1 year ago
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Rodrigo and Henderson are carrying flowers to mark the 34th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.
The players are in the tunnel. Elland Road sounds lively.
Bill Preston has been in touch: “Liverpool not being able, or perhaps willing, to put a stomp on the transfer market their fans desire is probably for the best. A proper, well thought out restructure will do the club well, rather than opting for Bellingham who is, to be fair, thrilling.
“Heroics are required by so many at the bottom end of the table: Leeds scratching a 2-2 draw here should see them safe, at the expense of Everton.”
Jurgen Klopp speaks …
On Leeds: “The circumstances are clear, Leeds are involved in one of the most exciting relegation battles of all time. We expect a hostile atmosphere and a real fight.”
On Diaz: “It is all going in the right direction. It is a long break for Diaz. He is not at 100% but the thing he needs now is minutes.”
Mohamed Salah is primed.
Jeff Sax emails: “Is what your paper is writing about now: billionaires that changed and are changing Chelsea....the former improved them, the current one causing them to implode.”
We seem to be …
Louise Taylor on Leeds.
Peter Oh emails: “Liverpool being priced out of the Ferrari Bellingham makes me wonder what the makes and models of the current crop of Reds players would be. Audi TAA? Bugatti Virgil? Hendo NSX?”
I had to search our photo system for NSX and this came up. Appropriate?
Friend of the Guardian, Ben Mee is on the Monday Night Football, dressed like a middle manager at KPMG.
Javi Gracia speaks …
On the match: “All the games are vital for us. We don’t look at the table, we don’t look at other teams, we focus on ourselves. The main thing for us is to compete at our level.”
On loss to Palace: “It was the worst moment for us but in the rest of the games, we’ve had good performances, competing really well. I am sure today we will recover our level.”
On Bamford’s absence: “Patrick has a problem in his calf.”
On Rodrigo’s return: “All the players want to help the team and today is an opportunity for Rodrigo. He was a long time injured but he has received.”
I went to see Jurgen Klopp on Friday.
Starting lineups
Leeds (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Firpo, Kristensen, Koch, Struijk; Roca, McKennie; Aaronson, Sinisterra, Harrison; Rodrigo
Subs: Robles, Ayling, Cooper, Wober, Forshaw, Greenwood, Summerville, Georginio, Gnonto
Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Jones; Jota, Salah, Gakpo
Subs: Kelleher, Thiago, Milner, Firmino, Elliott, Tsimikas, Diaz, Nunez, Matip
Preamble
Leeds and Liverpool were both involved in fantastic fightbacks last weekend. Unfortunately, Javi Gracia’s side saw a 1-0 lead become a 5-1 defeat to Crystal Palace to leave them in a precarious position in the league. They sit two points above the drop zone but a win today would leave them looking in a very pretty position, thanks to the tight nature of the fight for survival.
They would have been a bit more confident going into this match two weeks ago but Liverpool have picked up somewhat. Their 4-1 loss at Manchester City was followed by a tedious 0-0 at Chelsea and wondrous comeback against league leaders Arsenal in front of a boisterous Anfield. The main disappointment from the draw with the Gunners was that they failed to turn it into three points. They had chances late on but could not find that all important third, and might be eager to take out their frustrations on tonight’s opponents.
Liverpool’s week has been overshadowed by the news that Jude Bellingham will be not tapping the ‘This Is Anfield’ sign next season because the club cannot afford his transfer fee and wages. There is no need to despair, there are plenty of other good players out there and the transfer committee will undoubtedly do a pretty decent job.
Javi Gracia does not have the luxury of looking to the summer. He does not know which division Leeds will be playing in next season and his “flexible contract” does not offer much of an inclination of his future. The best way to extend his time at Elland Road would be a win tonight and maintaining Leeds’ Premier League status. Let’s see if Patrick Bamford can do a Tony Yeboah.
It should be a fun night!
Kick-off: 8pm BST
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