Options aplenty await Marcelo Bielsa when he comes to drilling down on his starting Leeds United line-up for Wednesday’s Liverpool clash.
Robin Koch’s head injury means there will be at least one change, but with the versatility in his squad and the head-turning options on Sunday’s bench, there could be more in the offing.
Adam Forshaw looks nailed on to be the defensive midfielder on Merseyside, which then creates a hole in midfield next to Mateusz Klich, who impressed against Manchester United.
Stuart Dallas, Rodrigo, Tyler Roberts and Jamie Shackleton look like the main options Bielsa would sift through.
Roberts and Shackleton are rank outsiders, but Dallas and Rodrigo require further movement in the side if they switch from left-back or striker respectively.
Dallas’s solidity and reliability will be vital in a bear pit like Anfield, but where is that best used? Junior Firpo may have not had the legs to track back in the latter stages of Sunday, but he did generally impress upon his return.
Firpo’s attacking instincts combined with one of the best footballers in the world lurking behind him does feel risky in the extreme.
If Dallas stays at left-back Bielsa’s combining Rodrigo and Klich in a central axis which is notoriously porous in transition.
The knock-on effect of that would open up the number nine slot and, as well as Joe Gelhardt did from the bench on Sunday, a likely return of Daniel James to the frontline.
That would solve a Raphinha dilemma Bielsa must be feeling too. Leaving his talisman out once is one thing, but two matches on the bounce feels unnecessary.
If the head coach had concerns about Raphinha’s defensive duties on the right flank, he mucked in enough on Sunday to warrant a recall, especially when the side is going to be desperate for magic in the few chances they may get to score.
United’s best attacking spell of the weekend will not be lost on Bielsa either, though. James was effective down the left and Jack Harrison’s spot may not be safe if he wants to keep the Wales international out wide.
The Mohamed Salah factor as well as Firpo’s inevitable fatigue from Sunday could mean it’s Dallas given the nod at full-back.
Harrison and James are favourites of Bielsa’s. Their work rate and fitness mean the head coach is sure to keep them in, but it would be a surprise to see Raphinha left out again.
Starting that three means Rodrigo will have to drop into the centre with Klich and Bielsa has to hope they have the wherewithal to stay solid in the middle of the pitch.
Predicted line-up: Meslier; Ayling, Llorente, Struijk, Dallas; Forshaw; Raphinha, Klich, Rodrigo, Harrison; James.
