Joe Rodon looking sad in the direction of Arne Slot.
Credit: Imago
Jacob Raw
Tue 30 December 2025 18:10, UK
Joe Rodon will be gutted at the possibility of losing his long-standing record of starts for Leeds United.
Leeds play Liverpool at Anfield on Thursday, as Daniel Farke will look to extend the Whites’ five-match unbeaten streak.
Farke seems to have found a new formula that works for Leeds, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin at the heart of the Whites’ recent resurgence.
Ahead of the Liverpool game, Leeds may be without Rodon after Farke admitted his concern for the centre-back’s ankle issue sustained against Sunderland.
This injury will sting for the Welshman on a personal note, as it could see his impressive number of starts for Leeds come to a devastating end.
Joe Rodon applauds Leeds fans after a win over West Ham at Elland Road.
Credit: Imago
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The five Leeds players from the 1900’s ahead of Joe Rodon
Rodon has deservedly received his praise over the past few seasons for Leeds since joining on a permanent deal from Tottenham back in 2023.
The 28-year-old is only now entering his prime years as a footballer, which, from a Leeds perspective, is ever so exciting.
Rodon is leading the way for consecutive starts in the modern era for Leeds, but his injury issue may keep him from overtaking six of the Peacock’s finest players.
Player Number of consecutive starts Start date End date
Jim Baker 145 28/08/1920 15/12/1923
Eric Kerfoot 143 15/01/1955 26/04/1958
Tom Townsley 134 30/01/1926 30/03/1929
Jimmy Dunn 134 21/08/1954 18/09/1957
Norman Hunter 113 08/09/1962 03/04/1965
Grenville Hair 104 07/03/1953 24/09/1955
Joe Rodon 104 04/10/2023 To present
Record number of consecutive starts from outfield players in Leeds’ history
Rodon is joint-sixth with Grenville Hair for having made 104 consecutive appearances for the Whites, 41 away from equalling Jim Baker’s stunning record.
The issue is that the modern-day game of football is so physically demanding that, at some point, the centre-half was going to get injured.
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke
Credit: Imago
Farke now has to find a way to replace his star defender, as Liverpool will seek revenge after being unable to win at Elland Road last time out.
Daniel Farke could opt for familiarity vs Liverpool
Leeds drew 3-3 with Liverpool in December, as Ao Tanaka’s late goal denied the Premier League champions from taking the points back to Merseyside.
Anfield will present a totally different task than what was seen at Elland Road, though the Peacock Army will no doubt be in fine voice in the away end.
There have been suggestions that Sebastiaan Bornauw may start against the Reds; however, Farke may look no further than Ethan Ampadu.
Rodon’s Welsh compatriot bossed the midfield last time out versus Sunderland, but Farke may see fit to put Ampadu back in defence.
In doing this, the Leeds boss will be able to reintroduce Tanaka to the Whites’ midfield in hopes the Japan international can haunt Arne Slot once again.
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