Jesse Marsch handed job opportunity by unexpected source amid Leeds United unrest

Ordinarily, most managers in desperate need of a win would swallow hard after casting their eye upon the Premier League fixture list and seeing a trip to Anfield before them.

Currently, that is the situation Leeds United and Jesse Marsch find themselves in, having gone eight without victory in the top flight, their joint-longest winless run since 2018. American coach Marsch has been hampered by poor finishing and the inability to hold a lead this season, but curiously has seen his side turn in two of their best performances against Chelsea and Arsenal.

While Leeds' home fixture versus Arsenal ended with an unjust defeat, the Whites did see off a beleaguered Chelsea by three goals to nil earlier this season. The Blues have corrected their course since appointing Graham Potter, but another member of the so-called ‘Big Six’ is feeling the squeeze. Liverpool were beaten 1-0 by newly-promoted Nottingham Forest last weekend, one of just two teams currently below Leeds in the Premier League table.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have endured a difficult start to the 2022/23 campaign and one would estimate their title hopes all but condemned before the World Cup break. The Reds have blown hot and cold, at home and abroad, scoring seven past Rangers in the Champions League group stage, but conceding four in defeat to Napoli, as well.

Klopp’s men are eighth in the Premier League, a far-cry from their title-challenging selves of recent seasons, and have recorded three losses in eleven matches. Their nine-nil victory over AFC Bournemouth and 1-0 win versus Manchester City has been polarised by results such as the defeat at the City Ground, a stalemate at Goodison Park and a nervy three-all home draw against Brighton.

Liverpool’s indifferent form presents Marsch with an opportunity to buy yet more time in the Leeds United job, if he is able to orchestrate a performance at Anfield this weekend that earns his side an unexpected point or three. The Reds have conceded the highest Expected Goals (xG) per shot in the Premier League this season, according to football data providers Opta. This means Liverpool are not giving up too many shooting attempts to their opponents, but when they do, typically they are high-value opportunities which offer opposing sides a better chance of scoring.

In short, goalkeeper Alisson Becker is not being bombarded with shots, but the chances Liverpool do give away are the most dangerous in the league, suggesting problems with the team’s pressing system. If Leeds can replicate performances such as those versus Chelsea and Arsenal, the team stand a chance of causing an upset.