Leeds United are the only Premier League team to defeat Liverpool at Anfield this season. Now, the Whites are aiming to do a domestic double over the mighty Reds on Monday night.
Javi Gracia gave Leeds a new-manager bounce. The bounce is dying down, as Leeds lost two of their last three matches in the Premier League. Still, Gracia has given Leeds a fighting chance of remaining in the Premier League. They go into the weekend two points above the relegation zone.
Back to work at the AXA Training Centre 👋 pic.twitter.com/q3UpFRHxlX— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 12, 2023
Back to work at the AXA Training Centre 👋 pic.twitter.com/q3UpFRHxlX
Liverpool are winless in four straight league matches. Hopes of finishing in the top four are all but over. The Reds are 12 points off fourth-place Manchester United and three off sixth-place Brighton.
Jurgen Klopp’s team came from two goals down against Arsenal a week ago at Anfield to draw 2-2. The Reds could have won the match, but Mohamed Salah missed a penalty for the second straight time this season.
Liverpool took just eight points from the last 18 points on offer. They outscored opponents 12-7, but seven of those 12 goals were scored against Manchester United.
The road has been hard for Liverpool this season. They have a record of 3W-4D-8L away from home and are winless in four straight road matches in the league.
Leeds United may smell blood in the water. The Whites took seven points from the last six matches. They were outscored 15-10 across those six games. Gracia’s team went unbeaten in four of their last six matches at Elland Road.
Leeds have a record of 5W-5D-5L at home this season in the league.
Klopp could bring Thiago into the starting XI after the Spaniard came on as a sub against Arsenal. Luis Diaz could also be fit to play. He hasn’t played since October 19.
Gracia will be without defender Max Wober due to a thigh injury. Stuart Dallas is hurt and won’t play either. Midfielder Tyler Adams is ruled out for the rest of the season following surgery. His absence has coincided with Leeds gaining more points in the relegation battle.
The last three matches between Leeds United and Liverpool finished with over 2.5 goals scored. Leeds’ win at Anfield in October was a shock, as Crysencio Summerville scored an 89th-minute winner. Liverpool were very poor throughout the game and never led.
Liverpool’s poor away record should get the better of them on Monday night. Leeds United should get a result, drawing the match 2-2 at Elland Road.