In typical Leeds United fashion, the feel-good factor has instantly turned to worry after Daniel Farke reported that his two star strikers are doubts to face Liverpool on Saturday.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha were excellent against Chelsea. Nmecha had a goal ruled out for offside, a goal that would have seen him score in a fourth consecutive Premier League appearance.
Meanwhile, Calvert-Lewin did score. The duo worked well together in Farkeโs new-look 3-5-2 system as Leeds smashed Chelsea to win 3-1 at Elland Road. There is genuine momentum and belief at Leeds.
Prediction time for Leeds United v Liverpool ๐ฎ
Daniel Farke after Leeds United v Chelsea - Premier League
Photo by Alex Livesey โ Danehouse/Getty Images
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So much so that fans reckon Leeds can take advantage of a struggling Liverpool on Saturday, if they play like they did against Chelsea. Michael Owen believes Leeds are more than capable of beating Liverpool.
But Farke has now dropped a bombshell, and that is that both Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha are doubts to even face Liverpool. Nmecha has twinged his hamstring, while Calvert-Lewin is suffering calf problems.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin replaces Lukas Nmecha during Leeds vs Newcastle
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt โ AMA/Getty Images
Predicted XI as Daniel Farke makes crucial decision on Leeds duo
The concern is, is that Farke is a pragmatic, conservative manager when it comes to injuries and both Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha are players with a proneness to injury throughout their professional careers.
During his Leeds tenure, Farke has always rested players who are prone to injury. Patrick Bamford, for example. But with both doubts, Farke has a big decision to make, just on the cusp of some momentum.
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We predict Farke to make only one change. Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha start, and perhaps, last until the 60-minute mark before the German gaffer uses Joel Piroe and Noah Okafor from the substitutes bench.
Farke explained that wing-backs deliver the highest output in a 3-5-2, and given Gabi Gudmundsson was rested against Man City before Chelsea, it might be that James Justin comes in to rest Jayden Bogle.
Predicted Leeds United XI to face Liverpool ๐ค
One change, as Daniel Farke makes Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha decision.
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Which possible changes could Daniel Farke make v Liverpool?
If Farke does decide he needs to make changes, then Okafor and Piroe could come in from the off against Liverpool. While Okafor impressed as a substitute, Piroe has not suited this Leeds system. It is a drop off.
The back three will surely remain the same even if Sebastiaan Bornauw made his Premier League debut for Leeds on Wednesday. Ethan Ampadu will start, and Anton Stach is likely to do so alongside Ampadu.
But, Farke mentioned Ao Tanaka as a player who has had a lot of load, even if he came off at 67 minutes against Chelsea. If Farke does decide to make changes, it will be for Tanaka, at wing-back, and up front.
Ilia Gruev could replace Tanaka, and Stach is given the Tanaka role, while Justin can come in on either side. But Farke will be keen to keep the momentum flowing and that means, as little change as possible.
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