Leeds United beware. Florian Wirtz finally opened his account for Liverpool last time out, and while it might have only come against Wolves at Anfield, it is a sign that Wirtz is starting to settle.
Fans have had a lot of fun regarding Wirtz’s slow start to the Premier League season following his £116m move from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer. But this is still an incredible talent, with massive potential.
At Elland Road last month, Wirtz was largely anonymous as Leeds pegged Arne Slot’s side back twice to draw 3-3. But this is a different Liverpool that Leeds face, having won all four games since the 3-3 draw.
It is an in-form Liverpool, despite the loss of Alexander Isak to injury and Mo Salah to AFCON. Leeds will have to produce arguably a season’s best performance to get a result, all without key player Joe Rodon.
This is difficult: Who is Leeds United’s best signing so far? 🤑
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Daniel Farke makes Florian Wirtz quip in press conference
In the summer, Leeds spent £108m on 10 new players. Anton Stach was the most expensive at £19.9m while many would argue that Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been the best addition, signed on a free.
Gabi Gudmundsson and Jaka Bijol have been excellent of late, as had Sean Longstaff before his injury. Lukas Nmecha has also scored four goals after the Germany international arrived on a free transfer.
It looks as if, as things stand, these 10 additions might just have enough to keep Leeds in the Premier League. A trip to Anfield is not going to define Leeds’ season, but the Whites would gladly accept a result.
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Speaking in his press conference, Farke was asked about Liverpool’s Wirtz and he praised his fellow countryman before making the inevitable, yet staggering quip that he cost more than Leeds’ 10 signings.
“Florian Wirtz is a player of unbelievable potential. I think, just him alone, cost more money than the amount we spent in the summer on all of our signings,” Farke told reporters on Tuesday afternoon.
What are Leeds United’s chances without Joe Rodon?
In the same press conference, Farke confirmed Leeds would be without Rodon while Longstaff and Dan James remain absent due to calf and hamstring injuries. Rodon is expected to be out for three weeks.
Probably, until after the FA Cup clash against Derby County on 11 January. Stuart Dallas remarked that Rodon is key to the 3-5-2 system and without him, Leeds might have to change formation at Anfield.
How would you line-up at Liverpool without Joe Rodon? 🤕
Would you stick with 3-5-2 or switch formation?
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A big chunk of Leeds’ upturn in form is down to the new system and without their best defender, it makes a trip to Liverpool a whole lot harder. Paul Merson and Chris Sutton have predicted a Liverpool win.
Farke has a decision to make. Does he name a makeshift back three and replace Rodon directly, or does he change formation due to Rodon’s injury as he did at Sunderland, and bring Ao Tanaka into the side?
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