Leeds United Clash with Liverpool: Match Preview, Bold Predictions and Expected Starting XIs
Leeds United are looking to inflict further damage on struggling Liverpool when both teams meet at Elland Road for their Premier League encounter on Saturday.
Leeds come into this match following a remarkable 3–1 victory over Chelsea that ended a four-match losing run, claiming their first significant triumph since returning to the Premier League. This result moved the Yorkshire club clear of the relegation zone and they find themselves just eight points adrift of their weekend visitors.
Liverpool managed to get back to winning form last weekend after a series of embarrassing defeats, but they reverted to their poor habits during Wednesday's clash with Sunderland. A lackluster display was fortunate to secure a point when Nordi Mukiele's late own goal salvaged a draw for embattled manager Arne Slot.
Manchester United's draw with West Ham United on Thursday has seen Liverpool slip back to ninth position in the standings, and they're now nearer to the relegation battle than league leaders Arsenal. The outlook remains grim for the defending champions, whose title campaign has been utterly catastrophic.
Another setback at Elland Road would heap additional pressure on Slot and his struggling squad.
Here is Sports Illustrated's preview of the match.
What Time Does Leeds vs. Liverpool Kick-Off?
Leeds vs. Liverpool Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)
Current Form (All Competitions)
Leeds | Liverpool |
|---|---|
Leeds 3–1 Chelsea - 03/12/25 | Liverpool 1–1 Sunderland - 03/12/25 |
Man City 3–2 Leeds - 29/11/25 | West Ham 0–2 Liverpool - 30/11/25 |
Leeds 1–2 Aston Villa - 23/11/25 | Liverpool 1–4 PSV Eindhoven - 26/11/25 |
Nottingham Forest 3–1 Leeds - 09/11/25 | Liverpool 0–3 Nottingham Forest - 22/11/25 |
Brighton 3–0 Leeds - 01/11/25 | Man City 3–0 Liverpool - 09/11/25 |
How to Watch Leeds vs. Liverpool on TV, Live Stream
Country | TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
United States | Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, UNIVERSO NOW, Peacock, NBC, UNIVERSO |
United Kingdom | Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Ultra HD, Sky GO, Sky GO Extra, NOW TV |
Canada | DAZN Canada, fuboTV Canada, Fubo Sports Network 2 Canada |
Mexico | Mx Mexico, TNT Go, TNT Sports |
Leeds Team News
Daniel Farke is aware he'll be missing both Dan James and Sean Longstaff for Saturday's fixture, but the Leeds manager has encountered two additional injury concerns ahead of Liverpool's arrival.
Forwards Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha are both questionable for the weekend with calf and hamstring problems respectively, potentially opening the door for Joël Piroe to receive an uncommon starting opportunity if both players are unavailable.
Farke is expected to stick with most of the lineup that defeated Chelsea, with Leeds employing a 3-5-2 formation in that victory. Nevertheless, both Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha featured in that match, and their fitness concerns may necessitate changes in the attacking department.
Leeds Predicted Lineup vs. Liverpool
Leeds predicted lineup vs. Liverpool (3-5-2): Perri; Rodon, Bijol, Struijk; Bogle, Tanaka, Ampadu, Stach, Gudmundsson; Piroe, Okafor.
Liverpool Team News
Liverpool have been missing Conor Bradley since the November international window but Arne Slot has announced his readiness for the journey to Elland Road. Fellow fullback Jeremie Frimpong remains sidelined, though Joe Gomez should be available despite taking a knock last weekend and being substituted early in midweek.
Focus will center on Mohamed Salah on Saturday following two consecutive omissions from the starting eleven. He entered as a substitute against Sunderland and might be recalled to the first team against Leeds given the requirement for squad rotation during this hectic schedule.
Hugo Ekitiké could also gain from tactical changes, with Alexander Isak delivering another underwhelming display against Sunderland. Milos Kerkez might also return in Andy Robertson's place.
Giovanni Leoni, Stefan Bajcetic and Jayden Danns remain unavailable.
Liverpool Predicted Lineup vs. Leeds
Liverpool predicted lineup vs. Leeds (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Bradley, Konaté, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitiké.
Leeds vs. Liverpool Score Prediction
Liverpool continue to be a thoroughly unpredictable force and Leeds aren't much simpler to forecast. Both teams have displayed remarkable inconsistency throughout this campaign and have encountered defensive difficulties, suggesting mayhem could unfold at Elland Road.
The Reds undoubtedly possess superior talent and will aim to utilize it efficiently in Yorkshire, with Florian Wirtz's increasing impact being a significant advantage, but their unreliable defense remains a considerable concern.
Leeds will draw confidence from their midweek triumph and should create opportunities even without injury concerns Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha, but they won't expect to contain Liverpool's talented attacking unit.