Anthony Onifade

Mon 17 April 2023 13:10, UK

Leeds United will be aiming to right the wrongs of their 5-1 drubbing against Crystal Palace last time out when they host Liverpool at Elland Road on Monday [17 April].

The Whites produced an encouraging first-half performance but went into the break level thanks to a goal in stoppage time, before dramatically collapsing after the break, conceding four in a shocking performance.

However, with Javi Gracia and his men looking to correct their costly errors in that game, it probably comes at a bad opportunity to achieve that as they take on a Liverpool side looking to claim back their stuttering season.

The Whites can all but hold on to their hopes of claiming a crucial victory in their quest to steer clear of the drop zone and for that to happen, the Spaniard’s decisions ahead of the match will be heavily scrutinised.

And one of those decisions has been the consistent omission of Leeds United star Wilfried Gnonto from his starting XI, with the Italian wonderkid arguably being the club’s best player all season.

Gnonto has only started once in Leeds United’s last six Premier League encounters when he’s been included in the matchday squad with the Spaniard preferring the struggling Brendan Aaronson instead, a decision which has proven baffling by the Spaniard given his unique qualities that could significantly aid the Whites’ aims of securing their English top-flight status.

The teenage winger made his return to action from injury as a substitute against Crystal Palace and will surely be itching to get a start against the Reds on Monday [17 April].

Leeds United looked incredibly lifeless and lacking in quality during that second half against the Eagles, which should enforce Gracia to ring the changes and one of those major decisions has to be starting the former FC Zurich man who could thoroughly exploit Liverpool’s struggling back-line.

As The Athletic journalist, Phil Hay stated [The Phil Hay Show,13 March, 17m:10s], the Italian magician is an “influential” attacking cog in the Leeds camp, arguably more influential than Aaronson and Luis Sinisterra who have been the preferred options in recent matches.

Gracia’s decisions has certainly led to major criticism from those associated with the club. Former Tottenham Hotspur and England goalkeeper Paul Robinson claimed that the Spaniard probably “doesn’t fancy” Gnonto and his decision to bench the club’s best-attacking threat was not a good call.

The 19-year-old has enjoyed a stellar first season in England, contributing four goals and three assists in 21 appearances in all competitions but more crucially possesses amazing trickery, 1v1 dribbling, pace and technical skill to unlock even the best defence in the Premier League.

Leeds United fans will be licking their lips at the sight of him terrorising the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold on that left flank – arguably their best route to claiming a much-needed morale-boosting win after last weekend’s debacle.

Not only is Gracia hurting the Whites’ chances of survival but also hurting the chances of Leeds United keeping the Italian winger for the long haul with the teenager already attracting interest from his homeland having just been a Leeds first-teamer for all of six months.

And the player may not even have an Elland Road future if he feels he isn’t valued by the club – and that is dangerous territory losing a player of his class and potential so soon.

Gnonto is a calibre of player who should not be rotting away on the bench in the big games. Monday’s clash against Liverpool is a crucial fixture for the future of Leeds United football club, so why not start your star man?

In other Leeds United news, a rival Premier League manager has claimed the club owe him and his team.