Jurgen Klopp’s men would hope to make the most of West Ham United’s recent defeat and move up the top-flight ladder in their quest to clinch a top-four finish when they are on the road next to Leeds United on Monday.
The Reds were knocked out of the Champions League earlier this week courtesy of failing to overturn a two-goal deficit as Real Madrid made the travels to Anfield and proved successful in salvaging a draw against Liverpool FC.
With only a top-four spot in the Premier League standings the assurance for their participation in Europe’s elite club competition next time around, Klopp’s men have all to play for in what remains of the league campaign running until the final week of May.
Liverpool FC’s away of form in recent times, five wins across their last six outings away from Anfield, has been a major factor behind the Merseysiders climbing up the league table and they would be hopeful of carrying on their rich vein of results when facing Marco Bielsa’s Leeds United outfit who were their opponents in the debut game week of the 2020-21 top-flight season.
The Whites’ latest outing turned out to be a shock 2-1 win over table-toppers Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium with a Stuart Dallas masterclass clinching the result in favour of the Elland Road side who now sit tenth in the rankings and harbour ambitions of making one final push for the Europa League spots.
In spite of Leeds United’s upsurge, Jurgen Klopp and Co. would back themselves to secure all three points from their travels to West Yorkshire as the race for Champions League qualification heats up in what are the final weeks of a tumultuous Premier League campaign witnessed at Anfield.
WHEN & WHERE?
Next up, Monday night football under the lights in Leeds 👊🔴 #LEELIV pic.twitter.com/Q68CPA1C1i
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 17, 2021
Date: Monday 19 April
Time: 7:30 PM GMT
Venue: Elland Road
TEAM NEWS
No fresh injury concerns were reported for the Reds in the aftermath of their Champions League draw at home to Real Madrid earlier this week and boss Jurgen Klopp confirmed the same in his pre-match interview ahead of Monday’s game against Leeds United.
Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Jordan Henderson all remain long-term absentees in the first-team fold at Anfield and the quartet is in line to feature no sooner than the start of next season.
Diogo Jota had started on the bench in the Madrid clash and would hope for a starting berth in the Reds frontline for the upcoming fixture with the Portugal international hoping to get back amongst the goals following his return from injury.
Another face in the Anfield camp hoping to reclaim his spot in the starting eleven would be Thiago Alcantara with the former Bayern man having to suffice with a benchwarmer role in each of Liverpool FC’s last three outings.
KEY BATTLE
Patrick Bamford vs Nat Phillips
Bamford with his 14 goal tally this season in league football has made a name for himself as one of the most potent threats in the final third of the pitch whomsoever be the opposition defence keeping a check on him.
The Leeds United central striking force had enjoyed a decent game against Manchester City last time around would be hoping to build up on that showing when taking on an injury-hit Liverpool FC backline at Elland Road.
Jurgen Klopp will have Nat Phillips to rely upon for his defensive fortunes as the 23-year-old old school centre-back puts up a solid set of performances alongside Ozan Kabak.
MATCH PREDICTION
Liverpool FC are due to face a stern challenge from Marco Bielsa’s Leeds when on the road to the side enjoying a prosperous first season back in English top-flight football.
We feel that the Reds have it in themselves to maintain their incredible run of away form going up next against the Whites and our prediction for Monday’s contest is 3-1 in favour of Jurgen Klopp’s side.
