Liverpool v Leeds United - MATCH THREAD - Cooper out, Struijk starts

[YorkshireSquare]

Leeds Starting XI
Meslier, Ayling, Koch, Struijk, Dallas, Phillips, Klich, Harrison, Hernandez, Costa, Bamford

Subs: Casilla, Casey, Alioski, Poveda, Shackleton, Roberts, Rodrigo

[The Subhuman]

Subs are

Casilla
Casey
Alio
Poveda
Shack
Roberts
Rodrigo

No Coop and a very very green centre back pairing

[The Subhuman]

To be honest we should struggle if Liverpool play to their 19/20 form.

[Irish Ian]

Losing Coop is a big blow, but at least it might underscore the need to strengthen in that area.

At least with Strujk we have a bit of height in the back line now.

[Byebyegeegee]

What is unusual (and slightly disconcerting) for a newly promoted team, are the number of pundits and so called experts that have predicted us to finish higher than mid-table in the league. Someone, I can’t remember who, predicted us to finish as high as seventh! No one, apart from Adrian Durham it would seem, has predicted us to be relegated, I think it must be the Bielsa factor or that they are hoping to set us up for a fall.

Yes I’m nervous about this season but whilst I don’t think we’ll finish 7th or even above mid-table I think we’ll consolidate and finish, comfortably, just below mid-table. Wouldn’t it be great if, once we’ve found our feet, we could start challenging the top 6 over the next couple of seasons.

Come on Leeds MOT

[Byebyegeegee]

Im glad Meslier is in goal and Ayling and Phillips are in their best positions

[YorkshireSquare]

Cerainly worried about the defence, a completely new pairing for a tough game agaisnt Liverpool, Phillips will need to be on his toes today.

Attack is the best form of defence anyway though isnt it?

[The Subhuman]

Assuming Luke is captain

[John in Louisiana]

Im glad Meslier is in goal and Ayling and Phillips are in their best positions

Agreed.

Welcome to the big time, Pascal.

[John in Louisiana]

I just want to look better than Fulham did today. The were dominated, utterly.

We're much better than they are, but Liverpool are better than Arsenal.

[YorkshireSquare]

Assuming Luke is captain

He is!

[1964white]

Cerainly worried about the defence, a completely new pairing for a tough game agaisnt Liverpool, Phillips will need to be on his toes today.

Attack is the best form of defence anyway though isnt it?

Can't believe we haven't signed another CB especially playing at a much higher level, I suspect one is still to come in before the 5th October, we look very vulnerable today.

Big ask for our new signing Koch & young Pascal, I wish them both well on their PL debuts

So pleased Bielsa has left Ayling in his natural position, Luke gives us so much down that right flank & Pablo is starting. Meslier to keep the No.1 shirt was never in doubt with me

Come on Leeds

[Chilli D]

What is unusual (and slightly disconcerting) for a newly promoted team, are the number of pundits and so called experts that have predicted us to finish higher than mid-table in the league. Someone, I can’t remember who, predicted us to finish as high as seventh! No one, apart from Adrian Durham it would seem, has predicted us to be relegated, I think it must be the Bielsa factor or that they are hoping to set us up for a fall.

Yes I’m nervous about this season but whilst I don’t think we’ll finish 7th or even above mid-table I think we’ll consolidate and finish, comfortably, just below mid-table. Wouldn’t it be great if, once we’ve found our feet, we could start challenging the top 6 over the next couple of seasons.

Come on Leeds MOT

Neil McLeman of the Mirror has predicted us to be relegated.

[Carrick Dave]

Just found a bar of Old Jamaica down behind the sofa, must have left it there 50 years ago in the Dr Who days. Still tastes alright.

Good luck lads, strap in, here we go......

[Chilli D]

Leeds Starting XI
Meslier, Ayling, Koch, Struijk, Dallas, Phillips, Klich, Harrison, Hernandez, Costa, Bamford

Subs: Casilla, Casey, Alioski, Poveda, Shackleton, Roberts, Rodrigo

Douglas not even of the bench...looks like the writing is on the wall for him.

[Chilli D]

Liverpool said Henderson was definitely out...that was obviously bullshit

[1964white]

Rumour is Coops could be out for 4 weeks

[Irish Ian]

Time to stop Liverpool making it 60 unbeaten at home.

[Irish Ian]

Rumour is Coops could be out for 4 weeks

What has he done to himself?

[andrewjohnsmith]

Can't believe we haven't signed another CB especially playing at a much higher level, I suspect one is still to come in before the 5th October, we look very vulnerable today.

I think its says something that Bielsa went with Strujik at the back instead of shifting Ayling across. Makes sense, Strujik being left footed. But probably says something about him being unsure about signing another defender. Maybe he always planned on Strujik being his back up on the left and Ayling on the right.