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Liverpool’s UEFA Champions League qualification hopes hang by a thread after a string of disappointing results in the league. However, the Reds are still in contention to grab one of the four spots up for grabs after West Ham United slipped up over the weekend. Up next for Jurgen Klopp’s team – Leeds United!
In a repeat of the 2020/21 Premier League opening day fixture, Liverpool will take on Leeds United. The two teams played out a thriller when they last met, which Jurgen Klopp’s side edged by the narrowest of margins. Despite the opening day defeat, Leeds have given a good account of themselves in the league this season. Marcelo Bielsa’s side will be hoping to show how far they’ve come when they play Liverpool again midweek.
Mohamed Salah scored a hat-trick when the two sides met on the first day of the new season. The Egypt international gave his team the perfect start by netting a penalty in the fourth minute. Leeds, however, hit back instantly and were level in the twelfth minute through Jack Harrison. In the end-to-end encounter, Liverpool and Leeds exchanged further punches, and the scoreline read 3-3 by the 66th minute. The two sides were eventually separated by Salah’s third of the night and second from the spot, which he scored two minutes from time.
The opening day victory set the tone for Liverpool’s season – exciting in attack yet fragile in defence. The Reds were made to pay for the latter over the course of the season by several teams and now find themselves in a fight to qualify for next season’s Champions League. Klopp’s side is currently sixth in the league standings, three points behind fourth-placed West Ham but with a game in hand over the Hammers.
Leeds, meanwhile, will be hoping to achieve a top ten finish in their first season back in the top flight. Bielsa’s side is currently tenth in the table, level on points with Arsenal. However, they could make a little bit of history, if they manage to beat Liverpool midweek.
The Whites beat Manchester City during the previous weekend – a win which earned Bielsa and Co plenty of plaudits given the match situation. Should they beat Liverpool this game week, they will become the first side since Everton in 2010 to defeat reigning champions and current league leaders in consecutive order. Furthermore, they could become the first Leeds side since 2001 to win four matches back-to-back in the Premier League.
Key Players
Raphinha
The Brazilian winger has proved to be one of the shrewdest buys this season after several impressive performances for Leeds United. The tricky winger has troubled defences all season and has twelve goal contributions to show for it. His directness is key to Leeds’ attacking build-up, and he nearly grabbed himself a goal against Manchester City the previous weekend.
Patrick Bamford
For years, Bamford was written off by fans of his own club. That has changed dramatically this season, with the Englishman leading his side from the front during a sensational campaign. The former Chelsea man is the lynchpin around whom Bielsa builds his attack. The forward has scored 14 times this season and provided eight assists. He provided the key pass for Stuart Dallas to score the first of his two goals against City last weekend.
Mohamed Salah
While Liverpool aren’t enjoying the best of campaigns, Salah is having another great season individually. The Egypt international has scored 19 goals so far and has provided three assists. He scored a hat-trick against Leeds when the two sides met on the opening day of the league and will look to achieve a similar feat this time around.
Diogo Jota
It’s no coincidence that Liverpool’s good run of form has coincided with Jota’s return. The Portugal international has provided freshness to an overspent attack and is among Liverpool’s most important attackers this season. Jota has scored 12 times this campaign with eight of those strikes coming in the league.
Prediction
Historically, Liverpool are the one side Leeds never seem to beat. The Whites have a terrible record against the Reds in all competitions and have won none of their last ten meetings. They have drawn three and lost seven against Liverpool since their last victory, which came in November 2000. Furthermore, they have conceded 52 goals in 25 matches against their opponents, more than any other side in the competition. To top it all off, Liverpool won the reverse fixture 4-3 and could do the double over Leeds for the fourth time in league history.
Despite Leeds’ heroics last weekend against Manchester City, the odds are heavily stacked against them. Bielsa’s team will be the underdogs heading into this one. Liverpool, meanwhile, should be able to get the win and continue their climb towards the fourth position in the league table.
