Leeds United will be aiming to bring an end to their eight game winless run this evening as they travel to Anfield to take on Liverpool. The Reds have been up and down this season, but they're big favourites for this one and they'll fancy their chances of piling the misery on Leeds.
Ahead of the clash, Leeds Live caught up with the Echo's Paul Gorst.
Liverpool have struggled for consistency this season, why do you think that is?
How long have you got!? Injuries have been the root cause; the Reds have had 19 different players miss at least one match so far this season, but the knock-on effects of playing 63 games last season - and just missing out on the Champions League and Premier League in the manner they did in late May - surely has had an impact, despite repeated denials from several within the camp.
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A tweak in system to adjust to the arrival of Darwin Nunez was a detriment to Mohamed Salah earlier in the season and the constant chopping and changing in midfield, due to injuries, has made it difficult to get a foothold until recently. These early season struggles have likely already put paid to any title hopes.
Have Liverpool fans had to reassess their expectations after the first 11 games of the season?
Yes. Klopp conceded after the Arsenal game that they were not in the title race and while the Reds did overturn a 14-point deficit to just one between January and May with Manchester City, Arsenal's early-season form has made it more difficult. At the moment, Liverpool are looking at a top-four finish. Given the self-sufficient way the owners have the club run, missing out on that would be disastrous for the long term but that is the primary objective just now.
If their form sees them go on a lengthy winning run and the picture changes then we can start to look at it more closely with regards to a title chase, but for now a place in the top four is the aim.
The Nottingham Forest defeat was a clear low point, what gives you confidence that Liverpool can bounce back this weekend?
Klopp got it wrong at the City Ground. Many of the changes he made were enforced due to injuries but it was an experimental side that he felt would have been able to have just got by in Nottingham, but they failed miserably.
A fairly convincing 3-0 win at Ajax was a big one as far as their away-day struggles go but a return for an in-form Nunez offers hope and Salah is back among the goals again. They are at home as well where they are without a Premier League defeat since March 2021 and you have to go back to April 23, 2017 for the last time they were beaten in front of a crowd at Anfield.
How do you think Liverpool will line-up and who could be the difference maker?
Klopp went for a diamond formation at Ajax with Roberto Firmino dropped deep behind a front two of Nunez and Salah. I think he might opt for the same again and there could be a comeback for Thiago Alcantara after his ear infection.
He will start if passed fit. Liverpool always miss the Spanish schemer and he will be instrumental if he starts on Saturday night.
How do you feel Leeds can cause the Reds problems?
Leeds' visit in February was one of the most comfortable Liverpool victories of last season but a full-blooded, high-octane start from the visitors is their best chance of knocking a Reds team who are not yet at full pelt out of their stride. Liverpool have been notoriously slow starters in games this term. The pace of the likes of Harrison and Sinisterra could cause issues for the home side if they push up and try to make the pitch smaller.
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