Liverpool head to Leeds figuring out they will deal them a giant blow within the relegation struggle, however will they fall brief towards a struggling group but once more?
The Reds displayed some much-needed coronary heart to earn a 2-2 draw at house to Premier League leaders Arsenal final time round, however their season continues to be tapering off.
On Monday night, they head to Leeds figuring out {that a} top-four end is nearly unattainable, though Europa League qualification stays a powerful chance.
Liverpool will come up towards a Whites aspect sitting sixteenth within the desk and solely two factors above the drop zone, so it’s a huge night time for the hosts.
With kickoff practically upon us, we had a chat with Leeds followers and author Freddie Smith (@fbsmith3) to listen to about his group’s survival probabilities, Liverpool’s future and Monday’s sport.
How completely happy are you with Leeds’ season?
After a reasonably promising begin to the season, selecting up seven factors from our first three video games, the group have struggled to place a run of outcomes collectively and been in and across the relegation zone for a lot of the marketing campaign.
Leeds solely managed to win two league matches from 18 video games at one stage this season, which in the end led to the departure of Jesse Marsch.
We had been hoping for extra stability and consistency after a rollercoaster of a marketing campaign final 12 months, however that simply isn’t the Leeds means.
Would you proceed with Gracia past the summer season?
Javi Gracia has been a relaxing affect across the membership since taking up at Elland Street, and he’s managed to yield a reputable 10 factors from a attainable 21.
The defeat to Crystal Palace final week was an actual blow, not simply when it comes to dropping to a relegation rival, however the method through which the group capitulated within the second half.
If Gracia retains Leeds up, although, I’d be completely happy to see him given the job completely as he’s clearly a really astute and pragmatic supervisor.
Who else would you doubtlessly like as an alternative?
We’ve been closely linked with Andoni Iraola, the present supervisor of Rayo Vallecano who sit ninth in La Liga.
The rumours had been that Iraola turned down the possibility to take over at Leeds when Marsch was dismissed again in February, so it is going to be attention-grabbing to see if the membership pursue him once more in the summertime.
One other title talked about is Arne Slot, in cost at Eredivisie table-toppers Feyenoord, however the choice on who will likely be within the scorching seat at Elland Street all is determined by what division Leeds discover themselves in at the beginning of the 2023/24 marketing campaign.
Which Leeds gamers have stood out or struggled this season?
The standouts have been two of our new signings – Tyler Adams and Willy Gnonto.
It’s honest to say that each arrived on the membership as unknown portions, however their performances coupled with their clear ardour for the sport have made them agency fan favourites.
A particular point out should additionally go to Rodrigo, who has scored a powerful 11 objectives from 23 video games after solely scoring 13 league objectives within the earlier two seasons mixed.
In the meantime, mainstays of the aspect Luke Ayling and Patrick Bamford have been unable to seek out a lot consistency this season.
New recruit Brenden Aaronson value the membership £25 million final summer season, however has struggled with the physicality of the Premier League with solely 4 objective contributions to this point.
As for Liverpool, how do you assess their marketing campaign to this point?
Sitting in eighth place within the league, it’s clear to see that Liverpool have underachieved this season.
With Sadio Mane shifting on and Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Thiago and Roberto Firmino struggling accidents, Liverpool haven’t been as threatening going ahead as they’ve in earlier campaigns.
Defeats towards sides within the backside half of the desk, notably Bournemouth, Wolves, Leeds and Nottingham Forest, have made it exhausting so that you can obtain Champions League soccer subsequent season.
That mentioned, the efficiency and outcome towards Man United a month in the past reminded everybody how good this Liverpool aspect is when everybody’s firing.
Do you suppose the Reds will likely be ‘again’ subsequent season? Or has the cycle ended?
I imagine with the addition of some key signings in the summertime, Jurgen Klopp could have the group combating on the high of the desk once more.
The Reds appear to be they’re approaching a transition of needing to maneuver on among the outdated guard and supplementing the aspect with high quality new additions.
If this subsequent switch window is deliberate and executed appropriately, I’ve little doubt that Liverpool will likely be difficult for the title and within the cup competitions as soon as extra.
Looking forward to Monday, the place are the important thing battles?
The midfield battle will likely be key at Elland Street on Monday night time.
The aforementioned Adams is injured for Leeds, that means the Whites will likely be lacking the defensive safety the American presents within the coronary heart of the midfield.
With Thiago making his first look for a while towards Arsenal final week, it is going to be attention-grabbing to see who Klopp opts for within the central space.
Lastly, what’s your prediction?
Leeds will have to be so significantly better than they had been towards Crystal Palace final weekend in the event that they need to take one thing from this one.
I’m going to go along with a hopeful 1-1 draw.
