Leeds star ruled out of Liverpool game despite positive injury update from Daniel Farke

Joe Rodon has joined Leeds' short list of absentees ahead of the team's trip to Liverpool in the Premier League, after sustaining an ankle ligament injury against Sunderland

Joe Rodon will miss Leeds' trip to Liverpool(Image: 2025 Getty Images)

Joe Rodon will miss Leeds United's trip to Anfield after being forced off during the West Yorkshire side's 1-1 draw with Sunderland over the weekend.

Rodon was on the receiving end of a couple of heavy challenges during the first half of that game, forcing him off before the interval. Leeds boss Daniel Farke confirmed that Rodon has suffered a ligament injury that will keep him out of the New Year's Day game at Anfield, but he is not expected to be sidelined for too long.

“Yes, he will definitely miss the Liverpool game," Farke said. "The diagnosis is better than we were first fearing straight after the game, because after the game it didn’t look good. It is an ankle ligament injury,

“Normally, out for three weeks. We have hope, he is a good healer and a strong boy, there is a chance to involve him before. But he is likely to miss the FA Cup game, but after that, he will likely be available."

Rodon's injury brings an end to a remarkable run of starts for the defender, who had lined up in 104 successive games for the Whites.

"He is an integral part of our team, not only this season but has been for years," Farke said of Rodon. "We have other players who can also play this position and we can be flexible in our formation."

Farke confirmed that Rodon is the only fresh injury absentee for Leeds' trip to Liverpool, with Sean Longstaff and Dan James the only other players who remain unavailable.

Longstaff has been sidelined since November due to a calf injury, while Dan James also hasn't played since November due to a hamstring issue.

Daniel Farke provided an injury update on Leeds' squad ahead of the trip to Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

Farke added: “No other new injuries, and our long-term injuries Sean Longstaff and Dan James, they need a bit more time to recover. No news in these terms."

As for Liverpool, Dominik Szoboszlai will return after serving a one-game suspension against Wolves for a totting-up of yellow cards, but Alexander Isak and Giovanni Leoni remain unavailable due to long-term injuries.

Mohamed Salah is at the Africa Cup of Nations, while it is unclear whether Joe Gomez or Wataru Endo will be available to return after recent injuries.

Hugo Ekitike did appear to be walking gingerly during the closing stages of the win over Wolves before being withdrawn, but there has been no suggestion that the Frenchman is carrying an injury.