Marcelo Bielsa sizes up Liverpool challenge but cannot predict Leeds United's Premier League fortunes

Newly-promoted Leeds will finally end a 16-year wait for Premier League football in Saturday evening's clash at Jurgen Klopp's newly-crowned champions Liverpool with Bielsa signing a new one-year deal with the Whites on the eve of the clash at Anfield.

Bielsa confirmed at Thursday's pre-Liverpool press conference that he would be staying and United then announced that the 65-year-old Argentinian had signed his new contract on Friday morning.

Yet Bielsa said there was no way of telling just how his Championship champions would get on back in the country's top flight after a 16-year wait with Bielsa much more sure about the calibre of the opposition his side will face on the opening day of the campaign.

"I don’t like to predict so far into the future because I don't know what is going to happen," said Bielsa, asked what would constitutes success this season, be it survival or something better.

"It’s difficult to assimilate how they are going to adjust to the Premier League. We prepared for this, but we need to show it on the pitch.

"It’s very difficult to predict results."

Asked about the threats posed by Liverpool, Bielsa said: "It's a just champion with a consistent style of play. Without a doubt it's one of the best teams in the world.

"With the work Klopp has done everywhere he has worked, it has given him the chance to shine in every league that he has been in.

"Anything that I were to add would just be repeating the praise he has already rightly received.

"I reiterate that they are one of the best teams in the world.

"They have a defined system with very good players.

"It’s a very special game. Full of different scenarios to last season."

Bielsa said at Thursday's press conference that he had no new injuries to contend with but that midfielder Adam Forshaw would still be missing as he continues his recovery from hip surgery.

United's head coach also provided a positive update as to the fitness of new signings Rodrigo and Robin Koch.

Spanish international forward Rodrigo has joined Leeds from Valencia for a club record fee while German international centre-back Koch has been recruited from SC Freiburg to effectively replace last season's Brighton loanee Ben White who has returned to the Seagulls and signed a new deal.

"They are in very good physical condition ahead of the game," said Bielsa.

"They are two players who have the correct level to play in the Premier League. If there’s going to be any new signings we will let you know in due time."

Asked about the duo individually, Bielsa said of Rodrigo: "He’s a very known player, he has extensive track record.

"He’s also a starter for an important nation in Europe.

"That defines him as a player."

Assessing how he planned to resolve the absence of Ben White immediately in the short-term as Koch adapts to the team, Bielsa reasoned: "The spot on the right of the defence in the back four does not require a lot of adapting."

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/yorkshire-evening-post-launch-leeds-united-only-digital-subscription-ahead-premier-league-campaign-2967964https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-uniteds-premier-league-reward-being-box-office-10-times-championship-payout-2967845https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/headline-could-read-marcelo-bielsa-back-he-was-never-going-leave-his-beloved-leeds-united-2967545A message from the Editor:

Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890.

We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds.

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/why-yorkshire-evening-post-needs-your-support-laura-collins-yep-editor-2913382

Subscribe to our website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app.

With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Click here to subscribe.

For more details on our newspaper subscription offers click here.

Thank you Laura Collins