Klopp Expecting Exciting Match Against Leeds

It’s hard to forget the opening day match Liverpool played against Leeds last season when the club returned to the top flight for the first time since 2004. The first half ended 3-2 in favor of Liverpool. At full time, Liverpool had come through with a 4-3 victory, thanks to a Mohamed Salah hat trick, plus one extra from Virgil van Dijk.

The return fixture with less enthralling, ending in a 1-1 draw.

Now the Reds return from the September international break to travel back to Elland Road. The Brazilians will be allowed to play for both sides, except for Roberto Firmino, who is out with a hamstring injury.

Jurgen Klopp expects another exciting match against Marcelo Bielsa’s men.

“We had – with some players now – a week’s time to prepare for it and some only came back training on Thursday so we have two sessions where we can probably prepare for it,” Klopp told the official site.

“The game itself is already tricky. We saw in the last two games against them, my first time playing against Leeds, it was really exciting. They have a specific way of playing the game with strict man-marking idea defending, very flexible and very brave, very dynamic in possession. Against Leeds (it’s) high intense, they go for it. They are good in possession, I think, so far, second or third in possession.

“It’s a really good team and we have to be at our best to get something there. They don’t have the points yet they want to have but they for sure think they have a good chance against us. But they didn’t play us yet this season. We are hopefully good, as good as we can, and then we are difficult to play. When we are difficult to play, we have a chance to win – and that’s what we try.”

Both teams have good reason to fight for the victory on Sunday, aside from the obvious three points. Liverpool will be looking to make up for their disappointing draw against Chelsea before the break, while Leeds are still hunting for their first win of the season.

It’s nice that they’ll have an extra day to rest before the match. Hopefully that will be enough to rest the tired bodies of players who spent the last two weeks fighting for World Cup qualifying spots with their countries.