Inside Elland Road: Team goal and bravery
Leeds United's red-hot striker was dropped to the bench for Thursday's Premier League trip to Anfield.
Daniel Farke insists he must ‘look after’ Dominic Calvert-Lewin following his decision to bench the in-form Leeds United striker at Liverpool on Thursday.
Calvert-Lewin was named on the substitute’s bench at Anfield despite scoring seven goals in his last six appearances, a career-best run of form in front of goal. The 28-year-old, who played 84 minutes at Sunderland on Sunday, was replaced upfront by Lukas Nmecha as one of four changes, only one of which was enforced.
Leeds have worked incredibly hard to keep Calvert-Lewin fit, with the free agent arrival featuring in every game since his Premier League debut against Newcastle on August 30. After Liverpool on Thursday, Farke’s side have another quick turnaround before hosting Manchester United at Elland Road on Sunday lunchtime.
"I trust my whole group,” Farke told Sky Sports (via BBC Sport). “If I don't use the whole group and we have a schedule like this, I would never do this. For a player like Dominic I have to look after him. We all know his recent couple of years was difficult. He is in red-hot form but it's important I look after him and sometimes the head needs to win over the heart."
Farke opted to stick with a back three despite being without the injured Joe Rodon, handing Sebastiaan Bornauw his first Premier League start of the season alongside Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk. Jayden Bogle joined Calvert-Lewin on the bench, with James Justin coming in at right wing-back.
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Leeds’ third change came further forward, with winger Noah Okafor dropped to the bench and Ilia Gruev coming into midfield alongside Ethan Ampadu and Anton Stach. Those decisions look set to see Farke line up in a 3-5-2 formation at Anfield, with Aaronson joining Nmecha upfront.
"We are flexible, we are flexible during the game and several processes we can play,” Farke added. “We are the underdog. We have to make sure we take strength of performances, surprise them as well. If you are the underdog you have to be more flexible.
“We want to play this game without fear, but we are still respectful of Liverpool at Anfield. They are the big favourites and we need an outstanding day."
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