Leeds United will end a busy week and very demanding week with Saturday evening’s visit of Liverpool - and this is how we think the Whites will line up.
Boss Daniel Farke again has plenty to ponder with his team selection and a large part of that is likely to be dictated by who is fit from an attacking sphere.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha started together for the first time this season in a new-look 3-5-2 formation against Chelsea, a system which triggered a brilliant second-half comeback in Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at Manchester City.
Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha caused Chelsea’s back line all sorts of bother but Farke revealed at Thursday’s pre-match press conference that there were doubts over both players due to injuries suffered against the Blues.
Nmecha, said Farke, was experiencing hamstring problems after the game and Calvert-Lewin calf problems. Farke also served a warning about the demands placed on Ao Tanaka of late, revealing that the midfielder had been in the ice bath before his press conference had even began.
United’s boss is already without one key centre midfield option in Sean Longsfaff (calf) for the next four to six weeks whilst winger Dan James is facing around two months out with a hamstring tendon injury. Farke, though, does have Sebstiaan Bornauw back from injury in addition to back up keeper Karl Darlow.
There is much to consider, not least the formation, and this is the XI and shape that we think Farke will start out with against Arne Slot’s Reds.
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1. GK: Lucas Perri
Clear first choice keeper who is all set for a ninth Premier League start and a seventh in succession since returning from injury. | Getty Images
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2. CB: Joe Rodon
100 not out, Rodon having now played in every one of United's last 100 league games, the first Leeds player to do so since Norman Hunter. One of the first names of the team sheet, whatever the formation in defence. | Getty Images
3. CB: Jaka Bijol
Bijol was handed just a fourth Premier League start against Chelsea under United's new 3-5-2 formation and made quite the impact, his towering header firing the Whites into an early lead and en route to victory. The Slovenian was rock solid at the other end too and it would seem likely that Farke would keep a new system that is clearly working as it is. The middle centre back - put there by Farke due to his familiarity in the role with Udinese. | Getty Images
4. CB: Pascal Struijk
Struijk is having quite the week, having Erling Haaland in his pocket at Manchester City and again impressing up against the likes of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro against Chelsea. He should really have capped another excellent display with a goal, instead sending a free header just wide. A new Leeds back three looks here to stay with left footed Struijk the left sided centre-back. | AFP via Getty Images
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5. RWB: Jayden Bogle
Playing as a wing back and playing the specialist position well takes some doing bombing up and down both flanks but the very athletic and impressive clear first choice right back Bogle clearly has everything in his locker to be able to it. Seems to relish it even. | Getty Images
6. LWB: Gabi Gudmundsson
The same as Bogle but on the left, hugely impressive since joining from Lille in the summer and clearly blessed with the engine and talent to excel as a left wing back as well as a left back. Still only 26 years old, a stellar signing at just £10m. | Getty Images