Darren Bent has warned Leeds United that Liverpool trio Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah could ‘take the game away’ from them on Monday night at Elland Road.
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool come into this fixture on the back of coming from 2-0 down to record a 2-2 draw against the Premier League leaders, Arsenal – Mohamed Salah had an eventual afternoon on that day, with Cody Gakpo leading the line and Darwin Nunez coming off the bench.
Whereas their opponents were smoked 5-1 by previously-struggling Crystal Palace, which was a serious hit in their quest to stay in the Premier League.
Javi Gracia wasn’t in charge, but before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the Whites beat the Reds at Anfield and they will be backing themselves to do the domestic double in front of their own fans.
Whilst Leeds United suffered such a morale-sapping defeat last time out, it needs to be remembered that Liverpool’s biggest problem are away from home.
But given the attack Klopp can pick from, Darren Bent warned that it could become a ‘cricket score’ if they get their way, as he told Premier League Productions (17/04/23 at 2:50 pm).
“It does (look like it’s winnable for Leeds),” said Bent. “But when you look at Leeds, and the second half against Crystal Palace, I think that’s cause for concern because they completely capitulated.
“The moment Crystal Palace started to put them under pressure. The goals started to flow. When you look at Liverpool’s away record, yes, it’s appalling. But you can’t help but look at some of the players that they have in their squad and just think ‘if they get it right’. I know at home, it’s different, like they did against Man United.
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“But they have the likes of Nunez, Gakpo and Salah. If these guys get it right, then they can take the game away from Leeds just like that.
“For me, tonight, Leeds have to stay in the game as long as they can. Yes, Elland Road will be bouncing and the fans will carry them through. If they do face adversity, they have to say ‘okay, let’s shut up shop for a little bit’. If they try to go toe-and-toe with Liverpool, then it could be another cricket score.”
DEFENSIVE ISSUES
Given how both teams have performed, from a defensive aspect, this season, then you can bet your bottom dollar that there will be goals in this game.
The issue for Leeds is that Liverpool’s firepower is far stronger, and if Salah starts to cook, then he will seriously hurt them.
But, the Elland Road crowd have proved before that, if they are on song, then they can make life very difficult and they have to look at the positives of the Palace game, which is they started very well, this time, they just have to punish their opponents rather than leaving the door open.
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