Leeds United’s club-record signing Georginio Rutter is reportedly set to start on the bench this evening to face Liverpool, with the striker yet to return to the starting XI.
According to the Daily Mail the £35m striker will retain his bit-part role tonight against Liverpool with Javi Gracia set to name the France youth international on the bench, with Rutter starting just one Premier League game since signing for Leeds in the January transfer window.
Lauded as ‘spectacular’ by Hoffenheim’s director of football Alexander Rosen, former Leeds manager Jesse Marsch was the driving force behind bringing Rutter to Yorkshire at the start of the year, with the Whites smashing their transfer record to sign the 20-year-old.
However, despite Rutter’s potential and price tag, Liverpool will face Leeds without the French youngster in the starting XI, with Patrick Bamford expected to lead the line against Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, with the Reds likely to have Thiago Alcantara back in midfield, as well.
Indeed, tonight’s match is pivotal for both clubs, yet for Liverpool, Leeds lining up without their club-record signing could be viewed as a boost for Jurgen Klopp’s side, with the Merseyside giants desperate to return to winning ways at Elland Road.
Rutter can cause damage against Liverpool off Leeds’ bench
Whilst Rutter will be on the bench for the more experienced Bamford, that’s not to say that the threat the Leeds star possesses is completely gone, with Liverpool still wary of what the striker can do from the bench should Gracia decide to bring on the attacker.
Given the magnitude of tonight’s fixture, there is every chance that this game will be the one that Rutter decides to turn up for Leeds, and for Liverpool’s defenders, they have to be aware of the dangers the France youth international can cause if given the time and space to do so.
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