AHEAD of Liverpool’s League Cup quarter-final clash with Leeds United at Anfield we spoke to Thomas Bradley from Leeds United blog I’d Radebe Leeds to get the latest on our upcoming opponents.
Firstly tell us about yourself and “I’d Radebe Leeds”
My name is Thomas Bradley, and I’m the founder and editor of idradebeleeds.com. I also write a feature in the Leeds United programme and commentate for Leeds hospital radio.
My only regular contributor at the moment — Jake — and I were lucky enough to pick up the Judges’ Choice award for Best Football Club Blog at this year’s Football Blogging Awards at Old Trafford.
Leeds have won four of their last five in the league, what’s the current mood like among fans?
The mood is understandably good at the moment, with a lot of supporters slowly coming round to the idea that this year we may compete at right end of the table as opposed to languishing in the midst of mid-table mediocrity.
Garry Monk seems to be providing the solution to years of managerial upheaval, is he considered to be the right man to take the club forward?
Under the ownership of Massimo Cellino, Garry is the first head coach that I believe has the attributes and the right qualities to steer us in the right direction. We had a poor start to the season, but everything he’s said in press conferences and interviews he’s stuck with and he’s already nurturing a young squad into men on the pitch.
You currently sit fifth, though play-off contention looks very competitive this season, do the fans believe promotion could be on the cards?
It’s still early days, but we have to be confident that we can be in or around the play-offs come May, if we continue our recent form. December is a big month for us, with Aston Villa, Brighton and Reading coming up, so this could well shape the rest of our season.
Chris Wood is the club’s top scorer, is there anybody else within the ranks that Liverpool should see as a threat?
My first choice would have been Pablo Hernandez, but unfortunately he’s injured for tonight’s fixture. We do have Hadi Sacko on the wing who can cause defenders problems and there’s also the likes of Charlie Taylor, Eunan O’Kane and Kyle Bartley who bring their own unique qualities.
What have you made of the Reds this season?
I’m a huge fan of Jürgen Klopp and love the style of football Liverpool are playing under him. Adam Lallana is beginning to look like he might reach his potential, and Philippe Coutinho is arguably one of the most creative players in the Premier League. I’d love to see Liverpool win the league this year, and wish you guys the very best of luck in trying to achieve that feat.
Team news is tough to predict for Liverpool currently, though there will likely be changes, but is there anybody in particular you would be dreading coming up against?
Having seen that Coutinho, Lallana, Roberto Firmino and Daniel Sturridge won’t be playing gives us a bit more confidence in terms of causing an upset. However, you still have the likes of Sadio Mane and Emre Can, who’d I’d expect to play and bring undoubted talent to your starting XI.
Finally, can we have a score prediction ahead of the game?
I’ll go 1-1 after 90 minutes, Liverpool to win 2-1 in extra time.
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