Sports
Team News and Predicted Starting Lineups
Leeds and Liverpool will go head-to-head in the Premier League at Elland Road on Saturday evening, with both sides desperate for a big win.
Daniel Farke has seen major speculation around his job recently, but earned a huge 3-1 win over Chelsea at home in midweek to climb out of the relegation zone. Arne Slot’s side, on the other hand, failed to build on their momentum after a win over West Ham as they were held to a 1-1 draw with Sunderland at Anfield, leaving the Dutch coach under huge pressure for his job too.
Both sides have some injury concerns heading into the game, and this is how GIVEMESPORT expects the teams to line up.
Leeds Team News
Farke has switched to a five-at-the-back formation since the second half against Man City, and has seen great results. He is likely to stick with that for this game, but Felix Nmecha is a doubt after suffering a knock against Chelsea. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is also dealing with a calf issue, but could be fit to play.
Daniel James and Sean Longstaff are out with muscle injuries and won’t return until the new year, but Leeds are in a good place aside from that.
|
Leeds Injuries and Suspensions |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Player |
Injury |
Potential Return Date |
|
Daniel James |
Hamstring |
31/01/2026 |
|
Sean Longstaff |
Calf |
04/01/2026 |
|
Dominic Calvert-Lewin |
Calf |
06/12/2025 |
|
Felix Nmecha |
Hamstring |
06/12/2025 |
Farke Drops Team News Update
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Farke shared an update on his squad ahead of the game.
“We have definitely Daniel James and Sean Longstaff out, so it’s a bit longer term. “After this last game [vs Chelsea], we need to take some late decisions, like always, when you have such a quick turnaround.
“We have a few players who are a bit more of a major doubt. Lukas Nmecha with his hamstring problems – we have to assess him to see if he is available. Dominic Calvert-Lewin with some calf problems – there’s also a question mark over his availability. “We have to see who will be fully recovered. For some players, [who are used to this load], it will be easier.”
Leeds Predicted XI
- Leeds Predicted XI: Perri; Rodon, Bijol, Struijk; Bogle, Ampadu, Stach, Tanaka, Gudmundsson; Calvert-Lewin, Piroe.
- Leeds Predicted Substitutes: Darlow (GK), Justin (DEF), Bornauw (DEF), Byram (DEF), Gruev (MID), Harrison (MID), Aaronson (MID), Okafor (FWD), Gnonto (FWD).
After such a strong performance in front of their home crowd in midweek, Farke is likely to go with the same team to try and continue the momentum and continue to climb the table.
That should see £200,000-a-week duo Jack Harrison and Noah Okafor named on the bench once more to provide added depth, while Wilfried Gnonto is also available once more.
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Liverpool Team News
The Reds are dealing with some injury issues within their squad at the moment, but there is hope that right-back Conor Bradley could return from his problem to play in this game.
Jeremie Frimpong remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, and Geovanni Leoni is a long-term absentee. Slot has also previously admitted that Wirtz, Isak and Joe Gomez would be highly unlikely to start all three games in a week, which could see them drop out.
|
Liverpool Injuries and Suspensions |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Player |
Injury |
Potential Return Date |
|
Giovanni Leoni |
Knee |
03/08/2026 |
|
Jeremie Frimpong |
Hamstring |
13/12/2025 |
|
Conor Bradley |
Other |
06/12/2025 |
|
Joe Gomez |
Fatigue |
06/12/2025 |
Slot Drops Team News Update
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Slot shared an update on his squad ahead of the game.
“Joe Gomez got a knock in the West Ham game, but he was still able to start [vs Sunderland], but he couldn’t make the full 90 minutes – I think he will be able to train today.
“Yesterday was a recovery day for most of [the players], today we will train again, and let’s see where they are.
“Connor Bradley has trained this week, so I expect him to train and that he is available.”
Liverpool Predicted XI
- Liverpool Predicted XI: Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Ekitike.
- Liverpool Predicted Substitutes: Mamardashvili (GK), Gomez (DEF), Robertson (DEF), Endo (MID), Mac Allister (MID), Wirtz (MID), Chiesa (FWD), Ngumoha (FWD), Isak (FWD).
After their poor run of form, Slot’s options to change things are still limited but he is likely to recall Mohamed Salah to the starting lineup after leaving him on the bench for the last two fixtures.
With concerns over their fitness, Slot could leave £550,000-a-week duo Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak on the bench, while Andy Robertson may drop out of the team too.
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