Leeds United’s first game back in the Premier League after 16 years couldn’t be more daunting as they travel to Anfield, to face the champions Liverpool.
Liverpool eased to a first league title since 1990 last season, finishing 18 points clear of second placed Manchester City.
The only signing they have made so far is Greek full-back Kostas Tsimikas, however they have been heavily linked with Bayern Munich midfield Thiago.
Marcelo Bielsa guided Leeds United to the Championship title last term, running away with the division post lockdown as their rivals faded away.
Leeds United’s two biggest signings of the window so far have been Rodrigo from Valencia and Robin Koch, internationals for Spain and Germany respectively.
Match history
Liverpool have defeated Leeds in the EFL Cup on a couple of occasions since the latter was last in the English top flight.
Leeds last victory over Liverpool came way back in 2001, a narrow 2-1 victory at Anfield, with Lee Bowyer scoring the winner.
Last five Premier League meetings
Leeds United 2 Liverpool 2 – 29/02/04
Liverpool 3 Leeds United 1 – 25/10/03
Liverpool 3 Leeds United 1 – 23/03/03
Leeds United 0 Liverpool 1 – 19/10/02
Leeds United 0 Liverpool 4 – 03/02/02
Liverpool & Over 2.5 goals – 4/6 with 888 Sport
Team news
Trent Alexander-Arnold is a big doubt for this one having missed all of pre-season; however he did feature for England in their last Nations League match.
The Reds will also be without captain Jordan Henderson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Patrick Bamford is likely to start ahead of record signing Rodrigo here, with the Spain international set to be given time to bed into his new team.
Robin Koch however could make his debut, replacing Ben White in the XI, who has returned to parent club Brighton.
Expected starting XI’s
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Gomez, Robertson; Fabinho, Keita; Salah, Firmino, Mane; Minamino
Leeds United (4-5-1): Meslier; Ayling, Koch, Cooper, Dallas; Costa, Klich, Phillips, Hernandez, Harrison; Bamford
Predictions
Result: Liverpool (2/7 with 888 Sport)
Correct Score: 3-1 (11/1 with Bet 365)
Anytime Goalscorer: Mohamed Salah (1/2 with Bet 365)
Odds correct at time of article, they are subject to change
