Liverpool vs Leeds United preview: Team news, lineups, score prediction
Leeds United make one of the toughest trips in the Premier League on New Year’s Day as Liverpool and Anfield await Daniel Farke’s side.
Leeds drew 1-1 with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light last time out, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin continuing his scoring streak to cancel out Simon Adingra’s opener.
As such, sack talk surrounding Farke has now eased, as Leeds are unbeaten in their last five games despite facing teams such as Chelsea, Liverpool and Crystal Palace.
The Whites will be looking to continue their strong run of form at Anfield on New Year’s Day, and MOT Leeds News highlights everything you need to know ahead of the clash.
Preview
Leeds scored one of the goals of the season against Sunderland, with all 11 players touching the ball before Calvert-Lewin made it six-straight games with a goal in the Premier League.
It was Farke football at it’s brilliant best, and concrete evidence that his team have enough quality to not only survive this season, but to push towards a mid or possibly even top-half finish.
However, despite Leeds’ unbeaten run they find themselves in, they have only won one of their last four, which came in a 4-1 trouncing of Crystal Palace on 20 December.
But they are now ticking along nicely in the top flight, and any Leeds fan would surely bite your hands off for another point on the road against Liverpool on Thursday night.
That, however, is going to be easier said than done, as Arne Slot’s side are unbeaten in their last seven games in all competitions dating back to 30 November.
Relegation-stricken Wolves did push them all the way at Anfield last time out though, with the Reds scraping past Rob Edwards’ side in a 2-1 win on 27 December.
Form guide
Liverpool (last six all comps): W W W W D D
Leeds (last six all comps): D W D D W L
Head-to-head
It may come as a surprise to some that this fixture has been relatively even over the last few meetings.
Leeds and Liverpool shared a 3-3 draw in an Elland Road classic on 6 December, with wins for both teams in the two games prior to that one.
Liverpool ran out 6-1 winners in April 2023, whilst Leeds took a 2-1 victory from Anfield in October 2022, meaning this one is perfectly balanced in terms of wins for both sides and a draw from the last three clashes.
Team news and predicted lineups
Leeds defender Joe Rodon will miss the next few weeks after sustaining an ankle ligament injury against Sunderland.
As such, Farke may need to revert to a back four approach at Anfield, having seen excellent results after shifting to a 3-5-2 in recent weeks.
Sebastiaan Bornauw or James Justin could be tasked with coming into the back three though at right centre-back if Farke is reluctant to change his formation.
Meanwhile, Ao Tanaka could come in for Brenden Aaronson to provide some extra defensive stability for Leeds, and Lukas Nmecha might replace Noah Okafor up-front alongside Calvert-Lewin.
Sean Longstaff and Dan James also look set to play no part against Liverpool as they continue to deal with their own injury problems.
As for the hosts, Dominik Szoboszlai will surely return to Liverpool’s starting XI after serving his suspension.
But, the Reds will be without Mo Salah who is at AFCON, whilst Joe Gomez, Stefan Bajcetic and Wataru Endo are unlikely to be fit to return against Leeds.
Alexander Isak and Giovanni Leoni are both longer-term absentees, and certainly won’t play any part on New Year’s Day.
Liverpool predicted XI: Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Jones; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Wirtz; Ekitike
Leeds predicted XI: Perri; Justin, Bijol, Struijk; Ampadu, Tanaka, Stach, Bogle, Gudmundsson; Nmecha, Calvert-Lewin
Prediction: Liverpool 1-1 Leeds
Leeds have shown they can hang with the best teams in the Premier League in recent weeks, and will be confident they can come away from Anfield with something to take back to West Yorkshire.
However, it doesn’t come any tougher than Liverpool away for a travelling team, and whilst the Reds haven’t made their home the fortress it so typically is this season, it will still take some doing to breach its walls.
But, with a fired up and confident Leeds team coming to town, and with Wolves having played them very close last time out, there is something in this one for Farke’s side.
If Leeds can do what any opposing side must do if they are to get something from Anfield, which is be well-organised, defensively solid and clinical when the chance arrives, then they are more than capable of continuing their unbeaten run on Merseyside.
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