Jurgen Klopp and Marcelo Bielsa – the managers of Liverpool and Leeds United are two of the best coaches in world football.
Klopp has shown his credentials by transforming an average Liverpool into World, European and English champions. As for Bielsa, he has revolutionised football with his tactics and taken Leeds back into the top-flight for the first time in 16-years.
Now as the Premier League opens, these two greats have a tasty battle of the minds. Will Klopp’s Liverpool outpower Leeds or will a foxy Bielsa best his German counterpart? The answer will come on Saturday.
Jurgen Klopp v Marcelo Bielsa as Liverpool Host Leeds United
Can Klopp and Liverpool Continue Last Season’s Form?
It’s fair to say that last season was perfect for Liverpool. The Reds romped to the Premier League title with a club-record 99 points as they dominated the competition. But, when the title was sealed, the Reds started to stutter – they couldn’t beat Burnley at Anfield and they lost to Arsenal at the Emirates.
The front three of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino weren’t at their pristine best and their lacklustre form continued as the Reds couldn’t beat Arsenal in the Community Shield.
In addition, the men from Merseyside have failed to make any additional attacking signings this summer. Could this mean that their attack might struggle this season?
It seems foolish to think that, but it’s big picture questions like this that separate dynasties from good teams. Liverpool are on the edge of becoming a dynasty – this season will be vital in shaping Klopp’s legacy
Marcelo Bielsa and Leeds are the Great Unknown
Leeds also enjoyed a near-perfect season last year. The team stormed their way back into the Premier League by amassing a whopping 93 points. Most of that was down to their enigmatic manager who coached a near-perfect team.
Yet questions remain for Leeds. Will their players adapt to this higher division? Will Patrick Bamford be able to replicate his good form or will he struggle?
It seems like it could go one of two ways for Leeds this year. Either they will play wonderful football that sees them prosper like Wolverhampton Wanderers or they will suffer and leak goals like Norwich City last season.
For this game at Anfield, Bielsa seems uniquely prepared.
“In this season, Liverpool and Klopp have been the reference for everybody in football,” said the Leeds manager.
“Always you have teams and managers that attract you and you want to copy them. Human beings always want to copy those who win. In this case, I have seen a lot of positive things.”
And maybe the Argentine’s studying of Klopp will position him for the upset.
Previous Meeting
The last time these teams met was in the League Cup in 2016. A youthful Liverpool squad beat Leeds 2-0 as Ben Woodburn and Divock Origi scored. Woodburn’s goal meant he became the youngest goalscorer in Red’s history. Trent Alexander-Arnold also put in a great performance that was a sign of things to come.
However, Jurgen Klopp’s and Marcelo Bielsa’s teams have mightly changed since that match. In truth, it offers no indication of how this upcoming clash will play out.
Prediction
While Leeds may surprise a few this season, Liverpool won’t be one of them. Klopp’s team could comfortably win 2-0.
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