Image Credits: Imago Images
Two managers facing intense scrutiny go head-to-head at Elland Road on Saturday evening when Leeds United host Liverpool in a Premier League clash that carries significant weight for both dugouts.
Daniel Farke’s position at Leeds has been under severe threat after the club plunged into the relegation zone following a run of six defeats in seven top-flight matches.
Senior figures at Elland Road had reportedly begun exploring potential replacements, with Gary O’Neil emerging as a candidate should results not improve.
However, a stunning 3-1 victory over Chelsea in midweek has bought the German some breathing room, though the pressure is far from lifted with Liverpool now arriving in West Yorkshire.
For Arne Slot, the situation is equally precarious. The Dutchman has overseen just four wins from Liverpool’s last 14 matches across all competitions, with a 1-1 draw against Sunderland on Wednesday adding further frustration.
Luckily for both managers, there are not too many injury concerns for their respective teams:
Daniel James
The Welsh winger is facing a minimum of eight weeks on the sidelines after sustaining a hamstring tendon injury during the defeat to Manchester City.
Surgery remains a possibility, which could extend his absence even further, ruling him out for the entire festive period and beyond.
Sean Longstaff
A significant miss for Leeds, Longstaff has been one of the standout performers since his £12 million summer move from Newcastle, contributing goals and assists while becoming a key creative force in midfield.
A calf injury sustained in the loss to Aston Villa will keep him out for four to six weeks, meaning he is definitely unavailable for the Liverpool clash and could miss up to nine Premier League matches.
Giovanni Leoni
The teenage Italian centre-back suffered a devastating ACL tear on his Liverpool debut against Southampton in September and underwent successful surgery shortly after. He is expected to miss the remainder of the 2025/26 season.
Jeremie Frimpong
The summer signing from Bayer Leverkusen continues his recovery from a hamstring injury sustained in October’s Champions League win over Eintracht Frankfurt. Frimpong has returned to outdoor training but is not expected to feature until at least mid-December, meaning he will miss the Leeds trip.
Conor Bradley
There is cautious optimism surrounding the Northern Ireland international, who returned to modified team training on Monday after missing the last three matches with a muscle injury.
Slot has expressed hope that Bradley could be available for the trip to Elland Road, though he stressed the need to manage his workload carefully and not rush his return.
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