Leeds United have daunting 26-year voodoo to overcome ahead of Liverpool clash
Leeds United play host to Liverpool on Saturday afternoon.
Goals from Jaka Bijol, Ao Tanaka and Dominic Calvert-Lewin saw Leeds secure a 3-1 victory over Chelsea mdiweek, relieving a lot of the pressure on Daniel Farke.
However, with Liverpool set to make the trip to Elland Road this weekend, there is little time for celebration and more time for preparation.
The Reds are vulnerable this season, but if the Whites are to seal all three points again, they will have to do something for the first time since 1999.
Leeds’ record against the reigning champions is cause for concern
Chelsea are no pushovers, but a clash with Liverpool poses a very different challenge for the Whites, regardless of the start they have made to the season.
Leeds haven’t won at home to Liverpool since 2000, but their record against the reigning Champions at Elland Road goes back even further.
The Whites have won just one of their last 16 Premier League encounters against the reigning champions, and that was back in 2003 when they won 3-2 away to Arsenal.
However, their last victory at Elland Road in that scenario was in 1999, when they secured a 1-0 victory, once again against the Gunners.
Leeds will take heart from the fact that Sunderland almost secured three points against Liverpool on Wednesday, and if they can replicate that type of display, they have every chance of pulling off an upset.
What has Daniel Farke said ahead of Liverpool clash?
This will be Leeds‘ third game in seven days, showcasing just how gruelling the festive period can be, especially for those coming up from the Championship.
Fitness will be tested, as will consistency, though Farke is no stranger to the task that awaits them, despite the form that the Reds are in.
Liverpool have won just one of their last five, with defeats to Nottingham Forest and PSV Eindhoven during that period.
Speaking ahead of the clash, Farke said: “They’re still a top-class side. They are the reigning champions and fully deserved; last season they were excellent.
“Over the course of 38 game days, you will have a period when the results don’t go in your way, when you don’t have your best performance.
“I think they had a really, really good start, especially in terms of results in the season. Yes, and a bit more challenging and a bit more difficult period.
“I have no doubt that we have to be, like in the last two games against also top-class sides, Man City, Chelsea, back at our very, very best.“
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