Chelsea star Reece James backed three Liverpool players in fantasy football ahead of Premier League opener

Chelsea star Reece James owned three Liverpool players in Fantasy Premier League, despite the Reds facing his side at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Over 11 million people play the official fantasy football game of the top flight, including a growing number of players from Premier League clubs themselves.

In a league called 'Bandits League', Premier League stars compete against one another in the game, where fantasy managers select players who earn points depending on their real-life performances. Past and present stars have entered the star-studded league, including Tottenham Hotspur midfielders Manor Soloman and James Maddison, Newcastle United men Kieran Trippier and Harvey Barnes, as well as familiar faces Ben Foster and Conor Coady.

FPL Focal, which collects data on football stars' teams also reports to have uncovered picks from Bournemouth players Mark Travers, David Brooks and Marcus Tavernier, Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele and Arsenal shot-stopper Aaron Ramsdale, among many more.

All of the teams make for interesting viewing, but it is Reece James' selection that catches the eye after the opening weekend of Premier League fixtures.

The new Chelsea captain featured in Sunday's meeting with Liverpool but was hooked off in the 76th minute after another injury niggle. The spoils were shared in the meeting with an Axel Disasi debut goal cancelling out an early Luis Diaz opener.

Selecting his side for Gameweek 1, which included his club's fixture against Liverpool, James didn't select a single teammate but did put Alexis Mac Allister, Mohammed Salah and Darwin Nunez into his starting XI.

Luckily for Chelsea fans, but perhaps unluckily for James' fantasy football squad, none of the three did score against the Blues with just Salah picking up any attacking returns thanks to his assist.

Most Premier League stars do back their own teammates in the game, although some have landed in hot water by seeming to confirm injury news or team selections when user transfers are announced sometimes days before kick-off.

James’ team scored an impressive 76 points in the opening week, 12 more than the average 64. The full-back captained Manchester City talisman Erling Haaland for his brace against Burnley and owned Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka and Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana for their hauls.