Beren Cross
Baby could easily go with the bathwater on Monday night in an impulsive reaction to last weekend’s collapse. However, it’s important to remember how well Leeds United played for three-quarters of last week.
The 90 minutes against Nottingham Forest was a virtually complete performance before a first half against Crystal Palace which had promised so much. As has been the case in this feature before the last few games, Luke Ayling would be left out if I was in the dugout.
The vice-captain has lurched through the past five matches with an array of wingers cutting him to ribbons down United’s right flank. We know he can play better and he’s hardly finished at 31, but it has to be time for Rasmus Kristensen to get his turn at right-back.
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Max Wober has played some part, if not a full part, in training with the team this week and the temptation to immediately recall the Austrian is fierce. However, Pascal Struijk has been fine across the last three games and it could be sensible to give Wober a few more days of full training before he’s launched into the final, critical three games of April.
United’s 4-3-3 at Arsenal was solid in doing its job before the hosts were awarded a penalty and took full control. Liverpool are likely to command a similar level of possession on Monday night, which makes that 4-3-3 shape appealing for the Whites.
However, given United are at home, in need of points and Liverpool have been generally shoddy on the road, a 4-2-3-1 seems the more assertive approach. Luis Sinisterra and Jack Harrison’s stock remains high after their Forest blitz, but Brenden Aaronson continues to be a problem.
Wilfried Gnonto could be a wrecking ball down the centre of the field, especially if the Whites do play on the counter with speed and space. I am really, really keen to get Rodrigo back into the line-up, but Patrick Bamford is just about doing enough to stay ahead at the moment, especially after last week’s goal.
Beren’s XI: Meslier; Kristensen, Koch, Struijk, Firpo; McKennie, Roca; Harrison, Gnonto, Sinisterra; Bamford.
Will Jackson
It’s been almost a week since Leeds United’s hammering at the hands of Crystal Palace and I still don’t fully understand the collapse we saw from Javi Gracia’s side in the second half. Whether it was a psychological issue or the improvements Palace made at the break, what’s clear is changes must be made on Monday night to freshen things up.
Luke Ayling has come in for some stick this week and given his recent form it’s probably best to take him out of the firing line. The right-back has struggled for traction over the last month or so and with Rasmus Kristensen pushing to reclaim his spot, it’s an obvious choice.
Robin Koch has done enough to keep his spot, for me, but I’d like to see a bit more leadership and experience in the backline and therefore I’d be bringing Liam Cooper back into the starting line-up for the first time since early February. Confidence will be fragile at the back and a fresh Cooper can offer plenty in the way of guidance and nous.
I’d be sticking with Marc Roca and Weston McKennie in the middle, but I’d opt to play Jack Harrison centrally, too. The number 10 role would allow Harrison to drop deep and make up a midfield three when required, while also giving him the license to push forward and make a difference during forays up the field.
Luis Sinisterra and Wilfried Gnonto are probably the best options in wide areas, in my opinion, providing the latter is considered fit enough to start that is. Sinisterra was excellent against Nottingham Forest, while Gnonto has the talent to ask real questions of Trent Alexander-Arnold down the flank.
Rodrigo is clearly the best option to start up front. That’s nothing against Patrick Bamford, I just believe the attacking threat Rodrigo carries is superior and that might be key in a game where chances could be few and far between.
Will’s XI: Meslier; Kristensen, Koch, Cooper, Firpo; McKennie, Roca; Sinisterra, Harrison, Gnonto; Rodrigo.
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