Leeds United, fresh off a stunning 3-1 victory over Chelsea, is set to face reigning champions Liverpool at Elland Road on December 6, 2023. With only one win in their last four league matches, Liverpool will be looking to improve their form. For Leeds, a home win could elevate them to 16th place, five points clear of the relegation zone, marking a significant boost in their campaign.
Leeds’ Recent Tactical Shifts
Under the leadership of Daniel Farke, Leeds has recently adopted a more aggressive approach. Brazilian goalkeeper Lucas Perri remains the first choice, despite facing challenges this season. His performance against Chelsea saw him start to regain confidence. The defensive lineup consists of a back three: Pascal Struijk, Joe Rodon, and Jaka Bijol, who have proven effective, particularly in set pieces.
The full-back positions are filled by Jayden Bogle and Gabriel Gudmundsson, both of whom excelled when deployed as wing-backs. Their stamina and attacking capabilities have made them pivotal to the team’s strategy. In midfield, captain Ethan Ampadu has played a crucial role, allowing midfield partners Anton Stach and Ao Tanaka to advance into more offensive positions. This setup bore fruit when Tanaka scored a stunning goal from outside the box in the Chelsea match.
Up front, Farke has opted for a dual-striker formation featuring Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha. Their ability to hold the ball and dominate aerial duels caused significant problems for Chelsea’s defense, leading to a combined total of seven goals in the Premier League this season.
Form and Future Challenges
Leeds’ recent tactical evolution became evident during their match against Manchester City on November 30, where they shifted from a 4-3-3 formation to a more direct 3-5-2. Despite being 2-0 down at halftime, this change led to immediate results as both strikers found the net, putting pressure on City’s previously dominant side. Although Leeds did not secure points from that match, their second-half performance indicated the effectiveness of their new approach.
Currently, Leeds’ possession has dipped to just 29%, the lowest under Farke’s management, but their attacking threat has increased, generating 16 shots compared to City’s 11. This aggressive style is expected to be crucial against Liverpool, who will be eager to regain their winning momentum.
As Leeds prepares for the encounter, Farke confirmed there are no new injury concerns, but Nmecha and Calvert-Lewin both sustained minor injuries in the Chelsea match, casting doubt on their availability. Their potential absence would significantly impact Leeds’ game plan, given their importance in the 3-5-2 formation.
Leeds United’s predicted lineup against Liverpool is as follows:
– GK: Lucas Perri
– CB: Jaka Bijol
– CB: Joe Rodon
– CB: Pascal Struijk
– RWB: Jayden Bogle
– LWB: Gabriel Gudmundsson
– CM: Ethan Ampadu
– CM: Ao Tanaka
– CM: Anton Stach
– ST: Dominic Calvert-Lewin
– ST: Lukas Nmecha
As the match approaches, Leeds United is poised to take on Liverpool with a renewed sense of hope and determination, aiming to build on their recent success and secure a vital three points.
