Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United side face current Premier League champions Liverpool, on Monday evening at Elland Road (8pm).
After a thrilling and all-out-attacking clash at Anfield to open the 2020/21 season for both, another highly anticipated and exciting affair is expected at Elland Road.
The two teams are only separated by seven points, with seven games remaining. Jurgen Klopp’s side have had a tough year defending their title - which looks set to go to Manchester City this season - but they will be determined to get into the top four so they can play Champions League football next term.
Klopp’s side recently went out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stages, meaning they now only have the Premier League to focus on this season.
For Leeds, the goal was to always take every match as it comes in their first year back in the top-flight. The constant attitude towards taking maximum points currently has Bielsa’s side on a three-match winning run, whilst sitting 10th in the table.
Despite their perceived troubles this season, the Reds arrive in West Yorkshire having only lost three times in their 15 away matches this season. They also have the second-top scorer in the league in the shape of Mo Salah (19), who is backed up by the class of Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane.
For the Whites, goal-scoring has been spread around the squad. Patrick Bamford has been impressive and is still leading the charts with 14, but he is now backed up by a trio all chasing double figures themselves. Stuart Dallas & Jack Harrison are both on seven, whilst Raphinha is on six.
The creative arm of the Whites has been just as impressive. Bamford has seven assists to back up his goals, whilst Raphinha has created six. Both Harrison and Mateusz Klich are on five, with Helder Costa just behind with three.
Monday is an opportunity for Leeds to end a long run without a victory against their Merseyside opponents. Liverpool have won seven out of the last nine meetings - the other two being draws - with the Whites last enjoying success in 2001, a 2-1 victory at Anfield.
On home turf you have to go back a bit further, to when Mark Viduka stole the show by netting all four in a 4-3 win coming in November, 2000.
A win for Liverpool would move them up to fourth in the table, level on points with West Ham but above on goal difference.
The Whites could continue their leapfrogging match with Arsenal with a win, moving back above the Gunners into ninth place and even more notably, being just the two points off Tottenham in seventh.
Manager/head coach
Leeds: Marcelo Bielsa
Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp
League position
Leeds: 10th
Liverpool: 6th
Premier League form
Leeds: LDWWW
Liverpool: LLWWW
Premier League top scorer
Leeds United: Patrick Bamford (14)
Liverpool: Mo Salah (19)
Head to head
Leeds: 28
Draws: 30
Liverpool: 60
Last time at Elland Road
Tuesday 22nd September, 2009
League Cup Third Round
Leeds United 0
Liverpool 1 (Ngog 66’)
Team news
For Leeds, both Raphinha and Rodrigo are the main doubts ahead of the match, after picking up recent knocks. Both players are still being monitored ahead of the game. Liam Cooper will be missing after sent-off in the win over Manchester City, last time out.
Liverpool’s issues with injuries have been well documented this season. Joe Gomez, Jordan Henderson, Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk are all still missing, but there are no new and fresh injury concerns for the Reds.
Officials
Referee - Anthony Taylor
Assistant Referee 1 - Gary Beswick
Assistant Referee 2 - Stuart Burt
Fourth Official - Lee Mason
Video Assistant Referee - Mike Dean
The key battle
Luke Ayling vs Sadio Mane
With the absence of Liam Cooper due to suspension, Luke Ayling is due to take the armband at Elland Road against the current Premier League champions. On his right-hand-side of the pitch, he is likely to be facing up against one of the league’s best wingers, in the shape of Sadio Mane.
The tricky and lightning quick Senegalese international is often at the forefront of Liverpool’s attacks, and is only bettered in goalscoring terms by teammate Mo Salah and the recently signed Diogo Jota. However, with Mane’s constant attacking intent and Ayling’s ability to get forward as well from the back, it could be a battle that regularly takes place at both ends of the pitch.
Latest odds
Leeds: 15/4
Draw: 16/5
Liverpool: 8/13
How to watch
The game will be broadcast on Sky Sports, with live commentary on LUTV.
