Liverpool take on Leeds United in the weekend showdown at Elland Road with Premier League football set for a return after the international break.
The Reds had been held to a frustrating draw just prior to the break when Jurgen Klopp’s men played hosts to Chelsea who despite being a man down for the closing 45 minutes at Anfield took away a point from the fixture.
On the road this time in league action on Sunday, Jurgen Klopp will be counting on his players to deliver a solid showing against Leeds to claim the win and retain their momentum early on into the new season.
A bleak summer transfer window has proved to be a setback for a majority of the Liverpool supporters but should their team put out results in an intended manner, the lack of activity in the market to bring in new signings this summer will quickly be forgotten.
Klopp has backed his current roster to step up to the task and the same will be expected of Jordan Henderson and Co. who will be eyeing the win on the return of club football after an eventful break for international duty.
Concerns on the squad selection front are manifold for the Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp who is in line to miss the Brazilian trio of Roberto Firmino, Fabinho and Alisson Becker for the upcoming match after FIFA enforced regulations at the behest of the Brazil FA for blocking the players from featuring over the upcoming weekend.
The loss of the three star regulars on the Liverpool teamsheet is bound to come as a major blow to Klopp who has no able deputy to provide cover for Alisson between the sticks while Firmino’s role up top on the pitch can be filled in by the in-form Diogo Jota.
Liverpool have a stern challenge on their hands come Sunday in Yorkshire but expect the Merseysiders to pull through with a win to carry on their recent vein of form.
WHEN & WHERE?
Date: 12 September 2021
Time: 4:30 PM GMT
Venue: Elland Road
TEAM NEWS
There were no fresh concerns on the injury front for Liverpool post the international break but the sidelining of the Firmin-Fabinho-Alisson trio is sure to hit Jurgen Klopp hard.
Klopp will have to tinker around with his starting XI plans for the upcoming game meaning a start for the No.2 Caoimhin Kelleher is on the cards with the Irishman set to replace Alisson in the goalposts for Liverpool.
In the midfield department, Fabinho’s ban opens the door for Thiago Alcantara to come in and get his first start of the 2021-22 campaign.
KEY BATTLE
Patrick Bamford vs Diogo Jota
Bamford remains Leeds United main man in the final third of the pitch and he can cause trouble for the Joel Matip-Virgil van Dijk centre-back pairing should he come at his best on Sunday.
For Liverpool, in the absence of Roberto Firmino who started last time around against Chelsea but was withdrawn before the half-time break, Diogo Jota will be tipped to return to his goalscoring ways and give his side the cutting edge going forward.
MATCH PREDICTION
A weakened Liverpool side can still withhold the pressure from Leeds United who have a home advantage at Elland Road.
We expect Jurgen Klopp’s Reds to clinch a 3-1 win.
