Striker blow and two changes as Daniel Farke names Leeds United team v Liverpool with defender's return
Leeds United team news for Saturday evening’s Elland Road showdown against Liverpool.
Whites boss Daniel Farke has named his Leeds United team for Saturday evening’s Premier League visit of defending champions Liverpool with two changes amid a striker blow.
Lukas Nmecha is missing and replaced by Noah Okafor alongside Dominic Calvert-Lewin upfront whilst Ilia Gruev comes in for the benched Ao Tanaka in centre midfield.
Farke revealed doubts about strikers Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha at Thursday’s pre-match press conference after their roles in Wednesday night’s superb 3-1 win at home to Chelsea.
Hamstring problems for Nmecha and calf issues for Calvert-Lewin had Farke unsure if the pair would be fit for the visit of Arne Slot’s defending champions just three days later.
Farke also issued a warning about the recent demands placed on midfielder Tanaka after his minutes in last weekend’s 3-2 defeat at Manchester City and the midweek win against Chelsea.
Farke had admitted at Thursday’s press conference that there would likely be changes to his team upon facing a third game in a very busy week but the boss makes just two alterations to the side.
Farke had switched to the new 3-5-2 system deployed in the second half at City from the start against Chelsea, meaning another start for summer signing Jaka Bijol alongside Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk in a front three.
The back three stays as it is but with Tanaka partnering Ethan Ampadu and Anton Stach in centre midfield.
Dan James (hamstring tendon tear) and Sean Longstaff (calf) both remain out, James facing at least two months on the sidelines and Longstaff four to six weeks.
With Nmecha out, Sam Byram returns to the bench.
Leeds United vs Liverpool: Perri; Bogle, Rodon, Bijol, Struijk, Gudmundsson; Gruev, Ampadu, Stach; Okafor, Calvert-Lewin. Subs: Darlow, Byram, Justin, Bornauw, Tanaka, Harrison, Aaronson, Gnonto, Piroe.