Leeds United fans have shared an angry reaction to Daniel Farke’s decision to leave Ao Tanaka on the bench to face Liverpool.
Ao Tanaka was one of Leeds’ standout players in their statement win over Chelsea, as he scored the pick of the goals at Elland Road.
However, speaking in his press conference ahead of the Liverpool game, Daniel Farke admitted that Tanaka may need to be rested, having started two games in quick succession.
Leeds’ performance against Chelsea was so dominant that Alan Shearer backed the Whites to pull off another upset against Liverpool.
However, fans have questioned Farke’s decision to omit their star midfielder, in one of two changes to his starting line-up.
Prediction time for Leeds United v Liverpool 🔮
Leeds United fans question shock Ao Tanaka decision
Leeds fans were quick to take to the social media site X (formerly Twitter) to question the decision to leave Tanaka out of the starting side against Liverpool.
One fan claimed Farke was not helping himself with the decision, as they stated: “DF likes stats. He really doesn’t help himself. Leeds have won more games when Tanaka has started.”
Another fan agreed with this argument, arguing that Tanaka would help Leeds to get off to a fast start, as they wrote: “We need to get at them fast today.
“But I don’t understand why you drop an attacking midfielder with goals in the locker and who had an outstanding game last time out, when that’s exactly what you’re going to need in the first 15 or 20 minutes until Liverpool find their feet.”
No Tanaka and no Nmecha 😨, does this team still have enough to beat Liverpool?
Farke’s side have suddenly found their goalscoring form in the last two games, but one fan argued their midfield was too defensive without Tanaka, stating: “Not much creativity in the midfield 3, who is going to create for the front two? Answer – Tanaka.”
Another fan was not complimentary about Gruev, as they argued: “We are best when we are going forward because we can’t defend. To put a crab in instead of Tanaka is mind-boggling.”
- READ MORE: Gary Neville names the three Leeds players he thinks are just too weak for the Premier League
Lukas Nmecha also drops out of Leeds’ starting XI
The other major omission from the Leeds team was star centre forward Lukas Nmecha, who was not named in the matchday squad at all.
Nmecha was a major fitness doubt for the game after picking up a hamstring injury during the win over Chelsea and appears not to have recovered in time.
However, in better news for Farke, Dominic Calvert-Lewin is fit enough to lead the line against Liverpool, and he will be partnered by Swiss international Noah Okafor.
This is also a boost for sidelined forward Joel Piroe, who looks set to play a bigger role from the bench with Nmecha ruled out.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
