Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has been speaking to the media before Saturday’s Premier League game against Liverpool at Elland Road (kick-off 17:30 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
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On team news: “No fresh injury concerns. We have definitely Daniel James and Sean Longstaff out as it’s a bit more long-term. We need to take some late decisions, like always, when you have such a quick turnaround. Lukas Nmecha with some hamstring problems, so we have to assess him if he’s available. Dominic Calvert-Lewin with a calf problem. We have to see who has recovered.”
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On maintaining status quo after beating Chelsea: “We are never over the moon after the win and also not too down when there is a result we don’t like. We are always self-critical, and we spoke today about what we can do better to improve. This is quite normal for such a big club.”
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Farke noted that “there’s no replacement for wins”, particularly in “such a massive game against top-class” Chelsea, adding that the result has done wonders “for the mood” within the club and injected a renewed sense of optimism in their fight to avoid relegation this season.
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On Joe Rodon playing 100 consecutive league games: “He is my warrior and also a key player for us and has an unbelievable attitude. It says a lot about him, especially nowadays, to achieve 100 games is amazing, and you can only achieve this if you’re super professional in all aspects, you look after your body, nutrition and get good sleep. He’s always motivated and still improving as a player.”
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Farke also revealed that he has not turned his attention to the January transfer window, stressing that too many variables remain unresolved, “so many games”, long-term injuries and recalling that he had already outlined in the summer what they “would’ve liked”. For now, he reiterated that the focus remains firmly on the “upcoming games”.
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On positioning his back three against Chelsea: “Jaka [Bijol] has played in a back three more or less the whole of last season in Italy. Joe [Rodon] in the build-up has played so many games as the right-sided centre-back in a back four and I wanted to use Joe’s experience in this position. Pascal [Struijk] with his left foot, it was clear that he would play the left role.”
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Farke admitted that it is “important to overthink things and be self-critical as a manager”, but insisted his confidence had not dipped prior to the performance against Manchester City, saying he has “100% belief in what they ‘re doing and his lads, and are prepared”.
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On Liverpool: “They are still a top-class side, they are the reigning champions, fully deserved last season, they were excellent. Of course, a lot of fluctuation in the summer and even for them, over the course of 38 games, you will sometimes have a period where the results don’t go in your way. They are two points off the Champions League positions, and I have no doubt in my mind that come the crunch period of the season, they will be back for the fight for the Champions League and also for the title.”
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And looking ahead, Farke is aware that Mohamed Salah has now gone six games without a goal and could easily break that run against Leeds, although he added he hopes “that the spell lasts one more game longer”.
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