Liverpool vs Leeds Predicted Lineup: Ekitike Rested as Szoboszlai Returns

Liverpool will hit the ground running in the New Year as they not only have a game on Thursday, January 1st vs. Leeds, but also three days later at Fulham. The proximity of those matches will force Arne Slot to manage minutes of the short-handed Reds even more carefully than he already does.

Team News Vs. Leeds

The good news is that Dominik Szoboszlai comes back from a suspension and is expected to slide in up front, dropping Federico Chiesa back to the bench. Mohamed Salah is still away at the AFCON and will stay with Egypt as they have qualified for the knockout stages. Joe Gomez, Alexander Isak, Giovanni Leoni and Wataru Endo have been ruled out with longer-term injuries and a potential return date has not been provided. 

Both Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate are one yellow card away from a one-match ban, so the back line will have to be mindful and avoid rash challenges.

Tactical Verdict: Who To Rest? Who To Play?

Slot will stay with the 4-2-3-1 formation that have seen the Reds win three on the bounce and conventional wisdom says not to rock the boat with a bunch of changes in the Starting XI since Liverpool are in such good form. However, with the Fulham match in such succession to this one and Leeds just above the relegation zone in 16th place on the table, Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha will get heavy minutes if not feature in a starting role. It’s better to give the youngsters a good run now in front of the supporters and Anfield and save the veterans for a much tougher Fulham squad at Craven Cottage.

LFC Globe Verdict

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is by far Leeds best man with 8 goals in 16 league matches, so Slot will keep experience on the back line. The changes will come up front with Rio Ngumoha sliding in for Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo who is now fully fit, lurking just behind in an attacking midfield spot.

Key Stat To Watch: Liverpool are -9 on set piece goals this season, surrendering 12 and only scoring 3. That stat led to the sacking of set piece coach Aaron Briggs. Let’s see if a new voice on the training ground will have an effect.

Final Score Prediction: Liverpool 2 Leeds 1

Star Man: Cody Gakpo

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