Leeds United will get their Premier League defence underway on Saturday as they lock horns with newly-promoted Leeds United. The Reds are desperate for all three points after a disappointing run of form during the backend of last season while they also lost the Community Shield to Arsenal.
However, a Marcelo Bielsa-led Leeds United team is the trickiest test Jurgen Klopp could have faced in this opening fixture. The Whites have done incredibly well under the Argentine tactician, and the team has gained a lot of positive reviews from fans and experts from across the globe, following their promotion to the top-flight.
Liverpool vs Leeds United Tactical Preview
Talking Tactics
Liverpool
Liverpool interestingly employed a high defensive line in the game against Arsenal, almost replicating Bayern Munich’s formula in the UEFA Champions League. However, that could be a risky move against a Leeds United side who are known for their ingenuity and chance creation in the final third. So we expect Klopp to shift back to a relatively conservative Gegenpressing method, with 4-3-3 likely to be on the agenda.
Leeds United
Marcelo Bielsa is not someone who likes to make a lot of changes to the core of his team. So the Argentine is likely to persist with a 4-1-4-1 with a left-sided overload seeing Barry Douglas offering width into the attack while the right-back Luke Ayling might have to support the two central defenders.
Team News
Liverpool
Klopp is unlikely to make too many changes to his 4-3-3 setup, with the likes of Fabinho, Georginio Wijnaldum and Jordan Henderson forming the central midfield. The core of the team is set to remain pretty much the same, with the German mastermind not facing any injury-related absentees.
Predicted Lineup: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mane.
Leeds United
Kalvin Phillips, after missing the backend of last season due to injury, is available to feature against Liverpool this weekend. Both the new signings in Robin Koch and Rodrigo are also in contention to play at Anfield, although the latter might have to settle for a place on the bench, with Patrick Bamford spearheading the Leeds attack.
Predicted Lineup: Meslier; Ayling, Koch, Cooper, Dallas; Phillips; Costa, Hernandez, Klich, Harrison; Bamford.
Key Men
Liverpool
Trent Alexander-Arnold had missed the Community Shield due to lack of match fitness. But the return of the English international could serve as a massive boost for Liverpool this weekend. His ability to provide offensive support could make life difficult for Leeds United, especially given how Dallas likes to move up the pitch.
Leeds United
For Leeds United, all eyes will be on Pablo Hernandez. The Spaniard is arguably the most influential player for the Whites, and he could emerge as their main source of creativity against Liverpool this weekend. However, at the age of 35, it will be interesting to see how he copes with the high press.
