Predicted line-ups: Liverpool vs Leeds United

Check out the team news and predicted line-ups as Liverpool begin the defense of their Premier League title at home to Leeds.

Two of English football’s most famous clubs go head-to-head on Saturday afternoon for their opening game of the 2020/21 Premier League season in Liverpool and Leeds.

Fresh from a Community Shield penalty shootout loss to Arsenal, Liverpool will hope for no such repeat at Anfield. Three points is a must to kick-start their title defense in the right way. However, Leeds are not be underestimated with the meticulous, and almost obsessive, Marcelo Bielsa at the helm.

So here on Ace Football, we take a look at how the two clubs could line-up on Saturday.

Liverpool

Jordan Henderson is a doubt for the season opener with a knee problem. The Reds skipper has struggled with the injury since last term and hasn’t featured in pre-season, nor England’s recent Nations League fixtures. However, he may still make the squad depending on the outcome of a late fitness test on Saturday.

Naby Keita, who struggled for regular chances in the line up last season, could get a welcome break as a result.

Georginio Wijnaldum, meanwhile, should hold on to his spot despite rumored interest from Barcelona. Former Leeds man James Milner, therefore, may have to settle for a spot on the bench.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will also be without injured duo Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Xherdan Shaqiri. While summer signing Kostas Tsimikas recently tested positive for COVID-19, leaving his place in the team in doubt.

Klopp will also likely stick to his trusted trio in Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah despite Takumi Minamino impressing during pre-season.

Leeds United

After an agonizing 16-year wait, Leeds are a Premier League club once more and will begin their first season back in the English top-flight since 2003/04 away at Anfield.

Bielsa’s side head into the clash with a relatively clean bill of health with Helder Costa and Kalvin Phillips, who made his England debut against Denmark last Tuesday, back to full fitness.

Adam Forshaw will remain absent, though, with a long-term hip problem. The midfielder has stepped up his recovery from surgery back in February, but a return for Saturday is too soon.

Illan Meslier, meanwhile, is expected to start ahead of Kiko Casilla in goal after impressing last season during the former Real Madrid man’s ban.

Bielsa may also opt to not start summer signings Rodrigo Moreno and Robin Koch right away, considering their limited time with the squad in training so far.