Premier League: Under-Fire Marsch Needs Miracle at Merseyside

Liverpool vs Leeds United

Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch is very much on the hot seat. An eight-match winless run in the Premier League has seen the Whites drop down to the relegation zone, with the pressure on Marsch mounting.

And now, Marsch must lead his Leeds side to Anfield, where mighty Liverpool await. The Reds responded to their stunning 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest by beating Ajax 3-0 in the Champions League in midweek.

And the Premier League 2022 betting odds will back Jurgen Klopp’s side to bounce back at Anfield, where they are still unbeaten this season.

Talking Points

Klopp’s tactical changes pay off

With the bitter taste of their 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest still fresh in their mouths, Liverpool redeemed themselves by beating Ajax 3-0 away from home to book their place in the Champions League last 16.

Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, and Harvey Elliott were all on the scoresheet as Jurgen Klopp fielded another experimental formation. It saw Salah partnering Nunez in a front two, with Roberto Firmino playing at the tip of a midfield diamond.

Klopp has been forced to alter his formations amid a rash of injuries to key players, notably forwards Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota. With strikers in short supply, look for Liverpool to stick with the duo of Salah and Nunez against Leeds.

As for the rest of the side, Thiago Alcantara did not play any part against Ajax after an ear infection and may not be able to return in time to face Leeds. But Ibrahima Konate is back fit and could be an option to partner Virgil van Dijk at centre-back with Joel Matip still out injured.

While Liverpool have been quite erratic away this season, they have been the picture of consistency at home. They are unbeaten in eight games in all competitions at Anfield, with six wins and two draws. Moreover, they have kept clean sheets in each of their last three games.

Marsch’s Leeds languishing in relegation mire

Things are not looking good for Leeds United at the moment. The Whites are now in 18th place in the Premier League after going winless in their last eight games.

To make matters worse, Jesse Marsch’s side have lost their last four on the bounce, including to fellow strugglers Leicester and newly promoted Fulham. This awful run of Premier League 2022 results has seen the pressure on Marsch grow.

After a decent start, the Leeds attack has fallen off significantly over the last few weeks. They have scored just three goals in their last five games, one of which was a stoppage-time consolation goal by substitute Crysencio Summerville last weekend against Fulham.

The form of Jack Harrison, who was being touted for a potential World Cup spot for England earlier this season, has completely cratered. Meanwhile, Patrick Bamford has been unable to rediscover his fine form of a couple seasons ago amid his health struggles. The 29-year-old has yet to score in nine Premier League appearances.

Leading scorer Rodrigo scored against Fulham, ending his six-match goalless drought in the league. He will likely lead the line once more against Liverpool.

Midfielder Tyler Adams was a surprise absentee against Fulham due to an apparent muscle injury, but he could be fit to return for the weekend.

History

Liverpool have lorded it over Leeds both in their all-time head-to-heads and in the Premier League era. The Reds own a significant 17-6 advantage over the Whites in the Premier League, with five draws.

Leeds beat Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield in April 2001, but the Reds have gone unbeaten in the 12 games since that defeat, with nine wins and three draws. Liverpool absolutely smashed Leeds last season, winning both fixtures by an aggregate score of 9-0. Six of those goals came at Anfield, as both Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane scored braces in a 6-0 rout.

Betting Tip

SBOTOP odds have Liverpool installed as 1.32 favourites to beat Leeds, who are priced at 7.80. A draw is 5.40.

There were a good number of goals in this fixture last season, and the season before that, when Liverpool won a 4-3 barnburner.

With Salah and Nunez both coming off fine performances in midweek and Klopp adopting a more attacking formation, I’m expecting another high-scoring affair at Anfield.

Leeds will give it a go as the pressure mounts on Marsch, but that might not be enough to escape Merseyside with all three points.

 

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