Less than 24 hours after speaking to reporters on Merseyside, Daniel Farke was back in front of the microphone to update Leeds fans.
The German was in a good mood on Friday afternoon after taking a point back to Elland Road from Anfield, following a 0-0 draw between Liverpool and Leeds on Thursday evening.
Leeds fans will also be in high spirits after Daniel Farke was able to confirm that he has no new injury problems to deal with ahead of the visit of Manchester United on Sunday.
Daniel Farke provides injury update which will please Leeds United supporters
Fortunately for Leeds, who irked Arne Slot, nobody suffered any injuries during the stalemate at Anfield, despite only having a few days to rest after the 1-1 draw at Sunderland on Sunday.
Farke said: “Sean Longstaff out, Joe Rodon out, Daniel James out, Ethan (Ampadu) out (due to suspension). Right now it is difficult but, so far, we have always tried also in moments when the adversity was against us.”
Who should replace Ampadu against Manchester United? 🤔
The options will be scarce if Gruev needs a rest… 😬
Of course, the continued absences of important players such as Rodon, Longstaff and James will irk Farke, but ahead of such a significant game against a bitter rival, it is a relief to hear nobody else has joined them in the treatment room.
The absence of Ampadu is – however – especially annoying, as the Wales international only received his suspension as a result of a harsh yellow card for a questionable handball offence.
The Wales international will only miss one game due to accumulating five yellow cards.
Daniel Farke casts Ilia Gruev doubt when asked about Ethan Ampadu
The 49-year-old was directly asked who he plans to call upon to replace Ampadu on Sunday, and while many expect Ilia Gruev to make another start after impressing at Anfield, some doubt was cast given the short turnaround and his lack of action lately.
Who was your man of the match from Leeds’ battling draw at Anfield? 🧱
FULL-TIME: Liverpool 0-0 Leeds United
Farke added: “Of course, we have some natural replacements like Ilia Gruev, for example, but we have to see how he recovers also from this workload and then see what we will do… for Ilia, first (start) since a while, (he has) invested a lot.
“I hope they (Gruev and Sebastiaan Bornauw) can recover quick and well, and we will see probably some late decisions also for Sunday when we have the earliest possible kick-off straight after breakfast, more or less. So, we will find solutions.”
Gruev shone against Liverpool and deserves a start if fit, but if the Bulgaria international does end up needing a rest, it is truly a mystery as to who could step into midfield with Ampadu and Longstaff out.
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