Venue: Anfield, Liverpool
Record (W-L-D), Points, and Last 5 Results
Liverpool: Record (0-0-0) (0 pts) Form – WWDLW
- Newcastle (A): Won 1-3
- Stuttgart (Friendly): Won 0-3
- RB Salzburg (Friendly): Tied 2-2
- Arsenal (Wembley): Lost 1-1 (Pen)
- Blackpool (H/Friendly): Won 7-2
Leeds: Record (0-0-0) (0 pts) Form – WWWLW
- Barnsley (H): Won 1-0
- Derby (A): Won 1-3
- Charlton (H): Won 4-0
- Stoke City (Friendly): Lost 3-0 (mainly second string played)
- Pacos de Ferreira (Friendly): Won 3-1
Possible Absences:
Liverpool:
- Alex Oxlade Chamberlain (Injury)
- Kostas Tsimikas (Illness)
- Jordan Henderson (Injury)
- Xherdan Shaqiri (Injury)
Leeds:
- Adam Forshaw (Injury)
Predicted Starting XI:
Liverpool (4-3-3)
- Alisson
- Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Gomez, Robertson
- Fabinho, Keita, Wijnaldum
- Salah, Firmino, Mané
Leeds (4-5-1)
- Meslier
- Ayling, Cooper, Koch, Dallas
- Costa, Hernández, Phillips, Klich, Harrison
- Rodrigo
The Premier League returns after it seems like last season ended just a week ago. Liverpool take on a tough first day opponent, Leeds United, in a battle of champions. Jurgen Klopp’s men will look to start their title defence off strong, while Marcelo Bielsa’s men will be looking to start off well in their most recent stay in the Premier League. The last time Leeds were in the division, James Milner had their jersey on and was in his teens, while Michael Owen was popping in goals for Liverpool.
It’s safe to say the teams are a lot different this time around. Since those days, Liverpool have gotten their hands on two Champions League trophies and one Premier League trophy. Leeds are now back in the topflight after 16 years of wait and winning the Championship.
With Liverpool’s drop off in form last season and a little into preseason, Leeds won’t be an easy test. Bielsa has his team playing a very attacking style of soccer with tons of pressing involved. Liverpool could take advantage of this press by playing through it, but if they make any mistakes Leeds will be quick to punish. Because of this aggressive style of play from Leeds, I wouldn’t be surprised if Klopp plays James Milner instead of Naby Keita, to be a little more defensive/solid in the midfield. If Milner does play it would be a special day for the player, who started his career at his hometown club. I also think Minamino could be a possibility as his positioning he has shown in preseason could be useful when passing through the press. Either way it’s a very exciting game and matchup for Liverpool’s first game of their title defending season.
My Prediction: Liverpool win 3-1. I think Leeds will play really well and Rodrigo will get his Leeds career off to a hot start. However, I think Liverpool will be able to take advantage of Leeds attacking style of play and punish them with their lethal front three. I do expect Leeds to be a tough test and don’t think it will be a comfortable 3-1 score line. It definitely could easily be 2-1 as well.
The Possible Absences and Starting XI portions of the article will be updated as necessary up until starting lineups are announced