Leeds United visit Liverpool in the Premier League on Monday night at Elland Road, with a largely fit roster to select from, so we looked at how Javi Gracia would set up.
Following Leeds United’s defeat at Crystal Palace on Sunday, it may be tempting to toss the baby out with the bathwater. After such a horrific experience, the emotional reflex is to avoid anything related to it.
If you were asked at 4.30pm on Sunday which team you would pick for Liverpool’s visit, you probably wouldn’t have said 11 changes, but you were probably thinking about five or six. With some time to digest and think on the weekend’s events, it’s easier to recall how spectacular the first half was following last week’s Nottingham Forest victory.
Javi Gracia, who has cut a calm and meticulous figure since his arrival, does not appear to be the kind to make drastic changes, especially after eight days between matches. He urged people to learn from their mistakes on Sunday.
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Illan Meslier, along with Robin Koch, appears to be safe between the posts.In the last few games, Luke Ayling has proved to be an issue.
Week by week, Ayling has struggled to provide the performances required to keep danger at away down his wing, but Gracia has stuck by his vice-captain. It’s unclear whether the head coach will ultimately cave, but it appears Rasmus Kristensen’s turn.
Liam Cooper’s figure looms large on the bench and Max Wober has a huge claim to start if he’s fit, but Pascal Struijk has been solid since coming into the line-up. Junior Firpo will have one of the toughest assignments of the season in facing Mohamed Salah, but there’s nothing to suggest he will be chopped.
Marc Roca and Weston McKennie were two of those who best summed up the crash in form between Tuesday’s peak and Sunday’s trough. The dearth of alternatives should keep them in the side, but there may be the addition of Jack Harrison in the centre to make a midfield three.
Harrison performed admirably in there against Arsenal, and considering Liverpool’s capabilities, it would not be surprising to see Harrison pushed back in there again. Leeds would then switch to a 4-3-3 formation, with Patrick Bamford leading the line after scoring.
Luis Sinisterra was among the first to leave on Sunday, but he should have enough credit from the Forest victory to keep going. Meanwhile, with Harrison stationed further back, Wilfried Gnonto could edge over Brenden Aaronson on the other wing.
Possible XI: Meslier; Kristensen, Koch, Struijk, Firpo; McKennie, Roca, Harrison; Sinisterra, Bamford, Gnonto.
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