Leeds United are preparing for the second of five games in a busy fortnight period on Thursday night, with Daniel Farke taking his side to Anfield to face Liverpool.
Leeds come into the game after going five Premier League games unbeaten and ending the calendar year of 2025 in solid fashion, with a draw at Sunderland. Leeds have increased the gap on the bottom three.
Seven points now separate Leeds and West Ham going into the next round of fixtures, which will see the halfway stage appear. Interestingly, it is Leeds’ second league game against Liverpool in just a few weeks.
The Whites are yet to play Man United, but will do so on Sunday at Elland Road. Leeds will be looking for another positive result, especially with West Ham in action on Tuesday night at home to Brighton.
Joe Rodon during Sunderland v Leeds United - Premier League
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Daniel Farke delivers injury update ahead of Liverpool trip
The main talking point for Farke was Joe Rodon’s availability. The Wales defender was on the receiving end of two nasty knocks to his right ankle against Sunderland, from Brian Brobbey and Simon Adingra.
It is rare for Rodon to go down, but he did. Farke confirmed after the Sunderland draw that Rodon could be missing for Leeds’ next few games, right up until the FA Cup clash against Derby County on the 11th.
Sean Longstaff and Dan James, meanwhile, had no chance of being available for Sunderland, and that meant it was unlikely they’d face Liverpool. Farke delivered an update on all three Leeds absentees.
“Yes, he will definitely miss the Liverpool game. The diagnosis is better than we were first fearing straight after the game, because after the game it didn’t look good. It is an ankle ligament injury,” Farke said.
Joe Rodon in action for Leeds during a Premier League clash against Everton
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
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“Normally, out for three weeks. We have hope, he is a good healer and a strong boy, there is a chance to involve him before. But he is likely to miss the FA Cup game, but after that, he will likely be available.
“No other new injuries, and our long-term injuries Sean Longstaff and Dan James, they need a bit more time to recover. No news in these terms,” Farke confirmed on injured duo Longstaff and James.
What would you do if you were Daniel Farke at Liverpool?
Stuart Dallas said Rodon is the key to the 3-5-2 system so without him, it is going to be incredibly difficult for Farke to maintain the three-man defence. It could mean trusting Sebastiaan Bornauw from the start.
He didn’t do it off the bench against Sunderland. Could Ethan Ampadu drop back into defence? Farke would surely prefer to keep Ampadu in midfield, where he has been playing so well in the last few weeks.
How would you line-up at Liverpool without Joe Rodon? 🤕
Would you stick with 3-5-2 or switch formation?
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Gabi Gudmundsson plays on the left of a back three for Sweden, but Leeds are then unbalanced, and Bijol would have to go to the right, given Struijk is also left-footed. Farke may have to switch his formation.
Realistically, Farke will do what he did at Sunderland. Ao Tanaka comes on for Rodon, Leeds switch to a 4-3-3 system, Bijol partners Struijk in defence. Noah Okafor and Brenden Aaronson play as the wingers.
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