Leeds has major injury concern ahead of Liverpool game as 'warrior' set to miss out

Liverpool will host Leeds United at Anfield on New Year's Day, a few weeks after the 3-3 draw at Elland Road where Mohamed Salah stole the headlines in the mixed zone

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke.(Image: Scott Llewellyn/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Leeds United expects to be without defender Joe Rodon for its game at Liverpool on Thursday after the center-back was forced off in the first half of its draw with Sunderland.

Until he limped off after a heavy challenge in the Premier League clash, Rodon had played every minute this season for Leeds. The Welsh defender could be out for a while, however, because his ankle rolled over following a tackle.

"Not good," manager Daniel Farke said when updating on Rodon’s condition after the match ahead of facing Liverpool. "Joe is my warrior. Has played so many games in a row, and of course he wanted to stay on the pitch.

"[He] got a hit on his ankle, and by doing this, I think he also rolled his ankle, and it’s pretty swollen. At the moment, I doubt that he will be available for Liverpool.

"Also for the upcoming games before the FA Cup game. So we have to wait for some further assessment. But right now, straight after the game, it doesn’t look too good."

Liverpool only played Leeds a couple of weeks ago. Hugo Ekitike scored twice in that fixture before Mohamed Salah's explosive interview in the mixed zone stole the headlines.

Hugo Ekitike of Liverpool celebrates(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)

The last time the sides met at Anfield, Jesse Marsch's Leeds won thanks to a late Crysencio Summerville goal.

This time, the Reds head into the clash in better form than they have shown of late, beating Wolves last time out. While the performance was not wholly convincing, Liverpool did get over the line — though there is more work to be done by Arne Slot's side in the coming weeks.

"I think if you go 2-0 up at half-time, you're expecting a different second half than we had to face," he said in the post-match press conference on Saturday. "But in football, a goal can massively change momentum.

"That's why I was so, so, so annoyed when the goal at [Manchester] City was disallowed because we were struggling in that game — probably just as much as Wolves were struggling today — but then a goal can make a lot of difference.

"That's what you saw today — not that after the 2-1 we didn't have ball possession anymore, but it was much more of an equal game.

"Of course you're frightened every time when they do arrive, especially when he brought another big man in, with the crosses they gave. But I don't think we conceded a lot of big chances.

"I think the first big chance we conceded was, again, a goal — not for the first time this season. But for the rest, I saw a team that was fighting to get the win over the line — not with the best possible football but there was a proper fight. And a bit better than last week [in] the last 10 minutes. That wasn't too difficult, by the way!"