Liverpool have nothing to lose as they look to end a dire run of form against Premier League strugglers Leeds United at Elland Road, so says Jurgen Klopp.
The Reds travel to Yorkshire having gone five games without a win across all competitions (D2 L3), a run which saw Klopp s men begin the weekend 12 points adrift of the top four.
Green shoots of recovery were visible as Liverpool fought back from 2-0 down to salvage a draw against leaders Arsenal last time out, but Klopp knows the Reds must make changes to get back to their best.
We have nothing to lose really. We are in a position where we don t want to be in the table, that means we have to act a little bit like this, he said.
We had a long training week and now we have to make sure that we do the right stuff and bring it on the pitch. All the things are on the table, everything is clear.
Our home record is not as bad as the away record but we play away. Anyway, I m looking forward to the game and it s a tough one.
Leeds looked to be pulling clear of danger prior to last week s 5-1 defeat to Crystal Palace, when Javi Gracia s side capitulated after Patrick Bamford gave them a first-half lead.
We know how difficult it will be, the next game against Liverpool, Gracia said.
They are a very good team. In this moment we have no time to think about whether it is better or worse to play against this team or another.
What I can tell you is that all of the players have worked hard this week and tried to pay attention to the little details.
They worked very well this week and I am sure we will learn from our mistakes.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Leeds United – Patrick Bamford
Bamford scored his 50th goal for Leeds in all competitions during last week s 5-1 defeat to Palace, becoming the first player to hit that figure for the club since Ross McCormack in 2014.
He is looking to score in consecutive Premier League appearances for the first time since May 2021 as Leeds bid to pull away from the relegation zone.
Liverpool – Roberto Firmino
Having netted Liverpool s equaliser against Arsenal last time out, Firmino has averaged a goal or assist every 87 minutes in the Premier League this season (nine goals, four assists in 1,129 minutes).
Of all players to play at least 500 minutes in the competition this term, only Manchester City s Erling Haaland (one every 62 mins) boasts a better such ratio.
MATCH PREDICTION – LIVERPOOL WIN
After claiming a memorable 2-1 win at Anfield in October, Leeds are chasing just their second Premier League double over Liverpool, previously achieving that feat in the 2000-01 campaign under David O Leary.
While Liverpool are averaging just 0.87 points-per-game away from home in the Premier League this season – their lowest in a single campaign since 1992-93 (0.76) – the Reds have not lost on any of their last five league trips to Elland Road (W3 D2), last tasting defeat there in November 2000.
Leeds will have to tighten up to have any chance of a result, having shipped 10 goals in their three league games in April – the most in the top flight – and kept just five clean sheets in their last 35 league matches.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Leeds United – 15.9 per cent
Liverpool – 61.2 per cent
Draw – 22.9 per cent
