Javi Gracia has selection calls to make all over the park this evening as his Leeds United side host Liverpool at Elland Road. The manner of last weekend’s Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace has opened the door for changes to be made to the Whites’ starting XI and the head coach will have spent the last week mulling them over.
The Spaniard has decisions to make across the backline, with Rasmus Kristensen and Liam Cooper amongst those pushing for a starting spot. Leeds’ midfield did itself no favours in the second half of the clash with the Eagles and Gracia may be tempted to mix things up there, too.
Adam Forshaw is fit again and he could be seen as an option to provide experience and control in the middle of the park for the Whites. Of course, the head coach may see a change of formation as appropriate, too.
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However, perhaps one of the biggest choices he has to make tonight comes up front, with three players vying for what will likely be just one spot. Patrick Bamford has started four of the club’s last five games in the role, but he has competition from the fit again Rodrigo, who is looking to add to the 13 goals he has scored already this season.
Georginio Rutter is Gracia’s third option, although, given he has made just one league start for the Whites since joining, his selection seems unlikely. All three men could end up playing a role against the Reds, but it seems only one will start and the call is far from straightforward.
Let’s consider Bamford’s cause first, given he is the man who has held down the role over the last few weeks. The England international has bagged two goals in his last four starts, with his latest being Leeds’ only goal against Roy Hodgson’s Palace last week.
It was a perfectly executed set piece play that ended in Bamford finding the back of the net with his head. Chuck in his effort against Brighton from the edge of the area last month and it’s hard to argue that Bamford doesn’t provide some threat in front of goal.
However, it must be said that the striker isn’t firing on all cylinders just yet following a stop-start opening half of the campaign. Performances have been up and down and he has looked a little jaded at times in the lead striker role.
Of course, Bamford does provide plenty off the ball with his pressing and work rate considered big assets to his game, but he has been a figure of frustration at times in possession and he has picked up criticism for his last two performances in the side with many fans calling for a change. If that change is to come, it seems Rodrigo is the obvious option.
The Spaniard has enjoyed his best ever season at Elland Road and despite not starting in three months, he remains the club’s top scorer by some distance. His goals have been pivotal this season and it’s not worth thinking about where Leeds would be without them.
Rodrigo missed the first two games of Gracia’s reign through injury and the head coach has been extremely careful when it comes to his return, edging him back slowly but surely. Whether Gracia believes this is the perfect opportunity to start him, though remains to be seen.
The 32-year-old probably doesn’t offer as much out of possession as Bamford, something the head coach may factor in, but his ability to convert the chances that fall his way is second to none. Leeds aren’t likely to enjoy a flood of goalscoring opportunities against the Merseyside outfit and Rodrigo’s composure and clinical nature in front of goal could be seen as key.
Both men offer leadership and experience on the field and they will have been striving to give the head coach food for thought at Thorp Arch this week. The only other recognised striker option is club record signing Rutter, who has flattered to deceive during his time at the club so far.
Gracia has already made his feelings clear about Rutter not being quite suited to the lone striker role, but he could feature if the head coach was to look at springing a surprise and playing two up front, something he has spoken about before.
The head coach will have thought long and hard about tonight’s side and it promises to intrigue when it drops at 7pm, an hour before kick-off.
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