Leeds Utd V Liverpool Match Thread

[Ellandback1]

Leeds United v Liverpool

Sunday 12th September 16:30 | Elland Road


Leeds have been dealt a massive blow after it was confirmed by FIFA that Raphinha will be banned on Sunday for the visit of Liverpool. FIFA took prompt action after the Brazilian FA asked the football governing body to invoke a five-day rule and prevent clubs from fielding players who did not report for international duty. Thiago Silva, Alisson, Roberto Firmino (injured), Gabriel Jesus, Ederson, Fabinho and Fred have also been implemented in the ban, though Everton's Richarlison have escaped punishment due to the good relations the Toffee's have with the South Americans. He also played in the Tokyo Olympics for them!

The Liverpool Echo report that the Reds are furious about losing Alisson and Fabinho for this weekend's clash at Elland Road and may defy the ban. If truth be told, Leeds have a much stronger case. Raphinha has yet to feature for Brazil, so has yet to pledge his elegance to his Country. Nobody can make you play for your national team; but if you have already featured, and are part of their national set up, they have a much stronger case.

Robin Koch is set to miss out again. Bielsa, described his condition as 'evolving, but he's not completely healthy just yet'. Sounds painful! Firpo and Klich should both return to the fold after Covid, but Stuart Dallas is unlikely to feature for personal reasons. He also pulled out of the Northern Ireland squad last week!

Liverpool's 60m rated midfielder Naby Keita is expected to play. The Guinea star was caught up in an attempted coup in the capital city of Conakr earlier this week during International break.

[Cjay]

Elephant in the room is Raph.

If he can't play does MB play Dan James? It would be a real show of faith from MB given he usually takes his time integrating new players.

I suspect that's unlikely.

In which case does Crysensio Summerville finally get his chance? He must be familiar with his role now, certainly more familiar with the Bielsa system than Dan James so is he the favourite to start?

If it isn't Summerville or James than it really doesn't say much for Summerville because what it basically means is that even when no other wingers are available MB still prefers a square peg over him

I suspect it will be Dallas (who has never made much of an impact here as a winger let's be honest) with Klich and Rodrigo in cm.

Dallas is a good utility man but as a winger he leaves a lot to be desired.

[Irish Ian]

I dont see why James doesnt play on Sunday. He has more games in his legs than most of our side and if Raph isnt available he has to start.
It hope Klich is fit now, we need his organisation in the middle.

Im not expecting much out of the game but hope we can find a little but of the rhythmn and passsing accuracy we have been lacking.

[1964white]

Blimey if Phillips, Dallas, James & Raphinha are unavailable I fear the worst!

[White Riot]

So far we've misfired since the players came back for pre-season, and looked defensively frail.

Seems like Raphinha won't be available, so that's our main attacking threat out of the equation too.

I expect MB will go with:

Meslier
Ayling
Llorente
Cooper
Firpo
Phillips
Klich
Dallas
James
Bamford
Harrison

Although he does seem to want Rodrigo shoe-horned in there, which could mean Dallas at right wing and James on the bench

Hopefully we can find some rhythm in our play and pose a threat, but they have a solid defence and players that are more than capable of exploiting our defensive weaknesses.

I fear it could get messy if Liverpool click into gear.

[danhirons]

to all the above line ups - dallas is probably out!

so would expect:

Meslier
Ayling
Llorente
Cooper
Firpo
Phillips
Klich
Rodrigo
James (or summerville?)
Bamford
Harrison

[Cjay]

to all the above line ups - dallas is probably out!

so would expect:

Meslier
Ayling
Llorente
Cooper
Firpo
Phillips
Klich
Rodrigo
James (or summerville?)
Bamford
Harrison

Is he?

Not seen that anywhere

Can only mean one thing . . . . .G'mornin Stu

[Chilli D]

Unfortunately I think us without Raphinha impacts us more than the three players Liverpool are missing.
I think Dan James will definitely start but how we line up is uncertain as we don't know about Dallas, whether Phillips is injured and how recoverd from COVID Klich and Firpo are.
Worrying.

[Chilli D]

When is Bielsa’s press conference?

[White Riot]

Is he?

Not seen that anywhere

Can only mean one thing . . . . .G'mornin Stu

Top o the mornin, to be sure

[White Riot]

Unfortunately I think us without Raphinha impacts us more than the three players Liverpool are missing.
I think Dan James will definitely start but how we line up is uncertain as we don't know about Dallas, whether Phillips is injured and how recoverd from COVID Klich and Firpo are.
Worrying.

Plus Bielsa's got a sore Koch too

[White Riot]

When is Bielsa’s press conference?

Couldn't see a time for that, Klopp's is at 12:30

[lufc1304]

Stuart Dallas withdrew from our WC games for 'personal reasons'. There has been no further detail, that I have seen, so he has to be doubtful for Sunday.

[1964white]

I expect MB will go with:

Meslier
Ayling
Llorente
Cooper
Firpo
Phillips
Klich
Dallas
James
Bamford
Harrison

Struijk in for Cooper.

That is probably our best XI without Raphinha though I suspect Bielsa won't go with that team, he may not be in position to start that XI pending on certain scenario's. Any line-up less weakens our team instantly mate.

[1964white]

Stuart Dallas withdrew from our WC games for 'personal reasons'. There has been no further detail, that I have seen, so he has to be doubtful for Sunday.

That was over two weeks ago Nick so I'm hoping Stuart will be back!

If not I fear the worst.

[1964white]

Unfortunately I think us without Raphinha impacts us more than the three players Liverpool are missing.
I think Dan James will definitely start but how we line up is uncertain as we don't know about Dallas, whether Phillips is injured and how recoverd from COVID Klich and Firpo are.
Worrying.

I said the same to a couple of Liverpool pals of mine & of course they disagreed with me I think they forget the amount of quality they have within their ranks.

[1964white]

Plus Bielsa's got a sore Koch too

About time Koch turned up & showed he is a Leeds United player.

[White Riot]

That is probably our best XI without Raphinha though I suspect Bielsa won't go with that team, he may not be in position to start that XI pending on certain scenario's. Any line-up less weakens our team instantly mate.

I'd prefer Striujk in ahead of Cooper, but don't think MB sees it that way.

If he sticks Dallas out on that right wing to accommodate Rodrigo, or Roberts, in CM we're in trouble.

[White Riot]

About time Koch turned up & showed he is a Leeds United player.

Our lack of depth is felt immediately when we have one or two players unavailable, but it's gonna take time to have that quality in depth. MB could be puzzled when he can't use Costa as one of his subs

[lufc1304]

That was over two weeks ago Nick so I'm hoping Stuart will be back!

If not I fear the worst.

If personal reasons was cover for testing positive, then you'd hope he would be back. If, however, something has happened within his family, and I sincerely hope not, then he may be missing. Fingers crossed it's the former, Leon.