"Brain fade" - Leeds United fans in Liverpool clash disagreement with Farke declaration and Chelsea win claim

Leeds United are heading for Saturday evening’s visit of Liverpool boosted by a brilliant win against Chelsea - but what do the club’s fans think? Here is what our YEP Jury have had to say on both games including disagreement on the predictions front, a difference makers versus Chelsea claim and declaration about the support and system Daniel Farke has got.

NEIL GREWER

The trio of games with expectations of low points return concludes against Liverpool and provides the best points opportunity. Yet expectations have already been exceeded.

The second half at Manchester City showed Daniel Farke is willing to make early substitutions and change team structure in early response to ongoing situations.

This performance was then eclipsed by the defeat of Chelsea, and this victory was not “small margins/marginal gains”, rather wide margins and some quality finishing. How football can change in a week.

This is not a bad time to play Liverpool. They have not been in the best form, seem unsure of their best team, and formation, and are managing a heavy schedule.

So, the big question for Farke is which formation to play, or which to start with. The German certainly has the support of the players and, after the Chelsea game, received crowd support also.

The point-a-game average is intact and a point from this game is achievable, but only if Farke can engineer another performance akin to the recent ones and with the crowd playing their part.

Prediction: Leeds United 1 Liverpool 1.

“Ultimately, Chelsea’s defenders couldn’t live with Daniel Farke’s front two pairing”

ANDY RHODES

Be honest, did anyone expect a result like that in midweek? There may have been a touch of optimism after the second half performance at Manchester City, but not many would have expected Leeds to beat Chelsea in the manner they did.

Every player made a contribution and from defence to attack, there was a candidate for man of the match in each position. It’s a good job we don’t have to pick one.

Ultimately, Chelsea’s defenders couldn’t live with Daniel Farke’s front two pairing of Lukas Nmecha and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

The press worked perfectly too, summed up by Nmecha, DCL, Anton Stach, Gabriel Gudmundsson and Pascal Struijk being the five players visible on-screen when the third goal went in.

Leeds will fancy their chances, then, against struggling Liverpool. After this latest performance, Leeds may not be the side you want to face when you need a result.

You would imagine that DCL will be fired up against his former local rivals, and his contribution will once again be key.

Prediction: Leeds United 1 Liverpool 2.

“Then there was that complete brain-fade moment”

DAVID WATKINS

A few days ago, Liverpool’s visit to Elland Road felt like another impossible task… much like Chelsea’s visit did – and the trip to the Etihad before that.

But now we have hope, the hope that Leeds can continue this unlikely run of performances that started by ‘beating’ Manchester City 2-1 over 45 minutes and then by beating Chelsea 3-1 in 90.

Against Chelsea, things largely went to plan. Jaka Bijol met a corner perfectly, and then Ao Tanaka, after a couple of woeful sighters, finally hit a perfect shot into the corner of the net.

Then there was that complete brain-fade moment by Chelsea’s Tosin Adarabioyo, dawdling on the ball in front of his own net. Teams haven’t handed us gifts like that this season: you don’t expect to get them in the Prem, even at Christmas!

So, bring on the champions! Liverpool have struggled of late – six league defeats already this season compared to four in the entire campaign last year – but a win at West Ham last weekend and a home draw against Sunderland, a match they dominated in all but goals scored, suggests they may be improving.

It will need things to go for us again and will need a near-perfect performance, but I think we are entitled to dream!

Prediction: Leeds United 2 Liverpool 2.

“Credit to the manager”

KEITH INGHAM

Leeds stormed to an incredible 3-1 win over Chelsea. Goals from Bijol, Tanaka and Calvert-Lewin game them their first win in five games to lift them out of the bottom three.

The win was so deserved and every player did their bit in securing a much-needed win for Daniel Farke.

Credit to the manager for putting out a side that dominated a highly-placed Chelsea team.

Liverpool are up next on Saturday. The Merseyside ex-champions were held 1-1 by Sunderland in midweek to stop a run of defeats.

Daniel Farke now, it seems, has a formation that suits the players he has at his disposal. The 3-5-2 seems to bring the best of the squad he has.

It’s really hard to say who was the best; myself, I give the accolade to all who played against Chelsea.

Their opponents on Saturday evening are Liverpool. The champions have struggled recently and questions have been asked about manager Arne Slot.

If Leeds can continue their upturn I see a very good game for an expected full house at Elland Road.

If they can continue their upturn in form I think they can at least get a point from the game.

Prediction: Leeds United 1 Liverpool 1 (head) 2-1 (heart).

“Wounded animals are dangerous”

MIKE GILL

Wednesday night’s game against Chelsea was a real tonic for the troops.

United’s efforts since the international break were finally rewarded with three precious points as they took the Blues apart. The hot dog wrappers and plastic cups will have just about been cleaned up before Elland Road welcomes another elite club in Liverpool.

Last season’s runaway champions have not been meeting their own high standards lately and currently stand in eighth place. They are also struggling in the Champions League.

On Wednesday they scraped a draw at home with Sunderland after going behind.

This was after seeing off West Ham 2-0 at the London Stadium. The Whites will definitely be up for Saturday’s challenge, but there is never a good time to play Liverpool.

Wounded animals are dangerous and the Reds will be looking to resume their winning ways before the season slips away from them.

Route one seems to be the tactic that is working for United and they are unlikely to deviate far from this formation at the weekend.

Another sell-out crowd should grace the old stadium and it should be a cracking atmosphere.

Prediction: Leeds United 2 Liverpool 2.