Javi Gracia may find it too hard to resist Leeds…

Javi Gracia may find it too hard to resist Leeds United recall in formation twist vs Liverpool

Does Elland Road get a response?

Leeds United’s players have not gotten to where they are in football without being highly competitive, proud individuals who hate to lose. That Crystal Palace collapse will have smarted all week.

The embarrassment the squad must have felt, given the way the footballing world has spoken about them across the past week, is hard to comprehend. They have to be ready to provide a reaction of some kind, en masse, for themselves and the home support.

It may be Liverpool, but if there is anything resembling the manner of the last match, serious worry about where this run-in is going will set in.

Defensive switches?

The now weekly debate about Luke Ayling’s selection continues. After five consecutive matches with question marks around his performances, does Javi Gracia keep the faith once more?

Further along the backline, there is the figure of Max Wober coming into view. The head coach admitted the Austrian had trained in some way with the rest of the team last week, but does that mean he is thrust back into the fold at the earliest opportunity?

There are certainly more winnable games on the horizon Wober may be better served waiting for, but could even captain Liam Cooper be the steadying presence the side needs tonight after that 5-1 hiding?

Forward reshuffle?

Luis Sinisterra and Jack Harrison should remain safe in the side after their blitz of Nottingham Forest, but can Gracia finally find space for Wilfried Gnonto or Rodrigo to start again? Brenden Aaronson may only have one assist since the Spaniard arrived, but he has clearly been doing a lot to impress with seven consecutive starts.

There could even be a system switch to something like the 4-3-3 Gracia used against another heavily-favoured opponent: Arsenal. Harrison could feasibly drop into a midfield three and unleash a Gnonto out wide, perhaps.

Alexander-Arnold vs Sinisterra

From afar, Trent Alexander-Arnold seems to have been the thread everyone picks at when they discuss Liverpool’s deficiencies for a long time. The England international’s attacking quality has never been in doubt, but he is frequently held up as the weak link opponents can expose.

Assuming Sinisterra continues down the left flank tonight, the Colombian could be the key to securing an unlikely result for the Whites. If he can help out enough in defence to deal with Alexander-Arnold’s attacking thrust, but then beat him on the counter going the other way, it could be critical.

A leap towards safety?

Regardless of what went on across the Premier League this weekend, 35 points still has to be seen as a solid target for safety based on the last 10 years. As was the case pre-Palace, one win takes Leeds beyond 30 points and to within touching distance of a very reassuring points total. It’s a big ask, but add to Liverpool’s tally of eight away defeats and feel the confidence surge back into this relegation dogfight.