Liverpool v Leeds: Reds to progress in tight tussle

WILLIE DUNCAN (@Willie_Duncan) shares his verdict on Tuesday night's EFL Cup contest as Liverpool entertain Leeds.

Liverpool v Leeds | Tuesday 19:45 | Sky Sports 1

Liverpool welcome Leeds to Anfield in the EFL Cup on Tuesday night and, despite the Whites’ recent run of good form, the odds compilers reckon that tie could well prove to be pretty one-sided.

With a home win as short as 1/6 in places, Klopp’s charges are expected to make the final-four of this competition for a second successive season, but there is better value out there for punters who dig a bit deeper.

Leeds have a terrible record against top-flight teams in this competition, having won just two of their last 11 League Cup ties against Premier League sides, while the last time that the Whites turned up in the last-eight of the League Cup, they suffered a chastening 5-1 thumping at the hands of Chelsea.

Garry Monk’s men, however, have been beaten in just one of their last seven outings in all competitions and the men from Elland Road are certainly capable of making this match much more competitive than some observers might expect.

Jurgen Klopp was pretty scathing about Sunderland’s defensive tactics at Anfield on Saturday afternoon but, given that the Reds are the top scorers in the Premier League so far this season – and they’ve scored 10 goals in three EFL Cup matches, too – I don’t expect Leeds to adopt an open, expansive style of play when they arrive on Merseyside.

Liverpool’s task, too, will not be helped by the injury to Philippe Coutinho that is expected to subject the midfield maestro to a lengthy spell on the sidelines, while the Brazilian star’s fellow countryman, Roberto Firmino, may also miss out after picking up a calf knock against the Black Cats.

On top of that, there have been fewer than four goals scored in all but one of the last eight EFL Cup ties at Anfield that the hosts have won inside 90 minutes and there is plenty of value to be had in backing a tight tussle when these two teams lock horns.

The generous 27/20 quote from Coral, therefore, for Liverpool to win and fewer than four goals offers outstanding value and it is this price that punters should pick up ahead of Tuesday’s tussle between Liverpool and Leeds.