Leeds United will finish their pre-season friendlies in America with Sunday’s clash against Liverpool in Chicago - and this is how we think the Whites will line up.
Boss Daniel Farke shuffled his pack for Thursday night’s second friendly against Sunderland for which the headline act was £34m summer signing Tarik Muharemovic making his debut at the heart of the defence.
Upon recovering from a minor setback, Sebastiaan Bornauw was also handed a start in defence alongside Muharemovic and Joe Rodon who wore the captain’s armband as club captain Ethan Ampadu dropped to the bench. Leeds were still without Jaka Bijol who has taken a knock to his knee.
Fellow centre midfield star Anton Stach also dropped to the bench as Ao Tanaka was given a start in centre midfield alongside Sean Lonsgstaff, flanked by wing backs Jayden Bogle and the returning Gabi Gudmundsson.
Gudmundsson was the latest Leeds World Cup player to return to action, leaving only Brenden Aaronson and Noah Okafor as yet to feature. Leeds said upon leaving for the States that Okafor had been given extended leave following Switzerland’s progress to the World Cup quarter-finals and would not feature in America.
But Sunday’s final friendly in the States presents a possible chance for Aaronson and perhaps Whites no 9 Dominic Calvert-Lewin who returned to training on Tuesday having had a small set back in pre season which prevented him from completing his individual programme.
As Calvert-Lewin and Aaronson sat out the friendly against Sunderland, Lukas Nmecha started up front as Joel Piroe was benched, Nmecha backed up by summer signing Harry Wilson and youngster Callum Mills in the final third.
But Farke might now have more options at his disposal to face Liverpool and this is the XI that we think will line up against the Reds.
1. GK: Alex Cairns
Pretty much an automatic pick in goal at the moment unless Farke goes with one of the youngsters with Lucas Perri likely on his way out once Leeds get James Trafford in the door. | Getty Images
2. RB: Jayden Bogle
Clear first choice right back and another start looks likely against Liverpool unless James Justin is given a go in the position. | Getty Images
3. CB: Joe Rodon
Captain against Sunderland with Ampadu on the bench and likely set for another start in a new look defence. | Getty Images
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4. CB: Tarik Muharemovic
Extremely impressive on his Leeds debut against Sunderland and looks set to form a formidable partnership with Rodon whether that be in a back four or back five. | Getty Images
5. CB: James Justin
Farke went with a back three against Sunderland which led to a clean sheet so the same seems likely against Liverpool. With Jaka Bijol having been out injured, perhaps Justin will now come back into the XI to have a go at centre-back in place of Bornauw. | Getty Images
6. LB: Gabi Gudmundsson
The Swede and clear first choice left back got a first start of the summer against Sunderland and another one looks likely against Liverpool. | Getty Images