Gary Neville blown away by ‘brilliant’ Leeds United winger Dan James
Gary Neville waxed lyrical about Dan James ahead of Sunday’s clash between Leeds United and Liverpool at Elland Road.
James, 23, joined the Whites on deadline day from bitter rivals Manchester United, but was named on the bench for the visit of Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Speaking pitchside at Elland Road for Sky Sports before the game, ex-Manchester United defender Neville hailed the signing of the Wales international.
“Yeah, I think it always was [the right club for him],” Neville said in a video relayed via Football Daily on Twitter.
“The way Leeds play, high-energy, fast players on the counter-attack, Dan James is brilliant on the counter-attack.
“His best games at Manchester United were at Old Trafford when they were up in the game and he could just fly away.
“He finds it more difficult when there’s a packed defence and he’s got to be a little bit more creative but I think today against Liverpool he’ll cause problems.
“He suits this Leeds team down to the ground.”
Welsh wizardry required
Leeds looked to be lacking in energy during parts of the first half against Liverpool on Sunday, not something that can usually be levelled against Marcelo Bielsa’s side.
That can, perhaps, be attributed to the relentless nature of the away side who are also famed for their ability to unsettle teams.
Liverpool were well on top during the opening stages at Elland Road with Mohamed Salah putting the Reds in front on 20 minutes.
Raphinha showed flashes of his Brazilian brilliance but Jack Harrison was kept quiet over on the left-wing.
Bielsa may well look to his bench for the second half and introduce his new signing James in place of Harrison, or possibly play him as part of a trio behind Patrick Bamford as the Whites go in search of an equaliser.
In other Leeds United news, Paul Robinson suggests a new role for this Whites player after a recent development.