Leeds United will host Liverpool in the Premier League on Monday, with both sides looking to get their season back on track.
Leeds United picked up a 2-1 win over Liverpool at Anfield earlier this season, and they will be hoping to replicate that feat at Elland Road now. The Whites are coming into this game on the back of just two wins from the last six league matches.
They were beaten 5-1 by Crystal Palace in their last outing at home. The fans will be hoping for a strong reaction from the players here. Meanwhile, Liverpool are without a win in the last four league matches, and they will be desperate to bounce back strongly.
Top four qualification is already in jeopardy and Liverpool will need a mini miracle to get back into the top for this season. Jurgen Klopp will demand a strong performance from the players, and it remains to be seen whether Liverpool can avenge their defeat to Leeds at home earlier in the season.
Team News and Tactics
Leeds United
🎙 Javi Gracia chats to the press ahead of Monday's Liverpool clash https://t.co/n2kBC5pVhb
— Leeds United (@LUFC) April 14, 2023
Javi Gracia will be without the services of Stuart Dallas, Tyler Adams and Max Wober because of injury problems. Leeds are likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Illan Meslier in goal.
Luke Ayling and junior Firpo are likely to be deployed as the full-backs, and the two players will look to assist during counterattacks. Robin Koch will partner with Pascal Struijk at the heart of the defence.
In the midfield pilot, Weston McKennie will start alongside Marc Roca. While Roca will look to break down the opposition’s play, McKennie will hope to add drive and creativity to the side.
Jack Harrison and Luis Sinisterra will be the wingers here and the two players will look to add pace and creativity from the wide areas. Patrick Bamford is expected to lead the line for Leeds with Brenden Aaronson behind him, creating opportunities in the final third.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Ayling, Koch, Struijk, Firpo; McKennie, Roca; Harrison, Aaronson, Sinisterra; Bamford
Liverpool
Liverpool will be without the services of Calvin Ramsay, Stefan Bajcetic, and Naby Keita because of injuries. However, the return of Thiago Alcantara and Luis Diaz will come as a major boost for Klopp and his players.
Liverpool are likely to line up in a 4-3-3 formation, with Alisson Becker in goal. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson will start as the full-backs, and they will look to create opportunities for their teammates on the overlap. Ibrahima Konate will start at the heart of the defence along with Virgil van Dijk.
We’re LIVE with the boss as he looks ahead to #LEELIV on Monday night 🎙️ https://t.co/znp9dWMjwL
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 14, 2023
Brazilian international Fabinho is set to anchor the midfield with Thiago Alcantara dictating the tempo of the game alongside him. Curtis Jones is also likely to start in the midfield three after impressing in his recent outings. The youngster will look to add creativity in the middle of the park.
Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah are likely to start as the wingers, with Cody Gakpo leading the line. Diaz is unlikely to start the game, but he should be involved at some point.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Jones, Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Gakpo, Nunez
Key Stats
- Liverpool have kept a clean sheet in five of their last seven away matches against Leeds United in all competitions.
- Liverpool are unbeaten in five of the last six matches against Leeds United.
- Leeds United have conceded 54 league goals in 30 matches this season.
- 23 goals have been scored in the last six matches between these two sides.
- Leeds United have failed to win their last six home matches against Liverpool.
Player to Watch
Mohamed Salah
Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah is our player to watch on Monday night. The 30-year-old Egyptian has been in fantastic form for the Reds this season, scoring 24 goals and picking up ten assists across all competitions. He has seven goals in his last nine appearances for club and country.
Salah managed to get on the score sheet against Arsenal in the last game. But he missed a spot kick. The Egyptian will be determined to bounce back strongly, and he has the quality to trouble a vulnerable Leeds United defence here.
Prediction
Leeds United 1-2 Liverpool
Liverpool are undoubtedly the better team on paper and they should be able to grind out all three points here. Both teams are in disappointing form right now and this is likely to be a close encounter.
Leeds are playing for their survival in the league and Liverpool are hoping to secure european qualification for the next season. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for the away side.
