Premier League team news and prediction: Liverpool vs Leeds

The standout fixture from the opening weekend of the 2020/21 Premier League campaign pits last season's champions Liverpool at home to the winners of the Championship, Leeds.

Marcelo Bielsa has signed a new 12-month deal with Leeds on the eve of the new campaign in typical Bielsa fashion to put questions of his future to bed after guiding the club back into the Premier League ending a 14-year absence.

Both sides will be desperate to get off to a good start. Liverpool will want to avoid any early hiccups to prevent any suggestions they have taken their foot off the gas after winning their first ever Premier League title.

Leeds, meanwhile, will hope to make the most of the momentum they have build over the past year and make a flying start in their bid to beat the drop.

Ahead of Saturday evening's encounter between two of English football's great clubs, we have all the compulsory match information you need at your finger tips.

When is kick off?
Saturday 12th September, 17:30 GMT
Where is the match?
Anfield, Liverpool
Where can I watch it?
Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Main Event

2019/20 Recap

Liverpool finished 18 points clear of the chasing pack in the Premier League last season to clinch their first league title in 30 years. Jurgen Klopp's side fell short in the cup competitions but the Premier League title is the one their supporters really wanted.

Leeds are back in the big time after a remarkable 14-year absence after clinching the Championship title, 10 points ahead of West Bromwich Albion. Marcelo Bielsea will go down in Leeds history as one of their best ever managers regardless of what happens to them this season.

Summer Transfers

Unlike many clubs, Liverpool have decided to curb their spending in light of the Coronavirus pandemic. They believe it will put them in a much healthier position going forward compared to their rivals but it has been frustrating for supporters. Jurgen Klopp has at least added Kostas Tsimikas for £13m as back-up to Andrew Robertson at left-back and Liverpool remain interested in Bayern Munich's Thiago, though a move hinges on whether Georginio Wijnaldum leaves.

Leeds, meanwhile, have dipped into the transfer window to bolster their chances of beating the drop. Bielsa's side have broken their club-transfer record for a new striker, shelling out £26m to prise former Bolton striker Rodrigo Moreno from cash-strapped Valencia. Leeds have also re-signed Jack Harrison on loan from Manchester City and made Illan Meslier's move permanent. Germany international Robin Koch has also joined to add competition at centre-back. Other deals are in the pipeline.

Team News

Liverpool are one of the very few teams that have enjoyed a decent pre-season with several friendlies to get their players up to some sort of match sharpness. Klopp is expected to name his strongest available XI now Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Hendersona are back, though the likes of Neco Williams and Takumi Minamino are ready to start if required. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is ruled out for the home side.

Leeds have a fully fit squad ahead of the opening weekend with debuts expected for Koch and Moreno. It's important Koch hits the ground running as he has replaceed Ben White this summer, who returned to Brighton following a hugely impressive loan spell at Leeds last term.

Probable XIs

Liverpool (433): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk; Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Keita; Salah, Firmino, Mane 

Leeds (451): Meslier; Ayling, Koch, Cooper, Dallas; Costa, Klich, Phillips, Hernandez, Harrison; Moreno

Key Battle: Jordan Henderson vs Kalvin Phillips

After skipping the recent international break, Jordan Henderson missed the chance to measure up Leeds' Kalvin Phillips, who made his England debut before his Premier League one. Phillips earned rave reviews in the Championship last season and all eyes will be on his performances in England's top-flight this term. Sitting in a deeper role, he is crucial to the way Leeds operate, dictating play and the tempo in front of their back four.

Henderson's role has changed slightly under Jurgen Klopp and he will be out to disrupt Phillips' rhythm as much as possible. The Liverpool captain really flourished at the back end of last season in a more advanced role and will find himself operating in similar areas to Phillips, who will have to accomodate Henderson's runs into his own play. It will be a fascinating duel between two players that could line up as team-mates at the European Championships next summer.

Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Leeds