Liverpool vs Leeds – preview
Liverpool are gearing up for their highly-anticipated Premier League showdown with Leeds as Jurgen Klopp prepares to do battle with the iconic Marcelo Bielsa once more. This Elland Road clash kicks off at 3 p.m. ET as the Reds look to capitalize on recent slip-ups from West Ham and Tottenham in the race to make the top four.
Having crashed out of the UEFA Champions League last midweek, Jurgen Klopp's side now know there is one way and one way only into Europe's elite competition. The Merseyside giants must finish in the top four if they wish to compete with the continent's best next season, but the way things currently stand, Salah and Co. are on par to miss out.
Hence why Monday's clash with Leeds is so crucial. Victory over Bielsa's side could see Salah and Co. enter the top four, albeit only temporarily. West Ham's recent defeat against Newcastle means Liverpool can go level on points with the Hammers, and given the Reds' superior goal difference, last season's Premier League champions will have the advantage.
The Merseyside outfit head into this game on the back of their UCL exit, drawing 0-0 at Anfield against Real Madrid and thus losing 3-1 on aggregate. However, their Premier League form has tremendously picked up, having won their last three domestic fixtures in a row. Most recently, Klopp's men marched to a tricky 2-1 triumph over Aston Villa while beating Arsenal and Wolves in the weeks prior.
However, Leeds head into this fixture with probably the best result of them all, having beaten Man City 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium in their last league outing. That triumph was made all the more special by the fact that Bielsa's side were down to 10 men for more than 45 minutes. Liam Cooper was sent off right before the half-time whistle, with the Peacocks leading 1-0 at that point courtesy of a Stuart Dallas goal.
From then on, the Citizens were on the ascendance and found the equalizer via Ferran Torres. However, with the game entering stoppage time tied at one-all, Dallas popped up once again, completing a spectacular counter-attack to slot home the winner, earning the visitors all three points.
Currently in 10th, Bamford and Co. could leapfrog Arsenal and return to ninth with a win. Victory would also see them move within a point of eight-placed Everton. The last time Leeds faced Liverpool, they played out a 4-3 thriller, with the Reds emerging triumphant. Will we be in for another banger? Tune in to find out.
Team news
Leeds: Cooper is suspended for three games after his straight red against Man City and will thus be unavailable to captain his side. Jack Harrison is back but questions remain over the fitness of Raphinha. Rodrigo remains on the sidelines.
Liverpool: Van Dijk, Gomez, Matip, and Henderson remain sidelined. Curtis Jones looks to be out for some time due to a muscular injury. Diogo Jota is expected to start on Monday.
Key stats
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Liverpool have lost just one of their last 11 trips to Leeds, winning seven and drawing three.
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The Peacocks have won their last three EPL games and will be looking to earn four consecutive victories for the first time since April 2001.
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Klopp's men have lost only one of their last six away games, winning the remaining five.
Broadcast listings
Match details, result and original broadcast info
This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
