. His 32 shots in the box and 25 headed shots are both more than any other defender in 2023/24 Fantasy.
The Dutchman’s attacking potential was in evidence in the Reds’ recent Double Gameweek 25, when he scored his second goal of the season to earn 10 points across their two matches.Palmer scored his first goal with a brilliant left-footed finish in the 13th minute, then headed in at close range in the 18th minute, before sending a right-footed lob over Jordan Pickford in the 29th minute.
His “perfect hat-trick” – which was followed by a second-half penalty – was the earliest ever in a Premier League match.There were just 16 minutes and four seconds between Palmer’s first and third goals against Everton. But he was nowhere near the record for the quickest ever hat-trick.