One of the most exciting match-ups in the first week of the 2020-21 Premier League season will be at Anfield as reigning Premier League champions Liverpool, will face off against Leeds United. The Whites will play their first top-flight game in 16 years on Saturday, and despite them facing a dominant Liverpool side at “Fortress Anfield”, Leeds fans will be excited to see how Marcelo Bielsa’s men get on in their return to England’s top-flight.
It will be a game that will feature two sides that depend heavily on pressing, which could give the Reds a lot of space to exploit. Leeds, though, could shock the champions as their aggressive and methodical pressing can catch out some teams.
3 key battles to watch out for in the game between Liverpool and Leeds United
Roberto Firmino vs Kalvin Phillips
Leeds United’s defensive midfielder Kalvin Phillips is a vital part of this team and is a key player in Bielsa’s pressing tactics. The midfielder will be in a confident mood after his first England call-up in the latest round of international matches. He plays as a defensive midfielder but Bielsa’s system has seen him play as part of a back three as well.
Phillips could be tasked with the duty of shadowing Firmino and not allowing the Brazilian to drop deep and create chances. The English international is perhaps the best man for the job as he is adept at pressing, can play in defensive midfield as well as centre back, and can also help start counter attacks with his passing.
Trent Alexander-Arnold vs Jack Harrison
It’s an open secret that Liverpool’s full-backs are one of the main reasons for their success. Bielsa will know this too, and he will be wary of the threat that Trent Alexander-Arnold poses on the Liverpool right. But, the English right-back is not the best defensively, and Bielsa could use this weakness to his advantage. Jack Harrison, who has been on loan at Leeds United for two consecutive seasons in the Championship and has returned on loan for another season, could be a threat going forward for Leeds.
The left-sided winger is a quick and skilful dribbler, who could exploit open spaces in the counter-attack to catch out the Liverpool defence. But, Harrison will mostly play in his own half, and he will be asked to track Alexander-Arnold’s runs, which is a role he could perform well as he has got good energy and work-rate.
Pablo Hernandez vs Fabinho
Perhaps Leeds’ most important player in attack is the experienced Pablo Hernandez. The Spaniard has prior experience of playing in the Premier League, having played for Swansea City a few years ago.
Hernandez has the dribbling ability, vision and technique to exploit gaps in the Liverpool defence. He will face off against one of Europe’s best defensive midfielders in Fabinho, and this will be an interesting – and important – tussle in the middle of the park.