Leeds United will make their eagerly-awaited return to top-flight football on Saturday when they face defending champions Liverpool at Anfield.
The Whites, who will play their first game in the Premier League in 16 years, could not have got a tougher fixture. The Reds were undefeated at home in the league last season, with their three losses coming away from home. They last lost a league game at Anfield in April 2017.
The last time these two sides met was in the League Cup in 2016, when Liverpool registered a comfortable 2-0 win. But, this is a different Leeds United, who will play under the mercurial and enigmatic Marcelo Bielsa, who could have a trick or two up his sleeve.
Leeds United Team News
Newly capped England international Kalvin Phillips should be fit despite his minor injury. But, fellow midfielder Adam Forshaw is not yet ready to return to action. The rest of the squad seem to be fit ahead of their game against Liverpool.
It remains to be seen if Robin Koch and Rodrigo will feature from the onset, but could certainly get a few minutes off the bench as Bielsa likes to slowly integrate players into his setup.
Let’s take a look at the possible Leeds United lineup for the game against Liverpool:
Predicted Leeds United Lineup vs Liverpool
Goalkeeper
It will be interesting to see if Bielsa sticks with the experienced Kiko Casilla, who has been prone to make a few mistakes, or the young, but capable Illan Meslier. The Frenchman did really well in Casilla’s absence, but the latter played in all the friendlies, and could be in goal come Saturday.
Defence
New signing Koch may not start this game as Bielsa usually gives new signings time to adapt to Leeds’ style of play. This could mean that right-back Luke Ayling could move over to centre-back to play alongside captain Liam Cooper.
Ayling has done well in that role in pre-season, and could feature there until Koch is ready for regular first-team football.
Youngster Oliver Casey, and left-back-cum-centre-back Leif Davis is also an option. Kalvin Phillips could also drop to centre-back, although he’s a vital figure in midfield.
Stuart Dallas, who mainly played at left-back last season, could move over to right-back, with either Barry Douglas or Ezgjan Alioski playing at left-back. The latter has more pace, but will need to focus as he is known to drift off in games, especially at left-back, considering it isn’t his natural position.
Midfield
Kalvin Phillips should play the anchor role in midfield, with Mateusz Klich playing in central midfield, and the experience Pablo Hernandez playing ahead of the two on the pitch.
If Bielsa decides to play Hernandez as a right-winger, young Jamie Shackleton could play alongside Klich, to add energy in the middle of the park.
Attack
Helder Costa and Jack Harrison should play on the right-wing and left-wing respectively, with either new signing Rodrigo, or Patrick Bamford playing up top.
It’s an interesting one with Rodrigo considering he is extremely tenacious, and is match fit as well, having played a lot of minutes for the Spanish national team. But, considering he has barely had any acclimatisation time, Bamford could get make the Leeds United lineup ahead of the Spaniard.
