Liverpool – Leeds: Liverpool begins its title defense at Anfield against a Leeds United club which boasts three English top flight titles but hasn’t been in the Premier League since 2003-04 (Watch live at 12:30pm ET on NBC and online via NBCSports.com).
Liverpool looks ornery despite coming off a long-sought Premier League title, its manager Jurgen Klopp crying poor in relation to the Man City’s and Chelsea’s of the world when it comes to the transfer market. The key pieces are all still there, though captain Jordan Henderson starts the season with injury concerns.
[ MORE: How to watch PL in the USA ]
Leeds have finished in the top flight’s top two on eight occasions and a former Champions League runner-up, but fell as far as League One during a 16-year absence from the PL.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of Liverpool – Leeds this Saturday with team news, odds, stream link and more.
[ SEASON PREVIEWS: Liverpool | Leeds ]
Team news: Liverpool – Leeds
Liverpool will not have Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee) and Xherdan Shakiri (undisclosed) but Jordan Henderson comes through an injury to start.
Leeds star defender and England debutant Kalvin Phillips (knee) makes the Starting XI, while Gaetano Berardi (knee) is out.
Here’s how we line up for our @premierleague opener 👊🔴#LIVLEE
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 12, 2020
📰 Your #LUFC Starting XI…
— Leeds United (@LUFC) September 12, 2020
What they’re saying
Jurgen Klopp on Liverpool’s disadvantages in the transfer market: “Clubs are in different situations and we are living in uncertainty in the world. For some clubs it seems to be less important how uncertain the future is because they are owned by countries, owned by oligarchs, and that is the truth. We are a different kind of club. We reached the Champions League final two years ago, won it the following year and won the Premier League by being the club we are.”
Marcelo Bielsa on Leeds moving up, facing Liverpool: “Liverpool are a just champion with a consistent style of play. Without a doubt one of the best teams in the world. They have a defined system with very good players. It’s the best league in the world and it requires you to be at the highest level. We prepared for this, but we need to show it on the pitch. They (Leeds’ players) have been forming a group for some time and they have maintained the players they feel can play at a higher level.”
Odds and ends (full odds provided by our partner, PointsBet)
Leeds United (+900) is the week’s second-biggest underdog, understandable given their return to the Premier League begins at Anfield against the champs. Even a draw is +500, as Jurgen Klopp’s men are favored to the tune of (-375).
Liverpool – Leeds prediction
There are few reasons to bet against Liverpool, even if the Reds have overwhelming opening day rustiness and Bielsa draws up the world’s craftiest plan to fluster the hosts. Liverpool 2-0.
How to watch Liverpool – Leeds stream and start time.
Kickoff: 12:30pm ET Saturday
TV Channel: NBCSN
Online: Stream via NBCSports.com
