With Premier League safety secured and confidence high following a great win over Manchester City, Leeds will be playing with even more freedom than usual against Liverpool on Monday night.
On the opening day of the season the pair played out a seven-goal thriller, which the Reds just edged. Mohamed Salah grabbed a hat-trick in that 4-3 win and Marcelo Bielsa will no doubt have concocted a plan to keep the Egyptian quiet this time around.
Whether or not they will be successful is an entirely different matter. Anyway, here is the starting XI most likely to be charged with stopping Salah and Liverpool on Monday evening…
Illan Meslier (GK) – The young Frenchman made several important stops in the City win and will be looking for his tenth clean sheet of the season on Monday night.
Luke Ayling (RB) – It took a while for Ayling to reach the Premier League but now he is here he has made the most of his chance, not missing a single second of Leeds’ season so far.
Diego Llorente (CB) – After a slow start to the campaign through injury, Llorente has made the centre-back position his own in recent times.
Pascal Struijk (CB) – With Liam Cooper suspended following his controversial straight red card last week, Struijk – who has been reliable when called upon this season – is set to start at the back.
Ezgjan Alioski (LB) – Alioski’s future beyond the end of the season is uncertain. For now though, he will continue at left-back with Salah set to be his opposite number on Monday night.
Stuart Dallas (CM) – Dallas broke many Fantasy Premier League players hearts by bagging a brace last week. Always a reliable points scorer, most FPL managers dropped him to the bench for the City game. Let that be a lesson to them all – never doubt the Cookstown Cafu.
Kalvin Phillips (CM) – All Phillips has to do is remain injury free and he will likely be starting for England at this summer’s Euros. This is testament to his brilliant season.
Tyler Roberts (AM) – With Rodrigo still continuing his recovery from injury, Roberts will continue in an attacking midfield berth. He played well against City, linking the play nicely and holding things up when required.
Jack Harrison (RW) – Harrison was prevented from playing against his parent club in Leeds’ last game but there will be no such problem this time around.
Patrick Bamford (ST) – Compared with the high standards he has set this season, Bamford’s one goal in his last six Premier League games is somewhat disappointing. He will be looking to improve his record on Monday.
Raphinha (LW) – After coming off against City, Leeds are hoping that the Brazilian will be back in time for this one. This is good news as Raphinha has been in excellent form of late.
