Stuart Dallas has told Daniel Farke whether he should revert to his 4-3-3 formation after a tactical switch inspired Leeds United’s dramatic fightback against Liverpool.
Leeds United looked like they were slipping to a ninth defeat of the Premier League season midway through the second half as a quickfire Hugo Ekitike double gave the visitors a 2-0 lead.
But Daniel Farke rolled the dice to lift his Leeds side, making a triple substitution to revert to a 4-3-3 formation, which has earned so much criticism this season.
The gamble paid off as Leeds turned around two second-half deficits and claimed a point thanks to a late goal from Ao Tanaka.
After the game, Stuart Dallas urged Farke to stick with the 3-5-2 formation that worked so well against Chelsea, despite Leeds’ late resurgence.
Who was YOUR Leeds United Man of the Match against Liverpool?
Stuart Dallas urges Daniel Farke to stick with new Leeds United set-up
Speaking on Sky Sports immediately after Leeds’ battling draw against Liverpool, Dallas explained why Farke needs to stick with the new-look three at the back.
According to Dallas, the personnel in the Leeds squad are more suited to playing with three central defenders, and Farke should not change his mind on the evidence of the last 20 minutes against Liverpool.
The Leeds legend said: “I think it’s the personnel he has available to him. I think a back three is still the way, especially away from home for me. I think it’s better to go with a back three, be more compact, have the extra man centrally, so you’re stronger centrally.
“It also gives you an extra threat from set pieces as well. I know they got success tonight from going back to the original 4-3-3, but I think the way forward for the minute until they get points on the table is certainly the 3-5-2.
“Until they get to January, and then hopefully the club can then strengthen in January, to give them a bit more firepower going forward, and who knows from there.”
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Lukas Nmecha holds the key to Leeds United’s 3-5-2
Although Noah Okafor did his best to try and impose himself on Liverpool’s back four, the Swiss international struggled to make an impact against the physically dominant Konate.
Okafor’s travails up in attack highlighted the growing importance of Lukas Nmecha, who has quickly developed a strong partnership with Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Nmecha looked to be a huge loss for us in that first half – thoughts on Okafor up top so far?
Daniel Farke when asked why Lukas Nmecha was unavailable for Leeds vs Liverpool:
Nmecha was ruled out of the Liverpool game through injury, and his absence was felt keenly by Leeds, who struggled to retain possession before Farke’s triple change.
Farke will be relieved that Nmecha is expected to be fit to return against Brentford. The difference in Leeds’ performances against Chelsea and Liverpool shows just how important he is to the 3-5-2 formation.
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