How will Leeds fare against Liverpool?

Leeds start their first Premier League campaign in 16 years with a blockbuster clash against champions Liverpool. It’s a fixture of great intrigue as two iconic managers go head to head in what will likely be a thrilling clash.

The first question, and one that will probably loom over Leeds all season, is will Bielsa change the overall style of his team?

The short answer: probably not.

So with that cleared up, how might Leeds get on against Liverpool?

Beating Liverpool’s press

Pressing is probably going to be the word most frequently flung around the Match of the Day studio on Saturday night when analysing the match. It is likely to be a key feature of the game for both sides.

Jurgen Klopp is renowned for his side’s pressing, with Liverpool generally liking to pin the opposition in on one side of the pitch. This helps to either force a mistake or a panicky long ball that can easily be gathered up by the Reds.

But if Leeds are able to play through this, then they stand a good chance of getting at Liverpool.

Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah generally remain high up. They press high, and then stay forward looking to exploit space on the counter attack.

If they are bypassed, though, it can leave Liverpool’s midfield vulnerable to being stretched, and their full backs in an exposed position where they can be gotten at.

Leeds have shown themselves capable of playing through high presses. Players will move for each other to offer options and create overloads, with round the corner passes and one-twos being a frequent feature of Leeds’ build up play.

If they can break through the Liverpool press, they will enjoy more space to attack than they have generally enjoyed in the Championship against sides who will often camp in their own half against the Whites.

But Liverpool are one of the best sides in the world at pressing, so bypassing it will be very tough. As always with this kind of tactic, it’s very much high risk against high reward.

Breaking through Liverpool’s defence

This was a rarity last season, but there were a few recurring features. When Watford pulled off their stunning victory over the Reds, Dejan Lovren was quite clearly targeted as the weak centre back. He was duly given a torrid time by physicality of Troy Deeney.

Lovren has now left obviously, with Joel Matip and Joe Gomez better options to partner Virgil van Dijk. But the point still remains that it is important to attack the centre back that isn't the imperious Van Dijk.

In Manchester City’s 4-0 thrashing of Liverpool, Raheem Sterling appeared to target Joe Gomez - winning a penalty and beating his England team mate to score for the Citizens. Leeds obviously don’t possess a player of Sterling’s quality, but are still likely to have more success attacking either Gomez or Matip.

Down the flanks, Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander Arnold are both occasionally culpable to being caught with space in behind them - particularly Robertson. This can either happen through stretching Liverpool’s midfield and forcing the full back to push up and leave gaps behind them, or by counter attacking with the full back left high up the pitch.

This was seen particularly vividly in Arsenal’s goal against the Reds in the Community Shield match. A ball down the line from Hector Bellerin to Bukayo Saka caught Robertson high up the pitch. Saka had time to turn and pick out a beautifully hit pass to Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, who was up against an isolated Neco Williams at right back. The Gunners’ captain was then able to attack the young Welsham and fire a shot into the far corner.

Leeds are likely to start with Jack Harrison and Helder Costa out wide, so have quick players able to exploit this potential weakness. If they are able to get in behind down the flanks and stretch their midfield, they could well cause Liverpool some damage.

Liverpool on the ball

This is where Leeds could face quite a shock to the system. They have been used to dominating games against Championship sides and while they have come up against some very good quality players, none will be the level of some of Liverpool’s side.

Being out of possession more often may suit the Whites in some ways. It will give them more opportunity to counter attack, something they did devastatingly against Fulham - one of the more possession orientated sides in the Championship.

But this comes with the caveat that Leeds will have to do more defending, and this season it will be against some world class players.

Despite it not looking like they will seal the deal on a transfer for Thiago Alcantara, Liverpool are still a well oiled machine on the ball. One that has become adept at breaking down defences and always finding a way through.

Leeds have not consistently faced star quality like that of Mane and Salah and this will be a massive challenge for the Whites.

That said, Liverpool consistently outscored the xG last season so it is possible that their goalscoring exploits may start to shrink a little. But with the quality the Reds have, they will still carry a major threat against Leeds.

Is there a chance for Leeds?

Leeds certainly do have a chance of pulling off a result against Liverpool. There are weaknesses that can be exploited, and the Whites do have the tools to exploit them.

It will take a big performance, though, against such a high quality side and even then, if the likes of Mane, Salah and Roberto Firmino are firing and on form then there may be very little Leeds can do.

Bielsa will be working his players hard in preparation, hoping that his side can cause an upset. It will take a big performance and at least a little bit of luck, but it certainly is possible that Leeds will be able to snatch some points from their opening game.