Daniel Farke risks defensive crisis as Leeds duo on verge of suspension vs Liverpool
Daniel Farke will be nervously watching on as Leeds United face Liverpool at Anfield on New Year’s Day.
The Whites have the chance to extend their unbeaten Premier League run to six games and move further away from the relegation zone as they take on Arne Slot’s side.
Leeds drew 1-1 with Sunderland on Sunday afternoon to go seven points clear of West Ham United in 18th.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin continued his incredible run in front of goal, netting the equaliser at the Stadium of Light, but it didn’t all go according to plan for Farke’s side.
Two Leeds players could join Joe Rodon on sidelines
Joe Rodon is set for a spell on the sidelines after suffering an ankle injury during the draw with Sunderland.
The centre back took two separate blows to his right leg in the first half on Wearside, eventually being forced off despite trying to battle through the pain.
After the game, Farke revealed that Rodon was likely to miss Leeds’ trip to Anfield on Thursday, as well as upcoming games against Manchester United and Newcastle United.
The German manager could also be without Ethan Ampadu and Jayden Bogle for the visit of Man United on 4 January, with the pair both on four bookings this season and just one away from a ban.
Leeds’ clash with Liverpool is the final Premier League game before the suspension threshold rises from five yellow cards to 10, so Farke only needs Ampadu and Bogle to stay out of the referee’s book for another 90 minutes.
Leeds on verge of defensive crisis as suspensions close in
Farke already has enough defensive issues on his plate after the injury to Rodon, but it could turn into a full-blown crisis if both Ampadu and Bogle receive bookings against Liverpool.
Ampadu is one of the potential options to replace Rodon in the backline for the trip to Anfield, given he has featured as a centre back on many occasions previously.
Farke could alternatively choose to bring in Sebastiaan Bornauw, but the summer signing has played just two minutes of Premier League football this season.
Whichever route the German manager decides to go, he will be in real trouble if all three of Rodon, Bogle and Ampadu are missing for the Man United game at Elland Road.
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