Daniel Farke reveals Lukas Nmecha injury timeline after Leeds United striker misses Liverpool
The Leeds United boss did not have striker Lukas Nmecha available for Saturday’s Premier League game against Liverpool at Elland Road.
Daniel Farke hopes Leeds United striker Lukas Nmecha will be available for next weekend’s trip to Brentford after missing Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Liverpool.
Leeds welcome Liverpool to Elland Road this evening hoping to build on Wednesday’s outstanding 3-1 win over Chelsea. Goals from Jaka Bijol, Ao Tanaka and Dominic Calvert-Lewin ensured the Whites were rewarded for their best performance of the season and Farke received plenty of praise for his approach to the game.
The German’s side looked perfectly-suited to a 3-5-2 formation and more direct approach, with Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha leading the line together. The latter, however, has not made the matchday squad for Saturday’s visit of Liverpool and has been replaced in the starting line-up by Noah Okafor.
Tanaka has also been left out of the starting line-up, albeit the Japan international is in the 20-man squad. His place in the midfield three alongside Ethan Ampadu and Anton Stach has been taken by Ilia Gruev, while Sam Byram has come into the squad for Nmecha.
“Yeah it's a hamstring strain,” Farke told Sky sports of Nmecha ahead of kick-off. “It was not possible for him to be available. We hope to have him back for the next games but not for tonight.”
Okafor replaced Nmecha off the bench against Chelsea in midweek and now has a chance to prove he can operate effectively in a front two. Farke trusts the Swiss international can flourish in that role, having experienced it with previous clubs.
Daniel Farke explains Noah Okafor’s Leeds United role
“Not too much,” he responded when asked if Okafor’s introduction changes his approach. “He’s perhaps not as good as Lukas with his head but Noah has played many games for Salzburg in this position. He came in also in the last game and was good pressing for our third goal. In general I don't think it would change too much.”
Victory this evening would see Leeds pull five points clear of West Ham in the final relegation zone, albeit the Hammers could close that gap when they head to Brighton on Sunday. A draw would likely keep Farke’s side out of the bottom three for another week, unless Nuno Espirito Santo’s side win by two clear goals at the Amex Stadium.
“We have to go one more time over the line,” Farke added. “Of course, we play three big names, the best teams not just in the UK but also in the world. We always need a top performance, a special second-half against City, an outstanding game against Chelsea and today we have to deliver the same.
“For that we rotate little bit, we have done this also during the week so we need again, physically to be spot on and show fight. Also the aggressiveness that is needed but at the other end to be good on the ball. Just fight and aggressiveness won’t be enough, we need also to be good on the ball.”