Here are your latest Leeds United evening headlines for Tuesday, April 18.
Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray explains Joe Gelhardt omission from starting XI
Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray has explained his decision to drop Joe Gelhardt for their 2-1 win over Birmingham City, and insists the Leeds United loanee "understands" his decision.
READ MORE: Javi Gracia warned Leeds United sacking is 'not impossible' after consecutive thrashings
Gelhardt has started the last two games on the bench, with Mowbray opting for Alex Pritchard to lead the line. The Black Cats have registered back-to-back wins, and have extended their unbeaten run in the Championship to five games.
As a result, Sunderland have moved to within two points of the Championship play-offs with four games remaining. Mowbray says Gelhardt has responded well to being dropped, and believes a spell out of the starting XI could benefit him.
"The thinking is that we've really played a back three in the last couple of games - on the build-up, even though it has been a back four we have pushed Lynden Gooch up really high like a wingback and Jack [Clarke] on the other side," Mowbray told Chronicle Live.
"Sometimes it can be difficult to see the formation but that's how we have worked the training, how we built up. It was just about the players we were playing into, really.
"We wanted more control so we played two number tens rather than a centre-forward getting marked by big centre-halves, because both of our last two opponents have had big, strong, central defenders - as the next opposition [Huddersfield] have big, strong, central defender who want to mark a striker and win headers. I had that discussion with Joe and he understands that it was for the formation change.
"It won't do him any harm to only get 20 or 30 minutes on the pitch for a few games. We'll have to see the formation tomorrow and what he does and whether he is playing or he is not, but he's fine with it - he understands."
Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool forced Leeds United into mistakes in their 'best game of the season'
Jurgen Klopp has hailed Liverpool's pressing in what he's called their best game of the season after a resounding 6-1 win over Leeds United at Elland Road. The Whites crumbled to allow the Reds their first win on the road against sides below them in the Premier League, an area where they've struggled this season.
In truth, nobody expected Leeds to come away with three points, but the manner of the defeat, combined with defeat to Crystal Palace the week prior, spells out warning signs for the Whites faithful and Javi Gracia. The defeat didn't impact Leeds' position in the top flight, with results going their way this weekend and their two-point gap to the bottom three still in tact.
Nonetheless, the individual errors and mistakes at the back are coming back to bite Leeds once again. The Whites are a point worse off than this time last season where they narrowly avoided relegation on the final day, despite mid-table assurances from the Leeds hierarchy in pre-season.
Javi Gracia struggling for Leeds United explanations as he makes stark admission
Javi Gracia was struggling for answers as he sat down in front of the Leeds United press pack after seeing his side beaten 6-1 by Liverpool at Elland Road. The Whites could do little to prevent Jurgen Klopp’s Reds from running riot on Monday night as they followed up last week’s thrashing from Crystal Palace with another damaging display.
The defeat leaves them perched perilously close to the edge of the Premier League relegation zone and with just seven games remaining, they are now facing a dogfight for survival. Leeds actually started well against Liverpool, setting up to frustrate and finding success as they prevented their visitors from having a clear sight of goal.
However, Cody Gakpo found a contentious opener after what appeared to be a handball from Trent Alexander-Arnold and from there Leeds crumbled, just as they did against Palace at the same ground eight days previous. Mo Salah grabbed a second a few minutes later to send Liverpool into the interval with a comfortable lead.
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