What previously seemed like a daunting task for Leeds on Saturday now looks far more favourable as Liverpool dwindle.
Last week, the prospect of the champions coming to Elland Road while Leeds were on a run of four consecutive defeats seemed nightmarish.
However, a 3-1 win for Leeds over Chelsea on the same Wednesday night Liverpool were held to a 1-1 draw against Sunderland at Anfield has offered fans optimism.
If Liverpool being on a run of nine defeats in their last 14 games across all competitions wasn’t already enough to give Leeds fans confidence, comments from Arne Slot in his press conference on Friday should do it.
Arne Slot basically tells Daniel Farke how to beat him as the Dutchman sounds scared of Leeds United
Strangely, the 47-year-old basically admitted Leeds will cause Liverpool serious problems if they play exactly how they did against Chelsea.
Prediction time for Leeds United v Liverpool 🔮
Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images
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The official Liverpool FC website quote Slot as saying: “Yesterday I looked at Leeds v Chelsea and I thought I saw a Liverpool game. Chelsea conceding a set-piece and for the third goal making a big, big error which they conceded a goal from. Very difficult for them.
“Either Leeds went very aggressive to one-v-one or they went to a low block and it was really hard to create chances. It’s not only difficult for us, that playing style, it’s difficult for many teams – including us.”
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With Slot, who nearly replaced Jesse Marsch, practically admitting that Liverpool are not looking forward to facing Leeds, Farke would be mad to change his new 3-5-2 formation and revert back to his typical 4-2-3-1 shape.
The Dutchman is clearly concerned about his trip to Elland Road – as he should be with Liverpool on a run of four defeats in their last five Premier League away days.
Sunderland give Leeds United a blueprint to work with
Interestingly, Sunderland used a similar shape at Anfield on Wednesday to the 3-5-2 Leeds are currently utilising.
What Arne Slot said when Leeds tried to hire him in 2023 🤔
“It is true that I will stay with Feyenoord. That is clear, fans do not have to be afraid. The club has been clear. It was a compliment that a club like Leeds was interested.”
Slot on Leeds approach in 2023.
Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
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A 5-4-1 formation with the tireless Brian Brobbey leading the line helped Regis Le Bris claim a 1-1 draw against Liverpool, a game they arguably should have won after Wilson Isidor had a late shot cleared off the line.
It proves Liverpool do not enjoy playing against a packed defence, nor do they like having to deal with a striker who runs the channels, something both Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha do well.
In a bizarre turn of events, Leeds could well end the week with wins over Liverpool and Chelsea – despite coming into both fixtures on a run of four straight defeats.
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