Liverpool V Leeds Utd Match Thread - Raphinha and Firpo Start

[Ellandback1]

Wednesday 23rd February 8:45pm | Anfield


Leeds will be without the services of Robin Koch for the visit to Anfield on Wednesday evening as the Whites look for their first victory since the West Ham game in Mid-January. The German International picked up a head injury during the 4-2 loss to Manchester Utd at the weekend, and was substituted ten minutes later. A club statement released on Monday read; "Robin will follow the concussion protocols before returning to play."

Still without the services of Liam Cooper, Kalvin Phillips and Patrick Bamford; Marcelo Bielsa's hands were somewhat tied regarding tonights line up. Diego Llorente misses out following a recurrence of a hamstring injury, that said his first half performance on sunday was poor. Pascal Struijk and Luke Ayling will start at centre back. Stuart Dallas will be at right back with Junior Firpo fit to start in his traditional left back role. Raphinha too is recalled to the starting XI following his goal at the weekend. Forshaw and Klich will make up the midfield with Rodrigo in the advanced role. Jack Harrison returns to the left wing as Dan James starts up front. Joe Gelhardt is on the bench though many fans will be hoping he gets plenty of minutes following his positive second half display against Manchester United. We need to remember that the conditions on Sunday were treacherous; at times it was like wading through treacle! It could have an impact on the Leeds players during the latter parts of the game.





Liverpool will be without Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota as they aim to move within three points of leaders Manchester City. The Brazilian attacking midfielder picked up a muscular injury in the 3-1 win over Norwich at the weekend whilst Jota is a long term absentee with ankle ligament damage. Liverpool have won their three most recent Premier League home games against Leeds, scoring 10 goals in total. The Reds have the best defensive home record in the division, conceding seven goals this season. They are unbeaten in 16 Premier League home games since March, winning the last seven in a row by an aggregate score of 20-2.



Stream the game live via a NordVPN with our dicounted rate...

[William]

Settee.. check.
Tinfoil helmet..check.

[VinnysTattoo]

Room behind the settee . Check.

Off button on standby. Check.

[whiteswan]

As I said on another topic, Hope Liddypool have one eye on the Cup Final v Chelski on Sunday. You never know, but......

Can't see us getting anything to be honest.

[WhiteRose]

16-1 for Leeds to win, 8-1 for the draw I like those odds got to be worth a little punt especially the draw. There is no chance of them having an eye on the cup fixture when they can get back to within 3 points of city and gain a goal difference advantage over them if they hammer us.

[mentalcase]

Be prepared for 4 points from the next 2 games

[1964white]

Be prepared for 4 points from the next 2 games

Welcome back, Mental

[White Riot]

Be prepared for 4 points from the next 2 games

Good to see you back MC, hope you're doing well mate

[White Riot]

We're up against one of the best teams in the world, who are pushing for trophies and glory.

They like the taste of glory. No chance will they take it easy on us, same as Citeh didn't.

Even without Jota and Firmino, they still have a brilliant squad and will field a talented team. Bear in mind that there is competition for places (remember that?), so their players will be hungry as hell to succeed and play in the big matches approaching them

They also have a World Cup approaching so will be looking to impress their national coaches. So look out, particularly with Citeh slipping up at the weekend.

We've seen 24 matches of largely failure from our team so far this season, so rather than place further faith in what continually hasn't worked why not give our talented young players a chance?

We've nowt to lose, so I'd go with:

Meslier
Ayling
Cresswell
Struijk
Firpo
Dallas
Bate
Forshaw
Raphinha
Gelhardt
James

[BGwhite]

Too soon after the manure game this is. 2nd half goal blitz for them .

Sent from my moto g(9) plus using Tapatalk

[Chilli D]

Liverpool played Saturday, we played Sunday on an energy sapping swamp.....it doesn't look good.
I hope he starts with Gelhardt up top with Raph and James either side and we at least have a go.
I expect he will start with Rodrigo though.
Meslier
Ayling
Llorente
Struijk
Firpo
Raphinha
Forshaw
Dallas
Klich
Gelhardt / Rodrigo
James

[mentalcase]

Good to see you back MC, hope you're doing well mate

Thanks old pal.
Had a few bad weeks personally, onwards and upwards

[mentalcase]

Welcome back, Mental

[60sUnited]

We need a defensive performance like we produced against Man City last season to be within any chance of not suffering a mauling.

[CHAPELALLMAN]

If Llorente and Firpo play it's a given that we concede between 4 to 6 goals with at least one from a corner.

[DDB220]

Will Forshaw occupy the DM position for this game based upon his second half performance against Manure. Will Gelhardt and Raph start ?????
What formation will we play would - 4141 or will he go with 3 central defenders.
So many questions- I am beyond the point now of even trying to hazard a guess.
They have some of the best set piece deliverers in the prem. I expect absolutely nothing from this game and only hope we do not suffer a mauling. At the same time there is always that tiny glimmer of hope of an upset. I hope it does not get extinguished too early in the game. Still looking forward to it though.

[Tyzy]

Even if we went 0-2 up we wouldn't win the game, unfortunately I've got to the point of expecting us not to win any game no matter who we play

[1964white]

Thanks old pal.
Had a few bad weeks personally, onwards and upwards

Join the club, mate.

Hope things are improving for you!

[mentalcase]

Join the club, mate.

Hope things are improving for you!

Very slightly
A death in the family (wifes side) an old comrade passed as well, the the PTSD kicking in, I've had many long walks in the woods.

[Overman]

Very slightly
A death in the family (wifes side) an old comrade passed as well, the the PTSD kicking in, I've had many long walks in the woods.

Take good care of yourself mate, being out in nature can help a lot (weather permitting!)