George Overhill

Fri 14 April 2023 18:40, UK

Mark Lawrenson has predicted Leeds United to run Liverpool close but ultimately come away empty-handed from the game at Elland Road.

The Whites welcome Jurgen Klopp’s Reds to West Yorkshire on Monday night (17 April) looking to rebound from their shock 5-1 defeat to Crystal Palace last Sunday (9 April).

Liverpool haven’t won in five games in all competitions since thrashing Manchester United 7-0 back on 5 March but did come back from two down to draw with league-leaders Arsenal last time out, and Lawrenson has backed his former side to break that streak with a 2-1 win.

In his Paddy Power predictions he said: “I’m going to this one and I’m looking forward to it. I love watching Leeds because they’re mad.

“Liverpool were still all over the place defensively last week but it was a little bit of the old Liverpool in the last 20 minutes and the crowd pulled them along with them. Leeds 1-2 Liverpool.”

Close

There was never any chance that Lawrenson was going to pick against the Anfield club but it is going to be a tough task to get a result on Monday.

However, if ever there was a season where it could happen it is this one, as proven by the 2-1 victory on Merseyside back on 29 October which helped Jesse Marsch keep his job.

Javi Gracia needs to get his players to quickly move on from their second-half collapse in the previous game to get up for the challenge.

Willy Gnonto and Crysencio Summerville combined for the winning goal at Anfield so turning to the pair of youngsters may be a good idea.

More important would be the return from injury of Max Wober, although the manager would not be drawn on the Austrian’s availability in his pre-match press conference.

Last weekend’s defeat has made it impossible to tell what is to come next from this Whites team but a response of some sort is vital to restore some confidence for the run in.

In other Leeds United news, a wantaway Elland Road player could now be facing back-to-back loans to avoid playing for the club.