Having restored some pride in last Sunday’s second-half against Arsenal, Liverpool need to get back to winning ways tomorrow evening.
Without a win in the last four Premier League games, and five in all competitions, the Reds top-four push has come away at the seams. But with Tottenham and Newcastle both losing yesterday, there is a slight opening for Liverpool. They have to capitalise.
Under the lights at Elland Road against a side scrapping for survival, it won’t be easy. Jurgen Klopp has almost a full compliment available to him though, as he aims to close the gap. Here’s the XI we think he’ll go for to do that.
Defence
As ever, Alisson Becker will keep goal for Liverpool tomorrow. The Brazilian is well in the mix for the Golden Glove award and will hope for another clean sheet in Yorkshire.
In-front of him, Trent Alexander-Arnold will hope to build on a positive display against Arsenal. Meanwhile Andy Robertson will be looking for a less controversial outing than last week.
Klopp has a decision to make at centre-back, with the news that Ibrahima Konate missed a couple of days training in the week. But such is his current importance to Liverpool, we think the Frenchman will be back to partner Virgil van Dijk.
Midfield
Curtis Jones has given Liverpool’s midfield a slightly different look over the last two games. Although the 22-year-old has largely done pretty well in draws against Chelsea and Arsenal, we think he’ll be withdrawn for this one.
Instead, with Thiago Alcantara now fit and available, the older man simply has to start. We saw the difference the Spain international can make almost instantly against the Gunners. As Paul Merson says, he’s ‘unbelievable.’ Great to have him back.
Meanwhile, at this stage we see no real reason not to wheel Fabinho and Jordan Henderson out once again.
Attack
Liverpool’s attack has been flailing a little of late. They did manage two goals against Arsenal last week, but they should have had at least twice as many. As a result, we think Klopp will mix things up slightly here.
When we say slightly, we mean by making just one change – Diogo Jota out, Roberto Firmino in. But with that slight adjustment, the make-up of the Reds attack is changed quite drastically.
Firmino’s entrance should see Cody Gakpo shift into the wide role he was so effective in at PSV Eindhoven. With he and Bobby as technically gifted as they come, it would be interesting to see how they play together. Besides, the Brazilian deserves a start for his goal scoring cameo at Anfield last week.
Had there been an acceptable understudy, we’d be tempted to take Mohamed Salah out for this one. His profligacy against Arsenal wasn’t good enough and that needs to be transmitted. But given the position they’re in, and the lack of a suitable replacement, there’s no need for Klopp to take out his top scorer. Mo goes again.
Liverpool’s predicted XI vs Leeds: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago; Salah, Firmino, Gakpo
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